US SAILING ANNOUNCES 2006 SLATE OF SPONSORS
FOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Rolex, Vanguard Sailboats, Chubb, Nautica, and Dry Creek Vineyard

Portsmouth, R.I. (March 28, 2006) – US SAILING, national governing body of the sport, has announced the slate of sponsors for its 2006 National Championships for Adults and Youth: Rolex Watch U.S.A., Vanguard Sailboats, Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, Nautica, and Dry Creek Vineyard. The ongoing support that these sponsors provide help grow the sport of sailing by opening up opportunities for thousands of sailors nationwide to compete at a national level and gain on-the-water experience that could take many of them to an international level.

Rolex Watch U.S.A.
Returning for its tenth year as sponsor of all US SAILING Adult Championships, including title sponsor of US SAILING’s biennial Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship, Rolex Watch U.S.A. continues to demonstrate its support of the development of the sport of sailing. Many of the Championships also offer Rolex clinics, which are designed to give sailors an opportunity to improve their racing experience through on-the-water or on-shore training from local or class experts.

Since Rolex Watch U.S.A. first presented timepieces to America’s Cup defenders in 1958, the company has consistently endeavored to recognize and encourage excellence in every important arena of competitive sailing, including US SAILING Championships, disabled sailing, as well as offshore, one-design and women’s events. www.rolex.com  

Vanguard Sailboats
Vanguard Sailboats has been a dedicated sponsor of numerous U.S. National Championships for more than a decade. Providing new equipment and other resources to many U.S. Championships, Vanguard’s continued support enables competitors to enjoy the competition on an equal-level playing field. For 2006, Vanguard continues to sponsor the U.S. Singlehanded, Team Racing, Junior & Junior Women’s Singlehanded & Doublehanded, and Youth Championships. Demonstrating its commitment to the sport of sailing and to developing high-quality sailing programs, Vanguard Sailboats is an Official Sponsor of US SAILING. Vanguard supports and sponsors sailing at many levels, encouraging sailors in the U.S. to participate in and enjoy the sport. Visit their website at www.teamvanguard.com.  

Chubb Group of Insurance Companies
The Chubb Group of Insurance Companies this year became the title sponsor of US SAILING’s three U.S. Junior Sailing Championships (the U.S. Junior Single-, Double- and Triplehanded Championships) and the Championships’ regional qualifying events. Chubb also provides educational racing clinics for the young sailors participating in up to 22 regional qualifying events for the Championships. Chubb’s sponsorship in providing these clinics will enable more junior sailors to have access to top level coaches. Chubb is a leader in providing standard and specialty insurance coverages to businesses, as well as insuring fine homes, automobiles, yachts, antiques and other collectibles, and personal liability. Its global network includes branches and affiliates throughout North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Australia. For more information, please visit www.chubb.com.  

Nautica International, Inc.
Returning for its second consecutive year as a sponsor of the National Championships, Nautica sponsors the U.S. Team Racing Championship and the U.S. Youth Championship. Long associated with the sport of sailing, Nautica is an Official Sponsor of US SAILING and the Official Apparel Supplier to the US Sailing Team. Founded in 1983, Nautica is a leading global lifestyle brand with products ranging from men’s, women’s and children’s apparel and accessories to a complete home collection. Nautica products are styled in timeless design and premium quality that enhance our consumer’s energetic lifestyle yet recognize their desire for balance. Since August 2003, Nautica is part of VF Corporation, a leader in branded apparel. For additional information, please go to www.nautica.com.  

Dry Creek Vineyard
2006 marks the fourth consecutive year that Dry Creek Vineyard is a supporter of several Adult National Championships. The winery, located in the heart of Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, Calif., supports the U.S. Men’s & Women’s, Women’s Match Racing, Team Racing, Singlehanded, and Offshore Championships, as well as the U.S. Independence Cup/North American Challenge Cup. Their wines are easy to recognize due to the spirited yacht paintings that appear on each bottle from Dry Creek Vineyard, www.drycreekvineyard.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 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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