26 Now An ISAF Recognized <strong>Class</strong> In November 2008, <strong>the</strong> International <strong>Melges</strong> <strong>32</strong> <strong>Class</strong> Association became an ISAF Recognized <strong>Class</strong>. This meant that <strong>the</strong> I<strong>M<strong>32</strong></strong>CA could now hold world championships, intercontinental regattas and o<strong>the</strong>r major events — taking racing <strong>the</strong> <strong>Melges</strong> <strong>32</strong> to an entirely new level. With this new class status, <strong>the</strong> strength and fleet maturity is officially confirmed. “The <strong>Melges</strong> <strong>32</strong> is a first-class sportboat in <strong>the</strong> performance, one design category,” said International <strong>Melges</strong> <strong>32</strong> <strong>Class</strong> President Jeff Ecklund. “With this milestone, I’m certain this boat will continue to grow fleets worldwide. Some of <strong>the</strong> very best sailors in <strong>the</strong> world are populating this fleet. I’m not just speaking about <strong>the</strong> ultra-superstars in sailing, I am specifically talking about <strong>the</strong> amateur, owner/drivers in this class that want to enjoy a great product, sail fast and competitively, affordably.” Fascinatingly enough, <strong>the</strong> stringent guidelines that ISAF requires a class to meet for status consideration enabled <strong>the</strong> I<strong>M<strong>32</strong></strong>CA to take stock in fleet facts. The <strong>Melges</strong> <strong>32</strong> demographics revealed that more than 90 boats are sailing worldwide, covering Australia, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Monaco, Switzerland and <strong>the</strong> United States, supported by builders, sales and distribution points on three continents. And, <strong>the</strong> numbers continued to rise, especially at regattas. At a time when financial worry is at <strong>the</strong> forefront of media and conversation, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Melges</strong> <strong>32</strong> experienced an overall increase in participation at almost every regatta in North America in 2008. Federico Michetti, president of <strong>Melges</strong> Europe proudly represented <strong>the</strong> I<strong>M<strong>32</strong></strong>CA in Madrid, Spain at ISAF's AGM. “Globally speaking, this is a very exciting time for <strong>the</strong> <strong>Melges</strong> <strong>32</strong>. The great success of this class in Europe, as well as in North America and Australia, not to mention <strong>the</strong> partnerships it has acquired over a very short period of time, is impressive. This is proof that <strong>the</strong> yachting world really has a unique confidence in this boat.” <strong>2009</strong> I<strong>M<strong>32</strong></strong>CA Contacts Builder <strong>Melges</strong> Performance Sailboats Andy Burdick T: +1 (262) 275-1110 andy@melges.com F: +1 (262) 275-8012 P.O. Box 1 | Zenda, Wisc. 53195 | USA www.melges.com Sales & Distribution <strong>Melges</strong> Europe Federico Michetti T: +39 02 94435078 federico@melges.com F: +39 02 94435079 Via Santa Maria 96 | <strong>2009</strong>3 Cologno Monzese | Milano, Italy www.melgeseurope.com <strong>Melges</strong> Asia Pacific (Northshore Yachting Services) Heath Walters T: +61 2 4<strong>32</strong>26958 sales@melges.com.au F: +61 2 4<strong>32</strong>26959 Unit 2/29 Tathra Street | West Gosford NSW | Australia 2250 www.melges.com.au International <strong>Melges</strong> <strong>32</strong> <strong>Class</strong> Association International President Jeff Ecklund T: +1 (954) 522-6411 jecklund<strong>32</strong>@me.com F: +1 (954) 522-3131 M: +1 (954) 298-3100 European Fleet President Filippo Pacinotti T: +39 02 93305230 ita.667@gmail.com F: +39 02 933 05400 pacinotti@gmail.com M: +39 348 2<strong>32</strong>3342 North American Fleet President Stephen Pugh T: +1 (415) 345-3056 spugh@apr.com <strong>Class</strong> Administrator | Press Officer Joy Dunigan T: +1 (912) 756-6706 joy.dunigan@melges<strong>32</strong>.com F: +1 (912) 756-6728 M: +1 (912) 398-5776 10385 Ford Ave, Unit B | Richmond Hill, Ga. 31<strong>32</strong>4 | USA www.melges<strong>32</strong>.com Official I<strong>M<strong>32</strong></strong>CA Website www.melges<strong>32</strong>.com Official I<strong>M<strong>32</strong></strong>CA Blog blog.melges<strong>32</strong>.com International Sailing Federation Authority (ISAF) sailing.org <strong>2009</strong> <strong>M<strong>32</strong></strong> <strong>Yearbook</strong>: ISAF Recognition • I<strong>M<strong>32</strong></strong>CA Contacts | www.melges<strong>32</strong>.com
W <strong>2009</strong> <strong>Melges</strong> <strong>32</strong> World Championship 20-27 September www.melges<strong>32</strong>.com Yacht Club Costa Smeralda Porto Cervo, Sardinia, Italy
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