Officials from the Offshore Racing Council, the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and the New York Yacht Club, announced today that details have been finalised by the three organisations for the Rolex IMS Offshore World Championship 2000.

The event will be hosted at Harbour Court, the NYYC’s Newport summer station, from the 14th to the 19th July, 2000.

Speaking at the highly successful debut event in Porto Cervo on Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda, YCCS Commodore, Gianfranco Alberini, said, “having had eleven nations competing here in Porto Cervo, we are delighted to see this event go across the Atlantic for 2000. And I am sure that the New York Yacht Club, their wonderful facilities and the sailing waters of Rhode Island, will ensure it is a marvellous regatta.”

ORC Chairman, Hans Zuiderbaan, commented, “There is the prospect of a big IMS fleet on the starting line in Newport, a mixed fleet of racers and cruiser/racers. It will be a very competitive event.”

Walter Fischer, President & CEO of Rolex Watch USA stated, “We are pleased to be welcoming the Rolex IMS Offshore World Championships to our shores in July 2000, and Rolex looks forward to collaborating with the New York Yacht Club on yet another successful regatta.”

“Our relationship with Rolex is one that we value highly. We look forward to welcoming some of the outstanding IMS boats from around the world at Harbour Court in 2000,” said George M Isdale Jr, Commodore of the New York Yacht Club.

The Notice of Race will be published in October 1999 and full details will follow in due course.