CONTACT:
Jake Fish, US SAILING Communications Manager
jakefish@ussailing.org
(401) 683-0800
BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. (September 25, 2009) – On day three of the 2009 U.S. Men’s and Women’s Sailing Championships, a lead change occurred in the men’s division and the lead was extended in the women’s.
The story coming out of the regatta following yesterday’s racing was the husband and wife tandem of Ken and Amy Kleinschrodt (Mobile, Ala.) leading in their respective divisions through five races. Amy still enjoys a six point advantage after eight races. She bulleted the final race of the day and added a third and second place finish in race 6 and 7 respectively. Natalie Coleman-Fuller (Hartford, Conn.) is still in contention. She won race 6, finished fifth in race 7, and placed second behind Kleinschrodt in race 8. The women have just one race to complete in the regatta on Saturday.
Andrew Eagan (Bay St. Louis, Miss.) had an outstanding racing day on Friday. He surpassed Kleinschrodt by winning race 6 and 7. His fourth place finish in race 8 was two spots better than Kleinschrodt. Eagan took an eight point lead following a pair of sixth place finishes and a third by Kleinschrodt. Jackson Benvenutti (Charleston, S.C.) sailed well today and remains a factor. He finished second twice and won race 8. He is nine points off the pace.
The sun was shining but the breeze was not blowing much on Friday. The sailors launched their boats in anticipation but their hopes were dashed as the first start was postponed until almost noon. During the course of the day, the breeze blew between 4 and 11 knots and shifted between 95 to 185 degrees, and as much as 25 degrees in most races. Upwind and downwind courses had to be changed and legs shortened to comply with the conditions.
The final day of racing resumes Saturday morning on St. Louis Bay. The 2009 U.S. Men’s and Women’s Sailing Championships are sponsored by Rolex Watch U.S.A., Dry Creek Vineyard, and Sperry Top-Sider, and hosted by the Bay-Waveland Yacht Club.
Complete results, daily reports, and photos from the U.S. Men’s and Women’s Sailing Championships are available on event website at http://championships.ussailing.org/Adult/USMensandWomensChampionships.htm.
- Content contributions made by Yvonne Gelpi of the Bay-Waveland Yacht Club.