MENTOR-ON-THE-LAKE, Ohio (July 8, 2016) – A strong fleet comprised of experienced singlehanded sailors combined with a new infusion of talented men and women will be at the forefront of this week’s U.S. Singlehanded Sailing Championships, held in conjunction with the 2016 Laser Class U.S. National Championships.
Sailors eligible for the U.S. Singlehanded Sailing Championships must be U.S. citizens and at least age 17 in the calendar year of 2016. The men’s Laser Full Rig and women’s Laser Radial fleets began the first of four days racing on Lake Erie on Thursday, July 7. Twelve races are schedule over this championship that concludes Sunday, July 10. The Mentor Harbor Yachting Club is the host for this year’s regatta.
Racing is underway at the 2016 Laser Class U.S. National Championships and U.S. Singlehanded Championships and will conclude on Sunday. Two races were completed by all fleets on Thursday. Please follow the results and standings (eligible sailors for U.S. Singlehanded Championships indicated with [USS]).
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.
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 other social media channels using hashtag – #lasernationals16.
The 2016 U.S. Singlehanded Championship is sponsored by Gill North America, Hobie Polarized, and Switlik Survival Products. This US Sailing National Championship is a Sailors for the Sea certified Clean Regatta.
US Sailing Contact: Jake Fish, US Sailing Communications Manager, 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 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 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