North American Eight Metre Association

For Immediate release

Final News Release

Aluette wins the Mackenzie Investments 8 Metre World Championship at the RCYC in Toronto

Toronto, Ontario, August 31, 2010 –  Fifteen  8 Metre ( 8mR ) yachts from Canada, the United States, Finland, Scotland and Switzerland competed in 8 races from August 21 – August 27 to decide the Mackenzie Investments 8mR World Championship won by Iris Metten’s Aluette from Switzerland. Helmed by Torsten Müller, it is Aluette’s third World Cup Championship since she was launched in 1995.

Aluette finished 3,2,1,1,2,1,2 to sew-up the Championship by the second last day of the races. Scotland’s Alan Manuel in Lafayette, the 2009 World Cup holder was second and Etobicoke Yacht Club’s Ralph Reiman with Sarissa was third even though she had 4 first place finishes.

Aluette’s team consisted of Torsten Müller, helmsman, YCM (yacht club Meersburg Germany), Günter Reissacher, tactics, SVS (sail association Staad Switzerland), Stefan Schneider, tactics, SVS, Seriously Bieri, foredeck, ASC (Altnauer sail club Switzerland), Christian Gasser, ASC,  and Markus Olbrecht, mast, YCRo (yacht club Romanshorn Switzerland).

In the classic Sira Cup division RCYC’s Rick Self and Mark DeCelles, co-owners of Raven were the run-away winners frequently putting modern boats between them and their classic competitors. Only on the last day was third place Sira Cup finisher Venture II able to keep Raven from a clean sweep of the event. Venture II, owned by Diane Corley and helmed by John Dakin placed second overall in a last light air race coming within a point of tying Bangalore, helmed by Terry McLaughlin for second place in the Sira Cup.

The Mackinac Centennial Trophy for older modern 8 Metres was won by Ron Palm’s Mystery.

The PRO was Mike Milner, who once again demonstrated his professional skills in managing a World Championship race course through a wide variety of wind conditions. The first race on August 22, was delayed by lack of wind which built rapidly to 15 plus by the start. The delay allowed for only one race to be started. The second day of racing was cancelled due to increasing winds with gusts over 25 knots and dangerous building seas. The waves had abated some what by the third day, but NE winds up to 15 knots prevailed once again. By Wednesday the lake had flattened with a light 5 – 8 knots from the North but the wind built again to 15+ for the fifth day of races on Thursday, August 26. The last race was in more usual late August range of 5 – 7 from the SSW. Race legs were usually 2 nautical miles and races were in the 2 hour range. The International Jury headed by Terence Brownrigg of the Royal North and Clyde Yacht Club, was not asked to hear any protests.

Post-race events from BBQ’s to dances and dinners allowed the competitors to rehash the day’s races and renew friendships from previous regattas. By the time of the gala final awards dinner a mood of comradeship had clearly been created. Julia Nairne, Debbie Crossman and their team of volunteers worked extremely hard to make sure this essential part of a successful regatta was in place.

Sponsorship allows these events to occur and the organizers of the 2010 World Championships are grateful for the support provided by many individuals and companies, in particular Mackenzie Investments whose long time connection with 8mR fleet has provided us with the means to hold 2 World Championships along with numerous North American Championships in between.

The 2010 Mackenzie Investments 8mR World Championships were co-Chaired by Christopher and Jennifer Mitchele. Without their hard-work, dedication and devotion to details this event would not have occurred. We owe them our most heartfelt thanks.

About the North American Eight Metre

The 8Metre yacht (8mR) dates back over one hundred years. Today, the 8mR class is comprised of the Classic and Modern divisions. Both types of boats must meet strict measurement criteria for the hull and rig in order to qualify in one of these divisions. Generally, the boat measures approximately 14 metres in length with beams (width) of around 2.5.

The Classic 8mR’s are the mainstay of the class. They provide a display of unmatched wooden beauty and are often kept in families for generations. These are the boats that come to mind first when people think about the 8mR class. The fleet’s status was secured when the Canada’s Cup, the most prestigious regatta on the Great Lakes, was sailed in the 8mR class in the 1920’s, 1930’s and 1950’s. Today, many of the 8mR yachts from this earlier era are still competing at regattas on Lake Ontario where they have been joined by restored classics and moderns from locations around the world.

About Mackenzie Investments

Mackenzie Investments was founded in 1967, and is a leading investment management firm providing investment advisory and related services. With $62.4 billion in assets under management as of July 31, 2010, Mackenzie Investments distributes its services through a diversified network of third-party financial advisors. Mackenzie Investments is a member of the IGM Financial Inc. (TSX: IGM) group of companies. IGM Financial is one of Canada’s premier financial services companies with over $119 billion in total assets under management as of July 31, 2010.

Robert Roy

President

NAEMA