Detroit Yacht Club One Riverbank Road Belle Isle Detroit, Michigan 48207 313-824-1200 www.dyc.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Dr. David Coleman, Regatta Chair 313-673-6519 (c) 313-577-2586 (o) [email protected]

Detroit Yacht Club Welcomes 2009 U.S. Singlehanded Championship

DETROIT (July 20, 2009) - The Detroit Yacht Club (DYC) on Belle Isle, assisted by the Crescent Yacht Club (CSYC) of Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich., is pleased to welcome the 2009 U.S. Singlehanded Championship on July 30 - August 2, 2009. The event is part of US ’s National Championship series, sponsored by Rolex Watch U.S.A., Inc. and LaserPerformance. Competitors in the one-design series will sail identical 13.78-foot racing boats.

“This is one of the most prestigious championships in the entire country,” according to Regatta Chair and past Detroit Yacht Club Commodore Dr. David M. Coleman. “The fact that the Detroit Yacht Club/Crescent Sail Yacht Club (DYC-CSYC) partnership was selected as host, from among the many capable yacht clubs throughout the United States, is a real honor and indicative of the excellent sail racing conditions this region offers to competitors.” Dr. Coleman goes on to note that Lasers are a challenging boat that rewards athleticism, subtle steering and trimming techniques, as well as tactical excellence. “These boats are used in Olympic competition, and because of their identical design, it’s the sailor who wins the race, not the boat.” The 20 racers competing in the 2009 U.S.Singlehanded Championship, who range in age from 16 to 60, have qualified in regional elimination races for the right to participate in the finals.

A series of nine races will be held between July 31 - August 2 in Lake St. Clair off the Crescent Sail Yacht Club. Check-in for sailors is July 29-30 at the DYC, with a Rolex Clinic scheduled for July 30. The clinician is Vice Commodore Bruce Burton of the Bayview Yacht Club (BYC), who is twice World Champion Etchells sailor, and a former Olympic contender. Burton will be assisted by BYC Commodore Ted Everingham, who is an international sailing judge and lecturer. The US Sailing Singlehanded Championship Chair is George H. Griswold. Two trophies will be awarded – the George D. O’Day Trophy to the winning sailor and the Peter J. Barrett Sportsmanship Trophy. Two local sailors have qualified for this event: Ken Swetka (Crescent Sail Yacht Club) and EJ O’Mara (Bayview Yacht Club). Another contestant, Fred Meno, who out of the Fort Worth Boat Club is eager to return to the DYC where his grandfather served as Commodore in 1945.

To facilitate media coverage, a press boat will be anchored on Lake St. Clair near the race course. Real-time photos and video will be available to the press and participants during all races.

1 “This entire event is a result of regional cooperation, volunteer effort, and pride,” concludes Dr. Coleman. “All 30 members of the planning committee, representing both the DYC and CSYC, have put in hundreds of hours over the last two years. Members of the DYC are providing accommodations on their boats for racers and race officials. Race officials come in from all over the country, on their own time, as do the sailors. The real reward for all of us is the thrill of competition and true love of the sport.”

For complete results, daily reports, photos, video and more please visit the event website at http://championships.ussailing.org/Adult/USSinglehandedChampionship.htm

About US SAILING The United States Sailing Association (US SAILING), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US SAILING is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US SAILING offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.

About the Detroit Yacht Club Founded in 1868, the Detroit Yacht Club is one of the oldest and most prestigious private clubs in North America. Located on an island along the banks of Belle Isle in the Detroit River, the DYC clubhouse, completed in 1922, is of Mediterranean design and part of the National Register of Historic Places. The diverse membership enjoys outstanding Club amenities, including first-class dining, social events, and recreational, athletic and fitness services. A 340-slip marina houses both sail and power boats. For more information on the Detroit Yacht Club, contact General Manager Paul Hughes, 313-824- 1200 X 229, [email protected]. www.dyc.com.

About the Crescent Sail Yacht Club A club exclusively for sailors, Crescent Sail Yacht Club is renowned throughout the national sailing community. The club’s man-made harbor is located at 276 Lakeshore Road in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, and juts into the waters of Lake St. Clair. Crescent was founded in 1933 by a determined group of sailing and racing devotees. To this day, all members donate time annually to the running of the club. Crescent’s special mission is to promote sailing and racing skills. For more information on the Crescent Sail Yacht Club, contact Commodore Thomas Vickers, 313-971-9528, [email protected]. www.crescentsail.com.

About Rolex Watch U.S.A. Since Rolex Watch U.S.A. first presented timepieces to America's Cup defenders in 1958, the company has consistently recognized and encouraged excellence in every important arena of competitive sailing, including US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics preparation, US SAILING championships, disabled sailing, offshore, one-design and women's events.

About LaserPerformance LaserPerformance formally Vanguard has a long history of providing benefits and support to US SAILING, its members, events, and programs. Today, LaserPerformance has the role of official sponsor of the US Youth Championships, the U.S. Junior Women's Doublehanded Championship, the U.S. Junior Women's Singlehanded Championship, the U.S. Singlehanded Sailing Championship, the U.S. Junior Singlehanded and Doublehanded Championships, and the U.S. Team Racing Championship. LaserPerformance's commitment to supplying the boats and support for these events is what helps to ensure high caliber competition at these Championships. Many of the world's most popular are built by LaserPerformance. Boats being supplied to US SAILING Championships are the Laser, the , and the . For more information on LaserPerformance, call 401-683-0960 or visit their web site at www.laserperformance.com.

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