Please select your home edition
Edition
X-Yachts Leaderboard 2024 2

Long Beach is next up at West Marine US Open Sailing Series

by US Sailing 6 Jul 2021 12:36 PDT July 9-11, 2021
West Marine US Open Sailing Series © US Sailing

The West Marine US Open Sailing Series continues the summer swing through California this week in Long Beach, one of the nation's most popular sailing locations.

The site of the Olympic Sailing competition for the 2028 LA Games will be in the spotlight as sailors in eight classes will race over three days on July 9 - 11, 2021. Men and women sailors will be racing the 29er, Finn, Foiling Kite, iQFoil, ILCA 7, ILCA 6, ILCA 4, and Nacra 17.

West Marine US Open Sailing Series - Long Beach is hosted by Alamitos Bay Yacht Club, Long Beach Yacht Club, and the US Sailing Center Long Beach. The regatta will be sailed in the waters of San Pedro Bay off Long Beach.

The West Marine US Open Sailing Series launched in January 2021 with a big splash in Florida over three events at major sailing venues in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Clearwater. This exciting new racing series resumed in San Diego on June 12 - 13 and racing was conducted in five classes. Read the Recap from San Diego.

Long Beach is the second of three stops on the California tour. Following the stop in Long Beach, the series continues up the California coastline to San Francisco on August 13 - 15, 2021.

Mike Van Dyke, Rear Commodore of the Alamitos Bay Yacht Club and Event Co-Chair, discussed the Long Beach sailing conditions and looks forward to competitive racing this week. "Long Beach is blessed with near perfect sailing conditions almost year-round," said Van Dyke. "The summer months, predictable sea breeze fills in the 12-18 knots range. Some might think this predictability removes some of the challenges of other venues, but it places a premium on boat handling and consistency of scores to come out on top."

Van Dyke also discussed the Olympic Sailing legacy in the Long Beach area. "Southern California has a long legacy of producing Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Due to the weather and the almost year-round ability to train, the presence of youth development organizations, like CISA, promoting pathways to international and Olympic competition, we continue to be a hub for those with Olympic aspirations."

"When Los Angeles expressed interest in bidding again for the games, it created excitement in the sailing community with the motivation to replicate the 1984 games. With US Sailing setting up base here for athletes to train under the guidance of Paul Cayard, as well as the local clubs, Long Beach Yacht Club, Alamitos Bay Yacht Club, and US Sailing Center Long Beach, we are putting together an organizational structure to work under LA 2028."

Lisa Meier, Port Captain at LBYC and Event Co-Chair, also spoke of the history of Long Beach and Olympic Sailing. "Long Beach has a long history participating in the Summer Olympics! In 1932, the Southern California Yachting Association was given full authority to choose the "official games boat" and designated the Olympic Monotype Class. Again in 1984 Long Beach hosted Olympians from around the world. The yacht clubs and sailing centers of Long Beach joined forces along with hundreds of volunteers to spend years preparing for an outstanding Olympic Sailing venue and Games."

"Long Beach Yacht Club, Alamitos Bay Yacht Club and The US Sailing Center Long Beach have joined together to assemble teams of dedicated volunteers from Southern California to prepare and host the regattas, tests and worlds in preparation for 2028. In 2024, after the Paris Olympics, the sailing world tilts in the direction of Long Beach. The community will be poised to welcome the world, preparing venues and connections that will have lasting positive effects on all who participate."

Official website: usopen.ussailing.org

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 announces new scholarship fund
To support sailors' growth and development In an effort to make sailing more accessible and inclusive, US Sailing is proud to announce the launch of the US Sailing Scholarship Fund. Posted on 28 Apr
Charlie Enright appointed as CEO of US Sailing
An accomplished sailor and an advocate of the sport, known for his leadership skills US Sailing announced Charlie Enright, an accomplished leader in the sailing industry, as the Association's new CEO. Enright will take the helm of US Sailing, the sport's National Governing Body (NGB), following an extensive national executive search. Posted on 14 Apr
Three American teams qualify for Medal Races
At Trofeo Princesa Sofía, first Sailing Grand Slam After six days of racing on the Bay of Palma at the 54th Trofeo Princesa Sofía, three American teams finished the opening series in the top 10, qualifying for prestigious medal races at the largest Olympic classes regatta of the year. Posted on 8 Apr
Lead-up to LA28 begins with Princesa Sofía Regatta
29 athletes representing the US are now in Palma 29 athletes representing the US across eight Olympic classes will spar with over 50 other countries at the 54th edition of the Trofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca, considered to be the European season opener. Posted on 31 Mar
Jr. Pan American Games Sailing Team announced
Four athletes named, set to compete in Paraguay this August Four US athletes will take the water for the second ever Junior Pan American Games coming up August 9-23, 2025 in Asunción, Paraguay. Posted on 7 Mar
US Sailing Youth Team qualification update
Over half of the 72 sailors who will qualify have now earned their spot on the team Over half of the 72 sailors who will qualify for the Youth National Team in 2025 have now earned their spot on the team based on top finishes at class association Midwinter Championships. Posted on 7 Mar
US Sailing seek Sailor Athlete Council nominations
SAC is only vehicle for sailors to be heard as individuals rather than as members of an organization US Sailing's Sailor Athlete Council (SAC) maintains an avenue for American sailor athletes to voice their opinions, providing a forum and opportunity to have a meaningful impact on the future and direction of our sport. Posted on 2 Mar
US selection process for Youth Match Racing Worlds
Set to take place from July 21-27 in Gdynia, Poland US Sailing has released the athlete selection procedures for the 2025 World Sailing Youth Match Racing World Championship, set to take place from July 21-27 in Gdynia, Poland. Posted on 28 Feb
2025 Kevin Burnham Memorial Grants recipients
Three young sailors selected to receive the 2025 Kevin Burnham Memorial Grants US Sailing is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Kevin Burnham Memorial Grants, made possible by the generous support of the sailing community in honor of Kevin Burnham's remarkable legacy. Posted on 27 Feb
Henri-Lloyd Dynamic RangeHyde Sails 2024 - One DesignRooster 2025