Chicago to host 2015 Blind World Fleet Racing Championship
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 like minded 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 28's.
"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.
Chicago Match Race Center 2015 Schedule
May 30-31: Grade 3 - Spring Invitational*
Entries: all invitations allocated by resume and ranking - 10 total
Prizes: the highest eligible finisher(s) will be awarded:
- one invitation to 2015 US Sailing Match Racing Championship (Oct 10-12)
- one invitation to 2015 US Sailing Women's Match Racing Championship (August 14-16)
- two invitations to 2015 Richardson Trophy (Lake MI-area skippers)
- one invitation to the 2015 Oakcliff International Grand Slam Grade 2 (Aug 14-16)
*all competitors must be current US Sailing members
June 19-21: Grade 2 - Chicago Match Cup Grand Slam Qualifier
Entries: ten invitations allocated by resume and ranking, two by qualifiers - 12 total Qualifiers:
- California Dreamin' Series 2014-2015 (3 events)
- Hardy Cup Grade 3 (Feb 1-5)
Prizes: the highest eligible finisher will be awarded:
- one invitation to the Manhasset Bay Match Race for the Knickerbocker Cup Grand Slam Grade 2 (Aug 6-9)
- one invitation to the Chicago Match Cup Grand Slam Grade 2 (Aug 21-23)
June 23-26: North-U Youth Clinic co-hosted with Chicago YC, coached by Dave Perry
Entries: forty invitations issued to sailors 15-22 years old.
The clinic will be co-hosted with Chicago YC. Limited housing will be available.
July 23-24: Grade 3 - Summer Invitational A
July 25-26: Grade 3 - Summer Invitational B
Entries: all invitations allocated by resume and ranking- 10 total per event Prizes for highest combined A & B score: - one invitation to 2014 Chicago Match Cup Grand Slam Grade 2 (Aug 21-23)
August 21-23: Grade 2 - Chicago Match Cup Grand Slam
Entries: nine invitations allocated by resume and ranking, three by qualifiers - 12 total Qualifiers:
- Oakcliff Better Chip Match Grade 3 (May 16-17, 2015)
- CMRC Chicago Match Cup Grand Slam Qualifier Grade 2 (June 19-21)
- CMRC Summer Invitational Grade 3 (July 23-26)
Prizes: all skippers earn points towards 2014 Grand Slam Series championship; the overall winner of the Grand Slam wins an invitation to the 2016 Congressional Cup.
September 26-27: Grade 3 - Autumn Invitational
Entries: ten invitations allocated by resume and ranking- 10 total
To request an invitation, contact invites@chicagomatchrace.com or visit the CMRC website: www.chicagomatchrace.com/events
TOP
|
