SAN DIEGO, Calif. (October 7, 2016) – The San Diego Yacht Club will play host to the 49th edition of the U.S. Match Racing Championship this Columbus Day weekend. Ten qualifying teams will go head-to-head for the Prince of Wales Bowl in the J/22 on San Diego Bay.
Helms qualified for this national championship through a series of events run throughout the country. Invitations were issued to the winning skippers at each of the 2016 U.S. Match Racing Championship Qualifiers and the 2015 U.S. Women’s Match Racing Champion.
Returning to take another shot at this US Sailing National Championship is three-time (2013, 2002, 1984) U.S. Match Racing Champion Dave Dellenbaugh. He will be joined by his two daughters, Rebecca and Emily, as well as Jay Lurie.
After placing second to Dave Perry in last year’s U.S. Match Racing Championship, David Storrs has returned for a chance at his first U.S. Match Racing title. Storrs is ranked #2 in the country.
The lone women’s skipper racing this week is 2016 and 2015 U.S. Women’s Match Racing Champion, Nicole Breault. She is the #2 ranked women’s match racer in the country and #7 in the open rankings.
The three-day event begins Friday, October 7 and concludes on Sunday, October 9. Racing will take place on San Diego Bay near the Grape Street Pier.
Racing Format (subject to change)
- Stage 1 – Preliminary Round Robin Racing
- Stage 2 – Quarterfinals
- Stage 3 – Semifinal/Final Knock-out Series
Media & Coverage
- For standings, photos, Twitter updates, and more information from the 2016 U.S. Match Racing Championship, please visit the event website.
- Participate in the conversation this week on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook with #MatchRacing16.
Rigging J/22s for US Match Racing Championship practice rounds @ussailing #matchracing16 pic.twitter.com/x93scRKTvV
— San Diego Yacht Club (@SDYC1886) October 6, 2016
San Diego Yacht Club contact: Emily Willhoft, emily@sdyc.org
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
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 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.