NEWPORT, R.I. (November 19, 2003) - The Trustees of the International Catamaran Challenge Trophy (ICCT) have announced that the 24th running of the event better known as "The Little America's Cup" will be hosted by Southern Yacht Club (New Orleans, La.) from October 18-23, 2004.Created in 1961 by Sea Cliff Yacht Club, the Little America's Cup is a match racing event sailed in catamarans and contested between countries. Challengers from countries other than that of the defender's country vie for the right to face the defender's representative. John Lovell and Charlie Ogletree, representing Southern Yacht Club, won the 2003 Little America's Cup which, for the first time since 1976, was decided by the final match in the best four-out-of-seven finals.

The Trustees have also announced that the 18-HT class has been selected for the 2004 event. Competitors will be allowed to bring their own boat which will permit teams to take advantage of the development aspects of the 18-HT class. The 18-HT class will assume measurement responsibilities for the event and will coordinate charters through multiple builders for any teams requiring them. Teams interested in chartering should contact 18-HT class representative Hunt Stookey at hstookey@earthlink.net. Additional information on the 18-HT class is available at www.18htclass.com.

The Notice of Race is expected to be available by the end of the year. However, the format for racing will remain the same -- short-course, umpired match races -- based on the enthusiastic response of competitors at the 2003 Little America's Cup.

For more information please visit
www.littleamericascup2004.org or
www.ICCT2004.org.