Canfield Wins First U.S. Match Racing Championship
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jake Fish
US Sailing Communications Manager
jakefish@ussailing.org
401.683.0800 x614
MARBLEHEAD, Mass. (September 23, 2012) – After finishing second at the last two U.S. Match Racing Championships, Taylor Canfield and his crew rose to the occasion on Sunday and defeated two-time champion Dave Dellenbaugh in the Finals, 3-2. Canfield’s team was representing the Chicago Match Race Center. This year’s U.S. Match Racing Championship was hosted by the Boston Yacht Club in Marblehead, Mass.
“This has always been a championship I’ve wanted to win and it feels great to get it this week,” said Canfield. “I’ve been coming to this event ever since I started match racing.”
It was an exciting Final as Dellenbaugh nearly overcame a 2-0 deficit. Canfield (St. Thomas, USVI), who is sailing this week with crewmates Stephanie Roble (East Troy, Wis.), Maggie Shea (Wilmette, Ill.), and Janel Zarkowsky (Annapolis, Md.), had big leads early in each of the first two races with Dellenbaugh to take a 2-0 advantage. Dellenbaugh and crew Rebecca Dellenbaugh (Easton, Conn.), and US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider members Debbie Capozzi (Bayport, N.Y.) and Stuart McNay (Boston, Mass.), sailed their way back into the series with back to back wins. In race three, Canfield had a lead at the gate, but Dellenbaugh came from behind for the win. In race four, Dellenbaugh took an early lead when Canfield was tagged with an OCS. Dellenbaugh tied the series at 2-2. However, Canfield answered and took a commanding five boat length lead upwind and coasted to victory.
“It really came down the wire,” added Canfield. “It was great to sail against Dave [Dellenbaugh], who is one of the most famous match racers in the U.S. We were able to control the entire pre-start in the final race and pull away for the must-win.”
Canfield won 3-0 over Brad Funk (Plantation, Fla.), crew Luke Muller and Luke Lawrence in the Semifinals. Canfield took the first two races by multiple boat lengths. They overtook Funk in race three after he was hit with a red flag penalty when he had an early lead. Funk was representing the Lauderdale Yacht Club
Dellenbaugh reached the Finals by defeating defending champions Dave Perry (Southport, Conn.) and crew Mike Rehe (Harper Woods, Mich.) and Chris Museler (Portsmouth, R.I.). Perry, a four-time U.S. Match Racing Champion, took a 2-0 lead over Dellenbaugh. Perry edged Dellenbaugh in race one by two meters, despite carrying a penalty late into the race. An early penalty on Dellenbaugh was too much to overcome in race two. Dellenbaugh answered with a win in race three when Perry was penalized near the finish. Another win for Dellenbaugh in race four set-up a deciding fifth race, which he won by five boat lengths. Both Dellenbaugh and Perry were representing the Pequot Yacht Club.
Ranked 11th by ISAF, Canfield was the highest ranked match racer competing at this week’s championship. His top results this year include a win at the Chicago Match Race Center (CMRC) Invitational, third at the Congressional Cup and fourth at the Chicago Match Cup, a World Match Racing Tour event. Roble and Shea have an outstanding last couple weeks. Last weekend, they won the U.S. Women’s Match Racing Championship with skipper Genny Tulloch.
“They have been sailing a lot together lately, and fortunately we’ve been able to practice a lot together in Chicago,” said Canfield.
The semifinals were race in 12 to 14 knots with gusts exceeding 18, and light chop. The breeze settled down in the Finals to 8-10 knots.
Perry took home third place honors after defeating Funk in the Petit Finals, 2-1.
For full results, final standings, videos, photos and more information from the 2012 U.S. Match Racing Championship, please visit the event website at http://championships.ussailing.org/Adult/USMRC.htm.
The U.S. Match Racing Championship is sponsored by Rolex Watch U.S.A., Old Pulteney, Hobie Polarized, and Gill North America. This championship is a Sailors for the Sea - Clean Regattas certification event.
Championship Notes
- Canfield and Dellenbaugh qualify for the Nations Cup Regional Final in Barbados this January 30 - February 3.
- Canfield will receive an invitation to race in the 2013 Ficker Cup, a Grade 3 event and a Congressional Cup Qualifier
- The USMRC Chair is Greg Kiely
- The Event Chair is Anne Coulombe
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 Sperry Top-Sider. 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 Sperry Top-Sider preparation, US Sailing National Championships, disabled sailing, offshore, one-design and women's events. For more information, please visit us at www.rolex.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.
About Old Pulteney Single Malt Whisky
Old Pulteney Single Malt Whisky is crafted at Pulteney Distillery in Wick, Scotland. The distillery was founded in 1826 by James Henderson at the height of Wick’s herring boom. The distillery lies in the heart of ‘Pulteneytown’, which was one of the most important and biggest herring fishing ports in Europe.
Old Pulteney Single Malt whisky has a long standing association with the sea and is known as the “Maritime Malt.” Its carefully crafted taste carries the windswept and rugged character of the North, the salty and fresh air of the North Sea, and the distillery’s rich maritime heritage runs through every drop of this fine malt. The award-winning Old Pulteney portfolio includes the World Whisky of the Year title, in Jim Murray’s 2012 Whisky Bible Awards. Visit us at http://www.oldpulteney.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 David Pritchard at david.pritchard@gillna.com.