Middletown (R.I.) — When Sail America opens the 2002
boat show season at Atlantic Sail Expo, to be held January 24-27 at the
Atlantic City (N.J.) Convention Center, the central theme of the show will
be "Sailing into the Future." But that future theme won't concentrate
solely on advancing technology and the cutting edge of development: drawing
more participants to sailing will get heavy play in the centerpiece exhibit
on the sport's future.

According to Scot West--executive director of Sail America, the trade
association of the sailing industry--show organizers decided to give the
future theme a broad definition this year, with an eye toward drawing more
participants to sailing and ensuring a healthier base for the sport and
industry.

"When we decided to play off the idea of the future for this year's opening
show," said West, "we first took a step back and asked a key question: What
is the future of the sport? To all of us at Sail America, the future is
more sailors--and in turn a stronger industry. At a time when world events
have created an air of uncertainty, we felt adding attractions to draw new
sailors was the best way for us to focus on the future."

One of the key ways new sailors can get a feel for sailing at Atlantic Sail
Expo will be by taking a turn on the Virtual Sailing Simulator. One of only
five built in the world, the Simulator is designed from a 12-foot Byte hull
hooked to a computer monitor; the visual display and motion of the hull
replicate the sensation of a small boat on the water. Atlantic Sail Expo
marks the Simulator's debut to mid-Atlantic and Northeast sailing
enthusiasts.

On Saturday, January 26, individuals who want to become involved in sailing
can attend the New Sailor's Day. Attendees who pre-register for the program
will participate in full day of seminars and activities with notable
sailing personalities. Captain William "Bill" Pinkney (Chicago, Ill.) will
share his voyage of discovery as the first African-American to
circumnavigate the globe; sailing author, journalist, and television
commentator Gary Jobson (Annapolis, Md.) and veteran sailing instructor Lou
Carretero (Monsey, N.Y.) will lead how-to sailing sessions; Olympic
aspirant and Team One Newport founder Martha Parker (Newport, R.I.) will
look at the latest developments in sailing gear and apparel.

A 30 ft.-by-50 ft. indoor sailing pool will feature model boat racing,
where showgoers can learn about sailing principles with model boats and
giant wind-generating fans. A special activity area for children, called
the Kids Club, will be included on the weekend days of the show. At the
Club, children can make and race model boats, draw their ideas on sailboats
of the future, and learn about knot tying.

Sail America has also organized bus packages, so sailors throughout Rhode
Island, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey can find affordable
transportation and hotel rates for the show.

Other features in the 5,000-square-foot "Future of Sailing" area will
highlight developing technology and new products. New to the show is a New
Product Area, which will be devoted exclusively to just-released products;
industry experts will be on hand to answer questions about these latest
developments. Five boats will also make their North American debuts at the
show.

Notable racers from the record-breaking multihull Playstation, from Team
Adventure, and from Mission America will also conduct an indepth look at
the rare breed of ocean racer who pushes the envelope of technology in
extreme ocean conditions in quest of speed-setting runs.

SAIL Magazine presents the Designers Forum on January 25 and 26. A panel of
notable designers--among them, visionary Garry Hoyt, Jim Taylor, and Gino
Morrelli--will explore driving questions such as: Which innovations of the
future will change the way you sail? What does the future of sailboat
design have in store for today's sailor?

Atlantic Sail Expo opens Thursday, January 24 and runs through Sunday,
January 27. Some 200 exhibitors will transport a vast marketplace of boats
and gear to the Atlantic City Convention Center. Showgoers can attend an
extensive slate of seminars designed for all levels, which will run
throughout each day of the show. Evening social events, where sailors of
all levels can meet and converse with stars of the sailing world, will also
be included.

Sail America celebrates the 10th Anniversary of Atlantic Sail Expo in 2002.
The first Atlantic City show introduced a progressive idea in boat shows to
U.S. audiences: it was the first all-sail "super show" designed to draw
showgoers and exhibitors from a national pool of attendees. The first Sail
Expo included events for sailing industry and a slate of free seminars on a
vast range of topics. The concept of the first Sail Expo, as a show
designed expressly for sailing enthusiasts, has since been replicated
throughout the United States.

Atlantic Sail Expo is produced by Sail America (Middletown, R.I.) and the
National Marine Manufacturers Association (Chicago, Ill.). Sail America is
an independent affiliate of NMMA.