GULFPORT, Miss. (October 7, 2015) – US Sailing’s Championship of Champions is recognized as one of the more unique adult racing events in the country. All helmsmen have qualified for this event by winning a one-design class National, North American, or World Championship in the qualifying year (2014 – 2015). Helmsmen and their crew will be tested in the VX One this year on the waters of Mississippi Sound to see if they can hold their own against a strong fleet of class titlists.
These skippers and their teams will race for the Jack Brown Trophy while representing their class at the 2015 Championship of Champions, hosted by the Gulfport Yacht Club this Friday, October 9 through Sunday, October 11. Racing will be preceded by a special VX One boat clinic and technical briefing on Thursday, October 8, led by Brian Bennett, designer of the VX One.
The competition will be challenging with many decorated sailors competing on the same course. Every year, US Sailing invites one special guest to join the competition. Invited helms have included winners of the Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year, Olympians, and other sailing luminaries. This year’s Championship of Champions special guest is John Dane III. Dane is a 2008 U.S. Olympian as a helm in the Star Class competition. He has also been a top four finisher at the U.S. Olympic Trials in the Soling and Finn classes. Dane will be sailing with his son, Schaeffer, and against his son, John F. Dane, who is crewing for 2014 VX One North American Champion, Christopher Alexander.
This championship is held in a different location and in a different class each year. Classes in which the event has been held run the gamut from conventional to cutting edge and have included Y-Flyers, Snipes, Hobie Cats, J-24s, Sunfish and Etchells, to name just a few. The championship is named in honor of Jack Brown who was noted for his service as a judge, regatta organizer and member of US Sailing Committees.
Several past winners of this championship have returned this year to take a shot at winning their second Jack Brown Trophy, including Brian Keane (2013), Andrew Eagan (2011), and Chris Raab (2010). Also in contention this week are Brad Funk and Trevor Burd, a 49er duo from the US Sailing Team Sperry.
Sailor list with representing classes and hometowns.
The 2015 Championship of Champions is a US Sailing National Championship, sponsored by Gill North America and Switlik Survival Products.
VX One Boat Description
The VX One is a fresh and exciting sport one-design for the international two to three person racing enthusiast. The design concept is born of a careful review of performance one-design demographics within this category worldwide. The VX offers sailors, from junior to advanced, a vehicle for perpetual enjoyment of performance sailing. Sailing World magazine named the VX One, Boat of the Year in 2012, for best new one-design and best overall sailboat.
Media & Coverage
- For standings, photos, Twitter updates, and more information from the 2015 Championship of Champions, please visit the event website. Participate in the conversation this week on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram with #CofCSailing15.
Racing Schedule
- Thursday, October 8: Registration and VX One Boat Clinic
- Friday, October 9 through Sunday, October 11 – First race signal at 9:30 am CDT
Prizes on the Line
- US Sailing medals will be awarded to the top three competitors.
- The winning team will be awarded the Jack Brown Trophy.
US Sailing Media Contact: Jake Fish, jakefish@ussailing.org
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. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.
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 Switlik Survival Products
Established in 1920, Switlik Parachute Co. has been owned and operated by the Switlik family for four generations and is known worldwide as a manufacturer of the highest quality sewn and heat sealed inflatable safety and survival products for the aviation, marine, and military/government markets. Our capabilities include a wide variety of anti-exposure and anti-g suits, inflatable life rafts, inflatable life vests, inflation systems and other specialty textile-based military equipment all manufactured at our 85,000 sq. ft. facility located in Trenton, NJ USA. www.switlik.com