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Storm Trysail Club Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta

Perpetual Trophy to Recognize Paul Hoffmann

LARCHMONT, N.Y. (April 9, 2008) -The Storm Trysail Club (STC) and Larchmont Yacht Club have announced the establishment of a new perpetual trophy, the Paul Hoffmann Trophy, which will be awarded to the winner of the annual fall intercollegiate regatta which they run on Long Island Sound. The trophy will be presented for the first time at the STC's 2008 Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta presented by Prestige Toyota, which is scheduled for Columbus Day weekend (October 11-12, 2008) and hosted at Larchmont Yacht Club (Larchmont, N.Y.).

Donated by the family of Paul Hoffmann Jr. (Larchmont, N.Y.), the trophy memorializes the man who was not only a prominent member (1958 to 1996) of Larchmont Yacht Club, but also a Commodore of the Storm Trysail Club (1973-74). During a sailing career that spanned more than 40 years, Hoffmann was a dominant force in cruising boat racing on Long Island Sound. He scored back-to-back wins (1957, 1958) of the challenging Stamford-Vineyard Race; was awarded the DeCoursey Fales Trophy - presented to the cruising boat with the best cumulative performance on the sound - three times; and was also a key player in the establishment of Block Island Race Week.

"Paul Hoffmann had a huge presence in the Long Island racing community," said STC Commodore John Fisher. "As both a promoter of the sport and a great competitor who always had a mix of crew ages on his boats, it is apropos for the STC Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta to present a perpetual award in his honor."

The STC Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta brings together boats and their owners with college sailors to expose the latter to the challenges and teamwork required in big-boat racing. Organizers expect to see participation at this popular event reach an all-time high this coming fall (33 teams consisting of 235 college sailors competed in 2007) when racing will be held in five classes (J/44, J/122, J/109, J/105 and Level 72). The winning percentage of each class winner will be calculated and the boat with the highest percentage will be awarded the Paul Hoffmann Trophy.

Joining Prestige Toyota in supporting the regatta are Vineyard Vines, Rolex Watch U.S.A., Safe Flight, UK-Halsey Sailmakers, J/Boats, Gill and Dax One Touch Winch Handles.

About the Storm Trysail Club - The Storm Trysail Club (STC), reflecting in its name the sail which must be shortened when facing adverse conditions, is one of the world's most respected sailing clubs, with its membership comprised strictly of skilled blue water and ocean racing sailors. In addition to holding various prestigious offshore racing events (including the Fort Lauderdale to Key West Race, Block Island Race Week presented by Rolex and Block Island Race), STC also hosts the Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta and annual junior safety-at-sea seminars. It also has developed the Storm Trysail Transpac 65 and the Box Rule that will govern its design.

Additional information is available at www.stormtrysail.org . Teams wishing to enter should contact Regatta Chair Adam Loory at: adam@ukhalsey.com

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