Postmarks honour US Trials

five special postmarks will be available on opening day of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Sailing

The U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and Sports Philatelists International (SPI) have announced that five special postmarks will be available on opening day of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Sailing. The Trials in seven Olympic sailing classes will be conducted over a 12-day period from Oct. 3-14, 2007, in five cities:

* Newport, R.I. (Laser Radial Class for women and Laser Class for men)
* Long Beach, Calif. (RS:X & 470 Classes)
* Marina del Rey, Calif. (Star Class)
* Newport Beach, Calif. (Finn Class)
* San Diego, Calif. (49er & Tornado Classes)

Each postmark measurers 1½ inches in height, features the logos of the USOC and 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, and is customized for the city in which each event is held. Postmarks will be available on a handback basis on Oct. 3 at the following post offices (please contact individual post offices for times of operation):

* Newport (R.I.) postmark: 320 Thames St., Newport, RI 02840
* Long Beach postmark: 300 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802
* Marina del Rey postmark: 4766 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292
* Newport Beach postmark: 1133 Camelback St., Newport Beach, CA 92658
* San Diego postmark: 2535 Midway Drive, San Diego, CA 92110

There is a 30-day grace period during which collectors may mail in requests for the cancel by sending their self-addressed stamped envelopes to: U.S. Olympic Trials Station, Postmaster.