Newport Beach, Calif. (August 12, 2015 ) – The Newport Beach, California area will once again play host to a major match racing event. The Newport Harbor Yacht Club will host the 2015 edition of the U.S. Women’s Match Racing Championship this Friday, August 14 through Sunday, August 16.

Seven talented teams of four will race Governor’s Cup 21 sailboats over three days for the Allegra Knapp Mertz Trophy. Racing begins Friday following a match racing clinic and practice on Thursday, August 13.

Competitors:
1 Stephanie Wondolleck - San Rafael, CA
Janice Wondolleck
Annie Schmidt
Abby Featherstone

2 Lisa Meier - Long Beach, CA
Merry Cheers
Theresa Cornwell
Grace McCarthy
Elizabeth Matheson

3 Nicole Breault - San Francisco, CA
Molly Carapiet
Karen Loutzenheiser
Emily Hill

4 Janel Zarkowsky - Annapolis, MD
Rebecca Dellenbaugh
Amanda Callahan
Isabelle Luzuriaga

5 Sandy Hayes - Scituate, MA
Cindy Olsen
Samantha Bobo
Jennifer Rousmaniere

6 Morgan Wilson - Port Washington, NY
Allie Blecher
Katja Sertl
Beth Barnard

7 Kathryn Shiber - *, NJ
Gigi Arias
Lillian Kennedy
Marley Mais

Racing Format:

The venue will be in the Pacific Ocean offshore of the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach.
First racing signal will be 12:00
Stage 1 – Qualifying Round Robin(s)
Stage 2 – Semifinal knockout series
Stage 3 – Petit Final for places 3 and 4
Stage 4 – Final knockout series for places 1 and 2

What is at Stake:

The highest placing eligible skipper will be awarded automatic invitations to:
– 2015 Buddy Melges Challenge: September 17-20 at Sail Sheboygan (Wis.)
– 2015 U.S. Match Racing Championship: October 10-12 at Oakcliff Sailing (N.Y.)

Coverage and Media:

For results, standings, photos, Twitter updates (#WomensMatch15), and more information on the 2015 U.S. Women’s Match Racing Championship, please visit the event website: www.ussailing.org/racing/championships/adult/womensmatchracing.

Prizes:

Perpetual Trophies will be awarded for first and second place: Allegra Knapp Mertz Trophy (winner), Mrs. Charles Francis Adams Memorial Trophy (runner-up)
US Sailing Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will be awarded to the skippers and crews placing first through third, respectively.

US Sailing Media Contact: Jake Fish, jakefish@ussailing.org

About US Sailing
The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and growth 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 Sperry. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.

- See more at: www.ussailing.org/womensmatch15_preview/