(From the ISAF website: www.sailing.org)

The first batch of the new Elliott 6m keelboats selected as equipment for the Women’s Match Racing event at the 2012 Olympic Games have left the boatyard and are on their way to Germany to make their worldwide debut at the sixth event of the ISAF Sailing World Cup.

The build of the first eight of the new Elliott 6m designs were completed at McConaghy boats in China and left the yard for Germany last month. The boats are being shipped to Hamburg, Germany from where they will be moved to Kiel for Kieler Woche, the penultimate event of the 2008-09 ISAF Sailing World Cup series, taking place from 19-24 June. Following on from Kiel, some of the boats will later be transported to Weymouth and Portland, Great Britain for the final event of the World Cup series, the Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta in September.

Greg ELLIOTT, designer of the Elliott 6m, said, "I am looking forward to the boats being launched in Kiel. McConaghy Boats have done a fantastic building job and I am sure the boats will ensure an exciting event for the women sailors involved."

View more photos of the new boats here.

In November 2008 the ISAF Council selected the Elliott 6 as equipment for the Women’s Match Racing event at the 2012 Olympic Sailing Competition. For its selection as equipment for the Olympic Games, the boat has undergone modifications to the original design of the sails, rig and keel to specifically suit a crew of three women with a base crew weight of 205kg.

In order to ensure all nations have an equal opportunity to train and race in the new boat, ISAF controlled the distribution to MNAs for the first 80 boats. ISAF are pleased to announce this allocation is now full and Elliott Marine Ltd. is now taking orders directly.

Jason SMITHWICK, Head of the ISAF Technical and Offshore Department, said, “We’re delighted to with the positive impact made so far by the new women’s match racing equipment and are looking forward to seeing the boat in action on the water at Kiel. The ISAF Sailing World Cup and the spectacular Kiel Fjord will provide the perfect setting for the first racing in the new Elliott 6m and it’s fantastic to see such a strong entry of 22 teams already registered.

“Getting the boats to Kiel for their World Cup debut has been a great collaborative effort and ISAF would like to thank Elliott Marine, designer Greg ELLIOTT and McConaghy boats, for all their work, as well as the great co-operation of Deutscher Segler Verband, Koninklijk Nederlands Watersport Verbond, the Finnish Sailing Federation, the Helsinki Match Racing Centre and the Kieler Woche organizers.”

Orders for the new Elliott 6m women’s match racing keelboat for delivery in 2010 can now be placed directly with Elliott Marine Ltd.