CYCA Youth Sailing Academy welcomes new sponsor Meridien Marinas

Meridien Marinas has taken up the sponsorship of one of the ten Youth Sailing Academy's Elliot 6.0m fixed keel yachts. With a commitment to developing and operating the best marinas in Australia, Meridien Marinas' focus is on creating outstanding marina developments that establish new world standards in marina design and operation. They currently operate four marinas in Queensland including Horizon Shores Marina, Gold Coast, Abel Point Marina, Airlie Beach, Port of Airlie, Airlie Beach, Marina Mirage, Port Douglas and have just recently acquired Berrys Bay Marina, Sydney Harbour.

Vice Commodore Howard Piggott, chairman of the club's training and development program, thanked Meridien Marinas for their support of youth sailing.

'Elliott sponsorship is the vital to the success of the YSA and gives us the ability to maintain the training fleet and run the many programs and regattas on the calendar.

'With a modified version of the Elliott 6.0m boats selected as the class of boats to be used in the 2012 Olympics Womens Match Racing, training on these boats is vital for potential Australian gold medals. It is essential that our match racing teams have well maintained boats of which they have a thorough working knowledge, in order to be competitive.

'On behalf of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, I welcome Meridien Marinas as a YSA sponsor and look forward to working with them,' concluded Vice Commodore Piggott.

In responding, Warwick Bible, CEO of Meridien Marinas commented 'We are excited about being a part CYCA Youth Sailing Academy and its future objectives of encouraging and promoting the development of the next generation of avid sailors.'

'Meridien Marinas is pleased to be on board and we look forward to supporting the Youth Sailing Academy in our sponsorship endeavors over the next two years. With the recent acquisition of Berrys Bay in Sydney Harbour, we are eager to expand our marina business in NSW and subsequently building a relationship with the CYCA.'

by Jennifer Crooks

7:04 AM Wed 2 Sep 2009 GMT

'Meridien Marinas Elliott 6.0m in action during compasscard Australian Women's Match Racing Championship, with Nicky Souter and her crew onboard.' Andrea Francolini &copy

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia is pleased to welcome Meridien Marinas to its Youth Sailing Academy family of sponsors.