Apr 07

Co-Hosting the 2015 Blind World Fleet Racing Championship

15025906608_9dd4c4b60d_o

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Chicago to Host 2015 Blind World Fleet Racing Championship

Chicago Yacht Club, Chicago Match Race Center, Sail Sheboygan to Co-Host Regatta in September

 

CHICAGO (April 3, 2015) – The Chicago Yacht Club, along with Sail Sheboygan and the Chicago Match Race Center, will host the 2015 Blind World Fleet Racing Championship from September 9-13.

 

After it was announced that the 2015 Blind World Fleet Racing Championship in Houston was canceled, these three organizations worked closely with Blind Sailing International to bring the event to Chicago for the first time.

 

“We here at the Chicago Yacht Club are fortunate to have nearby likeminded partners like Sail Sheboygan and the Chicago Match Race Center who are committed to providing venues for disabled sailing,” said Chicago Yacht Club Commodore Greg Miarecki. “We want to see events like this succeed, and we worked quickly to bring the Blind World Fleet Racing Championship to Chicago in 2015. We look forward to welcoming some of the best sight-impaired racers from all over the world to the shores of Lake Michigan this September.”

 

The 2015 Blind World Fleet Racing Championship event will bring the world’s top sight-impaired sailors to compete in four days racing out of Chicago Yacht Club’s Belmont Station. The last fleet race worlds in the U.S. was hosted by the New York Yacht Club in 2006.

 

“This has been an amazing feat of organization between three prestigious and highly experienced sailing centers,” said Vicki Sheen, chairwoman of Blind Sailing International. “We are really looking forward to coming back to the USA. The event will be critical to supporting the expansion of blind sailing and giving the opportunity for other blind sailors to develop their skills and join us.”

 

The event will host approximately 20 teams from all over the world — three teams from five to seven countries— to Chicago. The teams will sail in three divisions: Blind 1, Blind 2 and Blind 3. Each team sails with a sighted tactician/coach and may also have coach boats on the water.

 

As co-hosts, the Chicago Match Race Center and Sail Sheboygan are helping by providing boats and staff help to run the regatta. Competitors will race in Sonars and Tom 28s.

 

“The Chicago Match Race Center is excited to partner with the Chicago Yacht Club and Sail Sheboygan to bring this fantastic event to the Windy City,” said Tod Reynolds, director of the Chicago Match Race Center. “This will be a must-attend world championship for the adaptive sailing community with immaculately maintained boats and professional race management all hosted in the heart of one of the world’s must-visit cities.”

 

For more information, please visit the Chicago Yacht Club website. Interested sponsors may contact the Chicago Yacht Club.

 

About the Chicago Yacht Club

The Chicago Yacht Club has been part of the Chicago boating community since it was founded in 1875. Today, CYC is the premier social and racing destination for Chicago boaters and is ranked as one of the top 10 yacht clubs in the U.S. by the Platinum Club of America. A membership of 1,400 boating enthusiasts plan and participate in dozens of social, educational and racing events held throughout the year at our Monroe and Belmont stations — both located on Chicago’s iconic lakefront. There are opportunities for every member of the family to find something to enjoy at the Chicago Yacht Club. Learn more at chicagoyachtclub.org.

 

Media Contact

communications@chicagoyachtclub.org

312-861-7772

Apr 02

2015 Events Posted

The NOR for the Buddy Melges Challenge and the Richardson Trophy have been posted. More information will be posted as available.

 

September 16-20, 2015 Buddy Melges Challenge NOR: BMC2015 NOR

October 1-4, 2015 YRUGL Richardson Trophy Regatta NOR: Richardson 2015 NOR

Sep 28

2014 Buddy Melges Challenge

Buddy Melges ChallengeWomen's International Match Racing Series

September 23-28, 2014

Overall placings
1. DEN Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen, Josefine Boel Rasmussen, Malin Holmberg
2. USA Stephanie Roble, Janel Zarkowsky, Maggie Shea
3. FRA Anne-Claire Le Berre, Alice Ponsar, Mathilde Geron
4. SWE Caroline Sylvan, Frida Langenius, Louise Kruuse af Verchou
6. SWE Anna Kjellberg, Linnéa Wennergren, Annie Wennergren
5. BRA Juliana Senfft, Gabriela Nicolino, Luciana Kopschitz
7. USA Madeline Gill, Megan Six, Lara Dallman-Weiss

Powered by matchracingresults.com

Final 1 2 3 4 5 W
Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen, DEN 0 1 0 1 1 3
Stephanie Roble Stephanie Roble, USA 1 0 1 0 0 2

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Petit Final 1 2 3 W
Anne-Claire Le Berre Anne-Claire Le Berre, FRA 1 1 2
Caroline Sylvan Caroline Sylvan, SWE 0 0 0

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Semi Final 1 1 2 3 4 5 W
Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen, DEN 1 1 1 3
Caroline Sylvan Caroline Sylvan, SWE 0 0 0 0

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Semi Final 2 1 2 3 4 5 W
Anne-Claire Le Berre Anne-Claire Le Berre, FRA 0 0 0 0
Stephanie Roble Stephanie Roble, USA 1 1 1 3

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Repechage Stephanie Roble, USA Caroline Sylvan, SWE Anna Kjellberg, SWE Juliana Senfft, BRA Madeline Gill, USA W %
Stephanie Roble Stephanie Roble, USA 1 1 1 1 4 100%
Caroline Sylvan Caroline Sylvan, SWE 0 1 1 1 3 75%
Anna Kjellberg Anna Kjellberg, SWE 0 0 0 1 1 25%
Juliana Senfft Juliana Senfft, BRA 0 0 1 1 2 50%
Madeline Gill Madeline Gill, USA 0 0 0 0 0 0%

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Overall positions after Round Robins
1. DEN Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen 9–3 75%
2. FRA Anne-Claire Le Berre 9–3 75%
Top two finishers progress directly to semi-finals.
3rd – 7th sail in the repechage.
3. USA Stephanie Roble 8–4 67%
4. SWE Caroline Sylvan 6–6 50%
5. SWE Anna Kjellberg 6–6 50%
6. BRA Juliana Senfft 4–8 33%
7. USA Madeline Gill 0–12 0%

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Round Robin 2 Anna Kjellberg, SWE Stephanie Roble, USA Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen, DEN Anne-Claire Le Berre, FRA Caroline Sylvan, SWE Juliana Senfft, BRA Madeline Gill, USA W %
Anna Kjellberg Anna Kjellberg, SWE 1 0 1 0 1 1 4 67%
Stephanie Roble Stephanie Roble, USA 0 0 1 1 1 1 4 67%
Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen, DEN 1 1 1 1 0 1 5 83%
Anne-Claire Le Berre Anne-Claire Le Berre, FRA 0 0 0 1 1 1 3 50%
Caroline Sylvan Caroline Sylvan, SWE 1 0 0 0 1 1 3 50%
Juliana Senfft Juliana Senfft, BRA 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 33%
Madeline Gill Madeline Gill, USA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0%

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Round Robin 1 Anna Kjellberg, SWE Stephanie Roble, USA Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen, DEN Anne-Claire Le Berre, FRA Caroline Sylvan, SWE Juliana Senfft, BRA Madeline Gill, USA W %
Anna Kjellberg Anna Kjellberg, SWE 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 33%
Stephanie Roble Stephanie Roble, USA 1 1 0 0 1 1 4 67%
Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen, DEN 1 0 0 1 1 1 4 67%
Anne-Claire Le Berre Anne-Claire Le Berre, FRA 1 1 1 1 1 1 6 100%
Caroline Sylvan Caroline Sylvan, SWE 1 1 0 0 0 1 3 50%
Juliana Senfft Juliana Senfft, BRA 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 33%
Madeline Gill Madeline Gill, USA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0%

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Notice of Race 2014

Schedule:

Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Registration / Weighing 1100 – 1700
Practice 1100 – 1700
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Crew weigh-in 0800 – 0900
First Briefing 0900
First Attention Signal 1000
Debrief with Umpires 30 minutes after docking
Welcome Reception 1830
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Daily Briefing 0900
First Attention Signal 1000
Debrief with Umpires 30 minutes after docking
Friday, September 26, 2014
Daily Briefing 0900
First Attention Signal 1000
Debrief with Umpires 30 minutes after docking
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Daily Briefing 0900
First Attention Signal 1000
Debrief with Umpires 30 minutes after docking
Regatta Dinner 1830
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Daily Briefing 0900
First Attention Signal 1000
No Attention after 1500
Prize Giving 30 minutes after docking

 

Race Officials:

Andrew Baglin – Chief Umpire AUS
Alfredo Ricci ITA
Flavio Naveira ARG
Michael O’Connor IRL
Gary Shoemaker USA
Debi Schoenherr USA
Cliff Black USA
Kathy Lindgren AUS

 

Competitors:

Anna Kjellberg Sweden
Stephanie Roble USA
Lotte Meldgaard-Pedersen Denmark
Caroline Sylvan Sweden
Anne-Claire Le Berre France
Juliana Senfft Brazil
Chantal Hearst Canada
Madeline Gill USA

Sep 23

IFDS Blind Match Racing World Championships to be held in Sheboygan, WI –September 2014

IFDS Blind Match Racing World Championships to be held in Sheboygan, WI –September 2014

Sheboygan, WI July 8, 2014: Some of the world’s best sailors will compete for the Blind Match Racing World Championship this September in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
IFDS (The International Association for Disabled Sailing), in conjunction with Sail Sheboygan and SEAS (Sailing Education Association of Sheboygan) will host the World Championships of Blind Match Racing September 9-14 on Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan shore. Blind Match Racing press release updated 7-1 DT

Sep 15

Media: IFDS Blind Match Racing World Championship 2014

Source Headline Date
Wisconsin Lion International Blind Sailors to Race in Sheboygan Aug-14
Lions clubs blog Lions blind sailing championship 9-Sep-14
WISN ABC 12 TV Sheboygan to host sailing regatta for the blind Morning news 8-Sep-2014
WISN ABC 12 TV Blind Match Racing World Championship taking place in Sheboygan Nightly news 8-Sep-2014
620 WTMJ You Don’t Need Sight to Sail 10-Sep-14
The Sheboygan Press Sailing without sight 10-Sep-14
The Sheboygan Press Blind Sailing Competition to be held in Sheboygan 18-Jul-14
The Sheboygan Press Blind Sailing championship kicks off 18-Jul-14
The Sheboygan Press Eye on the horizon: BJ Blahnik learning to sail despite blindness, loss of friend 9-Sep-14
The Sheboygan Press Sheboygan Lions helps visually impaired sailors prepare for event 11-Sep-14
The Sheboygan Press Blind sailing race a first for Sheboygan 11-Sep-14
The Sheboygan Press Blind sailor Kris Scheppe hopes race encourages love of the sport 11-Sep-14
WBAY Action 2 News Blind Sailing 13-Sep-14
Scuttlebutt Sailing News Australians-Brits win world blind match racing championship 15-Sep-14
Scuttlebutt Sailing News-Letter to the Editor From Liz Baylis, ISAF Match Racing Committee Chairman 14-Sep-14
The West Australian WA blind sailing team win gold

Sep 15

IFDS Blind Match Racing World Championship 2014

IFDS Blind Match Racing World Championship 2014

September 9-14, 2014

2014 IFDS Blind Match Racing World Championship, Sheboygan WI

BMRWC 2014 NOR

IFDS SI

September 15

The weather on Sunday improved for the semi-finals and finals with breeze building to 10-15 and sunny skies. The Americans were knocked out of the B2 and Canadians the B1 Categories by the respective Italian teams. In B1 Luigi Bertanza (ITA) went on to race Kylie Forth (AUS) with Bertanza taking the first race but losing the next three leading to the Australians wining the B1 category. In B2 Danilo Malerba (ITA) went against Vicki Sheen and her team from Great Britain with Sheen taking three races in a row and the B2 1st place. Racing in both categories finals was close with some close crossings and occasional contact making for some great match racing.

Final Category 1 Results

1st

 AUS Kylie Forth, Ryan Honshooten, Erin McGlew

2nd

 ITA Luigi Bertanza, Alberto Prudenzano, Enrico Sosio

3rd

 CAN David Brown, Grant Robinson, Brian Arthur

 

Final Category 2 Results

1st

 GBR Vicki Sheen, Lucy Hodges, Liam Cattermole

2nd

 ITA Danilo Malerba, Alessandro Malipiero, Elisabetta Bardella

3rd

 USA Kris Scheppe, Scott Ford, Jim Kerr

September 12

Today’s second day of racing for the IFDS Blind Match Racing World Championship had colder than normal weather but great racing. Six teams representing five countries have come to the U.S. Sailing Center Sheboygan, Wisconsin for this challenging new format. Conditions thus far have been less than ideal with Wednesday’s racing canceled due to strong winds and large waves signaling a cold front that dropped the temperatures for Thursday’s racing. The teams competing hail from Australia, Italy, Great Britain, Canada, and the United States.

This regatta is being raced in Sail Sheboygan’s evenly matched Sonar fleet with sounding systems that indicate which tack the boat is on, as well as Homerus Autonomous Sailing System marks that each give a unique sound for the competitors to track. All three sailors on the Sonar are blind with a sighted coach following in a rib during the actual race.The Coach is not allowed to communicate with their team until after the match has finished.

Racing on Thursday began with the competitors sailing relatively conservatively as they began to feel out their competition and the unfamiliar conditions of Lake Michigan. Racing was made complicated by three to four foot swells that would distort the sound made by the Homerus marks as well as shifty winds.

Today brought more cool weather and some light rain with a 5-10 knots and a settled sea. Competitors began sailing more aggressively and there were some close matches. Today was the completion of the first round robin with Vicki Sheen and the British team undefeated after five races, Kylie Forth and the Australians are one race behind at four wins and Danilo Malerba’s Italian team come in third with three wins. The other Italian team skippered by Luigi Bertanza is in fourth followed by David Brown and the Canadians and Kris Scheppe for the United States in sixth.

The event is being put on by a collective group of organizations. Sail Sheboygan, the Sailing Education Association of Sheboygan (SEAS), and the Sheboygan Yacht Club have headed the racing aspects with amazing shoreside support provided by the Lions Club and Rehabilitation Center of Sheboygan (RCS) and others. The event also coincides with the launch of an adaptive sailing program in Sheboygan ran by SEAS which has purchased a set of the Homerus marks to continue training blind sailors for future events.

Racing continues tomorrow with good conditions forecast, racing is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. Spectators are welcome to view the event from the Presidential Suite at the Blue Harbor Resort where there will be live commentary broadcasted by Liz Baylis.

 

2014 Sponsors and Partners:

Aug 24

Sheboygan GL70 Regatta

Sheboygan GL70 Regatta

August 23-24, 2014

Sheboygan GL70 Regatta NOR 2014

2014 GL 70 Sheboygan Regatta

Sail Sheboygan

Results are final as of 4:56 on August 25, 2014

Overall

Sailed: 7, Discards: 0, To count: 7, Ratings: TCF, Entries: 5, Scoring system: Appendix A
Rank Fleet Boat Class SailNo Club HelmName Rating Race 1 Race 2 Race 3 Race 4 Race 5 Race 6 Race 7 Total
1st Stripes GL 70 USA 25168 Bayview YC William Martin 1.122 3.0 1.0 4.0 2.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 13.0
2nd Evolution GL 70 USA 70 Sheboygan Yacht Club Kohler/Reichelsdorfer 1.129 1.0 3.0 1.0 4.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 15.0
3rd Details GL 70 USA 50045 Bayview YC Lance Smothermann 1.125 2.0 4.0 2.0 1.0 5.0 5.0 3.0 22.0
4th Windancer GL 70 USA 52701 Muskegon Yacht Club Sam Nedeau 1.135 5.0 5.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 4.0 26.0
5th Thirsty Tiger GL 70 USA 87666 Chicago Yacht Club Albert D’Ottavio 1.122 4.0 2.0 5.0 6.0 DSQ 4.0 4.0 5.0 30.0

Race 1 – 8/323/2014 at 11:30

Start: Start 1, Finishes: Place
Rank Fleet Boat Class SailNo Club HelmName Rating Start Finish Elapsed Corrected
1 Evolution GL 70 USA 70 Sheboygan Yacht Club Kohler/Reichelsdorfer 1.129 11:30:00 12:47:25 1:17:25 1:27:24
2 Details GL 70 USA 50045 Bayview YC Lance Smothermann 1.125 11:30:00 12:52:35 1:22:35 1:32:54
3 Stripes GL 70 USA 25168 Bayview YC William Martin 1.122 11:30:00 12:53:28 1:23:28 1:33:39
4 Thirsty Tiger GL 70 USA 87666 Chicago Yacht Club Albert D’Ottavio 1.122 11:30:00 12:53:37 1:23:37 1:33:49
5 Windancer GL 70 USA 52701 Muskegon Yacht Club Sam Nedeau 1.135 11:30:00 12:54:18 1:24:18 1:35:41

Race 2 – 8/23/2014 at 13:20

Start: Start 1, Finishes: Place
Rank Fleet Boat Class SailNo Club HelmName Rating Start Finish Elapsed Corrected
1 Stripes GL 70 USA 25168 Bayview YC William Martin 1.122 13:20:00 14:20:33 1:00:33 1:07:56
2 Thirsty Tiger GL 70 USA 87666 Chicago Yacht Club Albert D’Ottavio 1.122 13:20:00 14:21:23 1:01:23 1:08:52
3 Evolution GL 70 USA 70 Sheboygan Yacht Club Kohler/Reichelsdorfer 1.129 13:20:00 14:21:33 1:01:33 1:09:29
4 Details GL 70 USA 50045 Bayview YC Lance Smothermann 1.125 13:20:00 14:24:09 1:04:09 1:12:10
5 Windancer GL 70 USA 52701 Muskegon Yacht Club Sam Nedeau 1.135 13:20:00 14:25:00 1:05:00 1:13:47

Race 3 – 8/23/2014 at 14:45

Start: Start 1, Finishes: Place
Rank Fleet Boat Class SailNo Club HelmName Rating Start Finish Elapsed Corrected
1 Evolution GL 70 USA 70 Sheboygan Yacht Club Kohler/Reichelsdorfer 1.129 14:45:00 15:53:16 1:08:16 1:17:04
2 Details GL 70 USA 50045 Bayview YC Lance Smothermann 1.125 14:45:00 15:53:57 1:08:57 1:17:34
3 Windancer GL 70 USA 52701 Muskegon Yacht Club Sam Nedeau 1.135 14:45:00 15:55:11 1:10:11 1:19:39
4 Stripes GL 70 USA 25168 Bayview YC William Martin 1.122 14:45:00 15:56:03 1:11:03 1:19:43
5 Thirsty Tiger GL 70 USA 87666 Chicago Yacht Club Albert D’Ottavio 1.122 14:45:00 15:57:22 1:12:22 1:21:12

Race 4 – 8/24/2014

Start: Start 1, Finishes: Place
Rank Fleet Boat Class SailNo Club HelmName Rating Start Finish Elapsed Corrected
1 Details GL 70 USA 50045 Bayview YC Lance Smothermann 1.125 10:05:00 10:59:35 0:54:35 1:01:24
2 Stripes GL 70 USA 25168 Bayview YC William Martin 1.122 10:05:00 11:00:16 0:55:16 1:02:01
3 Windancer GL 70 USA 52701 Muskegon Yacht Club Sam Nedeau 1.135 10:05:00 11:02:22 0:57:22 1:05:07
4 Evolution GL 70 USA 70 Sheboygan Yacht Club Kohler/Reichelsdorfer 1.129 10:05:00 11:05:06 1:00:06 1:07:51
5 Thirsty Tiger GL 70 USA 87666 Chicago Yacht Club Albert D’Ottavio 1.122 10:05:00 11:01:52 DSQ

Race 5 – 8/24/2014

Start: Start 1, Finishes: Place
Rank Fleet Boat Class SailNo Club HelmName Rating Start Finish Elapsed Corrected
1 Stripes GL 70 USA 25168 Bayview YC William Martin 1.122 11:18:00 12:14:43 0:56:43 1:03:38
2 Evolution GL 70 USA 70 Sheboygan Yacht Club Kohler/Reichelsdorfer 1.129 11:18:00 12:14:36 0:56:36 1:03:54
3 Windancer GL 70 USA 52701 Muskegon Yacht Club Sam Nedeau 1.135 11:18:00 12:15:42 0:57:42 1:05:29
4 Thirsty Tiger GL 70 USA 87666 Chicago Yacht Club Albert D’Ottavio 1.122 11:18:00 12:16:51 0:58:51 1:06:02
5 Details GL 70 USA 50045 Bayview YC Lance Smothermann 1.125 11:18:00 12:17:46 0:59:46 1:07:14

Race 6 – 8/24/2014

Start: Start 1, Finishes: Place
Rank Fleet Boat Class SailNo Club HelmName Rating Start Finish Elapsed Corrected
1 Stripes GL 70 USA 25168 Bayview YC William Martin 1.122 12:35:00 13:29:53 0:54:53 1:01:35
2 Evolution GL 70 USA 70 Sheboygan Yacht Club Kohler/Reichelsdorfer 1.129 12:35:00 13:32:15 0:57:15 1:04:38
3 Windancer GL 70 USA 52701 Muskegon Yacht Club Sam Nedeau 1.135 12:35:00 13:33:17 0:58:17 1:06:09
4 Thirsty Tiger GL 70 USA 87666 Chicago Yacht Club Albert D’Ottavio 1.122 12:35:00 13:34:16 0:59:16 1:06:30
5 Details GL 70 USA 50045 Bayview YC Lance Smothermann 1.125 12:35:00 13:34:28 0:59:28 1:06:54

Race 7 – 8/24/2014

Start: Start 1, Finishes: Place
Rank Fleet Boat Class SailNo Club HelmName Rating Start Finish Elapsed Corrected
1 Stripes GL 70 USA 25168 Bayview YC William Martin 1.122 13:49:00 14:41:50 0:52:50 0:59:17
2 Evolution GL 70 USA 70 Sheboygan Yacht Club Kohler/Reichelsdorfer 1.129 13:49:00 14:42:42 0:53:42 1:00:38
3 Details GL 70 USA 50045 Bayview YC Lance Smothermann 1.125 13:49:00 14:44:49 0:55:49 1:02:48
4 Windancer GL 70 USA 52701 Muskegon Yacht Club Sam Nedeau 1.135 13:49:00 14:44:22 0:55:22 1:02:50
5 Thirsty Tiger GL 70 USA 87666 Chicago Yacht Club Albert D’Ottavio 1.122 13:49:00 14:45:51 0:56:51 1:03:47

www.sailsheboygan.com

Sailwave Scoring Software 2.5.1
www.sailwave.com

Aug 07

2014 Lightning North Americans

LIGHTNING 2014 North Americans NOR

Lightning 2014 North Americans SI

What to Expect: Sailing in Sheboygan

NATIONALS

Entry List

WOMEN’S & JUNIOR’S

Entry List

RESULTS

Qualifier Series

Thursday, August 7
1000-1900 WJM Measurement and Registration
1600 Greg Fisher Clinic
1900 Welcome/Competitors Briefing

Friday, August 8
1000 WJM Racing
Free Keg of Craft Beer after Racing
1730 Greg Fisher Video Coaching Debrief SYC Main Hall

Saturday, August 9
1000 WJM Racing
1200-1700 NA’s Measurement and Registration
Free Keg of Craft Beer after Racing
1730 Greg Fisher Video Coaching Debrief SYC Main Hall
1800-2200 WJM Mexican Fiesta Dinner/Party SYC

Sunday, August 10
1000 WJM Racing
800-1400 NA’s Measurement and Registration
1530 NA’s Practice Race
Free Keg of Craft Beer after Racing
1800 WJM Awards/NA’s Opening Ceremony
1830 Sheboygan Brat Fry All Competitors NA and WJM SYC

Monday, August 11
1000 Qualifiers
2 Free Kegs of Craft Beer after Racing
1730 Greg Fisher Roundtable Debrief
1800 Governing Board Meeting SYC

Tuesday, August 12
1000 Qualifiers
2 Free Kegs of Craft Beer after Racing
1730 Annual Meeting
1830 Buffet Dinner at SYC
1930 Live Music at SYC

Wednesday, August 13
1000 Championship Racing
2 Free Kegs of Craft Beer after Racing
1730 Greg Fisher Roundtable Debrief

Thursday, August 14
1000 Championship Racing
2 Free Kegs of Craft Beer after Racing

Friday, August 15
1000 Championship Racing
1430 No warning signal after this time.
Free Keg of Craft Beer after Racing
1800 Awards Banquet at Blue Harbor Resort

Lightning North Americans Report and Results

The warning signal for the last day of racing at the 2014 Lightning North American Championships was moved up again to 0900 in hopes that the breeze on Lake Michigan for the 107 boat fleet would show up. It started out slowly, with two shifty, light air races. The local team of Todd Wake, his wife Kristine and Neal Fowler won the first Championship Fleet race of the day. Jody Starck, Ian Jones and Skip Dieball won the second.

Going into the last race, the sea breeze developed for the first time all week – a nice 12-15 knot breeze from the south. A perfect stage was set for the 6th and final race of the series. 10 different boats or a 1/3 of the fleet mathematically had the opportunity to win the Championship! The first start was a general recall and the race committee, pressed for time, hoisted the Black Flag.

The strategy for Greg Fisher, his wife Jo Ann and Zeke Horowitz was to keep an eye on certain teams that they felt might excel in the sea breeze conditions. They didn’t have a very good start, explained Fisher. They dipped the fleet on port and were able to find a good lane. They kept passing a few boats, but couldn’t catch the lead group. They crossed the finish line with 7 boats ahead of them and felt confident that without a high throw out, they likely had finished in the top five.

Jody Starck and her team of Ian Jones and Skip Dieball sailed a great race and crossed the line first. This would have clinched the title for the team, but they received a black flag penalty. The Chilean Team of Tito Gonzalez, his daughter Trinidad and longtime crew of Cristian Herman also crossed the line in the top five, but received the same black flag penalty. With the starting penalties of Starck and Gonzalez, Fisher’s team moved up to a 6th place finish. Their consistency throughout this regatta equaled a first place finish for Greg and his team.

The team from the University of Vermont, Michael Zonnenberg, Michael Booker and Adam Ceely posted a 18-29 in the final two races to let their overall lead slip and finish in 2nd place. A fantastic achievement for these newcomers in this field of veteran competitors. Current Lightning World Champion, David Starck and his team of Debbie Probst and Sarah Paisley won the day with a 6-2-5 to move from 28th to 3rd overall.

This fleet had to be one of the most talented in recent one-design racing, reported Fisher. “With at least 16 World, 19 North American or National Champions, 3 Olympians and 3 Rolex Yachtsman/woman winners competing, we felt fortunate our consistency helped us survive some of the tough breaks our friends faced.” This is Fisher’s second Lightning North American Championship, 24 years later.

In the President’s Cup Division, the team of Will Brown, John Faus and Matty Schon won the day with some impressive racing posting a 1-1-2 to take the President’s Cup Title. Justin Coplan, Danielle Prior and Timothy Crann also had a good day, winning the final race to finish tied for second with the family team of brothers – Steve, Dave and Mike Constants.

In the Governor’s Cup Division, the all family team of Peter Jones and his two daughters, Leeanne and Kendra kept nearly all single digit finishes after their discard to win their division. Daniel Reichelsdorfer, his wife Michou and Bailey Dolson won the day with a 5-1-7 to move up into second place overall. The Junior Team of Abbie Probst, Becca Jordan and Mikayla Ward remained consistant with top 10 finished after the discard to finish in third.

This series qualified 3 countries for the 2015 Pan American Games in the Lightning Division. The United States, Chile and Brazil all secured slots along with the host Country of Canada. The final three qualifying slots will be filled at the South American Championship at the Salinas Yacht Club in EcuadorDecember 3-7. The US will choose the Lightning Team to represent the US during the Lightning Winter Championship March 14-17, 2015 at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club.

Sail Sheboygan and the Sheboygan Yacht Club hosted an event second to none. PRO Rich Reichelsdorfer did a great job all week under tricky conditions. The large group of AMAZING volunteers made all the difference. Many teams were housed by locals and every detail was planned out with great thought. There was even a week long Sail Camp that competitors could enroll their younger children in. The Regatta chairs Todd Wake and Bill Faude worked endless hours to make sure the regatta was a success and they succeeded – times ten!

With 107 boats we had a very diverse field. In addition to Fisher’s statistics: 15 teams were all under the age of 30, 2 teams were under 20. 14 teams were comprised of all family members and 8 females were at the helm. The Lightning Boat Grant program produced 19 competitors.

Good times, great friendships and world class competition continues in the Lightning Class!

 

Aug 01

Thistle Nationals Results

Thistle Nationals Results

Thistle class veteran and non-professional sailor Dr. Lloyd Kitchin, with his son Brian, and daughter in law Catia won the 2014 Thistle Class Nationals. Team Kitchin also won the Houpt Trophy for highest finishing husband and wife team, and the Valla Trophy for highest placing all family team. The Championship team placed one point ahead of second place skipper John Baker. Skip Dieball, Mike Ingham, and Scott Griffin rounded out the top five places.

The President’s Division Championship was won by another family team of Steve, Rachel, and Erin Lavender. Bill Wilson, Class President Wayne Balsinger, Jim Dixon, and Tim Elfenbein finished in the top five.

Grace Pytell won the 2014 Thistle Women’s National Championship. Nicole Shedden and Liz Barker were second and third in the six boat fleet. The 2014 Thistle Junior National Championship was won by Chris Wilson for the third straight year. Conor Ruppen and Bryn Clark were 2nd and 3rd in the five boat fleet.

Jul 25

2014 Thistle Nationals

2014 Thistle Nationals Sailing Instructions

2014 Thistle Nationals NOR

2014 Thistle Nationals Womens & Juniors NOR

Nationals

Entry List

Results

Women’s/Juniors

Entry List

Results

 

SCHEDULE

Friday, July 25, 2014
Registration / Measurements 1400 – 1700
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Registration / Measurements 0800 – 1700
Women’s & Junior’s Championships 1230
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Registration / Measurements 0800 – 1100
Opening Ceremonies 1200
Competitor’s Meeting 1230
Practice Race Warning Signal 1430
Brat Fry 1830
Monday, July 28, 2014
Race 1 & 2 Warning Signal 1025
Dinner & Entertainment @ SYC 1830
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Race 3 Warning Signal 1025
Wednesday, July 30
Championship Race 4 & 5, President Race 1 & 2 1025
Dinner & Entertainment @ Blue Harbor Resort 1900
Thursday, July 31
Championship Race 6, President Race 3 Warning Signal 1025
Friday, August 1
Championship Race 7, President Race 4 Warning Signal 1025
Banquet @ SYC 1800

Race Management

David Bronson, PRO
I have been a US Sailing Certified Regional Race Officer since 2005 and have just recently passed my test to be certified for the next 4 years. I have been the PRO for 5 US Sailing National Championships and 2 ISAF Grade 1 Match Racing Events, as well as many other local, regional and lower graded match racing regattas. I have served as Deputy PRO under Peter Reggio for the 2005 Lightning NA’s and the 2011 Nations Cup. I am also an active racing sailor, though two young children have slowed that a bit, having raced Lightnings, PHRF boats, and in the GL 70 class.

My record is current in US Sailing’s SOARS database.

Tom Atkins, Chief Judge
My record is up to date on US Sailing’s SOARS data base. I have been a certified Judge and Race Officer for many years. Recent Judge highlights include Queen’s Cup, National Championships for Soling, Ensign, and Finn, US Sailing Championships for Single Handed, Championship of Champions, and Disabled, USODA Championships, and Chief Judge for last year’s GL 70 Regatta.

I have been a life-long sailboat owner and competitive skipper. Numerous corporate relocations have prompted ownership in Comet, Flying Scot, Lightning, Sunfish, Laser, C & C 29, and Hobie 33 classes. I currently own and race a Sunfish and Hobie 33. Special note is college experience crewing and campaigning Thistle 2020 with John Greiner.

Dean Cady, Judge
US Sailing International Judge, long time Lightning sailor.

Dr. Fredric Horwitz, Judge
US Sailing National Judge, long time off shore keel boat racer.