Match Racing at Belmont

Match Racing Heads to Belmont Station

By MAGGIE SHEA, CHICAGO MATCH RACE CENTER Photo by ZACHARY JAMES JOHNSTON

Chicago Match Race Center looks forward to partnering with Chicago Yacht Club this season to deliver high-level monohull match racing practice and regattas at the Belmont Station in CYC's fleet of 8 Sonars. The season will include weekly practices on Tuesday evenings, three international regattas and two pre-season clinics in May. CMRC's Sailing Director Maggie Shea and Program Director Tod Reynolds will organize and coach practices alongside CYC's On the Water Director Jay Kehoe and Keelboat Director Chuck Nevel. Additionally, CMRC is in the process of lining up guest coaches for the match racing practices including rockstars like Keith Swinton (AUS), Taylor Canfield (ISV), Stephanie Roble (USA) and Sally Barkow (USA).

The TOM28s, which have been the signature CMRC fleet for the last six years, will stay in the shed this summer. Instead, practices and regattas will be held on CYC's beloved fleet of Sonars. "Transitioning from the TOM28 to Sonars will allow us to recruit more match racers in the Chicago area because it's a very familiar keelboat setup. And for the experienced match racing veterans, the Sonars will allow us to focus more specifically on advanced match racing tactics. Furthermore, because the Sonar is very similar in size to keelboats sailed at the US National Championship level, this will be a great chance for teams who want to train and compete at a high level," explained Shea.

This trend is evident in the greater sailing community as well. The AC45 and M32 catamarans that have recently taken center stage are undoubtedly incredible to watch and provide some fantastic racing, but something has been left behind: the traditional match racing tactics and strategy that makes the head-to-head format so unique and addictive. By dividing its focus this summer between the M32s and monohull match racing at CYC, CMRC will have the chance to return to its match racing roots and spread the love for this sport around the Chicago Yacht Club community.