Record 1,115 visit Lake Union Boats Afloat Show on opening day

SEATTLE, Sept. 12, 2007 – One thousand one hundred fifteen boating enthusiasts, an opening-day attendance record, walked the 75,000 feet of docks on Seattle’s South Lake Union Wednesday, exploring over 340 sail and power boats on the first day of the 2007 Lake Union Boats Afloat Show – the largest floating boat show on the west coast.

Opening day activities included the annual Pro-Am Celebrity Sailing Regatta, won by two-time Olympian Jordan Malloch of Seattle. Malloch, a sprint canoe/kayak athlete that finished 10th at the 2007 world championships, won three out of five Lake Union races in a 14-foot Hunter 470 sailboat to capture the 2007 Pro-Am title.  2000 Olympic rower Conal Groom of finished second with two second-place finishes in the five-match regatta.  Third place went to 1984 Olympic silver medalist John Stillings.  2004 Olympic silver medalist and 2007 world rowing champion Mary Whipple was fourth, followed by Lindsay Meyer, a member of the 2007 U.S. National Rowing Team and the University of Washington combo of rowing coaches Bob Ernst and Michael Callahan. The Olympians partnered with sailing instructors from Sail Sand Point in Seattle.

With over 340 boats on the water, the 30th annual Lake Union Boats Afloat Show is the largest floating boat show on the west coast.  The show features mega yachts, green boats, classic unlimited hydroplanes and more including 17 motor yachts over 70-feet and 67 sailboats from 16 to 58-feet.  On the exotic side, the show includes the 118-foot mega yacht After Eight and a 32-foot personal submarine. The show, which runs Wednesday, Sept. 12 – Sunday, Sept. 16, is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the weekend. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under and available online at www.BoatsAfloatShow.com or at the gate.

The 2007 Lake Union Boats Afloat Show is sponsored by Fireman’s Fund Insurance

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About the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association
The Northwest Yacht Brokers Association www.nwyachtbrokers.com is a non-profit marine trade group founded in 1988 consisting of over 340 marine brokers, dealers and other industry professionals representing over 230 marine-related businesses in the Pacific Northwest. Subscribing to the strictest code of ethics, NYBA members are committed to bringing integrity and professionalism to the buying and selling process of new and previously owned pleasure craft. NYBA plays an active role in marine youth and education programs and is active in creating a greater interest in the welfare and safety of the boating public. Along with the Northwest Marine Trade Association, NYBA's January and September Boats Afloat Shows connect thousands of boating enthusiasts with marine professionals and the finest pleasure craft the Northwest has to offer.