This past weekend, William Stratton, Matei Meglic and Sidney Gathrid won the U.S. Match Racing Championship in convincing fashion, finishing with a perfect 13–0 record on San Diego Bay. Teams from across the country competed for the national title and the nomination to represent the United States at the 2027 Nations Cup in Cherbourg, France, next September. Hosted by San Diego Yacht Club, the championship was sailed in the club’s fleet of J/22s just off the city waterfront.
Santa Ana winds competed with the more typical onshore sea breeze during the first two days, creating challenging conditions for competitors and race officials. Principal Race Officer Randy Smyth and his team worked to keep the course square amid dramatic wind shifts, completing as many races as possible in the light conditions on Friday and Saturday. Competitors remained patient and ready, making the most of the opportunities to race.
With light and variable winds limiting progress, the ten-boat fleet completed just one round robin over the first two days. The format was adjusted accordingly, and the quarterfinals were eliminated. At the end of racing Saturday, Stratton led undefeated at 9–0. Peter Joslin and Cameron Feves were tied at 6–3, with Joslin taking second on the strength of his round-robin win over Feves. Molly Carapiet secured the fourth semifinal spot with a 5–4 record.
More typical San Diego conditions arrived Sunday: light winds in the morning, filling from the west around noon at approximately 8–10 knots. The conditions allowed the fleet to complete abbreviated semifinals (first to two points), the Petit-Finals, abbreviated finals (first to two wins), and a full consolation round robin to determine places fifth through tenth.
The racing was fierce throughout Sunday’s remaining rounds. At the morning competitors’ meeting, Stratton selected Joslin as his semifinal opponent. Stratton won in two straight matches, while Feves and Carapiet battled through three. Feves took the opening match, but Carapiet won the next two to advance to the final against Stratton.
In the Petit-Finals, Feves won the first match and Joslin answered with a win in the second, setting up a decisive third race for third place. Joslin won the final match to secure the bronze medal. He was joined on the boat by his brother, Jack Joslin, and former Boston College teammate Nick Budington.
In the final, Stratton and teammates Matei Meglic and Sidney Gathrid faced Carapiet and her crew of Karen Loutzenheiser, Evan Cahill and Kate Gaumond. Stratton took the first win. In the second match, Carapiet carried a penalty up the first beat and through most of the run, but maintained control and drove Stratton far enough past the gate to clear the penalty and lead him back. An unfortunate rounding, fleet traffic and chop from commercial boats then significantly reduced Carapiet’s boat speed. By the top mark, Stratton had regained the lead, and his team held on to win the match and the championship undefeated.
Full results: https://www.matchracingresults.com/2026/usa-national-championships/
Thank you to our sponsors for helping make the 2026 US Match Racing Championship weekend memorable! Polar Seltzer kept competitors refreshed with flavored seltzer water, while Goslings Rum and Ginger Beer helped keep the good times rolling after racing. Sextant Wines celebrated our 2026 champions with Sparkling Wine, and Zhik recognized them with a gift card toward Zhik apparel. SailFlow also provided complimentary access to its weather app, giving competitors real-time forecasts throughout the weekend.
Thank you to Goslings, Pacific Life, Polar Seltzer, Sailflow, Sextant Wines and Zhik for their continued support of US Sailing and the events that bring our sailing community together.