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Neil Pryde have made ten complete RS:X boards and rigs available to charter for international sailors unable to get their equipment to Melbourne for the event. This offer will give a select number of sailors the opportunity to train and then compete in the Oceanic Championships on the new equipment delivered straight from the factory. Priority for the charter boards will be given to Formula Windsurfers competing in the Formula Windsurfing World Championship 2005 in December but enquiries are welcomed from all sailors.

Sailors wanting to charter the equipment must contact: Ailsa Angus, International Manager RS:X Racing Class at Neil Pryde Windsurfing on aangus@neilpryde-rsx.com to register their interest.

A full set of equipment will be available from mid December to early February which includes plenty of time for training and testing as well as competing in the 2006 RS:X Oceanic Championships at Sail Melbourne and 2006 RS:X Australian Championships for a charter fee of $400US. Alternatively the equipment may be chartered for the 2006 RS:X Oceanic Championships at Sail Melbourne only for a charter fee of $200US.

Singapore Airlines have also confirmed their support for the RS:X and Sail Melbourne by offering to extend the baggage allowance for any RS:X windsurfer competing in the 2006 Oceanic Championships. Sailors flying with their luggage on Singapore Airlines flights to and from Australia will be able to carry an additional 50 kgs of equipment at no extra charge.

This offer by Singapore Airlines will remove the 'Russian roulette' of receiving excess baggage fines when with trying to fly with your equipment without any prior arrangements set in place.

This offer is active immediately and all windsurfers wishing to capitalize on the Singapore Airlines offer are encouraged to check the Sail Melbourne website for further, specific information on how to book your tickets (basically contact your nearest Singapore Airlines booking office).

The Neil Pryde RS:X Oceanic Championships will be the first ISAF Grade 1 event for the RS:X and will be held alongside the other Olympic Classes competing in the ISAF Grade 1 Sail Melbourne 2006 at Sandringham Yacht Club between 9-14 January 2006. The results for the Oceanic Championships title will be drawn from the Sail Melbourne RS:X results meaning all sailors will be racing together in a fast, competitive fleet.

Sail Melbourne will also be hosting a two day warm up event for the RS:X at nearby Parkdale Yacht Club on 5-6 January 2006. Formally conducted as the Mistral warm up and a very popular event for windsurfers, this event is now being held exclusively for the RS:X and will provide visitors with a terrific opportunity to get used to the local sailing conditions.

In consideration of each of these points - charter board availability, the ability to get your equipment to Australia free of charge and the experience and professionalism of Sail Melbourne - and it is expected that a very large fleet of RS:X sailors will compete in the Oceanic Championships.

All further information on Sail Melbourne including the Notice of Race, details on discount accommodation and other support Sail Melbourne can extend to sailors is posted on the Sail Melbourne website.