Acura SORC Named to J/105 Southern Circuit

MIAMI BEACH, FL, January 13, 2004 – The 2004 Acura Southern Ocean Racing Conference (SORC), to be raced February 25-29, 2004 off Miami Beach, FL, has been named as the second stop on the inaugural J/105 Southern Circuit. The 63rd edition of North America’s premier winter ocean racing regatta will once again feature racing on ocean courses with all shore side activities headquartered at the Miami Beach Marina.

The J/105 President’s Southern Circuit perpetual trophy will be awarded annually to the boat with the best score in the three J/105 Southern Circuit events. Each year the trophy will be engraved with the names of the current President of the J/105 Class Association, the winner of the Circuit, and a participant who sails in all three regattas and who is deemed to promote sportsmanship and the best interests of the Class (the Sportsmanship Award). The 2004 J/105 Southern Circuit kicks off with Key West Race Week and concludes with Charleston Race Week.

"In many ways SORC is easier than Key West. You just fly into Miami and take a cab to the dock. And, South Beach is right near the tent, has great hotels, restaurants, and night life,” said J/105 class Secretary/Treasurer Nelson Weiderman. “It was an easy choice to be on our inaugural Southern Circuit.”

In addition to the J/105s, entries for the 2004 Acura SORC will be welcomed from boats racing under handicap rules, IMS, and PHRF, as well as one-design classes such as the Swan 45, Farr 40, Mumm 30, Melges 24, J/80, Multihulls and any class with more than five entrants.

The Acura SORC will also offer a team competition category featuring the cumulative scoring of three boats in separate classes. Teams be can comprised of boats from the same yacht club, geographic region or foreign country. Team applications are available by calling the Acura SORC, applications must be submitted by February 25, 2004.

To register for the 2004 Acura SORC log on to www.acurasorc.com. On-line registration is fast and easy and, through a random draw, all competitors who register by January 15, 2004, have the opportunity to win a free entry into the 2004 event. First-come, first-served docking for the Acura SORC is available at the Miami Beach Marina. Call 305-673-6000 for more information. Address registration queries to Wendy Hinman, Octagon, Tel (203) 352-5217 or (877)-520-2508, or via email at wendy.hinman@octagon.com.

The SORC was founded in the late 1930's by a conference of Florida yacht clubs and a Bahamian club. As originally conceived, the SORC was a mix of long-distance overnight races plus local day racing. The series, spread out over a six-week season, started in St. Petersburg and took in Miami and Fort Lauderdale before finishing in Nassau. Today, the series features multiple day races with an awards presentation each evening.

The Acura SORC is currently run by five of the founding clubs including the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club, Coral Reef Yacht Club, Lauderdale Yacht Club, Miami Yacht Club and Nassau Yacht Club and is managed by global sports marketing company Octagon.

Additional event and registration information is available at www.acurasorc.com