Tartan Yachts Makes Sailing Possible at 2014 Gay Games Presented by the Cleveland Foundation

CLEVELAND, OH--(Marketwired - May 9, 2013) - Tartan Yachts will be building 20 boats so the sailors can compete in the 2014 Gay Games presented by the Cleveland Foundation. It's the first time in Gay Games history that an entire fleet of boats is being built by the same manufacturer specifically for use at the Gay Games.

"We couldn't have offered sailing without such significant support from Tartan," says Executive Director Tom Nobbe. "That would have been problematic, especially given Cleveland's location on the southern edge of one of America's Great Lakes."

Tartan is the presenting sponsor for sailing as well as a platinum sponsor for the world's largest LGBT multi-sport event scheduled August 9-16, 2014. Edgewater Yacht Club has agreed to host the sailing event, which will happen on Lake Erie.

"When we were first approached about helping with the Gay Games sailing event for 2014 we were excited about being part of such a large global event taking place right in our own backyard," says Steve Malbasa, owner of Tartan Yachts. "When you think about it, sailing is about taking a headwind and turning it into something that will propel you forward. It's a great metaphor for life and one that we think the GG9 mission represents."

As Steve Sokany, co-chair of the 2014 Gay Games, explains, Tartan is more than a sponsor. "Tartan is a true partner in every sense of the word. We're excited to see its talented employees craft by hand each of the 20 boats necessary for the sport, drawing from its 50 years in the business."

Tartan Yachts will be providing 20 of the new Tartan One Design Racers. Modeled after the award winning Tim Jackett designed Tartan Fantail 26, the new Tartan One Design Racer adds a new dimension to the Tartan line-up. The Tartan One Design Racer is a solidly designed modern sport racer. The nine-foot cockpit is built to be sat in, rather than on. The new racer from Tartan comfortably accommodates a 3 to 4 person crew. The new Tartan One Design Racer is crafted to perform well in both light and rough seas. It is as much fun to sail single-handed with only the main, as it is to sail under spinnaker, yet it provides a stable and safe platform for an afternoon cruise with friends and family.

Tartan and the Games have teamed up to offer special sponsorship opportunities for these 20 boats. For more information on sponsorship opportunities please contact Christine Corbissero at (440)210-5133 or ccorbissero@tartan-ccyachts.com. 

Like all sports and cultural events, sailing is open to everybody 18 and older. Registration already has begun. Sailing at Gay Games involves three preliminary rounds with a day of finals. Both competitive and recreational divisions are available in this four-person-per-boat event.

To register for the 2014 Gay Games sailing events, visit www.gg9cle.com/sports/sports-list/sailing. For more information about sponsoring a new Tartan One Design Racer, please visit www.tartangg9.com.

About Tartan Yachts
Tartan Yachts is one of the world's leading manufacturers of high performance cruising and racing sailing yachts. Headquartered in the Cleveland, Ohio area, for over fifty years Tartan Yachts has been renowned for world class heirloom quality yachts. During the past decade, Tartan's new designs have led the industry and received numerous industry awards. The Tartan 3400, 3700, 4000 and 4300 are all Boat of the Year award winners and the Tartan Fantail 26 and the Tartan 5300 were a Sail magazine Best Boats award winner.

About the Gay Games
The Gay Games is an international sporting and cultural event held every four years under the founding principles of Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best™. Launched in 1982, the Games invite participation from everybody, regardless of sexual orientation, race, gender, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, political beliefs, athletic or artistic ability, age, physical challenge or health status.

The Games are intended to bring a global community together in friendship, to experience participation, to elevate consciousness and self-esteem, and to achieve a form of cultural and intellectual synergy. The Gay Games is open to anyone 18 years or older. About 10 percent of participants are from outside the LGBT community.

The 2014 Gay Games presented by the Cleveland Foundation will be August 9-16, 2014, in venues around Cleveland and Akron, Ohio, in the United States. More than 35 sports and culture events will be held, with more than 11,000 people from more than 60 countries expected to participate. For more information, visit www.gg9cle.com, www.facebook.com/gaygamescleveland or www.twitter.com/gg9cleveland.

Documents and/or Photos available for this release:

Tartan Yachts will construct 20 Tartan Fantails for sailors to compete on Lake Erie in Cleveland at the 2014 Gay Games presented by the Cleveland Foundation.

To view supporting documents and/or photos, go to www.enr-corp.com/pressroom and enter Release ID: 353206