Rose Cup final wrap-up – Dave Perry

Rose Cup final wrap-up – Dave Perry

The Rose Cup has been a fantastic event. I have attached the press release which has the results information, and the group photo from the event. For the complete results and to watch the great video Chris Love took of the racing, go to the event website at:www.sailsheboygan.com/Rose-Cup-2013.php.

Sally Barkow and I were very impressed with the level of improvement in all eight teams throughout the two days of clinic and three days of racing. Every sailor at the Rose Cup is a better sailor than when they came to Sheboygan five days ago. And I suspect that each is eager to go match racing again and use their improved skills and strategies.

Today began with sunshine and clear visibility, but no wind. The race committee moved the race area to an area north of the usual race course in an effort to find wind. They were rewarded. The first race was run in 5-7 knots and smooth water, with more pressure right towards the land. In both races, the boat that won the right won the race. The petite-final series for 3rd and 4th turned out also to be the Balboa Yacht Club selection series for their spot in the Governor’s Cup. Christophe Killian’s team put Ryan Davidson’s team under pressure right from the opening move with a textbook fake Dial Up. Under pressure and early for the start, Davidson cleverly tacked around the committee boat with about 45 seconds to start. Killian tried to stay on the other side of the committee boat and hold Davidson from starting, but the keelboat slowed too much after the tack, and Davidson sailed under Killian and out to an early lead. Defending the right, Davidson extended his lead and held on for the win.

In the first final match, newcomer to the Rose Cup, Scott Buckstaff’s team from the San Francisco Yacht Club faced defending champion Will Holz’s team from the Chicago Yach Club. Buckstaff’s team had won the round robin as well. The prestart was strong by both boats and the race began with a classic split start, with Buckstaff on the right. Holz looked strong after the start, but soon the right pressure moved Buckstaff into the lead, which he extended throughout the race.

In the second petite-final race, the wind built to 7-9 knots. It was Davidson who put Killian under pressure in the prestart, but both boats did a good job getting off the line, with Davidson to leeward and ahead of Killian. At the first cross it was Killian in control of the race, as he tacked directly in front of Davidson, pushing him left. Killian led at the first mark by two lengths. After simo gybing with Killian, Davidson was able to soak in to leeward of Killian on starboard. The two boats went through the gate at almost the same time, with Davidson on the right. It was Davidson by two lengths at the second windward mark. Nearing the finish, Killian simo gybed on Davidson, collapsing Davidson’s spinnaker. Davidson gybed away and Killian chose not to go with him. When they came back together, Killian gybed on Davidson’s wind, but Davidson smartly sailed low keeping his wind clear, and won the race, and the series, by less than a length.

In the second race of the finals, Holz had Buckstaff on the ropes for most of the prestart, but went back at him one too many times, and lost his control and was late getting back to the line. As a result Buckstaff got off to a large lead and there wasn’t much opportunity for Holz to get back into the race.

Good match racing by these young sailors is promising for their future, and the future of youth match racing in the U.S. The Rose Cup event provided an excellent event for them to learn new skills, meet new peers, and get more excited about match racing and sailing in general.

Sail Sheboygan, the Sheboygan Yacht Club and the US Sailing Center of Sheboygan did an outstanding job making the sailors feel at home, welcomed, well fed, and well looked after.

We are excited that the Rose Cup moves to the East Coast next year, and it will be hosted by Oakcliff Sailing and the Seawanhaka Yacht Club, June 18-22, 2014 in Seawanhaka’s Sonars.

We are also excited that five of the eight skippers at the Rose Cup this year have qualified for the Governor’s Cup, the prestigious international youth match racing championship, as a result of their finishes at the Rose Cup.

Momentum for youth match racing in the U.S. is building. The intercollegiate national sloop championship is done with match racing, and the 2013 college nationals are in St. Petersburg, FL, host for the 2012 Rose Cup, in the end of November in their Sonars. Many of the 2012 and 2013 Rose Cup sailors will be competitng to represent their schools at that event which is great. I reminded the sailors to check the calendar on the US Sailing website and select “Match Racing” to learn about the match racing events this summer, in addition to checking the calendars at Oakcliff Sailing and the Chicago Match Racing Center. There are regattas and clinics that the kids would greatly benefit from by attending. I have them all on a mailing list and will continue to inform them of opportunities into the future.

I thank all of you for your support of U.S. youth match racing, as I think it is a great bridge discipline from the tremendous sailing and training the 15 and under sailors get in the U.S. to the adult sailing they will be doing in their 20’s…and beyond.

In particular, I want to thank again our sponsors for the 2013 Rose Cup, as because of their support we have been able to keep the entry fee very affordable for our youth sailors so that the cost to play is not a barrier to play. Thank you to Gill, Harken, Line Honors Outfitters, North U, North Sails, Sail Sheboygan and the Newport-Balboa Sailing and Seamanship Association.