EVERYTHING IS READY FOR THE FIRST DAY OF RACING

North wind (Tramuntana) is still blowing in l'Escala. The spanish team, composed by Roberto Bermúdez and Pablo Arrarte, has been training since very early in the morning and it is yet ready to compete against other high level boats. They are looking forward starting tomorrow.

Measuring of the boats is already done and there has been no problems despite the fact that some Star boats needed some lead in order to reach the weight required. Tranning racing has taken place at 3pm although none of the participants could finish it. According to Roberto Bermúdez, trainning racing's aim is to get ready before starting and so it is usual not to finish it. There has been 51 inscriptions before 6pm, although they expect up to 63 participants at the end of the day. There will be some changes in the forecast, tomorrow; we were expecting Llevant wind at the beginning of the week, however, last information tells us that we will have steady weather on Saturday. Heavy rains and winds would probably arrive by Sunday afternoon and especially on Monday.

Amoung the participants, we must emphasize the attendance of brasilian Marcelo Ferreira/Torben Grael, (golden medal in the Olympic Games of Atlanta and bronze medal in Sydney) canadian Ross Macdonald (world champion and bronze medal in the Olympic Games of Barcelona '92). There will be elite participants whom attendance at the Olympic Games of Athenes will depend on his success on this competition.

Eventually, at 7pm, the Major of l'Escala, Josep Maria Guinart, the president of the Nautical Club l'Escala, Javier Martínez del Moral and the director of the racing, Xavi López, had just inaugurated the European Championship of Star 2004. Then, El Molí Restaurant has offered a picnic to all the people present.

The first racing will be tomorrow at midday and there will be another one if the Jury considers it necessary. After that, the trophy will be given to the winner of the day, and also the daily picnic which is prepared by Jordi Jaques from "El Molí", a prestigious restaurant of l'Escala.

L'Escala, 26th March, 2004

Contact: Marta Solés
Tel: (+34) 972 77 69 49 / 972 77 00 16
E-mail: premsa@nauticescala.com