LAKE BLUFF, Ill. (October 6, 2016) – US Sailing’s Championship of Champions is recognized as one of the more unique adult racing events in the country. All sailors have qualified for this event by winning a one-design class National, North American, or World Championship in the qualifying years (2015 – 2016). These champions will be tested this Friday through Sunday, October 7-9, in the Sunfish on Lake Bluff to see if they can hold their own against a strong fleet of class titlists.
Nineteen sailors have been selected to race for the Jack Brown Trophy while representing their class at the 2016 Championship of Champions, hosted by the Lake Bluff Yacht Club. Racing will be preceded by a special Sunfish boat clinic and local knowledge briefing on Thursday, October 6.
The competition will be challenging with many decorated sailors competing on the same course. Every year, US Sailing invites one special guest to join the competition. Invited helms have included winners of the Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year, Olympians, and other sailing luminaries. Hugh Freund (South Freeport, Maine) is this year’s Championship of Champions special guest. Freund won the 2016 Paralympic silver medal in the Sonar event with Rick Doerr and Brad Kendell in Rio last month.
This championship, inaugurated in 1976, is held in a different location and in a different class each year. Classes in which the event has been held run the gamut from conventional to cutting edge and have included Y-Flyers, Snipes, Hobie Cats, J-24s, Sunfish and Etchells, to name just a few. The championship trophy is named in honor of Jack Brown who was noted for his service as a judge, regatta organizer and member of US Sailing Committees.
Sailor list with representing classes and hometowns. Racing will take place on the waters of Lake Michigan east of the Lake Bluff Sunrise Beach. The Sunfish boats will be provided and racing will be a round robin format.
The 2016 Championship of Champions is a US Sailing National Championship, sponsored by Gill North America, Switlik Survival Products, and Old Pulteney.
For standings, photos, Twitter updates, and more information from the 2016 Championship of Champions, please visit the event website. Participate in the conversation this week on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook with #CofCSunfish.
US Sailing Media Contact: Jake Fish, jakefish@ussailing.org
About US Sailing
The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and growth for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US Sailing is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US Sailing offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the US Sailing Team Sperry. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.
About Gill North America
Gill NA, with headquarters near Atlanta, GA is the exclusive importer and distributor of Gill-brand foul weather gear in North America including Caribbean, US and Canada. Gill is a worldwide apparel and accessories brand serving the marine industry with over three decades of experience. Gill specializes in high tech, breathable waterproof clothing. The company develops and markets a variety of performance-oriented, award-winning apparel and accessories for virtually every type of boating activity with product lines that include foul weather gear; interactive layering systems; footwear; gloves; bags; junior gear; scholastic gear and team wear. Gill products are available through hundreds of independent dealers and select West Marine Stores. For further information, please contact: Gary Barker at 941-505-2111 or gary.barker@gillna.com.
About Switlik Survival Products
Established in 1920, Switlik Parachute Co. has been owned and operated by the Switlik family for four generations and is known worldwide as a manufacturer of the highest quality sewn and heat sealed inflatable safety and survival products for the aviation, marine, and military/government markets. Our capabilities include a wide variety of anti-exposure and anti-g suits, inflatable life rafts, inflatable life vests, inflation systems and other specialty textile-based military equipment all manufactured at our 85,000 sq. ft. facility located in Trenton, NJ USA. www.switlik.com
About Old Pulteney
Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky is strongly rooted in the whisky’s nautical heritage and is commonly referred to as ‘The Maritime Malt.’ Old Pulteney is the Official Scotch of US Sailing and recently released a limited-edition ‘Navigator’ expression, commemorating the brand’s sponsorship of the 2013-2014 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Crafted in Pulteney Distillery in Wick, Scotland, the distillery was founded in 1826 by James Henderson in the heart of “Pulteneytown,” one of the largest fishing ports in Europe. Each Old Pulteney expression is carefully crafted and carries the windswept and rugged character of the North and the salty, fresh air of the North Sea. It is distributed by International Beverage, Inc. Visit Old Pulteney on Facebook or at www.oldpulteney.com for more information.