ROCHESTER, NY (September 21, 2023) – A collection of the nation’s best match racers will square off at the 2023 U.S. Match Racing Championship, hosted by Rochester Yacht Club in Rochester, NY. The Championship features 10 talented teams comprised of both male and female skippers and crew, who will race over three days for the coveted Prince of Wales Bowl.
Racing gets underway at this US Sailing National Championship on Friday, September 22 and concludes on Sunday, September 24. The event is sponsored by Gill Marine and Goslings and will be sailed in RYC’s fleet of Sonars.
“Rochester Yacht Club has been working hard over the past 18 months, and we are prepared with 8 matched Sonars, 10 support boats and over 35 volunteers,” said Jeff Sullivan, Event Chair. “Practice race Thursday, and Friday is the big day! Stay tuned.”
Made popular by the America’s Cup, match racing pits one boat against another around a short two-lap windward/leeward course. This race format emphasizes the need for great boat speed, strong boat handling, teamwork and communication. The tournament-style format is rapid fire, maximizing the number of races per day.
Chris Poole, currently ranked #1 in the world, is fresh off a win at the 2023 Grand Slam series and looking to bring that energy to this year’s Prince of Wales. Despite his stellar resume, Poole has yet to win a U.S. Match Racing Championship and is vying for his first win.
Pearson Potts, 2018, 2019, and 2021 U.S. Match Racing Championship winner, returns to attempt a repeat of last year’s win with his team Guardians of the Monohull. “The event is a culmination of a full season of match racing where we have a good amount of dial ups under our belt from the Grand Slam,” said Potts. “I can’t wait to drink out of the Prince of Wales bowl again.”
Re-entering the U.S. Match Racing Championship field this year is 1984, 2005 and 2013 Championship winner Dave Dellenbaugh. Dellenbaugh is an accomplished Olympic coach, having coached Anna Tunicliffe during the 2012 Olympic quad, and America’s Cup helm and tactician.
The U.S. Match Racing Championship Committee wishes to thank Rochester Yacht Club for hosting the 2023 U.S. Match Racing Championship. Having clubs willing to host championship events around the country is crucial to the running of the USMRC and other U.S. Championships each year,” said Committee Chair Karen Butler. “The USMRCC is pleased to announce that there are ten very competitive teams competing this year in the U.S. Match Racing Championship for the Prince of Wales Bowl, including Chris Poole, last year’s winner and World Sailing’s current number one ranked skipper, as well as a number of skippers in World Sailings top 35 rankings.”
Competitor List:
- Nicole Breault
- Dave Dellenbaugh
- Jack Egan
- Clinton Hayes
- Chris Poole
- Pearson Potts
- Ryan Seago
- Roberto Stevens
- Christopher Weis
- Peter Wickwire
For results, standings, photos, and more, please visit the event website.