NEWS

WORLDS BEST HEADING TO KEY WEST

www.premiere-racing.com 05 DECEMBER 2007 • As published by Premiere-Racing • January Race Week Draws US and International Champions • With weeks to go before the final entry deadline, the entry list for Acura Key West 2008, presented by Nautica is already long on talent and strong on international and national representation. And the traditional last minute crush of entries is yet to descend. It will only get better. Key West Race Week is so much more than a numbers game, but an early look at the current entries reveals some eye-popping stats. 50 foreign entries from no less than 18 different countries. New York’s 25 and California’s 18 entrants head a list representing 30 different states and eight 2007 class champions have already signed up to defend their titles. North America’s annual gathering of international grand prix boats, high profile classes and sailing legends takes place January 21 – 25, 2008. The first entry deadline (for no late fee) is December 14. ONE DESIGN NOTES The talent laden Melges 24 class is again the biggest class in Key West. Riccardo Simoneschi (Genoa, Italy) took class and Acura Boat of the Week honors last January. He will be tested by perennial contenders Brian Porter, Dave Ullman and Bruce Ayers. The Acura Grand Prix Awards, presented to the combined class winners of Acura Key West and the Acura Miami Grand Prix (March 6 - 9, 2008), are highly regarded trophies on the international racing circuit. Perpetual awards are in the offing to the Farr 40, Melges 32 and IRC classes. Title Sponsor Acura is the Official Vehicle. Nautica is the Presenting Sponsor and Nautica Watches is the Official Timekeeper. Day Sponsor Mount Gay® Rum is the Official Rum. Lewmar (Official Marine Hardware) and Sperry Top-Sider (Official Footwear and Footwear Retailer) both recently upgraded to Day Sponsor. Supporting sponsors are B&G (Official Marine Electronics), Ceasar Marine (Official RIB), Keys Caribbean (Resort Community), New England Ropes (Official Rope), and SLAM (Official Technical Gear). Acura Key West is also supported by The Florida Keys & Key West Tourism Council. The Historic Seaport at the Key West Bight is the Official Site. Thirty-five Industry Partners bring their support through a program that is now in its 7th year. Learn more about the Industry Partners and the Program on the event web site. Acura Key West 2008 and the 2008 Acura Miami Grand Prix are US Sailing sanctioned events and are included in the US-IRC Gulf Stream Series. ABOUT ACURA Acura offers a full line of technologically advanced luxury performance vehicles through a nationwide network of more than 260 dealers throughout the United States. The 2007 Acura lineup features five distinctive models, the RL luxury performance sedan, the TL premium performance sedan, the TSX premium sport sedan, the turbo-charged RDX premium sport CUV and the award-winning MDX premium performance CUV. For more information about Acura vehicles, please visit www.acura.com. For media inquiries, please go to www.acuranews.com. VISIT PREMIERE RACING ONLINE VIEW MELGES 24 SCRATCH LIST

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International Melges 24 Class Association

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