In its brief, yet impactful history on the racing circuit, the U.S. Youth Match Racing Championship for the Rose Cup, an invitational event for 16 to 20 year olds, has served as an outstanding training ground for young sailors who are passionate about match racing and focused on competing at the next level. The 2016 U.S. Youth Match Racing Championship, hosted by Sail Sheboygan and the Sheboygan Yacht Club, begins with two days of training followed by three racing on Lake Michigan this Friday, June 17 through Sunday, June 19.
Racing the Elliott 6m, the boat used in the Women’s Match Racing event at the 2012 Olympic Games, 10 talented teams of three have been invited to race at this coveted championship. Seven of the 10 skippers have competed at this championship in the past, including four from last year’s event at Balboa Yacht Club in Corona del Mar, Calif. Coaching and instruction will play a major role in these sailors’ experience this week in Sheboygan. Five-time U.S. Match Racing Champion, Dave Perry will lead a North U Advanced Match Racing Clinic on Wednesday and Thursday, June 15 and 16.
Originally known as the Rose Cup, this event was founded by members of the Balboa Yacht Club and the Newport-Balboa Sailing & Seamanship Association (NBSSA), and was started as an invitational youth match race event in 2010. The mission is to promote youth match racing in the U.S. and improve the skills of racers from around the country in national and international competition.
In 2015, US Sailing elevated the Rose Cup to an official US Sailing National Championship.
Sail Sheboygan has an extensive history of organizing and running match racing events at the highest levels. This certified US Sailing Center served as the primary training grounds for the women’s match racers on the US Sailing Team as they campaigned for the 2012 Olympics. Sail Sheboygan has hosted the Lake Michigan Sail Racing Federation Match Racing Championship for the past three years, and in September, they will host the World Sailing Women’s World Match Racing Championship and the Blind Match Racing World Championship.
This regatta is the first of two US Sailing National Championships being hosted by Sail Sheboygan in 2016. In August they will host the U.S. Team Racing Championship for the Hinman Trophy.
Media & Coverage
- For results and standings, list of competitors, Twitter updates, photos and more information from the 2016 U.S. Youth Match Racing Championship, please visit the event website (http://www.ussailing.org/racing/championships/youth/usymrc/).
- For breaking news and race results, follow us on Twitter at #rosecup16 to participate in the conversation throughout the championship.
What’s on the line?
- The top finishing skipper will receive an invitation to the 2016 Governor’s Cup on July 18-23 at the Balboa Yacht Club in Corona del Mar, California.
- The top finishing skipper will qualify for the 2016 Oakcliff Halloween Invitational on October 29-30 in Match 40’s.
Racing Format
- Stage 1: Round Robin
- Stage 2: Quarterfinal, Semifinal, Final knockout series and Consolation races
Awards
- The Rose Cup is the perpetual trophy presented to the winning team.
- US Sailing medals will be awarded to the competitors who finish first through fourth.
- The Nick Scandone Sportsmanship Award is the perpetual trophy presented for sportsmanship.
The U.S. Youth Match Racing Championship is sponsored by Gill North America and Switlik Survival Products. This US Sailing National Championship is a Sailors for the Sea certified Clean Regatta.
Contact: Jake Fish, US Sailing Communications Manager, jakefish@ussailing.org
