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Sailing - 09. June 2009.

Block Island Race Week XXIII presented by Rolex


 

Storm Trysail Club’s Premier Event Supported by Sailors and Sponsors

 

Block Island, R.I., USA  While over 160 sailing teams make preparations for this summer’s Block Island Race Week presented by Rolex, the Storm Trysail Club is seeing to the final details for the week of festivities on the quaint and quiet island. Based on current projections, over 1500 sailors are expected to compete in 16 classes for IRC, PHRF, One Design and Navigator ratings. For five days, June 22-26, the on-the-water and onshore activities will be made possible by the support of the Storm Trysail Club’s industry partners.

 

“With almost 45 years of tradition behind it, Block Island Race Week presented by Rolex has true national appeal,” said Regatta Chairman and Storm Trysail Club Vice Commodore Eric Kreuter (Greenwich, Conn.). “The regatta consistently attracts over 160 entries, and we have the pleasure to partner with some of the sport’s most committed sponsors. It is fair to say that Block Island Race Week presented by Rolex has grown into one of the most popular and prestigious sailing race weeks in America due to the support of our sponsors and the many sailors who return each year.”

 

Rolex, the most prestigious maker of timepieces in the world and a long-time supporter of sailing, is once again Block Island Race Week’s presenting sponsor. Sailors will be gunning for individual class trophies, with fleets vying for Rolex watches as overall prizes for the top-performing yachts. Returning sponsors include Caithness Energy LLC, Gowrie Group, Hall Spars & Rigging, Heineken, Lewmar, Mount Gay Rum, Sailing World, Summit Yachts, UK Halsey Sailmakers, WindCheck, Yellow Tail wine and Vineyard Vines. Joining as first-time sponsors are Bitter End Yacht Club and ING Real Estate.

 

Under a “Big Top” tent in New Harbor –next door to The Oar Restaurant where the regatta is headquartered – all of Race Week’s sponsors will have a presence during the evening parties, held from 1800-2000 (except for Friday’s final party, which will start at 1700).  Compliments of Rolex, video shows of each day’s racing will be shown and then broadcast online each night at www.t2p.tv. Rolex also sponsors special event duffels, which will be given to each skipper at registration.

 

Keeping sailors updated on the regatta’s history and daily standings are two publications: Sailing World, the authority on performance racing, produces Race Week’s Official Program, while WindCheck, the North East’s monthly sailing publication, returns to produce the popular morning newspaper.

 

Daily Racing and Socializing

Kicking of the week of fun begins on Sunday night when Heineken and ING Real Estate team up with the Storm Trysail Club to sponsor the official Welcoming Party. “Each day of racing and every evening of socializing is supported through the generous support of our friends at each of these fine companies,” said Kreuter. Yellow Tail, one of the fastest growing brands of Australian wine, is supplying wine for the parties every night, while Lewmar’s pedestal grinder is back by popular demand.

 

Monday’s Awards Presentation and Evening Party will be sponsored by Summit Yachts and Sailing World, while Caithness Energy, LLC will sponsor the day’s racing. Vineyard Vines Race Day follows on Tuesday, with Gill and UK Halsey host the evening party and awards presentation. Gill, the event’s official supplier of foul weather gear, will have representatives available each evening in the tent to show and sell the latest and greatest in performance. Vineyard Vines, best known for their innovative, fashionable, elegant and fun neckties, will present the winners on Tuesday with three ties each for first-, second- and third-place finish positions.

 

Wednesday is Rolex Race Day with Gowrie Group and Windcheck as the Official Party Sponsors. Block Island Race Week presented by Rolex is part of the Rolex Yachting Portfolio that includes over 20 world-class sailing events that take place around the world such as the Rolex Miami OCR, New York Yacht Club Annual Regatta presented by Rolex, Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, Rolex Fastnet Race, Rolex Farr 40 World Championship, Rolex Big Boat Series, Rolex US-IRC National Championship, Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship, Rolex Osprey Cup and the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.  For over 30 years the affiliated companies of the Gowrie Group have insured the assets and traditions of individuals, families and businesses alike throughout the US. With recognized expertise in marine related industries, yacht clubs, yachts and high net worth individuals.

 

Long-time sponsor Mount Gay, whose product is a favorite with the international sailing community, takes the stage on Thursday as the sponsor of both the racing and the after-racing party under the tent (with Mount Gay clothing available). That evening, the winner of the Storm Trysail Club’s raffle for a Rolex watch will be announced.

 

The action will culminate on Friday with Lewmar Race Day and a final party sponsored by Hall Spars & Rigging, which can also be found during the week at the Block Island Boat Basin to help with repairs and rigging problems. Class prizes for the series and the Block Island Race Week Perpetual Trophies will be awarded, and for the first time in the regatta’s history, one lucky sailor will win an invitation to compete in the Bitter End Yacht Club’s Pro Am Regatta, scheduled for October 31 – November 7, 2009. The top Corinthian owner/driver in each class will be entered into a drawing at the Awards Ceremony.

 

Giving Back
In 2007, through contributions and a raffle, the event raised in excess of $20,000 for four charities: North Light Restoration, Block Island Early Learning Center, Block Island Rescue Squad and the Block Island Historical Society.

 

This year proceeds from the raffle will benefit the Rescue squad and the North Light. The grand prize again will be a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner timepiece with additional prizes supplied by Mount Gay, Gill, Vineyard Vines, Heineken, Bitter End Yacht Club and other Block Island Race Week sponsors.


“For more than 40 years, Storm Trysail members, guest skippers, crews, and families have descended upon Block Island and, essentially, taken it over for an entire week,” said Kreuter. “Block Island, like many summer destinations, recognizes the importance of tourism to its local economy and embraces the economic contributions of Block Island Race Week, Conversely, we recognize the importance of Block Island to our club's heritage and want to give something back.”

Registration deadline for Block Island Race Week presented by Rolex is June 1, however late entries will be accepted until June 11. For more information, to register online or for raffle tickets, visit www.blockislandraceweek.com

 

About Rolex Watch U.S.A. Since Rolex Watch U.S.A. first presented timepieces to America’s Cup defenders in 1958, the company has consistently recognized and encouraged excellence in every important arena of competitive sailing, including elite athlete preparation, US SAILING championships, disabled sailing, and offshore, one-design and women’s events.

 

About Storm Trysail Club Reflecting in its name the sail to which sailors must shorten when facing adverse conditions, the Storm Trysail Club is one of the world’s most respected sailing clubs, with its membership comprised strictly of skilled blue water and ocean racing sailors. www.stormtrysail.org.

 

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