Following the measurement and entry formalities, which lasted all day today at the three venues (Rota, Cadiz and El Puerto de Santa María), which are the three bases for the sailors, trainers and organisation, the III International Carnival Race, with a record number of entries, will begin tomorrow.

The race, which is jointly organised by the Mundo Vela Consortium and Deporte Andaluz, is the first test that the organisers are facing in the build up to the 2003 ISAF World Sailing Championships. The 2003 ISAF Worlds is the Olympic Qualification Regatta and largest event for the Olympic classes this year, which will attract the best sailors in the world.

464 boats, from twenty-two countries, have come to the Bay of Cadiz to take part in a race which will provide an ideal opportunity for the 616 sailors to discover the prevailing wind and sea conditions in the very race areas that will be used during the ISAF Worlds from the 11-25 September.

Wind permitting, the starting signal for all the classes will be at 12.00 hours tomorrow. The Olympic classes (except for the Star class) will be racing in the seven race areas, together with the sailors in the 420, Laser Radial, Laser 4.7 classes, who will be taking part in the Spanish Cup, together with the Patín a Vela, Formula Windsurfing and Snipe classes, who will be competing for the Andalusian Cup.

Excellent weather conditions for racing are expected in the Bay of Cadiz over the coming three days, which will ensure a spectacular event.