TEAM SILVER PANDA SAILS TO VICTORY AT
U.S. TEAM RACING CHAMPIONSHIP

San Diego, Calif. (September 11, 2006) - After three days of thrilling racing at San Diego Yacht Club at the U.S. Team Racing Championship for US SAILING's Hinman Trophy, the event wrapped up on Sunday with a convincing win by Team Silver Panda. Having won the event before in 2002 but sailing with slightly different crew, Silver Panda led the way on Sunday by winning every race. Members of the winning team are Colin Merrick (Portsmouth, R.I.), Clay Bischoff (New York, N.Y.), Amanda Callahan (Canton, Mass.), Elizabeth Hall (Bristol, R.I.), Lisa Keith (Boston, Mass.), and Peter Levesque (Annapolis, Md.). Sponsored by Rolex Watch U.S.A., Inc., Nautica, Vanguard Sailboats, and Dry Creek Vineyard, the 90 competitors and nearly 20 judges and umpires completed over 150 races over the three-day event.

Before getting on the water on Sunday-morning, the final day of the U.S. Team Racing Championship, Amanda Callahan of Silver Panda said "The conditions are great here, ideal actually. They're perfect for team racing." And that certainly turned out to be true for Silver Panda, which started its day by defeating Team Adirondack in the quarter final (2-0), then faced arch rivals Cape Cod WHishbone in the semis, dismissing them with a 3-0 win before defeating the team from Larchmont Yacht Club in the finals with another 3-0 win.

“Experience was definitely a factor,” said Pete Levesque of Silver Panda about the Championship’s competition. “There were six or seven teams here that are by far the most experienced here. The more time you spend in the boat and the more time you spend team racing, it pays off.”

Complete results, daily written and audio reports, and photographs of the U.S. Team Racing Championship are available on the event website at www.ussailing.org/championships/adult/ustrc.

The U.S. Team Racing Championship is part of US SAILING’s National Championships and sailed in Vanguard 15s supplied by Vanguard Sailboats. For more information about US SAILING’s National Championships, visit www.ussailing.org/championships or contact US SAILING’s championships manager Liz Walker at championships@ussailing.org.

About Rolex Watch U.S.A., Inc.
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

About Vanguard Sailboats
A dedicated supporter of team racing nationwide, Vanguard Sailboats is a long-time supporter of the U.S. Team Racing Championship. Manufacturer of the boats used in the event, the Vanguard 15, Vanguard Sailboats has been a dedicated sponsor of numerous U.S. National Championships for more than a decade. Vanguard supports and sponsors sailing at many levels, encouraging sailors in the U.S. to participate in and enjoy the sport, and ensuring great competition among sailors. Visit their website at www.teamvanguard.com.  

About Nautica
Nautica returns for its second consecutive year as a sponsor of the U.S. Team Racing 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.  

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 National Championships, 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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