Vanguard Sailboats to Provide Grants to US Team

PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (June 24, 2002) – The Olympic Sailing Committee of US SAILING, national governing body for the sport, has announced the team which will represent the U.S.A. at the 2002 Laser Radial World Championships scheduled for July 14-19, 2002, at the Buffalo Canoe Club in Ontario, Canada. Through a sponsorship arrangement that extends through 2005, Vanguard Sailboats (Portsmouth, R.I.) will provide funding for a coach to accompany the team, as well as a grant to each athlete, which will offset expenses associated with attending the championship. The athletes, determined by the Laser Class Grand Prix Ranking System, will not have reached their 19th birthday in 2002.

“We are proud to be sending such a talented group of young sailors to this international championship,” said OSC Chair Fred Hagedorn, (Chicago, Ill.). “Vanguard’s generous support of these athletes will no doubt ensure that they have a positive experience.”

Named to the team are: Greg Helias (Santa Monica, Calif.); Bobby Noonan (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.); Giancarlo Nucci (Old Greenwich, Conn.); Matt Barry (Riverside, Conn.); and Jeff Cruise (Naples, Fla.). Bern Noack (Belmont, Mass.), sailing coach at Harvard University, will act as team leader/coach.

"Vanguard is pleased to be supporting such a talented young group of sailors to represent the United States at the Radial Worlds," said Vanguard Sailboats’ President Chip Johns (Portsmouth, R.I.).

Vanguard, started in 1967, is the leading world manufacturer, and largest US supplier, of recreational and high performance small sailboats. Vanguard products include the Sunfish and Laser, two of the most recognized brands in the sailing world. For more information on Vanguard visit www.teamvanguard.com or call 1.800.966.SAIL.

Additional information on the US national teams is available online at www.ussailing.org/Olympics/.