Please select your home edition
Edition
Excess Catamarans

2020 U.S. Match Racing Championship cancelled - Looking ahead to 2021 in Long Beach

by US Sailing 4 Jul 2020 00:40 AEST 1-3 October 2021
2018 U.S. Match Racing Championship © Sara Proctor

US Sailing and the U.S. Match Racing Championships Committee have announced the cancellation of the 2020 U.S. Match Racing Championship, originally scheduled to be hosted by the Rochester Yacht Club in Rochester, NY.

The U.S. Match Racing Championship Committee had planned to issue invitations at the end of June, but with travel restrictions put in place in New York, they do not see a realistic way to hold the regatta safely while conforming to local and state guidelines and restrictions.

The 2021 U.S. Match Racing Championship is scheduled for October 1-3, 2021 at Long Beach Yacht Club in Long Beach, Calif.

Bill Simon announced the news during a U.S. Match Racing Championships Committee call Monday evening commenting, "As the Chairman of the U.S. Match Racing Championships Committee, I want to express our appreciation to Holly Stevens, Richard Sullivan and the Board and Staff of Rochester Yacht Club for trying everything possible to find a way to run this event. The umpire and race management team who were willing to travel and support the regatta as well as the many skippers who requested invitations and just wanted to sail because they love match racing should know we tried our best but could not overcome the risks. We hope everyone is safe and healthy, and look forward to seeing you next year in our 2021 Qualifier Series and U.S. Match Racing Championship."

"After 18 months of planning for the U.S. Match Racing Championship with an excellent umpire team in place, housing arranged, and race management organized, it comes down to the COVID-19 restrictions on travel to the area recently put in place in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut from high risk areas of the country, making it impossible for Rochester Yacht Club to safely hold an event of this level," said Rick Sullivan, Event Chair for Rochester Yacht Club. New York is proud to have handled the pandemic well to flatten the curve and as responsible members of US Sailing, we support the decision to cancel this event for the health and safety for all those involved."

The U.S. Match Racing Championship, founded in 1967, features up to 10 talented teams comprised of both male and female skippers and crew who race over three days for the coveted Prince of Wales Bowl. Selection is made through qualification events or by invitation. The winning skipper receives an automatic invitation to the following year's event.

Made popular by the America's Cup, match racing pits one boat against another around a short two-lap windward/leeward course. This race format emphasizes the need for great boat speed, strong boat handling, teamwork, and communication. The tournament-style format makes it fun by maximizing the number of races per day.

Pearson Potts (Newport, R.I.) won the 52nd U.S. Match Racing Championship in 2019. Learn more about the U.S. Match Racing Championship.

Related Articles

US Sailing and Zhik announce strategic partnership
Zhik will provide cutting-edge gear designed to enhance athlete performance on the water US Sailing, the national governing body for the sport of sailing in the United States, is proud to announce a new multi-year partnership with Zhik, global leader in high-performance water wear. Posted on 13 May
US Sailing Team set for the Paris 2024 Olympics
13 American athletes in nine classes will take to the Bay of Marseille Over the course of 12 days, 13 American athletes in nine classes will take to the Bay of Marseille for competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics, following a shortened runway of three years due to the delayed Tokyo 2020 Games. Posted on 27 Jul 2024
Some thoughts on U.S. Olympic sailing
If you're a fan of US Sailing you're best advised to stop reading this editorial Caveat Emptor: If you're a fan of US Sailing, and specifically how the organization runs the U.S. Olympic sailing program, you're best advised to stop reading this editorial. Posted on 13 Mar 2023
Open letter from Paul Cayard
The Executive Director of U.S. Olympic Sailing writes from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Sailing venue I am departing Japan today after absorbing the Olympic environment, observing our team in action and getting pointers from old friends who have been running teams in this game for decades. Posted on 5 Aug 2021
Fun is the key
We can create growth in sailing by helping people have more fun playing with sailboats The lessons of the past are still relevant today! This article excerpt was originally published in the July/August 1996 edition of the American Sailor. Posted on 29 Jul 2020
US Finn sailors set for 2019 Finn Gold Cup at RBYC
Three of the total 63 competitors will be representing the United States. On Monday, December 16, the last event of the 2019 Olympic class World Championships will begin with the 2019 Finn Gold Cup at the Royal Brighton Yacht Club, in Melbourne, Australia. Posted on 15 Dec 2019
Hempel Worlds: New Doublehanded Offshore event
Mixed two-person offshore keelboat event will be on the program at the Paris 2024 Olympics For the first time in Olympic history, a Mixed Two-Person Offshore Keelboat event will be on the program at the Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing Competition. Posted on 7 Dec 2019
US Sailing team leadership statement
A statement from US Sailing regarding the U.S. Olympic Sailing Program US Sailing and Malcolm Page, Chief of Olympic Sailing, announced that they have agreed to part ways. Page will be leaving US Sailing and returning to his home in Australia. Posted on 20 Sep 2019
2019 Hempel World Cup Series Miami preview
30th anniversary of elite-level Olympic class sailing on Biscayne Bay Racing will soon begin at the 2019 Hempel World Cup Series Miami (HWCSM). This year marks the 30th anniversary of elite-level Olympic class sailing on Biscayne Bay. Posted on 25 Jan 2019
US Sailing team takes on Olympic Qualifier
At World Championships in Aarhus, Denmark The official start of the 2018 Hempel Sailing World Championships is Thursday, (August 2) in beautiful Aarhus, Denmark. Over the course of 11 days of racing, 10 Olympic classes and kites will coexist on the waters outside of Denmark's second largest city. Posted on 1 Aug 2018
Excess CatamaransRooster 2025Pantaenius Sail 2025 AUS Footer