Championship is on for Champions

Nineteen teams of one-design class National and North American Champions will gather for the 46th Annual US Sailing Championship of Champions, hosted by the Balboa Yacht Club on October 9-11 in Corona del Mar, CA.

The invitation-only event which brings together a wide array of one design class experts, and through the diligence of the event host, is one of the few events not cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19. Teams will be racing Harbor 20s in a round robin format in Newport Harbor.

Every year, US Sailing invites an accomplished guest competitor to the Championship of Champions. This year’s guest competitors are Sally and Stan Honey (Palo Alto, CA). The married couple has collected three Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year awards between them over their storied careers. Sally won the Yachtswoman of the Year in 1974 and 1973 and Stan earned the Yachtsman of the Year distinction in 2010.

“We were excited to accept the invitation because it sounded like something we wanted to support and we are especially looking forward to seeing old friends,” said Sally Honey.

Sally’s competitive sailing career features an array of top results at major one design national and international events, including a 505 North American Championship where she defeated a fleet of mostly male skippers on her way to a first-place finish. Stan is one of the best navigators in the world and has set numerous sailing speed records in various sailboats around the globe.

Staying safe:
Balboa Yacht Club is confident in their processes and procedures for hosting this event while carefully following all safety protocols and recommendations. The Balboa Yacht Club leadership has been very proactive in ensuring safe and successful summer and fall seasons of racing and club events.

All Balboa Yacht Club facilities are cleaned and sanitized on a regular basis in accordance with or exceeding the State and County regulations. The club features two large open decks on its main floor and a large flag deck near the water for acceptable seating/dining for over 160 people.

All areas have hand sanitizer stations and wipe downs happen on a regular schedule. There is a large indoor area that has a state-of-the-art air purification system just recently installed. Restrooms also have special ultraviolet lights for added protection. All staff and club members regularly wear masks.

The property has been well marked with signs for appropriate distancing wherever lines form or people may congregate. Outdoor tents provide shade and open spaces for small group conversations and meetings.

Event details – Entry list – Instagram

Source: US Sailing