Kaukeinen - US champion of champions

Showdown between Sunfish North American champion and Thistle National Champion

It all came down to the final race of sailing's U.S. Championship of Champions - sponsored by Rolex Watch U.S.A. and Dry Creek Vineyard - to find out who would take home the crown in this battle of the best in one-design racing. Sailed in Sunfish on Great South Bay out of host club Sayville Yacht Club (N.Y.), the battle was on between Sunfish North American Champion Doug Kaukeinen (Rochester, N.Y.) and Thistle National Champion and 2005 Champion of Champions Mike Ingham (also from Rochester, N.Y.), both sailing out of Rochester Canoe Club. Going into the final race, Kaukeinen was one point ahead of Ingham. In the first leg of the final race, Ingham was ahead of Kaukeinen but Kaukeinen passed him at the gate at the leeward mark. Ingham nearly caught up with the Sunfish champion when the wind lightened but Kaukeinen managed to stay ahead and finished second in the final race, securing his win, while Ingham finished fifth.

After returning to the docks, Kaukeinen said he was a "nervous wreck" going into the final race. Having sailed against Ingham before since they come from the same yacht club, he knew it was going to be a tough one. "It wasn't over until the very last beat." Kaukeinen and Ingham both sailed consistent regattas, finishing a total nine and eight races in the top three, respectively.

Bill Lynn (Marblehead, Mass.), who qualified for the regatta though the Sonar class, took third place.

Final results - U.S. Championship of Champions (Sunfish)
1. Doug Kaukeinen (Rochester, N.Y.): 3-4-2-3-4-2-2-[8]-2-2-1-6-2: 33 points overall
2. Mike Ingham (Rochester, N.Y.): [8]-7-1-4-1-3-3-5-3-1-3-1-5: 37
3. Bill Lynn (Marblehead, Mass.): 6-[11]-7-2-5-1-1-6-6-4-2-7-6: 53