Report by Francis George, Oakcliff Sailing
OYSTER BAY, NY (October 15, 2017) – David Storrs and his international team won the Prince of Wales Bowl but it was second place finisher Pearson Potts and the Yankee Creole Racing team who walked away with the title of U.S. Match Racing Champion. Chris Kennedy and the Oakcliff crew took third and Janel Zarkowsky took fourth.
Storrs’ (Fairfield, Conn.) team was comprised of Hayden Goodrick (Edwards, Colo.), Tom Powrie (Auckland, New Zealand), Laurie Jury (Auckland, New Zealand), and Sam Bell (London, England).
Potts’ (Newport, RI) team includes Peter Bailey (Fairfield, Conn.), Bryce Kopp (Fairfield, Conn.), Pearson Potts (Newport, RI), Robert Savoie (Bristol, RI) and Lucas Adams (New York, NY).
The scoring line shows shut-outs in semifinals, petites, and finals, but none of the races were won until the finish. The deciding race of the finals saw an exhausting back-and-forth between Potts and Storrs. They split at the leeward gate with Potts leading but Storrs came back on starboard to start a dial down and Potts reacted late. Both boats ended up head to wind, bow to bow, with jibs down. Potts got a penalty and Storrs cleared ahead for the win. Heart rates were high all around. Potts’ strategy going into the finals was to “keep his cool and focus on boat-handling” but Storrs’ crew-work was unbeatable.
Kennedy let loose a relentless spree of starboard attacks in the prestart with Zarkowsky in their final match of petites. He forced her out beyond the pin and tacked back over to start with a two boat-length lead. She stayed hot on his heels for the rest of the race but couldn’t catch him. “We’re getting better every race. We’re ready to carry this momentum all the way to the top,” said Kennedy, who landed a spot on the podium with a third-place victory.
The 70-year old winner, David Storrs, eloquently thanked all involved including Oakcliff, US Sailing, and especially his crew. “It’s been the greatest relationship I’ve had in sailing and I thank all of you for it,” he said.
See full results and crew list.
Media & Coverage
- For results and standings, video highlights, daily reports, photos, Twitter updates, and more information from the 2017 U.S. Match Racing Championship, please visit the event website.
- Watch video coverage from T2P.TV with commentary by Tucker Thompson brought to you by Heron Wealth.
- Follow hashtag – #MatchRacing17 – for real-time updates from the race course.
- Look back at the updates and sailor interviews on Oakcliff’s Facebook page.
- Photos by Matthew Cohen Photography.
Photos & Social Media Highlights
Racing Complete Storrs wins the Prince of Wales #MatchRacing17 Potts 2nd Kennedy 3rd pic.twitter.com/Mt6Y4xSg7A
— US Sailing (@ussailing) October 15, 2017
As we get ready for the finals Pearson Potts is the US National Match Racing Champion battling for the Prince of Wales #matchracing17
— US Sailing (@ussailing) October 15, 2017
The 2017 U.S. Match Racing Championship is sponsored by Gill North America, Hobie Polarized Sunglasses, Old Pulteney, and Heron Wealth.
Oakcliff Sailing Media Contact: Francis George, pr@oakcliffsailing.org
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 advancement for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Bristol, 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. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.
About Oakcliff Sailing
Oakcliff Sailing is an adult and youth training center for athletes who have progressed beyond traditional coaching methods and want to take the next step in their career. We offer trainees a proving ground to develop their skills in the three big veins of professional sailing: the America’s Cup, the Olympics, and around-the-world races. Our goal is to take American sailing back to the highest level world-wide. Learn more on our website or like us on Facebook.
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 Hobie Polarized
Hobie Polarized is a leading designer, developer, marketer and distributor of polarized eyewear. The brand’s innovative lens technology allows total glare reduction, 100% UV protection, enhances contrast and provides optimum visual acuity. The company’s products are sold worldwide and are used by watermen at all skill and lifestyle levels. The Hobie Polarized headquarters is located in Plainview, New York. For further information, please visit the company’s website at www.hobiepolarized.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.
About Heron Wealth
Heron Wealth is a New York City-based independent financial advisory firm that provides financial planning, investment advice and estate planning services. Founded by David Edwards in 1996, Heron currently has $300 million AUM.