US SAILING and Vanguard Sailboats
Extend and Expand Partnership

Portsmouth, R.I. (November 17, 2005) – US SAILING, national governing body for the sport, and Vanguard Sailboats, a leading manufacturer of small sailboats, have announced today that they have extended and expanded their partnership. Since the two Rhode Island-based leading sailing organizations first teamed up nearly two decades ago, the partnership has continued to grow. The new partnership agreement runs through 2009 and includes a wide range of support, from the U.S. Championships and US Sailing Teams to an ongoing commitment to help grow youth sailing at all levels.

The new agreement consists of several parts:
• Vanguard ensures that the competition at six U.S. Championships and the 2007 U.S. Olympic Team Trials will be held in evenly-matched, new boats that Vanguard provides (as well as transportation for the boats, insurance, on-site service, and more);
• Vanguard continues to support Olympic hopefuls and top sailors in the country as Official Sponsor of the US Sailing Team;
• Vanguard provides continued support of developing the growth of youth sailing at all levels by helping to provide for coaching, by continuing its presenting sponsorship of US SAILING’s National Sailing Programs Symposium and support of the US Laser Radial Youth World Team.

“The partnership positions Vanguard Sailboats as a top-level sponsor of US SAILING,” said US SAILING’s Executive Director Charlie Leighton. “Vanguard significantly enhances participation and the level of competition in the sport and that aligns perfectly with US SAILING’s mission. The partnership will support programs for instructors, coaches, junior sailors and Olympic hopefuls.”

“US SAILING and Vanguard Sailboats are two organizations dedicated to helping the sport grow and making sure people can enjoy their time on the water,” said Vanguard Sailboats President Chip Johns. “Our partnership has been very successful over the years and we look forward to continuing this into the future.”

About Vanguard Sailboats
Vanguard is the leading world manufacturer, and largest US supplier, of recreational and high performance small sailboats. Vanguard products include the Sunfish and Laser, two of the most recognized brands in the sailing world. Vanguard was started in 1967 and is located in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. For more information please visit www.teamvanguard.com.

About US SAILING
The United States Sailing Association (US SAILING) is the national governing body for sailing and sailboat racing. Headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, the organization’s mission is to encourage participation and promote excellence in sailing and racing in the U.S. US SAILING offers training and education programs, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including the US Sailing Teams and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Teams. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.  

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