Sunfish Worlds 2014 coming to North Carolina

Arapahoe, NC (October 8, 2014) – Some of the world’s top sailors will race at Camp Sea Gull for the 2014 Sunfish World and Youth World Championship on October 10-18, organized by the International Sunfish Class Association.

The World Championship and Youth Championship combined will welcome 99 sailors from eleven countries along with their families, coaches, support crew and volunteers. Competitors in the World Championship earned berths through their home country’s qualifying regattas. The Youth World Championship is open to qualified sailors under the age of 19.

Seventy-two new Sunfish sailboats made by LaserPerformance will be used by the competitors for the two regattas. The boats, which are being chartered to the sailors by Triton Yacht Sales, enables the competition to be truly one design and leaves everything else up to the sailor and his or her skill set.

The Sunfish was designed in 1951, and the Sunfish World Championship has been a prestigious competition since 1970. Today, the International Sunfish Class sanctions more than 1,000 events each year.

Founded in 1948 and 1961, respectively, Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer have a long history of teaching sailing and seamanship skills to young people. The Sunfish is the world’s most popular recreational sailboat, and a favorite vessel for Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer because of its appeal to sailors of all ages and skills.

“We’re excited to host this premier event at Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer,” said John Hyde, Executive Director of Camp Sea Gull. “Our five-mile stretch of open water on the Neuse River, along with our facilities and team of dedicated volunteers makes this the perfect venue for a world class event.”

Nationally certified race officer, Hal Smith (Easley, SC) will serve as the Principle Race Officer for the event. Smith led a well-organized race management team during the 2012 USODA Southeast Opti Championship hosted by Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer. More than 120 youth sailors ages 7-15 competed in the event.

Warren Nethercote will serve as Head Judge. Nethercote is an International Judge from Nova Scotia, Canada who has judged three previous Sunfish World Championships.

Ann and John Crehore will serve as co-chairs of land logistics and volunteer management for the event. The Crehores served in this role at the 2012 Southeast Opti Championship.

Nine races are scheduled in the Youth Championship and will take place from October 10 through 12. Twelve races are scheduled in the World Championship running from October 13 through 16 with October 16 as a reserve day if necessary.

Youth Worlds: http://www.sunfishclass.org/regattas/regatta-details/1241/
Open Worlds: http://www.sunfishclass.org/regattas/regatta-details/1047/

Source: Sherri Campbell, International Sunfish Class Executive Secretary