Thursday, September 25, 2014

U.S. Adult Sailing Championship Preview

J/22 fleet sailing US Adult Sailing Championship (Fort Worth, Texas)– Top-notch J/22 sailors will put their skills to the test against a talented fleet this week on Eagle Mountain Lake at the U.S. Adult Championship, hosted by the Fort Worth Boat Club.

This historic US Sailing National Championship gets underway this Wednesday, September 22 and concludes Saturday, September 25.  Any sailing community can field a team to compete in the regional area events and national levels.  This year, teams will compete in a J/22 round robin format with a minimum of three crew including the helmsperson.  Ten races are scheduled.

The U.S. Adult Championship honors the traditional club vs. club competition by mixing the best elements of the former Mallory Trophy and Adams Cup events, while recognizing that sailors may be representing a community sailing organization.

A “Texas-style” welcome reception, with a barbecue buffet, will take place Wednesday night. Sailors are encouraged to wear their western attire and two-step to live country music. There will also be a mechanical bull riding challenge!

Out of the ten teams participating, there are some very talented teams that know J/22s well and should be near the top of the leaderboard.  Locals Matt Arno, Craig Johnson and Bryan Dyer from Fort Worth Boat Club are no shrinking violets, nor is the Youngstown YC team, that includes Chris Doyle, Peter Doyle and Mike DeDario.  Toss in Southern YC’s trio of ringers (Benz Faget, Randy Richmond, Tom Sweeney) and you can easily see a battle forming for the top three between them and Youngstown.  Don’t count out some “dark horse” teams like Rush Creek YC’s Jake Scott, Max Scott and Blake Billman or Vineyard Haven YC’s Paul Wilson, Brett Davis, Reilly Scull and Sonya Stevens.  Should be great sailing if the weather Gods and breeze cooperate.   For more US Adult Sailing Championship sailing information