Sunday 27 August will see a record breaking 126 Melges 24 teams from fourteen nations commence battle on the beautiful Hyeres Bay in the South of France for the 2006 Melges 24 World Championship sponsored by Aigle, Euro-Voiles and Hyeres Les Palmiers.  The COYCH is hosting the regatta and the town of Hyeres is preparing to welcome some 600 competitors and their families for this incredible festival of sailing.

The exceptional number of entries dictates that the fleet will be split between two courses to ensure fair racing.  Registration will open on Wednesday 23 August with practise racing on Thursday 24 and Friday 25 August.  Championship racing begins on Sunday 27 August with the first of 6 round robin races to decide the gold and silver fleets.  Once the gold and silver fleets have been split a further 6 races are scheduled to complete the championship which concludes on Friday 1 September.
 
With reigning World Champion James Spithill and his Luna Rossa crew unable to defend because of their America’s Cup commitments a new champion will definitely be crowned and already many of the crews are out practising.  With hot sunshine and strong afternoon sea breezes forecast, conditions should be perfect for some high speed Melges 24 action.  Principle Race Officers Corinne Aubert and Michel Viallet will be in charge on the race courses while Jury Chairman Tony O’Gorman and his team will be in action afloat and in the jury room to ensure fair play.