Sausalito, CA - The world's only organized fleet of vintage International America's Cup Class (IACC) yachts will race together in the inaugural Sausalito Cup on May 25 and 26, 2002, on San Francisco Bay. Five vintage America's Cup Class yachts are expected to participate in the weekend-long regatta. Format for the weekend racing will involve a distance Bay race on Saturday, and two buoy races on Sunday. Depending on weather conditions, racing is expected to start at approximately 11am each day, back at the docks by 3pm. Capable of speeds in excess of 16 knots when reaching in San Francisco Bay's afternoon breeze, and helmed by some of the world's best sailors, there is sure to be close and exciting racing throughout the weekend.

IACCSF is a fleet of vintage International America's Cup Class yachts based in San Francisco and managed by America's Cup Media LLC. IACCSF organizes racing, manages restoration and provides sponsorship opportunities, fostering appreciation of International America's Cup Class yachts. It is the only organization of its kind in the world.

John Sweeney, IACCSF founder and Sausalito Cup organizer said, "Our goal with IACCSF is to rejuvenate big-boat racing on San Francisco Bay, arguably one of the world's best locations for viewing yacht racing. The Sausalito Cup will be a preview of what the IACC World Championship will look like when held here next year, and hopefully, what it will look like if the America's Cup is held here in 2006."

Boasting 120' masts and 5,000 square feet of sail area, each of the five vintage America's Cup Class yachts participating in the Sausalito Cup will be visible from vantage points all around the Bay. Pack a picnic and head to any number of San Francisco waterfront locations such as Angel Island, the Golden Gate Bridge and Crissy Field to watch the racing. The public is also welcome to view the boats in downtown Sausalito where they will be anchored during the long weekend.

"America's Cup Class racing is great for the Bay as it brings the spirit of the world's oldest sporting trophy into our backyard here in the Bay Area," stated Paul Cayard, spokesperson for IACCSF in the USA. "The Bay provides perfect natural vantage points for the sport of sailing, a sport which celebrates everything the Bay has to offer. Raising the visibility and promoting the growth of sailing is key to continuing to do well as a nation on the international yacht racing circuit, and events like the Sausalito Cup facilitate that effort."

The IACCSF fleet is managed by a group devoted to creating and maintaining a full-time fleet of IACC yachts on San Francisco Bay. An Advisory Board comprised of four owners and two sailing professionals governs IACCSF; Paul Cayard represents the USA and Tommaso Chieffi of Italy represents Europe. For further information contact IACCSF founder John Sweeney [email protected] . For sales and marketing, contact IACCSF Brand Manager Nick Thomson [email protected] . For media relations contact Michelle Slade [email protected]. Visit www.iaccsf.com.