US Sailing Championship Events

Championship events are organized by US SAILING at the national, area and regional levels. Clubs are encouraged to develop and support both individual competitors and teams. Many of these championships are tournaments, called “ladder events” because they proceed, in concept, from a club or venue elimination to a regional quarter-final to an area semi-final, to the national finals.

Some events are by invitation only, or entry is direct to the host club or US SAILING committee.

Clubs are encouraged to volunteer to host regional and area events. Prospective host clubs should make their wishes known to SAIL well in advance and no later than the November Annual Meeting. SAIL can grant clubs the privilege of holding a regional quarter-final, and will present the club’s bid for a semi-final to Area F. Clubs that wish to host a national final event should apply directly to that event’s committee at US SAILING.  

Host clubs should try to match conditions that the national competition will be sailed in. Each event, especially for area semi-finals, is governed by a “Conditions” document.  Hosting an event involves arranging for loaned boats, organizing and managing the regatta, recruiting race officers and judges with the required qualifications,  and giving consideration to competitor support on and off the water. Providing lodging, etc. for competitors and officials from outside the area is customary. 

For most events, competitors represent a club which is a member of US SAILING. All competitors must be members of SAIL and US SAILING. Top competitors at the regional level are expected to compete at the Area F (semi-final) level competition and winners or runner-ups at the Area semi-final are expected to compete at the national finals.

How do you enter a US SAILING Championship Event as a competitor?

Notify SAIL, preferably in writing, by the November Annual Meeting preceding the event. To increase participation, SAIL has adopted a policy of passing as many competitors through as it is entitled to for the Area semi-finals and will subsidize a portion of the entry fees. If the number of SAIL entrants exceeds the semi-final event quota, SAIL will select its representatives by resume or by a sail-off to be shceduled.

 Some of the Championships:

 Mallory Cup, the US Men’s Sailing Championship, is for teams of three people 18 years old or older where the skipper is male. SAIL has a quota of two teams for the Area Semi-finals. Boats used for the finals alternate from year to year between keelboats and centerboard boats.

 Adams Cup, the US Women’s Sailing Championship, is for teams of three women 18 years old or older except that one crew member may be less than 18 but at least 15 old in the year of competition. Team members must all be from the same region (e.g., SAIL). SAIL has a quota of two teams for the Area Semi-finals. Boats for the finals alternate from year to year between keelboats and centerboard boats.

 O’Day Trophy, The US Singlehanded Championship, is for individual male or female competitors who are 16 years old or older in the year of competition. SAIL has a quota of five entries for the Area Semi-Finals. This event is typically sailed in Lasers.

 Prince of Wales Bowl, the US Match Racing Championship, is a match racing competition where each SAIL member club may enter one team. SAIL has a quota of two entries for the Area Semi-final. The event is typically sailed in keelboats.

 Alter Cup, US Multi-Hull Championship, is a competition between multi-hull sailors. 

 Junior Championship events are open to boys and girls who are 13 to 19 years old in the year of competition. Events include the Sears Cup for a crew of three, the Bemis Trophy for double-handed crews, and the Smythe Trophy for single-handed. The Leiter Trophy is a non-ladder event open to girls 13 to 18 years old who normally sail in the US.

Date                               Event/ORG                                Location                 Boat                     Event rep

Sept 6-7            Adams Cup TSA/Area F        Corinthian SC Dallas     Flying Scots        Eastus/Lattimore

Oct 20-25     Women's Championship, Adams         Lake Norman       Highlanders                           

Sept 6-7            Mallory TSA/Area F                  Corinthian SC Dallas     Flying Scots              Karen Smith

Oct 20-25        Men's Championship, Mallory          Lake Norman           Flying Scots

Adams/Mallory NOR

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    

Aug 6-10          Single-handed Champ, O'Day  Lasers                                   

                        OCBC-Oklahoma City                                                                  Francis Beling

(           )            TSA/Area F-Easter Laser Regatta                                              Joanne Kolius

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

October 5-9     Match Racing, POW

June 9-13       Multihull Championship, Alter

(TBA)              Area F in Texas                     Open                                      Doug Camp

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aug 9-13            Junior Championships, Bemis, Smythe    Toledo         Lasers, 420,              

April 12-13            TSA/Area  F   Bemis                 Houston YC                  420                Joanne Kolius

May 31-Jn 1            TSA/Area F   Smythe       Corpus Corinthian SC          Laser          Joanne Kolius   NOR

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------              

Aug 9-13            Detroit                                     Flying Scots              

June 7-8            TSA/Area F               Corinthian Sailing Club                   Flying Scots     Joanne Kolius

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

            Offshore Championship, Lloyd Phoenix

                        To be coordinated by Jim Tichenor

Send Mail to Webmaster with questions and comments about this site        Last Modified:  02/21/2005