Chicago Match Race Center announces 2014 schedule of events

by Dobbs Davis on 28 Dec 2013 The Chicago Match Race Center is pleased to announce its 2014 schedule of events that offers up opportunities for all levels of match racers. For the sixth year, CMRC will provide world-class match racing to the local and international communities.

Based in Chicago's Belmont Harbor, CMRC has eight professionally-maintained and equally-matched TOM 28 keelboats, umpire and other support boats, including CMRC's signature 70-foot custom houseboat that provides full support both in the harbor and out on the racecourse.

CMRC's programs have played an important role in the growth and development of match racing for both US and international teams. The quality of talent development at CMRC can be best exemplified by its past Sailing Director, Taylor Canfield and his Team US One, who have just ascended to the top of the Alpari World Match Racing Tour.

CMRC will carry on this tradition of excellence in 2014 by featuring an ISAF Grade 1, 2 or 3 regatta every month. Starting with the Grade 3 Spring Invitational May 17-18, 10 teams will compete to race for invitations to the US Match Racing Championship, the US Women's Match Racing Championship, and two slots in the 2014 Richardson Trophy for the Lake Michigan-based teams.

June will feature the Grade 2 Chicago Match Cup Qualifier June 13-15, where 12 teams will fight for an invitation to CMRC's signature prize-money event, the Chicago Match Cup held in September. A North-U Youth Match Racing Clinic and Regatta for sailors between 15-22 years old will also be held over June 24-27, conducted by four-time US Sailing Match Racing Champion, Dave Perry.

In July CMRC will host one of its two signature double-header events - the Summer Invitational A and B - which features back-to-back Grade 3 competitions among 10 teams who will vie for one invitation to the Chicago Grand Slam Grade 2 in August and one invitation to the Oakcliff International Grand Slam Grade 2 held in September.

The US Grand Slam Series of four consecutive Grade 2 events will start once again with the Chicago Grand Slam over August 15-17, with 12 entered teams. Among these will be the winners from these three qualifying series and events: the California Dreamin' Series, the Oakcliff June Grade 3, and CMRC's Summer Invitational A and B held the previous month. Winner of the US Grand Slam will earn valuable points towards the overall Grand Slam Series, whose winner gets an invitation to the 2015 Congressional Cup and the 2015 Chicago Match Cup.

The Chicago Match Cup, CMRC's signature event, will be held September 11-14th. The world's top skippers will converge on the Chicago waterfront to provide spectators and sponsors the opportunity to have front-row seats to the finest show in sailing. This event will feature 12 teams and is invitation-only, so stay tuned for more details on the format and venue of this spectacular prize money event.

The 2014 season will conclude after the second double-header event, the Autumn Invitational A and B held over October 9-12, where 10 teams will compete and the winner will receive an invitation to the first event in the CMRC 2015 schedule.

'We're looking forward to another great season of match racing,' said CMRC's Maggie Shea. 'We intend to reach out this year and get even more sailors to come out and try match racing- it's fun, addictive, and will make you a better sailor no matter what you race.'

2014 Chicago Match Race Center Schedule

May
17-18: Grade 3 - Spring Invitational

June
13-15: Grade 2 - Chicago Match Cup Qualifier
24-27: North U Youth Clinic and Regatta coached by Dave Perry

July
24-25: Grade 3 - Summer Invitational A
26-27: Grade 3 - Summer Invitational B

August
15-17: Grade 2 - Chicago Grand Slam

September
11-14: Chicago Match Cup

October
9-10: Grade 3 - Autumn Invitational A
11-12: Grade 3 - Autumn Invitational B

For more information on entries and events, contact invites@chicagomatchrace.com, and Requests for Invitation can be found at www.chicagomatchrace.com/events.