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Chicago Match Race Center's unique 2-for-1

by CMRC on 4 Jun 2010
Chicago Match Race Center SW
This weekend the Chicago Match Race Center (CMRC) is having a unique 2-for-1 value in match race sailing, with the ISAF Grade 3 Chicago Open A Regatta starting tomorrow June 4th and running through Saturday June 5th, followed by the Chicago Open B Regatta starting Sunday June 6th and ending Monday June 7th.

The consecutive events are an innovation designed to maximize the opportunity for participating teams to do a lot of match race sailing in one trip to Chicago, as well as to earn double the Grade 3 points for the ISAF’s World Ranking list for match race sailing.

Another unique twist to the format is that the Round Robin stages in both events will be sailed in both TOM 28’s and Elliott 6M’s, the two boat types used at CMRC. For each flight two pairs of TOM’s and two pairs of Elliott’s will be out on the race course. But since the TOM’s have a weight limit of 350 kg (772 lb) and are sailed by a team of four, and the Elliott weight limit of 262.5 kg (579 lb) limits the team to three, on alternate flights one crewmember from each team will have to sit out to watch while his team mates compete in the Elliott.

'It’s a different and ambitious format, I admit,' says CMRC Director Bill Hardesty, 'but we tried it last year and the two consecutive events seemed to go over well. As for the two boat types, we’re really getting a lot of enthusiasm on this. Since Elliotts are usually just raced by Women’s teams, this is a rare opportunity for both men and women to try them out.' The Elliott 6M was chosen by ISAF in 2008 as the boat type to be used for the Women’s match race discipline in the 2012 Olympic Games, and is raced around the world in numerous Women’s match race events.

Ten teams will be attending the Open A and Open B events, with six racing in both. These include: Taylor Canfield from St. Thomas, USVI, a regular in last year’s CMRC season and winner of the 2009 CMRC July Grade 3 event; Bob Hughes from Ada, MI, reigning champion of the Canada’s Cup and perennial contender in the Farr 40 Class; Joe Markee from Del Mar, CA, who is attending his first CMRC event; Guy Mossman from Charleston, SC, winner of this year’s CMRC Key West Invitational; Danielle Soriano from Brielle, NJ, who is returning from last month’s CMRC Spring Invitational; and Don Wilson, CMRC Founder and winner of the Spring Invitational last month.

Joining this group tomorrow through Saturday in the Open A event will be local-based Steven Lowery and Chris Wurtz, both CMRC regulars and building their expertise in the TOM 28’s in their second season.
Joining the group for the Open B event will be David Storrs from Southport, CT, and local Evanston-based Kevin Teborek. This will be the debut for each at a CMRC event.

Besides live commentary provided on site by America’s Cup veteran Geordie Shaver and Tucker Thompson of T2P.tv, coverage, updates, photos and videos will also be provided on the internet through the CMRC website.
Another important element to the success of CMRC events is the umpiring talent led by Chief Umpire Steve Wrigley of Fayetteville, NC, and the Race Committee team led by Principal Race Officer Bill Canfield of St Thomas, USVI.
Racing will be held near the entrance to Belmont Harbor, with starts each day intended for 10:00 AM. Shoreside activities including competitor briefings, press conferences, umpire debriefs and awards ceremonies will be held before and after racing in and around the CMRC floating regatta center moored at the North end of Belmont Harbor.

For more information about the CMRC Open A and Open B Regattas, stop by CMRC or contact CMRC Director of Marketing and Programming Beth Paul on 312-542-1505 or visit www.chicagomatchrace.com.
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