Sailors descend on Long Beach for US Open & ILCA North American Championship
by US Sailing 13 Jul 2023 02:21 BST
July 14-16, 2023
Kite foils launch from Long Beach during the 2022 US Open Sailing Series © Lexi Pline / US Sailing
Over 160 boats in 11 classes will take to the starting line this weekend at the US Open Sailing Series Long Beach, July 14-16, hosted by Alamitos Bay Yacht Club, Long Beach Yacht Club, and the US Sailing Center Long Beach.
The event is held in conjunction with the ILCA North American Championship, bringing some of the best ILCA sailors from Mexico, Canada, and the United States together for three days of racing off the Belmont Pier.
The series was established in 2019, building on the back of the popular Olympic Class Regatta (OCR) events as a domestic training platform for athletes racing in Olympic class boats. The US Open Sailing Series Long Beach gives sailors a chance to get on the water at the LA 2028 Olympic Games sailing venue. As the LA 2028 Games get closer, having a domestic training platform available for Olympic hopefuls at the future venue becomes even more vital.
"Although 2028 is still 5 years away, there is much to do to ensure the venue and volunteers are ready for the games," said Mike Van Dyke, chair of the Long Beach US Open Sailing Series. "Having the US Open and subsequent class world championships here will prepare the sailors and volunteers on what to expect when the Olympics come to town!"
US Open Sailing Series Long Beach, along with the other US Open California events, will serve as a qualifier for the ILCA 6 Women's and ILCA 7 Men's Olympic Trials, held in Miami January of 2024. Top eight ILCA 7 men and top eight ILCA 6 women who have not previously qualified will earn a spot at the 2024 Olympic trials. Click here for more information about the 2024 Olympic Trials.
US Sailing would like to thank Gill, Siemens, Yeti and New England Ropes for their support of the California US Open Sailing Series events. We are also Indebted to Alamitos Bay Yacht Club, Long Beach Yacht Club, and the US Sailing Center Long Beach for their support in running this event.