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Scuttlebutt News Center:F1 Sail Pro Tour(November 3, 2004) In July 2005, F1 Sail will introduce the world�s richest international Sail Pro Tour featuring the high performance 18-foot skiff. Professional teams representing over 15-countries will compete in a 26-week international television series broadcast to a global market. The concept is generating strong interest from elite sailors & teams from around the world with the Pro Tour soon to announce a global broadcast deal. �F1 Sail is a revolution set to change the way we look at sailing forever,� says F1 Sail representative, Richard Scotts. �With the newfound growth of sailing as a broadcast sport we feel there is a strong market for an elite Sail Pro Tour. No other sailing format in the world can match the 18-foot skiff for sheer entertainment value. This product has all the glamour & spectacle of America�s Cup racing yet with 10 times the entertainment value & it comes at a fraction of the cost.� With over 1200-square feet of sail power the revolutionary 18ft skiff is recognised as the world�s fastest mono hull dinghy class. An advanced version of the skiff has been introduced in an effort to push the crews to the limit and to create a more exciting television product. The pro circuit will feature 15-international crews competing in a 26-race series staged in 7-countries across the globe. The series is scheduled to commence in Europe in August 2005, with 4 European stops and 3 through Asia/Pacific. The race locations, boat design, race course & rules have been tailored towards television broadcast. The series is the brain child of former IMG Executive, Richard Scotts & is being backed by two of the leading figures in international yachting, Australia�s Lang Walker and New Zealand�s Neville Crichton. Participating teams are expected to come from New Zealand, Australia, USA, England, Italy, France, Japan, Russia, Denmark, Spain, Germany, Norway, Finland & Brazil. To promote close & exciting racing the boats will be identical in design. To encourage nationalistic rivalry the crews will also compete for their respective countries. Skiff racing combines the skill & finesse of sailing with the athleticism & drama of extreme sport. The extreme nature of skiff racing offers broad appeal to both youth and adult markets. Unlike your traditional sailing broadcast F1 Sailing will be fast & furious. The emphasis will be on high speed, high drama and extreme entertainment. Racing will only be staged in high winds of 17-knots or more. The series will also be supported by a state of the art television production format with on-board digital technology taking the viewer into the driver�s seat. �It really is a case of sailing meets extreme sport. These boats won�t be crewed by sailors but more so by athletes,� says Scotts. �We�re trying to re-market the image of sailing and feel we have a product that can take the sport of sailing to the masses.� �I believe F1 Sail will set the benchmark for high performance sailing around the world,� says Neville Crichton. It�s an opportunity for team owners to experience the excitement of skiff racing and to generate global exposure for their teams.� For further information contact Richard Scotts: |
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