CANFIELD, DURANT, LOWERY, AND SINGSEN ADVANCE TO SEMI-FINALS OF CHICAGO MATCH RACE CENTER
7/25/2009

Breezy offshore conditions keep the action close to shore as underdogs and youngest teams advance

Chicago, USA – A brisk 15-25 knot northwest breeze today kept the action fast and furious in Day Two of the Chicago Match Race Center’s (CMRC’s) July ISAF Grade 3 event, where four teams have now qualified to advance to tomorrow’s Semi-Final stage of the three-day competition. These teams include the youngest skippers in the 12-team field – 21-year olds Taylor Canfield (ISV) and Dustin Durant (USA) – as well as local-based Steven Lowery (USA) and Jon Singsen (USA) from Connecticut.

This day of tough competition saw an inversion of yesterday’s results, most dramatically demonstrated by Singsen who was last in the running after a win-less day yesterday, but who shot through the ranks today to do well in the Repechage and Quarterfinal rounds to just qualify for the fourth position in the Semi-Finals. It was his final match against yesterday’s series leader Don Wilson (USA) that proved to be icing on the cake, as Wilson defeated Singsen yesterday, even with a penalty turn performed prior to his finish.

“Today was an example of how this field just got better and better,” said CMRC Director Bill Hardesty, who is sailing with Wilson for this event. “Some time in the boats, some more experience and polish in the crew work, and look what happens!”

With the brisk breeze and fast and efficient race management, the Consolation Round was also concluded today, with Wilson finishing the event in 5th place, Nathan Hollerbach (USA) in sixth, Lars Hansen (USA) in seventh, and Mark Johnson (USA) in eighth. Its worthwhile to note that Wilson won the CMRC’s first event in June, with Hollerbach finishing as runner-up, demonstrating the depth and breadth of talent in this field.

The offshore breeze conditions allowed race managers to position the race course just metres away from shore on the lakefront park, with the CMRC’s floating regatta center placed in the middle of the pre-start action. Live commentary from Tucker Thompson of T2P Productions entertained spectators, sponsors and sailors on board, as well as post-race press conferences held ashore at the CMRC’s regatta base at the north end of Belmont Harbor.

Semi-Final, Petite-Final, and Final Round action will be held tomorrow, starting at 0900.

For more information, photos, and complete results, visit the CMRC website at www.chicagomatchrace.com Live updates are also provided by Twitter from the site.