Oakcliff Sailing to host U.S. Match Racing Championship this weekend

by US Sailing on 9 Oct 2015 Oakcliff Sailing has long been recognized as a hub for match racing enthusiasts. The popular sailing center will play host to the 48th edition of the U.S. Match Racing Championship this weekend in Oyster Bay, N.Y.

Ten talented teams representing their home sailing organizations will go one-on-one for the Prince of Wales Bowl. Helms qualified for this national championship through a series of events run throughout the country. Invitations were issued to the winning skippers at each of the 2015 U.S. Match Racing Championship Qualifiers, the 2014 U.S. Match Racing Champion, and the 2015 U.S. Women’s Match Racing Champion.

Returning to take another shot at this US Sailing National Championship is four-time (2011, 2008, 2006, 1982) U.S. Match Racing Champion Dave Perry. He will be representing the Pequot Yacht Club (Conn.).

The lone women’s skipper racing this week is 2015 U.S. Women’s Match Racing Champion, Nicole Breault. Ranked #12 in the world in women’s match racing by ISAF and number two in the country, Breault had a tremendous season. She won the 2015 ISAF Nations Cup Grand Final in the women’s match racing competition. Breault will be representing St. Francis Yacht Club (Calif.).

After placing third at last year’s U.S. Match Racing Championship, Russ Silvestri will make another run at the title this weekend. He also posted a strong performance at the 2015 ISAF Nations Cup Grand Final with his fourth place finish. Silvestri is ranked number five in the U.S.

The three-day event begins Saturday, October 10 and concludes on Columbus Day, Monday, October 12. This championship is an open event being contested in the Match 40 with up to five or six crewmates per team including the skipper.

Oakcliff Sailing runs an extensive match racing program throughout the season that includes competitive regattas and instructional clinics. In 2014 they hosted the U.S. Women’s Match Racing Championship.

Racing Format

• Stage 1 – Preliminary Round Robin
• Stage 2 – Quarterfinal Knock-out Series
• Stage 3 – Semifinals Knock-out Series
• Stage 4 – Petit Finals Knock-out Series
• Stage 5 – Finals Knock-out Series

Race Course

• The intended course will be windward/leeward/windward/leeward with starboard roundings, finishing downwind.
• The intended course area will be the Oyster Bay or Cold Spring Harbor.

Prizes on the Line

• The winner will be named the U.S. Match Racing Champion and will have their name engraved on the Prince of Wales Bowl, a perpetual trophy that will be kept on display at US Sailing.
• US Sailing medals and Oakcliff Sailing prizes will be awarded to teams placing first through third.