More than a hundred sailors representing at least ten   countries will compete in Corpus Christi for the 2019 CITGO Etchells World Championship Regatta beginning June 24. CITGO is Presenting Sponsor of the world class competition.

The world championship races will feature up to 40 Etchells sailboats and more than 120 sailors from the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Hong Kong, Bermuda, Ireland and New Zealand competing for the prestigious world championship trophy. Sailors arrived in Corpus Christi in early June to begin preparing for the races.

“This international event offers an opportunity to shine a global light on the Corpus Christi Marina and show the world what our city has to offer,” said CITGO General Manager Community Relations, Corporate Social Responsibility and Legislative Affairs Larry Elizondo. “CITGO is proud to support this kind of event as it promotes environmental conservation and will have a significant impact on the local economy.”

Etchells are one-design boats with a crew of 3-4 sailors. The Corpus Christi Yacht Club (CCYC) was chosen as the venue for the 2019 championship races being hosted by the Corpus Christi Sailing Foundation.

“The Etchells World Championship could have been held anywhere in the world,” said Alex Harris with the Corpus Christi Sailing Foundation. “We had a representative who traveled all the way to Australia to make the case for why Corpus Christi was the right spot for this event. And fortunately, the International Etchells Association agreed. This Regatta doesn’t just benefit the Sailing Foundation; it really benefits the entire city. And it’s made possible with the support of organizations like CITGO.”

Races begin with an opening ceremony at 6:30 p.m. June 24 at the Corpus Christi Yacht Club. Racing will take place at noon each day from Tuesday, June 25 to Saturday, June 29 on Corpus Christi Bay. Closing ceremonies are scheduled for 7 p.m. June 29 at the Omni Corpus Christi Hotel.

About CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery

The CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery provides more than 1,000 jobs locally, while generating more than $345 million per year on average in support of the local economy through salaries, services and taxes. With a crude refining capacity of approximately 157,000 barrels-per-day (bpd) and a versatile product mix, which includes an average of 4.2 million gallons of gasoline, the CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery is one of the most sophisticated and efficient fuel and petrochemical refineries in the nation. In addition to producing high-quality fuels for a network of more than 300 independently owned and operated CITGO branded stations in the State of Texas and thousands more across the country, CITGO Corpus Christi refinery employees are dedicated to making a positive difference in their communities. CITGO Corpus Christi employees volunteer more than 2,500 hours on average annually to support causes and organizations including United Way, Charlie's Place, Muscular Dystrophy Association, The Miracle League, Catholic Charities, the Special Olympics, Hans and Pat Suter Park and Adopt-A-Beach Clean Up, among many others. For more information, visit www.citgocorpuschristi.com.

About CITGO

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, CITGO Petroleum Corporation is a recognized leader in the refining industry with a well-known brand. CITGO operates three refineries located in Corpus Christi, Texas; Lake Charles, La.; and Lemont, Ill., and wholly and/or jointly owns 45 terminals, nine pipelines and three lubricants blending and packaging plants. With approximately 3,500 employees and a combined crude capacity of approximately 749,000 barrels-per-day (bpd), CITGO is ranked as the fifth-largest, and one of the most complex independent refiners in the United States. CITGO transports and markets transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products and supplies a network of approximately 4,900 locally owned and operated branded retail outlets in 30 states and the District of Columbia. CITGO Petroleum Corporation is owned by CITGO Holding, Inc. For more information, visit www.CITGO.com.