CANFIELD, TULLOCH WIN 1ST ANNUAL CARLOS AGUILAR MATCH RACE CHAMPIONSHIP

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Visitors and locals alike lined up along the Charlotte Amalie waterfront to watch the concluding matches of the Grade 2, 1st Annual Carlos Aguilar Match Race Championship.

In the end, and following racing that was razor close, it was St. Thomas’ Taylor Canfield who won the Men’s Division. "I’ve done a fair amount of match racing this past year and this win is an incentive for me to keep going," says 19-year-old Canfield, currently ranked 152 in ISAF’s Open Match Race Rankings for October 29, 2008 and who would eventually like to compete in the ultimate match race, the America’s Cup.

Texas native, Genny Tulloch, and her crew beat Californian and former Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year, Liz Baylis, for the Women’s Division title. "In many match races you’re just concentrating on your opponent. At this event, we also had to focus on the constantly shifting winds which made it really challenging and fun."

This event honored the memory of Carlos Aguilar, and avid sailor and match racer, who was gunned down last year following a robbery at his home.

"Carlos loved match racing and he loved a good party," says Pat Bailey, a St. Thomas-based International Sailing Judge at the awards ceremony at Yacht Haven Grande. "He would have loved to be here."

RESULTS

Men’s Open Division
1. Taylor Canfield, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
2. William Bailey, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
3. Alec Anderson, Tortola, British Virgin Islands
4. Chris Haycraft, Tortola, British Virgin Islands
5. Peter Stanton, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
6. Fraito Lugo, Puerto Rico
7. Chris Curreri, St. Thomas/El Salvador
8. Frits Bus, St. Maarten

Women’s Division
1. Genny Tulloch, California
2. Liz Baylis, California
3. Anna Tunnicliffe, Florida
4. Lee Icyda, Rhode Island/St. Thomas
5. Sandy Hayes, Massachusetts
6. Louise Bienvenue, New Orleans