After three days of fiercely competitive racing on Buzzards Bay, Chris Raab and Keith Ives, representing the Mercury class, claimed the 2025 US Sailing Championship of Champions and lifted the coveted Jack Brown Trophy for the second time.
The duo’s victory was hard-earned. After a slow start that left them in 12th place and trailing the leaders by 30 points on the opening day, Raab and Ives staged an impressive comeback. Consistency became their hallmark, with no scores outside the top 10 after Day one. They sealed the title in dramatic fashion by winning the final two races.
“Championship of Champions is one of the most fun regattas you can come do,” said Raab. “The camaraderie between the top one-design sailors in the nation, coming together to sail some random boat—it’s special.”
The Championship of Champions podium:
- 1st – Chris Raab & Keith Ives (Mercury)
- 2nd – Mark Zagol & Andrew Buttner (Viper 640)
- 3rd – Brian Bissel & Phillip Toth (Harbor 20)
The event, hosted by New Bedford Yacht Club and sailed in the Marshall Marine Sandpiper (a gaff-rigged single sail catboat), brought together 20 national, North American, and world champions from across 19 different one-design classes. True to the spirit of the regatta, sailors faced the unique challenge of mastering a class that many had never sailed before.
Part of what makes the Championship of Champions a special event is its ability to expose top-level competitors to new and unique one design classes – broadening both their sailing abilities and their knowledge of the sport. Looking back at the history of the championship, the event has been run in a number of classes from the 470 to the JY15 and
the Radio-Controlled DF-95. The challenge of a new, unique class is part of the draw.
This year’s regatta once again highlighted the depth of talent and experience in the U.S. one-design sailing community, with several past champions—including Raab and Ives—showing the value of patience and consistency in the round-robin format.
US Sailing extends its gratitude to New Bedford Yacht Club, Marshall Marine, and the Sandpiper class for their support in hosting the regatta, as well as to partners Goslings Rum and Polar Seltzer for keeping sailors hydrated throughout the week.
One design sailors: mark your calendars for the 2026 iteration of the Championship of Champions! The event will be held in E Scows at Wawasee Yacht Club in Syracuse, Indiana in mid-September. Exact dates to be announced! For more information about the Championship of Champions and other US Sailing championships, visit ussailing.org.
Links
Scores: https://theclubspot.com/regatta/57BcS9TEhe/results
Photos: US Sailing: https://usst.photoshelter.com/galleries/C0000t7nvYCSizdg/Championship-of-Champions
Ryan Cove Photography: https://www.covephotography.com/work/regattas/championship-of-champions-2025