New Class Agreement Extends Entry Deadline; Chief Judge/Umpire Named

SEA CLIFF, N.Y. (June 19, 2003)--The Trustees for the International Catamaran Challenge Trophy (ICCT) announced that preparations for the 2003 ICCT are accelerating and the entry deadline for potential defenders and challengers has been extended. The event, known as "the Little America’s Cup" and to be sailed for the first time ever in one-design F-18HT catamarans, is set for September 28th-October 3 at the Sail Newport Sailing Center in Newport, R.I. There are ten top-level accepted entries to date.

"The original entry deadline of June 1 was a result of boat building/shipping logistics," said John Dawson, Chairman for the ICCT Trustees. "The caliber of the current entries and the high level of interest world-wide has convinced the F-18HT Class to extended the entry window and enable teams that are in the process of forming their challenges to compete."

"We have been contacted by many more teams that are in the process of finalizing their challenges," said WF Oliver, North American F-18HT Class President. "Since the event was only announced in March, many teams did not have the Little America’s Cup on their original sailing/sponsor schedule. Although Sea Cliff has surpassed their minimum number of entries needed for a successful event, we believe that our extending the entry window will allow these additional top teams to join us in Newport."

The Trustees have further announced an agreement with the F-18HT Class that allows for the remaining open slots to be assigned. Housing for the sailors will be provided.

Watch the official web site for a full listing of entered teams, their sponsors, clubs and links.

CHIEF JUDGE AND UMPIRE SELECTED
The Trustees for the ICCT have announced that Henry Menin, US Virgin Islands, has been named Chief Judge and Umpire for the ICCT. Menin has a long track record of working in international match racing events and was an advisor to Oracle in the most recent America’s Cup. ICCT PRO Peter Reggio said, "It is a pleasure to be working with as experienced a Judge as Henry to bring on-the-water umpiring to the Little America’s Cup for the first time."

The International Catamaran Challenge Trophy was created in 1961 to promote friendly international match racing catamaran competition. Up to 10 defenders (U.S.) and 10 challengers (non-U.S.) will be selected from the entries. The dates are September 28th-October 3, 2003 at the Sail Newport Sailing Center in Newport, R.I. The entry deadline is June 1st, 2003. For entry information and complete ICCT details go to www.icct2003.org or www.littleamericascup2003.org .