Nation's Cup line-up

ISAF match racing grand finale to set sail on Lake Michigan

57 of the world’s elite match racing sailors will start a five-day battle to be named the Nations Cup champion today on Lake Michigan. The teams, representing 15 nations, will compete in women’s and open divisions sailing out of Sail Sheboygan’s facility, optimised for match racing.

Following a day of on-the-water practice with the race committee led by Principal Race Officer Peter Reggio, the teams enjoyed an enthusiastic opening ceremony Tuesday night. Sail Sheboygan President Jason Bemis, Women's International Match Racing Association Executive Director Liz Baylis, Sheboygan Mayor Bob Ryan and Henry Menin, chairman of ISAF's match racing committee, welcomed the sailors to the event following a procession of the athletes.

The first day of racing, which will start off the round robin, looks to offer excellent early autumn sailing conditions, Sail Sheboygan Executive Director Rich Reichelsdorfer said.

“The forecast is for northwest winds, 15 to 20 knots,” he said. “This should be a perfect wind range to provide beautiful, challenging sailing.”

The women’s division will compete in Elliott 6s, the boat that will be used for the women’s match racing event in the 2012 Olympics. The open event will be sailed in Sonars. The regatta will be sailed on one course, with the two classes alternating flights throughout the round robin. The format includes one round robin, quarterfinals, semifinals, petit finals and finals in each division.

Competitors were selected to compete in the Nations Cup Grand Final by winning one of eight regional finals held worldwide. The field includes several sailors who have been finishing very well at recent match racing events including Laurie Jury (NZL), who won the Knickerbocker Cup and finished a close second in the Detroit Cup and Lucy Macgregor (GBR), ranked No. 2 in the women’s match racing rankings, who won Chicago Match Race Center’s Autumn Open B event earlier this week and will compete in the open divison for the Nation’s Cup. Other standout competitors include Claire Leroy (FRA), Genny Tulloch (USA), Mads Ebler (DEN) and Shawn Bennett (USA) who has former Nations Cup champion and U.S. Sailing coach Dave Perry on his crew.

The Nations Cup is at the center of a week of citywide events in Sheboygan, including a traditional Sheboygan brat fry, a Taste of Sheboygan featuring cuisine by local chefs, stores and restaurants, fireworks, bands and more.

A non-profit organisation, Sail Sheboygan, was formed in 2004 to promote national and international sailing competition and education. As one of only four U.S. Sailing Centers, its mission is to develop sailing and seamanship at all levels, regardless of age, income, ability or disability.

Women's line-up

Women Competitors
Claire Leroy (FRA)
Genny Tulloch (USA)
Juliana Senfft (BRA)
Mandy Mulder (NED)
Rita Goncalves (POR)
Olivia Price (AUS)
Katarzyna Pic (POL)
Ru Wang (CHN)
Dominique Provoyeur (SA)
Sharon Ferris-Choat (CAN)

Open

Mads Ebler (DEN)
Laurie Jury (NZL)
Przemek Tarnacki (POL)
Henrique Haddad (BRA)
Stratis Andreadis (GRE)
Shawn Bennett (USA)
Peter Wickwire (CAN)
Yasar Celal Tumsen (TUR)
Lucy Macgregor (GBR)