Oakcliff launches match racing academy

U.S. training center Oakcliff (Oyster Bay, NY) has had designated its Oakcliff Match Racing Academy as the official training academy of the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT). The two-week intensive program in 2021 is on August 4-15.

“We are delighted to work with Oakcliff to promote the 2021 Match Racing Academy,” said WMRT Executive Director James Pleasance. “Oakcliff is a world-class training center and their facilities are second to none. The academy program is a fantastic opportunity for any aspiring match racer and I would encourage everyone to get involved next summer.”

Head coach Hayden Goodrick is a World Match Racing Tour Champion, with multiple professional campaigns under his belt including the 2007 America’s Cup with Team Oracle. He will be supported by Tour competitors giving trainees an in-depth education in one of the most exciting disciplines of sailing.

Academy trainees will form teams and compete in Oakcliff hosted Grade 5 and Grade 3 regattas, giving multiple chances for racing experience on the course in addition to drills, two-boat testing, classroom sessions, debriefs, and boat shop lessons.

The Academy is immediately followed by three stops of the US Grand Slam Series – The Detroit Cup, Oakcliff International, and Thompson Cup. The winner of the Grand Slam Series, now in its 10th season, earns an invitation to the 2022 Congressional Cup hosted by Long Beach Yacht Club. All stops of the Grand Slam are also World Match Racing Tour level events, earning skippers points on the Tour ranking board.

“Oakcliff provides all match racers with a way to build their skills, no matter where they started,” reports Patrick Burks, Oakcliff’s Race Program Director. “August in Oyster Bay really is the place to be if you’re a match racer.”

Founded in 2000, the World Tour promotes the sport of match racing around the world, is the longest running global professional series in the sport of sailing, and has awarded over USD23 million in prize money which has helped to contribute to the career pathway of many of today’s professional sailors.

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