Cup gossip and Stateside racing—Sailing News from the U.S. and Beyond

by David Schmidt, Sail-World USA Editor on 21 Sep 2012 In America’s Cup circles, reports have surfaced that Peter Burling (NZL) is replacing Nathanial Outteridge (AUS) as the skipper of Team Korea’s America’s Cup World Series (ACWS) boat for the upcoming ACWS San Francisco event (October 2-7). Outteridge, a Gold medalist in the London Olympics 2012 in the 49er class, is expected to join a team with an AC72 program and a shot at the 34th America’s Cup.


It will be interesting to see where the talented Aussie lands, given that Oracle Racing already has Jimmy Spithill and Ben Ainslie under contract. Burling (21), it should be noted, won a Silver medal in this summer’s Games, also in the 49er class, and is officially the youngest skipper to be given the helm of an AC45. Stay tuned for more, as it becomes known.


Meanwhile, in Rochester, New York, Mauricio Santa Cruz and his 'Bruschetta' team are on the eve of winning the always-competitive J/24 Worlds, which are being hosted by the Rochester Yacht Club. With one day of racing to go, Santa Cruz currently enjoys a 41-point lead over his nearest competitor and has dominated the series since Day One. Get the full report, inside.


Also on the East Coast, racing has commenced at the U.S. Match Racing Championship, which is being hosted by the Boston Yacht Club and is being contested off of Marblehead, Massachusetts. Veteran match racer and rules guru Dave Perry is attempting to capture his fifth Prince of Whales Bowl (September 20-23), but he will face serious competition from young guns such as the USVI’s Taylor Canfield. More from Marblehead, as it unfurls.

And in Chicago, Helmut Jahn’s 'Flash Gordon 6' (USA 60002) has won the prestigious Farr 40 Worlds, which have been taking place off of the Chicago Yacht Club on the notoriously windy waters of Lake Michigan this week. Alberto Rossi’s 'Enfant Terrible' (ITA 29141) and Guido Belgiorno-Nettis’ 'Transfusion' (AUS 6422) rounded out the top three, with a ten-point spread separating Flash Gordon 6’s metaphorical stern from Transfusion’s metaphorical bow. Don’t miss all the great multi-media coverage of this Grand Prix event, inside.

Also inside, be sure to check out the latest reports from the Tornado Worlds, the PGA Cold Hawaii World Cup and the 52 Super Series. And looking ahead, don’t miss the event preview of the 2012 12 Metre North American Championships, which are being sailed off of Newport, Rhode Island this weekend (September 21-23). Interestingly, Cup legends Dennis Conner and Ted Turner will both be participating, with Conner racing in the Grand Prix Division aboard 'Kiwi Magic' (KZ-7) and Turner sailing in the Traditional Division aboard his all-conquering old steed, 'American Eagle'. More from these events, as it becomes known!


May the four winds blow you safely home,