> US SAILING Media > Latest News > 2010 > U.S. Match Racing Championship Starts Round Robin Stage on Thursday
U.S. Match Racing Championship Starts Round Robin Stage on Thursday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Jake Fish
US SAILING Communications Manager
jakefish@ussailing.org
DETROIT, Mich. (September 16, 2010) – The battle for this year’s Prince of Wales Bowl got underway Thursday in the first of four days of racing at the U.S. Match Racing Championship, a US SAILING Adult National Championship hosted by Detroit’s Bayview Yacht Club.The racing day began with good conditions. Early showers passed and the sailors raced in wind speed approximated at 12 knots. Three-time U.S. Match Racing Champion (USMRC) Dave Perry is once again making a strong bid to win his fourth title, and a fifth for the Pequot Yacht Club. Perry is 4-0 with wins over Shawn Bennett, Mike Buckley, Kent Colpaert, and Chris Nesbitt. Bennett (St. Francis Yacht Club) went 3-2 and trails Perry by a point.
Racing was delayed due to the increasing light winds, and eventually postponed when thunderstorms passed through Wayne County. Six of the 15 flights of the first round robin stage are in the books. Principal Race Officer Marcia Everingham indicated that Friday’s racing will start at 9:30 a.m. EST. They will attempt to finish the first round robin on Friday, and potentially the second round robin stage later in the day. Light wind is forecasted for Friday afternoon.
The U.S. Match Racing Championship is an International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Grade 3 event. Ten teams are sailing in Ultimate 20s on Detroit River. The championship concludes this Sunday, September 19. The highest placing eligible skipper in this event will qualify to represent the U.S. in the 2011 ISAF Nations Cup.
The winning skipper will also receive an invitation to race in the 2011 Knickerbocker Cup, a Grade 2 event and World Tour Qualifier. Also, the highest placing skipper who does not receive an invitation to the Congressional Cup from that event’s organizational authority will receive an invitation to race in the 2011 Ficker Cup, a Congressional Cup Qualifier and Grade 2 event. The U.S. Match Racing Championship is sponsored by Rolex Watch U.S.A., Dry Creek Vineyard, Hobie Polarized, and Gill North America.
EVENT FORMAT
Stage 1: Double Round Robin – The top four finishers will advance to Stage 2. Places 5-10 will be determined at this stage.
Stage 2: Semifinal Series – First to win two races. Winners will advance to Stage 4. Other teams will advance to Stage 3.
Stage 3: Petit Final Series – First to win two races. Determines places 3-4 in the regatta.
Stage 4: Final Series – First to win three races. Determines places 1-2 in the regatta.
* Format is subject to change by the organizational authority.
Visit the event web site for results, daily recaps, photo galleries, and more. For up-to-the-minute updates during the championship, follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
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 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 Gill North America
Gill NA, with headquarters near Atlanta, GA is the sole distributor and licensee of Gill-brand foul weather gear in North America including Caribbean, Central America, US and Canada. Gill is an apparel and accessories leader in the worldwide marine industry for over three decades and specializes in high tech, breathable waterproof clothing. The company tests, designs and markets a variety of performance-oriented, award-winning apparel and accessories for virtually every type of boating activity with product lines that include foul weather gear; interactive layering systems; footwear; gloves; bags; junior gear; scholastic gear and team wear. Available through hundreds of dealers nationally, Gill NA is the sole distributor and licensee of Gill-brand foul weather gear in North America, where it is the top selling yachting clothing brand. For more information on Gill NA, visit the company website at http://www.gillna.com/or contact Lance Jones at Gill NA, (678) 730-5581 5581 / e-mail: lance@gillna.com
About Dry Creek Vineyard
Founded in 1972 by David S. Stare, Dry Creek Vineyard is located in the heart of Dry Creek Valley, just outside of the charming wine country town of Healdsburg. The winery is known for producing some of California’s finest Fumé Blancs and Zinfandels. In addition to these “flagships,” Dry Creek Vineyard is also known for excellent Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. In 1997, the family released a new vineyard designated Cabernet Sauvignon from their estate Endeavour vineyard. Then, beginning with the 2004 vintage, the family introduced a new proprietary blend called The Mariner. Each wine has redefined the concept of terroir as the winery continues shape their portfolio for future success. Dry Creek Vineyard owns over 200 acres of vineyard land, primarily in Dry Creek Valley and the Russian River Valley. For more information on Dry Creek Vineyard please visit www.drycreekvineyard.com.
About Hobie Polarized
Hobie Polarized is a leading designer, developer, marketer and distributor of polarized eyewear. The brand’s innovative lens technology allows total glare reduction, 100% UV protection, enhances contrast and provides optimum visual acuity. The company’s products are sold worldwide and are used by watermen at all skill and lifestyle levels. The Hobie Polarized headquarter is located in Plainview, New York. For further information, please visit the company’s website at www.hobiepolarized.com.