U.S. Offshore Championship 2015 Preview

Published on September 24th, 2015

Annapolis, MD (September 24, 2015) – Ten teams will be racing on Chesapeake Bay this weekend in Navy 44 sloops for the 2015 U.S. Offshore Sailing Championship, hosted by the Naval Academy Sailing Squadron. This three day US Sailing National Championship gets underway Friday, September 25 and concludes Sunday, September 27.

The racing format focuses on navigational and other offshore racing skills as well as boat handling. The championship 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.

Two-time champion skipper (2011, 2009) Bruce Kuryla and a team comprised of U.S. Naval Academy sailors are among the squads racing for the Lloyd Phoenix Trophy. 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.

A minimum of five of each competitors’ team must have raced together in at least five regattas in AMERICAP/ORR, IMS, IRC, MORC, PHRF, Offshore One-Design, Offshore Level Class Racing or Portsmouth Numbers rating systems in the past 18 months. Each team’s skipper must have been the regular helmsman for the five qualifying regattas.

Buoy races will be held between Tolly Point and Thomas Point, and east of Greenbury Point. In the event that weather conditions preclude running one or both of the distance races, buoy races may be substituted. Up to four buoy races may be run on a day and no more than nine buoy races will be run in the regatta.

Racing Schedule
Thursday, September 24, 2:00 pm – Mandatory practice sail with the safety officer.
Friday, September 25, 10:00 am – Warning signal – Up to two buoy races, followed by a medium distance race.
Saturday, September 26, 10:00 am – Warning signal – One buoy race may be held, followed by a longer distance race.
Sunday, September 27, 10:00 am – Warning signal – Two buoy races may be held (no warning signals made after 2:00 pm)

Event website – Entry list

Report by Jake Fish, US Sailing.