Report by Francis K. George, Oakcliff Sailing
OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK (October 13, 2017) – Peter Holz added an Aussie touch to his Midwestern team and sailed a brilliant undefeated first day at the U.S. Match Racing Championship at Oakcliff Sailing. A perfect 10-15 knot breeze brought plenty of shifts and David Storrs’ team called them perfectly to tie for second.
“I think what we did better than other boats was call the puffs and respond immediately,” said David. “Our communication was excellent. When Hayden [Goodirck] called for a header, I wouldn’t even look behind me to check for boats; I would just count down and tack.” David has been off the water all summer recovering from back surgery so this is a big victory for him.
Just off of third place is defending champion, Nevin Snow, who won a hard-fought race against his Georgetown coach, Janel Zarkowski and her team, but they may meet again in the knockout rounds.
Pearson Potts of Yankee Creole Racing, who is tied for second, spent all summer training in Oakcliff’s Match 40 for this event. “The moment we secured our spot in the Prince of Wales, we were thinking, ‘All right, on to the next one. Let’s go to every Match 40 regatta we can!’”
Tomorrow’s quarterfinals will identify the top four to compete in the forecasted big breeze on Sunday.
Media & Coverage
- For results and standings, daily video reports, photos, Twitter updates, and more information from the 2017 U.S. Match Racing Championship, please visit the event website.
- Watch the video coverage from T2P.TV with commentary by Tucker Thompson thanks to our sponsor Heron Wealth, who is also raffling off a case of Veuve Clicquot. Go to OakcliffSailing.org to enter. See full results and crew list. Keep up with live updates on Oakcliff’s Facebook page.
- Participate in the conversation this week on Twitter, Facebook and all social media outlets using #MatchRacing17.
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.