NEWPORT, R.I. (November 19, 2003) – The Trustees of the International
Catamaran Challenge Trophy (ICCT) have announced that the 24th running of
the event better known as “The Little America’s Cup” will be hosted by
Southern Yacht Club (New Orleans, La.) from October 18-23, 2004. Created in 1961 by Sea Cliff Yacht Club, the Little America’s Cup is a match
racing event sailed in catamarans and contested between countries.
Challengers from countries other than that of the defender’s country vie for
the right to face the defender’s representative. John Lovell and Charlie
Ogletree, representing Southern Yacht Club, won the 2003 Little America’s
Cup which, for the first time since 1976, was decided by the final match in
the best four-out-of-seven finals.
The Trustees have also announced that the 18-HT class has been selected for
the 2004 event. Competitors will be allowed to bring their own boat which
will permit teams to take advantage of the development aspects of the 18-HT
class. The 18-HT class will assume measurement responsibilities for the
event and will coordinate charters through multiple builders for any teams
requiring them. Teams interested in chartering should contact 18-HT class
representative Hunt Stookey at hs******@*******nk.net. Additional
information on the 18-HT class is available at www.18htclass.com.
The Notice of Race is expected to be available by the end of the year.
However, the format for racing will remain the same — short-course, umpired
match races — based on the enthusiastic response of competitors at the 2003
Little America’s Cup.
For more information please visit
www.littleamericascup2004.org or
www.ICCT2004.org.