NEWS RELEASE

20 May 2009

compasscard to sponsor Australian Women’s Match Racing Championship

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia is delighted to announce that Noakes’ compasscard will be the principle sponsor of this year’s Australian Women’s Match Racing Championship to be hosted by the club from 29 August – 3 September 2009.

The compasscard Australian Women’s Match Racing Championship 2009 is a Yachting Australia endorsed ISAF grade 3 event that will be conducted on the CYCA’s fleet of Elliott 6 sport boats. The Elliott 6.0m fixed keel sports boat has been selected as the class for the women’s match racing event at the 2012 Olympics.

“Women’s match racing is a dynamic discipline that has very much grown in stature thanks to its inclusion in the Olympic Games. compasscard, a new Noakes initiative, is delighted to put its name to such a prestigious national title and to further expand its support of one of Australia’s premier yacht clubs,” said managing director of Noakes Group, Sean Langman.

Commenting on Noakes’ compasscard sponsorship, CYCA Vice Commodore and Chairman of the Sailing and Training and Development Committees, Garry Linacre said “It is wonderful to have the support of an established Australian marine company like Noakes.

“Noakes’ ongoing support of the club via a separate long term sponsorship agreement assists us to maintain our Youth Sailing Academy equipment to world standards and this, together with the targeted support of women’s match racing, is greatly appreciated.

“To Sean and his team, we thank you for your previous involvement and continued commitment to youth and women’s sailing. We look forward to your presence around the club during regatta time to witness the result of your support,” Linacre added.

It is anticipated that the defending champion Nicky Souter, currently 12th on the ISAF International Women’s Match Racing rankings, will compete alongside her Australian Sailing Development Squad team mates Katie Spithill (ISAF ranking – 7) and Amanda Scrivenor (ISAF ranking – 26). The CYCA also anticipates international interest in the regatta, with expressions of interest already received from New Zealand’s highest ranked women match racers Samantha Osborne (ISAF ranking – 32) and Jessica Smyth (ISAF ranking – 36).

In conjunction with compasscard’s sponsorship of the Australian Women’s Match Racing Championship 2009, CYCA members who join compasscard by 30 June 2009, will receive 20% off lift and lay days at any Noakes’ yard until 31 August 2009. Go to www.compasscard.com.au to apply and www.noakes.net.au for yard locations.