LAKE TAHOE, Calif. (July 18, 2017) – A strong fleet comprised of experienced and proven singlehanded sailors and an influx of new talented young men and women will be the focus at this week’s 2017 U.S. Singlehanded Sailing Championships, held in conjunction with the Laser Class U.S. National Championships and hosted by the Tahoe Yacht Club.
Sailors eligible for the U.S. Singlehanded Sailing Championships in the men’s Laser Full Rig and women’s Laser Radial Fleets must be U.S. citizens and at least turn 17 in the calendar year of 2017. These eligible sailors will be racing in their respective fleets as part of the Laser Nationals competition.
The first of four days of racing takes place this Thursday, July 20 and the Championship wraps-up on Sunday, July 23. Sailors will be taking part in a practice session on Lake Tahoe this Wednesday, July 19.
The intended race area will be on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, near the Tahoe City Coast Guard Station.
Prizes will be awarded to competitors meeting the eligibility rules for the U.S. Singlehanded Championship:
- George D. O’Day Trophy to the overall highest placing eligible male in Laser Full Rig.
- Helen Willis Hanley Trophy to the overall highest placing eligible female in Laser Radial.
- US Sailing medals will be awarded to the top three positions in each fleet.
- Peter J. Barrett Sportsmanship Trophy may be awarded.
For Twitter updates from the racecourse, results and standings, photos, and more information about the U.S. Singlehanded Sailing Championship, please visit the event website. Follow the conversation this week on Twitter and throughout social media using hashtag – #lasernationals17.
The 2017 U.S. Singlehanded Championship is sponsored by Gill North America and Hobie Polarized. This US Sailing National Championship is participating in the Sailors for the Sea’s Clean Regattas program.
US Sailing Contact for U.S. Singlehanded Championships: Jake Fish, Communications Manager, jakefish@ussailing.org, 401-366-3115
Contact for Laser Class U.S. National Championships: DeeDee Felich, dfelich@gmail.com, 760-275-9047
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. 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 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.