Seidenspinner and Farquhar Tapped to Coordinate Administration of 2001 Events

In addition, the company has tapped Pat Seidenspinner (St. Petersburg, Fla.) and Tom Farquhar (St. Petersburg, Fla./Marion, Mass.), two well-known international race management officials, to provide overall administration and bring cohesiveness to the events.

"Rolex Watch U.S.A. is pleased to be a partner in the growth of womens match racing," said Walter Fischer, President and CEO of Rolex Watch U.S.A. "We have long been an advocate of Olympic, grand prix and womens keelboat sailing. We further our commitment to the sport by nurturing match racing."

Seidenspinner is the current commodore of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club and has served as a Principal Race Officer (PRO) for both the 2000 U.S. Olympic Sailing Trials and the 96 Games in Savannah, Ga. A three-time (00, 92, 82) winner of the US SAILING St. Petersburg Yacht Club Trophy for excellence in race management, Farquhar was recently cited for his role as PRO for the Shields National Championship.

Farquhar, who with Seidenspinner runs the Osprey Cup and chaired the Rolex 2000 ISAF Womens World Match Racing Championship in St. Petersburg, Fla., added, "Last year was a good start to bringing a much-needed consistency to womens match racing events happening in different areas of this country. Having Rolex strengthen its commitment in the U.S. is the key to maintaining healthy participation and helping sailors improve their match racing skills without having to travel extensively outside the country."