US SAILING
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Marlieke de Lange Eaton
401-683-0800

US SAILING and Mount Gay Rum Extend Partnership

Portsmouth, R.I. (October 2, 2007) - US SAILING, national governing body of the sport, and Mount Gay Rum, Official Rum of US SAILING, have announced today that they have extended their partnership through 2009. The partnership centers around the US SAILING Mount Gay Rum Speaker Series, but also includes other US SAILING events such as the National Sailing Programs Symposium, the One-Design Sailing Symposium, and the organization's Annual Meeting.

The partnership between US SAILING and Mount Gay Rum began in 2005 when the two teamed up to organize the US SAILING Mount Gay Rum Speaker Series, a grass roots program that has since brought sailing experts such as Olympic hopeful Sally Barkow, sailing tactics guru Dave Dellenbaugh, renowned sailing commentator Gary Jobson, and racing rules expert Dave Perry to sailing organizations throughout the country. The program has proven to be a great success and has been expanded every year since its creation.

"If you ask sailing organizations what they most want to add to their current programs, many of them will say that it is first-rate speakers from whom their members can learn," said US SAILING's Marketing Director Dan Cooney. "We’re excited that Mount Gay Rum continues its commitment to sailors, its partnership with US SAILING and its passion for the sport."

“As a premier brand with a deep-seeded commitment to the U.S. sailing market, it is a natural association to be a partner with US SAILING,” says Todd Schuessler, Mount Gay Rum Brand Manager. “We are proud to have the Mount Gay Rum name affiliated with the Speaker Series and the insight these events offer the sailing community.”

About Mount Gay Rum
The rum of choice among sailors worldwide, Mount Gay Rum has been a part of the sailboat racing and cruising community for centuries. The Brand supports more than 160 regattas worldwide every year with about 100 in the U.S. alone. Mount Gay Rum enjoys a loyal and enthusiastic consumer franchise among sailors worldwide. For more information on the Mount Gay Rum Brand visit www.mountgayrum.com.  

About US SAILING
The United States Sailing Association (US SAILING) is the national governing body for sailing. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, the organization provides leadership for the sport of sailing in the United States. US SAILING offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Teams. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.

(End)