Summer Sailstice organizers are pleased to announce, that in addition to new locations, prizes and partnerships for 2003, the company will launch its new website by April 27th www.summersailstice.com. The new site has been entirely redesigned by Webdesign (New Zealand), and offers enhanced information on a sophisticated platform with improved functionality.

"The improved site along with a number of new locations and events for this year are indication of the popularity that this sailing holiday has developed in its first two years," said John Arndt, Summer Sailstice founder.

Summer Sailstice is the only international sailing event that truly celebrates the summer sailing season on the first day of summer and the longest day of the year. Launched in 2001, the event has enjoyed growing support from sailors and a high level of support from sailing businesses over the past few years, according to Arndt.

New prize donors include Hunter Marine contributing a Liberty sailing dinghy, Gill, Good Old Boat, and The Chapin Company join continued participation from supporters including West Marine, Harken, Dubarry and others.

Summer Sailstice has formed a new affiliation with Seacology (www.seacology.org), a global non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of island ecosystems and cultures. Under the agreement, Seacology will receive $1 for every sailor registered for Summer Sailstice, supported by donations from West Marine, private individuals, Summer Sailstice and Seacology board members.

The party planners at the Bitter End Yacht Club will host their first Summer Sailstice event at the Virgin Gorda paradise in the BVI. They're offering a day of special events to anyone sailing in the BVI during the solstice. Charter guests from the Moorings, TMM, Horizon Yacht Charters and all BVI sailors are welcome to join others in sailing revelry.

Sunsail Yacht Charters recently announced that their support of a Summer Sailstice event for their charters in conjunction with the Bitter End Yacht Club on June 21.

Jeanneau will hold its 2nd Annual Pacific NW Fleet Rendezvous with a celebration in Bedwell Harbor, BC. In 2002, over 30 Jeanneau owners celebrated the sailing lifestyle on June 21, in and around Bedwell Harbor.

Other events organized for 2003 include a regatta hosted by The San Francisco Yacht Club (Tiburon, CA). The Pequot Yacht Club in Southport, CT, will celebrate Summer Sailstice with big boat racing, an Ideal 18 'scavenger' hunt, barbecue and live music. The San Francisco Bay charter vessels Yukon Jack, Rendezvous, Sea Raven and Bay Lady are registered to have their sailing guests participate in a Summer Sailstice sail on June 21.

In Europe, Albatross Yacht Charters is planning to celebrate on the island of Poros in Greece.

With just two months until the solstice, the first day of summer and the longest sailing day of the year, information on event locations, prizes and other Summer Sailstice developments will continue to be posted at www.summersailstice.com up until June 21st.

Summer Sailstice is the easiest event in which sailors everywhere can participate. Go now to www.summersailstice.com, and sign up to register for great prizes. The site is designed so people can find crew, a boat to crew on, announce their individual participation or offer to host a gathering or raft up, enabling sailors anywhere to connect with various Summer Sailstice celebrations in their area.

See you on the water!

Summer Sailstice thanks the following supporters:
West Marine, SAIL, North Sails, Harken, Hunter Marine, Yachting World, Dubarry, UK Sails, DeWitt Galleries, 48 North, Titan, Galleymate Stove, Boatblender, Latitude 38, Ronstan, Ocean Navigator, Dry Creek Winery, Sailing Magazine, The Chapin, Company, Doyle Sails, OCSC, The Sailing Company, and Good Old Boat.