ANNAPOLIS, MD (September 14, 2023) – Eight teams from US Sailing Areas across the country will compete for the Lloyd Pheonix Trophy September 14-17. This US Sailing Championship routinely offers a unique offshore racing challenge for participants at one of sailing’s most historic and prominent venues.
Held every other year, the U.S. Offshore Championship pits teams from US Sailing Areas against each other in the United States Naval Academy’s fleet of Navy 44 MK II sloops (Pedrick design) one design offshore boats. To enter the championship, teams must have competed in at least five IRC, ORC, ORR, PHRF, Offshore One Design, Offshore Level Class Racing or Portsmouth Numbers rating systems together in their respective Area during in the past 18 months.
The format features one medium and one long distance race (weather permitting) with a variety of possible courses, as well as at least three buoy races. The distance races will be approximately 15 to 30 nautical miles.
The competing teams are representing US Sailing Areas and are seeded through Area eliminations or by sailing resume, plus one U.S. Naval Academy Offshore team. Each team consists of a crew of eight, including one skipper, six crew members, and one U.S. Naval Academy Midshipman from the varsity offshore racing team.
Notable names entered in this year’s championship include Chris Lewis of Area B. Lewis is an accomplished offshore and big boat sailor, having competed in the Newport to Bermuda and won the 2022 NYYC Annual regatta in the IC37 class.
Also on the scratch sheet is Bruce Kuryla, also of Area B. Kuryla has won three previous U.S. Offshore Championship titles, bringing experience in the Navy 44s to this event.
Follow the action on the US Sailing Facebook and Instagram stories. Photos will be provided by US Sailing throughout the event: https://usst.photoshelter.com/galleries/C0000CPsUaXNq_HI/2023-U-S-Offshore-Championship
Entry List:
Chris Lewis (Austin, TX)
Bruce Kuryla (Milford, CT)
Matt Beck (Annapolis, MD)
Jeff Freeman (Flowery Branch, GA)
Charles Schaffner (Avon Lake, OH)
Keith Ives (Long Beach, CA)
Daniel McGanty (Long Beach, CA)
US Sailing would like to thank event sponsors AeroVanti Yacht Club and Gill Marine for their support of the U.S. Offshore Championship.