RC theme for US Sailing Championship
Published on October 22nd, 2023
Radio-control sailors dominated the 2023 US Sailing Championship of Champions, held October 21-22 in Dallas, Texas. The 49th edition had 12 sailors racing the radio-controlled DragonFlite 95s, with Peter Feldman, a national champion in the class, claiming the title.
“I think my experience in the boat was definitely a strong point – I was fast, so if I had a bad start, I was able to get back with the fleet really well, and that’s all about time in the boat,” said Feldman. “Conditions were super light for this venue, but we had a great racecourse, a great direction for wind, and a great viewing platform for racing.”
Four of the competitors were from radio-control classes, with Steve Landeau, representing the radio-controlled DragonForce 65, claiming second place on countback over Gary Boell who represented the radio-controlled International One Metre. RC Laser champion Barr Batzer was fourth.
The top finisher that wasn’t a radio-control competitor was Cal 20 champion Keith Ives in fifth.
The 2023 Championship of Champions was an invitational event for 2022-23 one-design class U.S. National Champion, North American Champion, or World Champion helmsperson, or crew, during the qualifying period of August 8, 2022 through September 4, 2023.
Up to 19 entrants are accepted, with US Sailing also inviting a guest competitor to the Championship of Champions. This year’s guest competitor was Ched Proctor, six-time Lightning North American Champion, Shields National Champion, Sonar World Champion, and more. He finished tenth.