PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (June 27, 2014) – The 2014 U.S. Multihull Championship will be raced in A-Class Catamarans popularly known as A-Cats, for the first time in event history. The Bristol Yacht Club (R.I.) will serve as host this US Sailing National Championship for the Hobie Alter Trophy on September 18-21. Racing will take place on the waters of Narragansett Bay.
The historic U.S. Multihull Championship originated in 1985. Each year the discipline rotates in order to represent the depth of the multihull racing classes. Classes can range in types and sizes from Hobie Cats to high-tech catamarans.
Similar to years past, this year’s championship will be open to all sailors with no age restriction. Rules expert Dave Perry will serve as chief judge. Perry has led hundreds of US Sailing instructional seminars in over 50 one-design classes and is the author of Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing through 2016.
A-Cats are light-weight boats that weigh 75kg (about 165lbs), which is lighter than some of the sailors racing them. The event is a bring-your-own-boat regatta and housing is available to sailors on a first-come, first-serve basis. For those Sailors who register online, the deadline is September 17. Bristol Yacht Club will host a welcome party as well as an event banquet for all of the sailors.
The U.S. Multihull Championship is sponsored by Old Pulteney, Hobie Polarized and Gill North America. Gill will be providing shirts for the sailors, Hobie Polarized will be providing the winners with sunglasses and Old Pulteney will host a whiskey tasting for participants (21 and older). This championship is a Sailors for the Sea – Clean Regattas certified event. Learn more about the U.S. Multihull Championship.
US Sailing Media Contact: Jake Fish
jakefish@ussailing.org, 401-366-3115
About US Sailing
The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and growth for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US Sailing is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US Sailing offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.
About Hobie Polarized
Hobie Polarized is a leading designer, developer, marketer and distributor of polarized eyewear. The brand’s innovative lens technology allows total glare reduction, 100% UV protection, enhances contrast and provides optimum visual acuity. The company’s products are sold worldwide and are used by watermen at all skill and lifestyle levels. The Hobie Polarized headquarters is located in Plainview, New York. For further information, please visit the company’s website at www.hobiepolarized.com.
About Gill North America
Gill NA, with headquarters near Atlanta, GA is the exclusive importer and distributor of Gill-brand foul weather gear in North America including Caribbean, US and Canada. Gill is a worldwide apparel and accessories brand serving the marine industry with over three decades of experience. Gill specializes in high tech, breathable waterproof clothing. The company develops and markets a variety of performance-oriented, award-winning apparel and accessories for virtually every type of boating activity with product lines that include foul weather gear; interactive layering systems; footwear; gloves; bags; junior gear; scholastic gear and team wear. Gill products are available through hundreds of independent dealers and select West Marine Stores. For further information, please contact: Gary Barker at 941-505-2111 or gary.barker@gillna.com.
About Old Pulteney
Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky is strongly rooted in the whisky’s nautical heritage and is commonly referred to as ‘The Maritime Malt.’ Old Pulteney is the Official Scotch of US Sailing and recently released a limited-edition ‘Navigator’ expression, commemorating the brand’s sponsorship of the 2013-2014 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Crafted in Pulteney Distillery in Wick, Scotland, the distillery was founded in 1826 by James Henderson in the heart of “Pulteneytown,” one of the largest fishing ports in Europe. Each Old Pulteney expression is carefully crafted and carries the windswept and rugged character of the North and the salty, fresh air of the North Sea. It is distributed by International Beverage, Inc. Visit Old Pulteney on Facebook or at www.oldpulteney.com for more information.