FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Jake Fish, US SAILING Communications Manager
jakefish@ussailing.org
(401) 683-0800
PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (August 29, 2009) – The Detroit Yacht Club (DYC) on Belle Isle, assisted by the Crescent Sail Yacht Club (CSYC) of Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich. welcomes 20 of the country’s top qualifying Laser sailors to the 2009 U.S. Singlehanded Championship (USSC) on July 31-August 2. The event is part of US SAILING’s National Championship series, and sponsored by Rolex Watch U.S.A. and LaserPerformance.
This year’s field of talented sailors features a mix of junior prospects and proven veterans ranging in age from 16 to 58. Twenty sailors from 13 states including three previous USSC winners will compete for the prestigious George O’Day Trophy on the waters of Lake St. Clair in 13.78-foot Laser racing boats.
Among those returning to this year’s championship are previous champions, Kyle Rogachenko (2007) of Collegeville, Pa., Chris Raab (2000) of Sunset Beach, Calif., and Peter Hurley (1993) of New York, N.Y. Hurley’s sailing resume is extensive. He made his way on to the 2000 US Sailing Team by finishing fourth at the 2000 Olympic Trials. Raab, a former two-time collegiate All-American, has medaled in 12 US SAILING National Championships. He has won a total of 32 national championships. Rogachenko is currently a member of the US Sailing Team – U23. In the fall of 2008, the senior from the Old Dominion finished second at the college singlehanded national championships.
Zeke Horowitz (Sarasota, Fla.) returns from last year’s championship, where he finished sixth out of 23 competitors. In June, Horowitz won the Laser division at the U.S. Youth Sailing Championship. Horowitz is a sophomore on the College of Charleston sailing team. He finished eighth at the ICSA Singlehanded Nationals in 2008. Four-time Olympic Trial competitor and 1994 Goodwill Games silver medalist, Eric Oetgen (Savannah, Ga.), will compete this week in Detroit. Former U.S. Naval Academy team captain and U.S. Youth Sailing Doublehanded Champion (1990), Nick Cromwell (Bristol, R.I.), will also be on hand.
Competing sailors will participate in a Rolex clinic that will precede racing on July 30. The clinician is vice commodore, Bruce Burton of the Bayview Yacht Club (BYC), who is a two-time Etchells World Champion, and a former contender in the Olympic trials. Burton will be assisted by BYC Commodore, Ted Everingham, who is an international sailing judge and lecturer.
Friends of George O’Day founded the U.S. Singlehanded Championship in 1962. O’Day was a well-known sailor, manufacturer of small boats and Olympic gold medalist. Also at stake is the Peter J. Barrett Sportsmanship Trophy, an accolade named for a two-time Olympic medalist and the first winner of the O’Day Trophy, who was well knows amongst his peers for his sense of fair play and honesty.
For complete results, daily reports, and photos, please visit the event website at http://championships.ussailing.org/Adult/USSinglehandedChampionship.htm.
About US SAILING
The United States Sailing Association (US SAILING), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US SAILING is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US SAILING offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.
About the Detroit Yacht Club
Founded in 1868, the Detroit Yacht Club is one of the oldest and most prestigious private clubs in North America. Located on an island along the banks of Belle Isle in the Detroit River, the DYC clubhouse, completed in 1922, is of Mediterranean design and part of the National Register of Historic Places. The diverse membership enjoys outstanding Club amenities, including first-class dining, social events, and recreational, athletic and fitness services. A 340-slip marina houses both sail and power boats. For more information on the Detroit Yacht Club, contact General Manager Paul Hughes, 313-824-1200 X 229, phughes@dyc.com. www.dyc.com.
About the Crescent Sail Yacht Club
A club exclusively for sailors, Crescent Sail Yacht Club is renowned throughout the national sailing community. The club’s man-made harbor is located at 276 Lakeshore Road in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, and juts into the waters of Lake St. Clair. Crescent was founded in 1933 by a determined group of sailing and racing devotees. To this day, all members donate time annually to the running of the club. Crescent’s special mission is to promote sailing and racing skills. For more information on the Crescent Sail Yacht Club, contact Commodore Thomas Vickers, 313-971-9528, tvic2@comcast.net. www.crescentsail.com.
About Rolex Watch U.S.A.
Since Rolex Watch U.S.A. first presented timepieces to America's Cup defenders in 1958, the company has consistently recognized and encouraged excellence in every important arena of competitive sailing, including US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics preparation, US SAILING championships, disabled sailing, offshore, one-design and women's events.
About LaserPerformance
LaserPerformance formally Vanguard Sailboats has a long history of providing benefits and support to US SAILING, its members, events, and programs. Today, LaserPerformance has the role of official sponsor of the US Youth Championships, the U.S. Junior Women's Doublehanded Championship, the U.S. Junior Women's Singlehanded Championship, the U.S. Singlehanded Sailing Championship, the U.S. Junior Singlehanded and Doublehanded Championships, and the U.S. Team Racing Championship. LaserPerformance's commitment to supplying the boats and support for these events is what helps to ensure high caliber competition at these Championships. Many of the world's most popular dinghies are built by LaserPerformance. Boats being supplied to US SAILING Championships are the Laser, the Laser Radial, and the Vanguard 15. For more information on LaserPerformance, call 401-683-0960 or visit their web site at www.laserperformance.com.