Diverse Field of Talented Sailors to Compete at 2011 U.S. Singlehanded Championships
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Jake Fish
US SAILING Communications Manager
401.683.0800 x614
jakefish@ussailing.org
PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (July 20, 2011) – The Columbia Gorge Racing Association in Cascade Locks, Ore. welcomes the 2011 U.S. Singlehanded Championship to the Pacific Northwest. A total of 21 men and 18 women will compete for three days, July 22-24 (Friday through Sunday), on the Columbia River Gorge in this US SAILING National Championship event.
Men’s Division
The Laser fleet of the men’s division is stacked with sailing resumes of assorted accomplishments and experience levels. Luke Lawrence (Palm City, Fla. / Lauderdale YC) represents one of the younger, yet talented competitors this week. In 2010 he won a silver medal in the Laser Youth World Championships. In 2008 he won the High School Singlehanded Championship (Cressy Nationals) and the ISAF Youth World Championships in the Laser. Lawrence is also a successful Finn sailor. He won the 2010 Finn Silver Cup and the 2010 Finn Junior World Championship.
On the other end of the spectrum is veteran John MacCausland (Cherry Hill, N.J. / Cooper River YC). The five-time Star North American Champion was a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic Team. MacCausland was also a crew member for the Stars and Stripes in the 1987 America’s Cup. Stephen Bourdrow (Santa Cruz, Calif. / Sequoia YC) is another experienced sailor racing this week. He won a silver medal in the Flying Dutchmen at the 1992 Olympics and is a two-time World Champion in the class. He also finished second in the 1990 Laser World Championship. The former head coach at Stanford University led the Cardinal to three National Championships during this tenure.
Sean Kelly (San Francisco, Calif. / St. Francis YC) nearly had his name engraved on the O’Day Trophy at last year’s U.S. Singlehanded Championship when he finished second. Kelly will take another shot at the crown this weekend. Michael Karas (Kirkland, Wash. / Seattle YC) finished third at the U.S. Singlehanded Championship in 2006 and second in 2000. He was a US Sailing Team member from 2003 to 2006. The 2010 MC Scow National Champion, Cam McNeil (Grand Rapids, Mich. / White Lake YC), will also take his shot this week in the Laser fleet.
Women’s Division
Last year marked the first-ever women’s division for the U.S. Singlehanded Championship. A strong fleet of Laser Radial sailors will race again this year. Several of the top finishers from the 2011 U.S. Junior Women’s Singlehanded Championship (USJWSC) in June will be racing this weekend on the Columbia River Gorge. Alexis Arid (Seattle, Wash. / Seattle YC / Corinthian YC) finished fourth out of 57 at the USJWSC. Madison Gates (Sarasota, Fla. / St. Petersburg YC) finished fifth and Dana Rohde (Richmond Hill, Ga. / Beaufort Yacht and Sailing / SSC / LYC) was ninth. Sky Adams (Santa Barbara, Calif. / Alamitos Bay YC) finished third at the USJWSC in 2010.
Top returning sailors from last year’s event include, Annie Rossie (Oxnard, Calif. / Cabrillo Beach YC) finished third and Christine Neville (Oakland, Calif. / ILCA) was fourth.
How to follow the U.S. Singlehanded Championships
For more details on the U.S. Singlehanded Championships, including a list of competitors, results, standings, recaps, photos, Notice of Race, Preliminary Sailing Instructions, history and more, please visit the event website at http://championships.ussailing.org/Adult/USSinglehandedChampionship.htm.
Stay connected with US SAILING and our National Championship events through Facebook and Twitter for breaking news, daily updates, reminders, photos, videos and more.
The U.S. Singlehanded Championship is sponsored by Rolex Watch U.S.A., LaserPerformance, Gill North America and Hobie Polarized. The Championship is a Sailors for the Sea - Clean Regattas certification event.
Championship Notes
The U.S. Singlehanded Championship is a qualification and select invitation event… A maximum of 12 races are scheduled. Four races are scheduled for each day and one extra race per day may be sailed... Racing begins Friday, July 22 at 12:00 p.m. PT. Racing begins at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday and at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday (racing times subject to change)… Competitors will take part in Rolex Clinics on Thursday, July 21… US SAILING Medals will be awarded to the top three in each division… The winning skipper of the Men’s Division will have his name engraved on the George O’Day Trophy.
About US SAILING
The United States Sailing Association (US SAILING), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and growth 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 LaserPerformance
LaserPerformance is a global company formed from a merger between Vanguard Sailboats and Performance Sail craft Europe. LaserPerformance is the world’s largest supplier of recreational and high performance sailboats. LaserPerformance products include the Sunfish and the Olympic class Laser, two of the most recognized brands in the sailing world. LaserPerformance has offices in Portsmouth RI (US), Long Bucky (UK), Melbourne (AU), Middle East (UAE), and Hong Kong. For more information on LaserPerformance, call 401-683-0960 or visit their website at www.laserperformance.com.
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 / e-mail: lance@gillna.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 headquarters is located in Plainview, New York. For further information, please visit the company’s website at www.hobiepolarized.com.