INTERNATIONAL CATAMARAN CHALLENGE TROPHY
March 20, 2003, Sea Cliff, New York. The Trustees for the International Catamaran Challenge Trophy announce today that Randy Smyth, two time Olympic Silver Medalist and winner of over 50 class titles across a multitude of catamaran classes is forming a challenge to compete for the ICCT representing the Fort Walton Yacht Club. Randy said "I have followed the Little America's Cup and I am pleased to see that the 2003 event favors the sailors and minimizes the logistical issues we face in competing at the world level. I think the new format is terrific; sailors from other classes don't even have to own an F-18HT to compete. It will be great fun to see the worlds best catamaran sailors battle it out on a level playing field. I think all the top class champions will be represented so we started practicing match racing this past Saturday."
Peter Reggio, most recently PRO for the Louis Vuitton Series in Auckland, New Zealand, is the PRO for the ICCT. Peter said "It will be a world class event with both the defenders and challengers having to survive a grueling round robin elimination to reach the Cup finals. We will have on the water Umpires for both rounds. It will be very exciting to see close match racing between these top catamaran sailors. It could be very interesting if some of the world ranked match racers cross over and compete."
The Sail Newport Sailing Center in Newport will be race site
The ICCT is being held September 27th - October 2, 2003 at The Sail Newport Sailing Center in Newport, RI. Sail Newport Executive Director Brad Read says, "Narragansett Bay is a premiere venue for this spectacular sailing event and Sail Newport is thrilled to be chosen as the host site. The event is sure to be embraced by the entire community."
The International Catamaran Challenge Trophy was created in 1961 to promote friendly international match racing competition.
For entry information and complete ICCT details go to www.icct2003.org or www.littleamericascup2003.org .
Sounds a little like the Alter Cup they are even using the same boat. The only difference will be if international teams come over. How do they choose the teams?
Match racing is a whole different ball of noodles than fleet racing. I keep hearing the comparison to the Alter Cup, I think because of the Jav, but the LAC really is quite different. There was a representative from Sea Cliff at the US Sailing meeting this past weekend to talk over some logistics and to get some Judges with catamaran experience involved for the on-the-water umpire staff. There's another big difference - umpires.
It looks like a cool event - glad to see Randy going.
What a boost for the event! Where Randy goes many follow, in more ways than one. Let's get hold of Gary Jobson and get some real sailing on cable TV!