First Annual Oak Cliff Match Race Invitational a huge success

Racing in the Oak Cliff Yacht Club’’s first annual Match Race Invitational Clinic and Regatta, Karen Miller

Racing in the Oak Cliff Yacht Club’s first annual Match Race Invitational Clinic and Regatta, © Karen Miller

The recently founded Oak Cliff Yacht Club in Oyster Bay, New York, held its first annual Match Race Invitational Clinic and Regatta, and it was a huge success by all measures. The event was held in Oak Cliff’s six Swedish Match 40’s, the boat used on the World Match Racing Tour. Six teams participated, including four Oyster Bay teams.

The other two teams were led by current national match race champion Dave Perry of Southport, Connecticut, and top ranked US women’s sailor Sally Barkow from Nashotah, Wisconsin.

The event began with three days of intensive training that focused on boat handling and boatspeed in the SM 40’s, and match race tactics and strategies. Coaching in the Clinic was provided by Perry, as well as Dave Dellenbaugh, former national match race champion and winner of the 1992 America’s Cup, and Ralf Steitz, also a national match race champion crew and crew on several America’s Cup campaigns.

The event culminated in a Grade 4 Regatta. Chief Umpire for the event was Bruce Cook of Oyster Bay. After a double round robin, qualifying for the semi-finals were Perry, Barkow, Neily Williamson and Leo Vasliev. Perry defeated Vasliev 2-0, and the Barkow-Williamson series was tied 1-1 when the wind finally ceased blowing. By virtue of the standings at the end of the round robins, Perry won the event, with Barkow second, Williamson third and Vasliev fourth. Sailing with Perry was Andrew Campbell, Jon Siener, Jackie Schmitz and Ben Reavis.

Racing in the Oak Cliff Yacht Club’s first annual Match Race Invitational Clinic and Regatta, © Karen Miller