11 Mar Breaking News: Ice to Melt – Regatta Registrations Open
Racing at Oakcliff begins exactly one month from today with a qualifier for both the US Women’s and US Open Match Racing Championships on April 10. This regatta already has 5 of the top 20 match racers in the United States entered. Oakcliff’s 12 Match 4os will also be used at the Open Championship which will be at Oakcliff October 10 – 12.
“I am excited we have removed the geographical limitations for the qualifier. Now any sailor in the country can apply to any of the eight qualifiers”, explained Bill Simon, Race Program Director and US Match Race Championship committee member. “Even with the busiest of schedules everyone should find a qualifier they can attend. I expect the changes we are making to strengthen the Championships”
Registration is open for the entire 2015 season including 21 match race regattas, equating to 38% of all match racing in the United States. Each event has a clinic attached.
Additionally, supporters can sign up to train and compete in 11 inshore regattas and 9 offshore providing just over 2000 miles of intense offshore sailing. Once again the 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 Nationals will be at Oakcliff August 27-30.
New this year and combining multiple disciplines is the Oakcliff Challenge. This event is open to any community sailing organization or yacht club that wants to field a team to sail on the 12 Match 40s. Day one will see a clinic hosted by Dave Perry. Day two will be fleet racing and will serve to seed the teams into the final day’s match racing. There will be prizes for both genres of racing as well as an overall prize. All teams will be invited to stay together in the Oakcliff Bunkhouse ensuring three full days of learning, competing and fraternizing.
While visiting competitors and supporters are at Oakcliff for set periods of time, the signature training program participants dubbed Acorns and Saplings train 7 days a week for a minimum of 2 weeks in very diverse racing disciplines. The full time Sapling program is at capacity but the shorter and more focused Acorn programs still have room.