Changing the U.S. Singlehanded Championship

US Sailing is taking a new tack to some of its championships. For the first time, a US Sailing National Championship will be integrated as part of a larger class event.

The 2014 Laser North Americans will be the host of the U.S. Singlehanded Championship, and the top eligible male Laser and female Radial sailor will be named United States Singlehanded Champion. The regatta will be hosted by the Alamitos Bay Yacht Club on June 12-15 in Long Beach, Calif.

With the growth of one-design sailing in the U.S, and with ever more events in the sailing calendar, it became clear to US Sailing that the traditional qualifying series was limiting the number of sailors who could compete for the O’Day and Hanley Trophies. “Our goal is to allow more people to have a chance to compete for these historic championships,” explained Liz Walker, US Sailing Championship Director. “As the Laser class is one of the largest singlehanded classes in the world, identifying the top U.S. Singlehanded sailors this year through the North Americans is a natural fit.”

To be eligible to be named U.S. Singlehanded Champion, sailors must be at least 17 years of age in the calendar year and current members of US Sailing and the Laser class. All the sailors will be scored as one fleet with the highest eligible male Laser sailor winning the O’Day Trophy and the highest female Radial sailor winning the Hanley Trophy.

Information: Laser North American Championship – U.S. Singlehanded Championships