SAILING IN PARADISE, INTERNATIONAL MEN’S & WOMEN’S SKIPPERS COMPETE IN THE CARLOS AGUILAR MATCH RACE DECEMBER 2-5, 2010

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (November 26, 2010). Some of the world’s best match racers will face-off in the natural amphitheater of Charlotte Amalie harbor in Inter-Club (IC)-24s, where international visitors and locals alike can enjoy a front row seat.

Presented by Ulysse Nardin/Trident Jewels & Time, the Carlos Aguilar Match Race (CAMR), an Official World Tour Qualifier (WTQ) for the 2011 World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) (www.worldmatchracingtour.com), is set for December 2-5, 2010. The Women’s and Open Division winners for this International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Grade Two event receive an Ulysse Nardin Lady Diver and Ulysse Nardin Maxi Marine Diver precision timepiece, respectively. The Open Division winner also receives an invitation to the Stena Match Cup Sweden, in Marstrand, July 4-10, 2011.

Skippers to watch in the Women’s Division are Great Britain’s Lucy Macgregor, 2010 Women’s Match Racing World Champion and currently ranked 2 in the ISAF women’s match race standings; the United States’ (USA) Sally Barkow, two-time Women’s Match Race World Champion and ninth ranked women match racer; and the USA’s Genny Tulloch, and 2008 Women’s Division winner of the CAMR and ranked 12th. Other ranked sailors include Brazil’s Julianna Senfft (19th), the Netherland’s Klaartje Zuiderbaan (41st), Brazil’s Renata Decnop (42nd), the USA’s Sandy Hayes (109th), and St. Thomas’ Kelly O’Brien. Each skipper will sail with three additional crew.

The St. Thomas Yacht Club (STYC) and the Virgin Islands Sailing Association (VISA) are the organizing authority for the CAMR, namesake for the late Carlos Aguilar, who was an avid sailor and match racer.

Match racing pits one identical boat against another on a short course oftentimes near to shore. On-the-water umpires make instant calls and enforce the rules. The result is very exciting racing up and down the Charlotte Amalie waterfront where spectators can enjoy tented bleacher seating. The CAMR will feature live commentary on the waterfront provided by America’s Cup-sailor-turned commentator, Geordie Shaver, and a live webcast on www.carlosmatchrace.com where a global audience is expected to follow this nautical fencing match. Racing starts at 9 a.m. (GMT – 4 hrs) daily.