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Cicada, a leading global provider of financial data technology and managed services, will put their name to the Grade 1 Cicada International Women's Match Racing Championship, sailed concurrently with the preliminary 'unseeded' rounds of the Investors Guaranty presentation of The King Edward VII Gold Cup in Hamilton, Bermuda.

"Cicada is honoured to have the opportunity to sponsor the International Women's Match Race, one of the world's premier women's racing events," said Gregory E. SMITH, Cicada's President. "This event attracts the world's most talented and experienced women skippers and crews, with the winner moving on to compete later in the week in the prestigious King Edward VII Gold Cup regatta. These women who sacrifice a great deal to compete versus the better-funded men's crews have earned our support and respect for their devotion to achieving excellence in competitive sailing. I am looking forward to some very competitive and exciting races."

Commodore Jane CORREIA of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club added, "I am absolutely delighted to have Cicada as title sponsor of The International Women's Match Racing Championship. Having Cicada as our title sponsor only brings more presence to this wonderful Grade One women's event, now in its third year. We are looking forward to welcoming Cicada to Bermuda and to the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club."

Starting Saturday 16 October, Cicada will host eight women's teams that will sail matched International One Design sailboats, known as IOD class boats, in a series of one-on-one matches to determine the 2004 Cicada International Women's Match Racing Champion. This intense competition, sailed in Hamilton Harbour, is a great spectator event, held just feet from the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and the town's waterfront shops and parks.

Prizes will be awarded at a ceremony on Tuesday, 19 October, and the winner and the runner up will be invited to participate in the Investors Guaranty presentation of The King Edward Vll Gold Cup Match Racing Tournament.

The first place skipper will be known as the 2004 Cicada International Women's Match Race Champion and will be presented with the Fourth Cruiser Squadron Bowl. There will be cash prizes for first through fourth place finishers as follows: First prize $ 7,500.00; Second prize $ 3,750.00; Third prize $ 2,500.00; and Fourth prize $ 1,250.00.