Marriott's Frenchman's Reef announced today it has become the title sponsor of a major  international sailing regatta to be held in Charlotte Amalie Harbor from December 3 to 7 this year.

Known as Marriott's Frenchman's Reef International Match Race, the regatta will be hosted by the Virgin Islands Americas Cup Challenge in conjunction with the St. Thomas Yacht Club. Besides the entry from the V.I. Challenge, seven other America's Cup teams from such countries as Spain, England, Italy, the United States, France, New Zealand, and Switzerland are expected to race for the $20,000 prize purse. Confirmation of the teams will take place within the next week and they will be announced thereafter.

The well-known hotel, situated on a picturesque spot overlooking the
harbor, is undergoing a $45 million renovation and will re-open in
mid-December. The Marriott's Frenchman's Reef International Match Race will focus world-wide attention on both the hotel and the Virgin Islands as a premier water sports destination. The sailing event, featuring many of the top sailors in the world, will be the subject of a television program to be aired on ESPN on December 21. No doubt the timing of the regatta and the ESPN show will remind snow-bound viewers that warmth and relaxation are just a plane flight away.

"Marriott's Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort is proud and excited to be the title sponsor of this major sailing regatta," said Nick Pourzal, managing director of the hotel. "We look forward to working closely with the Virgin Islands America's Cup Challenge to ensure the success of the event. We believe the Virgin Islands is the perfect place to stage a regatta of this magnitude and Marriott's Frenchman's Reef appreciates the chance to share this prelude to the Americas Cup with the V.I. community. The wind and sea conditions should be ideal for the sailors, and spectators can follow the action from dozens of areas around what is the natural amphitheater of Charlotte Amalie Harbor."

Peter Holmberg, CEO of the Virgin Islands America's Cup Challenge, said "Marriott's Frenchman's Reef has made it possible for us to show off our home to the world. I'm sure when the Americas Cup teams from the many countries represented have a chance to experience the winds and waters of the Virgin Islands, they'll recognize what we can offer the sport of sailing. This regatta also provides our team the opportunity to demonstrate to the Virgin Islands people what our challenge is all about."

The Marriott's Frenchman's Reef International Match Race has been
designated by the International Sailing Federation in England, the
governing body of the sport, as a Grade One event. This is the highest
accreditation a match race can receive. It also means that in addition to the prize money, the skippers will be vying for important rankings points on the Omega World Match Race Rankings List.

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