Venues Sought To Host International Catamaran Challenge Trophy

The Trustees of the ICCT look to expand the scope of their event in its 25th anniversary

SEA CLIFF, N.Y. (Jan. 4, 2005) - The Sea Cliff Yacht Club, Trustees of the International Catamaran Challenge Trophy (ICCT), and the Southern Yacht Club (New Orleans, LA.), the current defender of the trophy, have announced that they are accepting proposals from cities around the world to host the 25th anniversary regatta later this year.

First contested in 1961 and dubbed the "Little America's Cup" by competitors, followers and members of the media, the International Catamaran Challenge Trophy resumed competition two years ago under a new format after a seven-year hiatus.

Formerly sailed in one-off C Class catamarans, the event is currently raced in the developmental F18HT high-performance catamaran in an effort to make the competition more affordable and accessible to a wide range of sailors.

Given the interest from top international catamaran teams there is a desire to hold the event in a venue that will enable as many teams to participate as practical, provide media accessibility sought by the teams' sponsors, and capitalize on venues to optimize spectator viewing. Several venues have already inquired about hosting the silver anniversary event.

"The top catamaran teams in the world have expressed a desire for the event to better fit their circuit and sponsorship requirements," said John B. Dawson, Jr., Chairman, ICCT Trustees. "We're very pleased to continue the growth of the program."

Last October John Lovell and Charlie Ogeltree, U.S. Sailing Team Olympic silver medalists in the multihull Tornado class at the Athens Olympic Regatta, successfully defended the trophy they won in 2003 by defeating Enrique Figueroa and Jorge Hernandez of Puerto Rico.

Instead of hosting a second defense, the Southern Yacht Club agreed to the ICCT Trustees' wishes to open the location of the next event to venues other than just the defender's home waters.

"We witnessed first hand the exciting spectacle of high-speed catamarans match-racing in close action, and as the defender we want to make sure this new form of catamaran racing gains the greatest possible exposure," said Ewell C. "Corky" Potts III, Commodore, Southern Yacht Club.

The Trustees hope to announce a host venue and dates of competition as soon as possible. Interested venues should send proposals to ICCT Trustees, c/o Sea Cliff Yacht Club, 42 The Boulevard, Sea Cliff, NY 11579, USA.