25 Jan Oakcliff 2021 Match Racing Schedule Released
Oakcliff’s 2021 match racing schedule is now live. The season includes something for racers of all levels as Oakcliff continues to support the pathway from sailor to seasoned match racer in a COVID-safe sailing environment. Find the full schedule and request for invitation online.
When it comes to training the next generation of match racers, Oakcliff has been at the forefront, making this discipline of sailing available to all. For 2021, Oakcliff is expanding and turning their series of one day Grade 5 regattas into Clinegattas with a day of drills on Saturday followed by round robin racing on Sunday.
Practice will also be available to all Oakcliff Supporters most other Saturdays. This is the perfect opportunity to try out match racing without the pressure of a regatta. Find out how to be a supporter here.
“For a long time we’ve been running our match racing drills on Tuesday evenings, but COVID helped us rethink both what was possible and what was needed,” Race Program Director Patrick Burks explains. “This past fall the Grade 5’s were our most popular events introducing more racers to match racing, so we’re doing our best to aid those newer teams and get more people on the water.”
For those wanting to take their match racing up a notch, the season also includes Grade 4 and Grade 3 Clinegattas where both clinic and regatta are combined seamlessly. The Clinegattas start on Friday with a clinic led by an expert coach and combine classroom work, sailing drills and an evening debrief. The Coach will then be on the water for the first day of racing following one team per match on the race course and debriefing with them in between matches.
Saturday drills and Clinegattas are a great way for college or post-college sailors to dip their toes into match racing, one of the most affordable and sustainable ways to continue sailing as an adult. Match racing skills and lessons learned translate to all other types of racing.
For experienced match racers, Oakcliff will host Oakcliff International as a stop on the US Grand Slam series, as well as the World Match Racing Tour. They will also host the World Match Racing Tour Academy, a training program designed for athletes aspiring to compete on the Tour.
Due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19, Oakcliff will continue to implement their COVID Safe Boating Protocol for summer racing. This includes requiring sailors to form their own “quaranteams” – a group of sailors they have either been quarantining with or feel safe to be in close contact with. Sailors who would like to stay overnight at the Oakcliff Bunkhouse must provide a negative COVID test and sign Oakcliff’s COVID-19 Affidavit.
Want a way to help out or have a fun day on the water? Oakcliff is always looking for volunteer Race Officers and Umpires. If you’re interested contact Patrick Burks at regatta@oakcliffsailing.org.