FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Jake Fish, US SAILING Communications Manager
jakefish@ussailing.org
(401) 683-0800
DETROIT (August 2, 2009) – Four consecutive second place finishes over nine races propelled Kyle Rogachenko to his second career U.S. Singlehanded Championship. The Detroit Yacht Club (DYC) on Belle Isle, assisted by the Crescent Sail Yacht Club (CSYC) of Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich. welcomed 20 of the country’s top qualifying Laser sailors to this US SAILING National Championship series event, sponsored by Rolex Watch U.S.A. and LaserPerformance.
Rogachenko (Collegeville, Pa.), who won the 2007 championship, finished with 24 points to win the George O’Day Trophy. He fended off 2009 U.S. Youth Sailing Champion, Zeke Horowitz (Sarasota, Fla.), who finished Sunday’s final round of races with 28 points, including a late charge that featured a win in the regatta’s final race.
The battle between Rogachenko and Horowitz showcased two of the best collegiate sailors in the country. Rogachenko is a member of the US Sailing Team – U23 and a senior on the Old Dominion varsity sailing team. He finished second at the college singlehanded national championships in the fall of 2008. Horowitz finished sixth in last year’s championship. He is a sophomore on the College of Charleston sailing team. He finished eighth at the ICSA Singlehanded Nationals in 2008. The two college sailing standouts put some distance between themselves and the field. Eric Oetgen (Savannah, Ga.) finished third with 51 points.
Sailing conditions consisted of west/northwest winds at 5-to-10 knots, with temperatures in the mid-70’s. The first race ended in thrilling fashion, with Rogachenko and Horowitz locked in a tacking duel from the left side of the course. Ryan Lashaway (Toledo, Ohio) came screaming in from the right side on a port tack with Laser speed to take the bullet.
After an all clear start in the second race, the fleet chose a starboard tack to the left with a few boats gambling on the right side of the course. Boats shopped the course for optimum pressure with most competitors finding clear air. The breeze continued to build through the race, toppling several boats at the first weather mark. Rogachenko and Horowitz were covering each other in the lead to the final finish line with Joshua Larsen (Lakewood, Wash.) coming fast from the opposite side. Rogachenko dumped his Laser fifty yards from the finish line, and Horowitz crossed the finish line in first. It looked as though Larsen would pass Rogachenko, but he got his boat on its feet quickly to finish in second.
Twenty sailors competed for three days of racing on Lake St. Claire in 13.78-foot Laser racing boats. This year’s field of talented sailors featured a mix of junior prospects and proven veterans ranging in age from 16 to 58. Competing sailors participated in a Rolex clinic on July 30. The clinician was 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 was assisted by BYC Commodore, Ted Everingham, who is an international sailing judge and lecturer.
The Barrett Sportsman Award was awarded to Nicholas Cromwell of the Naval Academy based on reports from all the judges.
For complete results, daily reports, and photos, please visit the event website at http://championships.ussailing.org/Adult/USSinglehandedChampionship.htm.
Position, Skipper, Yacht Club, Results, Total Points
1. Kyle Rogachenko, ICSA, 4-7-1-1-3-2-2-2-2- ; 24
2. Zeke Horowitz, Team FOR, 1-6-2-2-1-6-6-3-1- ; 28
3. Eric Oetgen, Savannah YC, 11-10-4-3-7-1-7-4-4- ; 51
4. John Shockey, Vermilion Boat Club, 5-1-9-6-4-7-8-17-6- ; 63
5. Matthew Woodworth, Chicago YC, 16-15-10-7-2-5-5-5-15- ; 80T
6. Chris Raab, Newport Harbor Yacht Club, 2-11-8-10-6-10-9-7-17- ; 80T
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.