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Blind Match Racing Clinic

November 22, 2015 San Francisco, CA - The Sailing Education Association of Sheboygan (SEAS) teamed up with Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors (BAADS), the Women’s International Match Racing Association (WIMRA), and Blind Sailing Unlimited to hold the first Blind Match Racing Clinic in the United States using the Homerus acoustic mark system. The clinic was run to introduce visually impaired sailors to the blind match racing discipline and to help encourage participation at the 2016 ISAF Blind Match Racing World Championship to be held in Sheboygan in September 2016 in conjunction with the 2016 ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championship.

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The discipline of blind match racing is unique within the world of visually impaired sailing as the three visually impaired sailors match race against another team with no sighted assistance onboard. They navigate the course through the use of the Homerus Autonomous Sailing System which consists of three acoustic buoys, each emitting a unique sound signal while each boat has its own sound signal that changes when on port or starboard tack.  Through these audible clues the sailors not only make their way around the course but also engage each other in classic match racing style. Sheboygan hosted the Plenco Blind Match Racing World Championship in 2014 and with the success of that event  SEAS looked to increase participation in the discipline by introducing more sailors to the acoustic system.

 

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Of the seven blind sailors and three sighted guides who participated in this weekend’s clinic only one sailor, Blind Sailing Unlimited's, Kris Scheppe, had sailed in a blind match racing event before. “At the Worlds in 2014, I kind of jumped in the deep end having never done a match race before and I went right into a race situation. It was overload and I was kind of hanging by the seat of my pants for that. So, playing with the buoys on land first as we did here and then going to water has been a great way to introduce new sailors to the game” Kris commented after the clinic. Blind Sailing Unlimited owns the set of Homerus marks used at the event, one of only three sets in the United States, SEAS owns another of the three.

 

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All who attended saw improvement in abilities over the three day course which began with land drills and familiarization with the acoustic marks and progressed over the clinic with drills designed to work up to full match races. By Sunday the sailors were battling in the prestarts with limited input from the coaches and racing around the course. While not all the participants felt quite ready for a full match racing regatta, they did come to understand just how possible it was sail without the aid of sight. “It’s fantastic to see how much the sailors improved and gained confidence with only a few days training. By the end of the weekend they were definitely match racing out there and that was really cool to see“ said Liz Baylis, WIMRA Executive Director and clinic coach.

 

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The SEAS team of Executive Director Rich Reichelsdorfer and Program Director Matt Wierzbach, who flew in for the event, were also happy with the progress made at the event. "I am quite happy with the outcome of our first blind match racing clinic," Reichelsdorfer said. "The competitors all seemed quite happy with the program and by the end of clinic, we had them engaging each other and match racing. It is really great to be able to get visually impaired people into match racing and watching them take to it and get excited about sailing without any help from a sighted guide." Wierzbach added, "this is a great step toward increasing participation in an event that really lets the visually impaired sail without being told what to do by a sighted guide; they have control over their sailing."

 

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After the success of this first event, plans are in progress to recreate the event in different locations around the United States and internationally. Blind match racing can be an empowering activity for those with a visual impairment as the sailors realize they are able to compete at a highly competitive level without the aid of sighted guides.

 

ABOUT SEAS

SEAS is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Your contributions are recognized and are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by the United States Tax Code. Thank you for supporting SEAS mission.

Mission

The Sailing Education Association of Sheboygan exists to establish Sheboygan’s waterfront and boating programs as best in class for offerings and facilities, while enhancing our county’s already stellar attractions.

Vision

SEAS works to advance the sailing and water sport facilities on Sheboygan’s waterfront and marine education generally in order to provide more services at a reasonable cost.  We strive to maximize the impact of our donors’ dollars by expanding awareness, training, and opportunities in marine and conservation activities through education and strategic outreach.  SEAS also provides financial assistance to similarly engaged non-profit organizations.

Contact: Matt Wierzbach

mattw@seasheboygan.org

(920) 918-9204

1st Annual Pickle Night Dinner

On November 7th, SEAS and the Sheboygan Yacht Club hosted the first annual Pickle Night Dinner.

"HMS Pickle Replica". Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HMSPicklereplica.jpg#/media/File:HMSPicklereplica.jpg

The event, which commemorates Lord Horatio Nelson’s victory in the Battle of Trafalgar and the HMS Pickle’s delivery of the news, was celebrated this year shortly after the 240th anniversary of the battle.

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The Pickle Night Dinner is popular at yacht clubs around the country and SEAS was proud to help host the first one in the area. The evening opened with a cocktail hour and a mad-lib style activity that helped prime guests on the history of the HMS Pickle and the Battle of Trafalgar.

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Following dinner, Program Director Matt Weirzbach gave an engaging presentation that expanded upon what guests had already learned.

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With a terrific turnout from the yacht club and the community, the first annual Pickle Night Dinner was a great success! SEAS looks forward to next year’s dinner and all of the upcoming educational social events.

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For more information on upcoming events please visit SEASheboygan.org/upcoming-events

Meghan Welsh contributed to this article.

 

Public Input Meeting: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH

Be in the know! Learn about the Marine Sanctuary. You're invited to the Marine Sanctuary Public Input Meeting

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH 6:30 PM TO 8:30 PM

University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan Main Building Wombat Room (Room 2114) 1 University Drive, Sheboygan

FREE TO ATTEND !

Register Here

 

We Want to Hear From You!

NOAA is asking for the public's input on protecting Wisconsin - Lake Michigan, a maritime heritage resource area in Wisconsin as a national marine sanctuary.

Wisconsin - Lake Michigan is an 875 square mile area of Lake Michigan with waters extending from Port Washington to Two Rivers. The state of Wisconsin nominated this area as a national marine sanctuary through the Sanctuary Nomination Process with broad community support.

The primary objective of a sanctuary is to protect its natural and cultural features while allowing people to use and enjoy the waterways in a sustainable way. Sanctuary waters provide a secure habitat for species close to extinction and protect historically significant shipwrecks and artifacts. Sanctuaries serve as natural classrooms and laboratories for schoolchildren and researchers alike to promote understanding and stewardship of our waters. They often are cherished recreational spots for sport fishing and diving, and support commercial industries such as tourism, fishing and kelp harvesting.

 

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH 6:30 PM TO 8:30 PM

University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan Main Building Wombat Room (Room 2114) 1 University Drive, Sheboygan

FREE TO ATTEND !

 

Register Here

 

 

Presentation to the Sheboygan Common Council

On Monday night SEAS Program Director Matt Wierzbach updated the Sheboygan Common Council on the Adaptive Sailing initiative underway. See the presentation beginning at 4:55 min.

Growing our Adaptive Program

 

Beginning with the Blind Match Racing World Championships in 2014 and the resultant development of our blind program both at the Wisconsin State Lions Camp and here at home supporting a team that traveled to Chicago for the Blind Fleet Racing Worlds the Adaptive Program has grown fast. While the blind racing got our foot in the door with Adaptive Sailing the Steve Heronemus Project has led us to, with our partners, create amazing solutions that will help others enjoy sailing in the years to come. Those solutions are already reaching more individuals.

 

The Shaw family poses on the dock after sailing.

 

Last Tuesday we had the Shaw family out for their first sail, a great memory for any family, but with twin boys Mateo and McHale having been born conjoined it increases the challenge. Separated when young the boys have had countless surgeries and some limited mobility but are as adventurous and inquisitive as any nine year old could ever be. The Adaptive Program is more than just sailing.

 

 

Video: Steve Heronemus sails again

For those who have been following the Steve Heronemus story this video tells the tale of his latest voyage. Its more than sailing, more than overcoming challenges, its about three generations bonding through sailing. The video is followed by a transcript and finally a gallery of pictures from the event.

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Transcript


 

Narrator: In January of 2015 Steven Heronemus a sailor who has lived with ALS for over 10 years, joining forces with SEAS to launch an adaptive sailing initiative with a focus on the disabilities rendered by ALS. Its ultimate goal to help those with life altering disabilities experience the freedom and joy of sailing.

On September 4, 2015 using only a bite switch coupled to an autopilot and two touch pads for sail trim Steven Heronemus took his 83 year old father for a sail in a twenty three-foot sonar off the shores of Sheboygan Wisconsin. At the time. he had no idea it would be their last sail together because twelve days later his father unexpectedly passed away.

To Steven the quiet afternoon sail was a joyful return to something he loved. To his father it was one of the most beautiful gifts he could have received from his son. And to other sailors with disabilities it would further inspire SEAS to explorer develop and refine the human interfaces necessary to provide any disabled person access to the wind and water.

On September 23rd the day after his father’s memorial service Steve took his son Matthew for sail as a tribute to his father the man who taught him to sail.

Description: SEAS Team adjusts the boat to Steve.

Steve Orlebeke, Director of Engineering Harken Inc: After we sailed last time it was pretty obvious that the bite switches on the flexible arm were moving around too much because we had to readjust them a couple of times, so I built a more solid bracket that is attached to the head rest. So when the head rest moves, the switches move exactly the same amount and I think that that will work a lot better for Steve. Seems like it’s working so far but we will see how it goes.

Description: Steve’s son Matthew boards the boat and is asked what he thinks of all this to which he replies “exciting”. Matthew is instructed to keep his dad’s chair positioned at a 45 degree angle to the front of the boat that way he can still see his sails and still see the water.

Nick Chadwick, SEAS: A little farther away from the break wall Steve so we don’t touch the bottom of the boat, perfect. Steve at Harken made this new mount for the bite switches that connect to the head rest so it’s very stable now for Steve. That’s the one change since the last time, and then we also have the same cushion that Steve has in his wheel chair a Roku cushion and he’s now sailing and should be able to stay out much longer this time. The sensitivity on one of the buttons that actually trim and ease, the round disk buttons that we have on the chair, one of them was not as sensitive as it was the last time, so we basically managed to jury rig another switch to get him sailing today which he is now using his index finger which seems pretty responsive,

So, this morning before we came down to the yacht club we stopped at the Windway office an met with Aaron and Bob, and Bob is working on this sip-puff joystick that Steve will be able to put is his hand just like he uses his wheel chair joystick in the hope that we can just that one joystick with his one hand to push away to trim in and pull towards to ease and then port and starboard.

Description: Support crew leaves the boat and Steve and his son begin to sail alone.

Steve Orlebeke, Director of Engineering Harken Inc: Well I think definitely we need to do some work with the hand buttons and figure out exactly the right buttons, the touch pad that Nick pulled out of the trailer seems like a pretty good solution. With all of these buttons none of the stuff we are buying is IP rated for this kind of environment so it’s going to be a challenge to keep things from corroding and dealing with moisture, but we will get it figured out.

Narrator: Nobody goes looking of ALS, it just happens. An invariably fatal neurological disorder that attacks the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscles such as those in the arms legs and face. The condition which over time ceases the very things that we take for granted. The ability to walk, dress, write, speak, swallow and even breathe. Yet over 6,000 people are diagnosed with it every year, and over 30,000 people live with it at any one time. Steven Heronemus has beat the odds despite his inability to talk or even breathe on his own continues to work with SEAS in an effort to bring the joy and freedom of sailing the disabled people everywhere.

SEAS the day! Help make someone’s dream come true. Make a financial or in-kind contribution to SEAS today.

www.seasheboygan.org

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Update: Steve Heronemus Sails Again

Wednesday, September 23  

Yesterday Steve Heronemus made it out for another sail using the adaptive equipment the SEAS and Harken team developed, but it was more than just a second sail with the new equipment. The sail was both a tribute and the continuation of what is now a Heronemus family tradition.

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On Friday, September 4, Steve Heronemus was able to do something he had been unable to do for over a decade, go sailing. Before being diagnosed with ALS, Steve had spent time sailing on Lake Michigan with his father, Dick Heronemus. The SEAS and Harken teams developed an adaptive solution for one of the Sail Sheboygan Sonars which allowed Steve to skipper and trim so Steve and his dad could share a sail together yet again. Tragically, on September 16th Dick Heronemus passed away.

The funeral service concluded on Tuesday and Steve and family remained in Sheboygan to attempt the second sail the next morning. Light winds, too light to effectively sail, kept the boat at the dock but the time was spent discussing future upgrades to the equipment. Planned improvements include the incorporation of a Sip Puff system and other electronic upgrades. These talks were followed by lunch at the Sheboygan Yacht Club where Dick Heronemus had been a longstanding member.

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After some troubleshooting at the dock the team launched in the early afternoon in a light southeast breeze. Just feet off the dock Steve had already taken control of the boat and continued to maneuver out of the harbor with the support crew standing by. As they reached the lighthouse the SEAS support team left the boat to Steve and his son Matt to sail on their own together. A new tradition had begun, and as SEAS board member Tryg Jacobson said, “The torch has been passed”.

 

With the support crew following on a radar equipped safety boat and the rest of the family following on another powerboat Steve and his son were left to sail together on their own for nearly two hours before the wind died enough that the support crew jumped back on board to help with the return trip to the dock. It was another successful trip and a step toward a broader program. IMG_1108 Three generations have now taken advantage of the possibilities opened up with the new equipment. The equipment has enabled a man to once again enjoy his love of sailing, but also allowed a family to share that experience together and in times of pain. This is about more than adaptive sailing.IMG_1109

Steve Heronemus Sails In Memory of His Father

Today Steve Heronemus was able to get out for another sail on the recently adapted Sonar. The moment was bittersweet as Steve's father, Dick Heronemus, passed away last week. The SEAS team made a point to give Steve the opportunity to hit the water today following his father's funeral services yesterday. Our thoughts are with his family during these difficult times.  

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Roble successful on Sheboygan waters

– wins the event and advances to the top of the WIM Series.

Stephanie Roble excelled on her home waters of Lake Michigan on Sunday afternoon, as she defeated Anne-Claire Le Berre 3 – 1 in the final of the Buddy Melges Challenge, the penultimate event of the 2015 WIM Series. With this first American victory ever on the WIM Series, the Epic Racing Team of Stephanie Roble, Maggie Shea and Janel Zarkowsky, moves all the way to the top of the leader board.

PRESS RELEASE SEPTEMBER 20 2015
Stephanie Roble, Janel Zarkowsky and Maggie Shea wins the Buddy Melges Challenge in Sheboygan, USA, and climbs to the top of the 2015 WIM Series. Photo: Christopher Rydblom/WIM Series.

Roble successful on Sheboygan waters – wins the event and advances to the top of the WIM Series

Stephanie Roble excelled on her home waters of Lake Michigan on Sunday afternoon, as she defeated Anne-Claire Le Berre 3 – 1 in the final of the Buddy Melges Challenge, the penultimate event of the 2015 WIM Series. With this first American victory ever on the WIM Series, the Epic Racing Team of Stephanie Roble, Maggie Shea and Janel Zarkowsky, moves all the way to the top of the leader board: “I want to thank my crew, who never give up, no matter what happens. We’re really excited to win our first WIM Series event on our home waters” a smiling Roble shines. “We had beautiful racing against Stephanie today, and gave her a very good fight, but unfortunately we made more mistakes than her” Le Berre comments.

On the big final day of the Buddy Melges Challenge, Lake Michigan offered stable wind conditions with a light southerly breeze and extremely flat water. Due to the light wind, the course was set a little far from shore, so the spectators went out in boats to follow the intense and exciting match racing. Despite the stable wind the conditions were challenging to the crews, putting a premium on good boat handling and boat speed: “The start, the speed and the manoeuvring was more essential than the tactics today. It was also important to get out on the right side of the course first, to gain the starboard advantage at the top mark” Le Berre analyses.

Bummed after her loss in the final of the latest event in Lysekil, Sweden, Stephanie Roble was determined not to let that happen again: “We definitely wanted to come back and come out strong for this event. We won the first two final races, but Anne-Claire managed to beat back in the third, when I screwed up the start and gave away the right side of the course to her” Roble describes how the final developed.

In the fourth match there were tacking duels up both of the upwind legs, resulting in multiple lead changes. On the last downwind approaching the finish line, the French team kept a narrow lead, but the Americans came with pressure from behind and just managed to cross the line as winners of the Buddy Melges Challenge: “As Anne-Claire was leading we had to keep it close, and rolled her on the last run” Roble explains her successful plan. “Stephanie finished just one metre in front of us, and I must say we could have done that sequence of the race a lot better. Of course we would have preferred to win, to gain more WIM Series points, but now we are looking forward to new fights in Korea” Le Berre says. “We’re obviously very pleased with how this season has been so far. I want to thank Liz Baylis and Terry Kohler for all their hard work on the WIM Series” Roble concludes.

In the petit final Swedish World #2 Anna Östling immediately took command, winning two straight matches over Renée Groeneveld of The Netherlands, to secure third place in the Buddy Melges Challenge and 20 valuable WIM Series points: “We worked systematically in the boat today, and we had some great match racing. Renée is sailing on a high level, and we need that to improve” Östling comments. Groeneveld finished fourth in her first match racing regatta since the 2012 Olympics, and wasn’t too sad for her result: “We struggled a bit with the new rules, in a situation that was totally new to us. But we’ve had a great week, and when we came off the water we said to each other that we definitely want to do more match racing in a near future” Groeneveld promises.

The Buddy Melges Challenge has been an ISAF Grade One match racing event in Sheboygan for a number of years. The event is named after the famous Olympian, America’s Cup sailor, boat builder, and Wisconsinite Buddy Melges, whose contributions to the sport have been long standing. The trophy for the event resides in the Sheboygan Yacht Club and is a replica of the America’s Cup.

The trophy for the WIM Series overall winner – The Terry J. Kohler Perpetual Trophy – is named after Sheboygan businessman Terry Kohler, a long-time proponent and supporter of women's match racing and all of the sailing activities at Sail Sheboygan. The 2015 WIM Series will be decided at the next and final event, the Busan Cup Women's International Match Race, to be sailed in Korea October 28 – November 1.

Results in the final of the 2015 Buddy Melges Challenge, the third stage of the 2015 WIM Series: Stephanie Roble, USA – Anne-Claire Le Berre, FRA 3 – 1

Results in the petit final: Anna Östling, SWE  – Renée Groeneveld, NED 2 – 0

Total results (skipper, nationality, WIM Series points, prize money): 1. Stephanie Roble, USA, 25, 2 600 USD 2. Anne-Claire Le Berre, FRA, 22, 1 600 USD 3. Anna Östling, SWE, 20, 1 300 USD 4. Renée Groeneveld, NED, 16, 1 100 USD 5. Juliana Senfft, BRA, 15, 1 000 USD 6. Camilla Ulrikkeholm Klinkby, DEN, 13, 900 USD 7. Caroline Sylvan, SWE, 12, 800 USD 8. Pauline Courtois, FRA, 10, 700 USD 9. Diana Kissane, IRL, 8, 0 USD 10. Johanna Bergqvist, SWE, 6, 0 USD 11. Morgan Wilson, USA, 4, 0 USD

Standings in the 2015 WIM Series, after three stages out of four (skipper, nationality, WIM Series points): 1. Stephanie Roble, USA, 67 2. Camilla Ulrikkeholm Klinkby, DEN, 60 3. Anna Östling, SWE, 55 4. Anne-Claire Le Berre, FRA, 53 5. Caroline Sylvan, SWE, 41 6. Pauline Courtois, FRA, 30 7. Klaartje Zuiderbaan, NED, 26 8. Lotte Meldgaard, DEN, 25 9. Juliana Senfft, BRA, 21 10. Renée Groeneveld, NED, 16 11. Johanna Bergqvist, SWE, 14 12. Katie Spithill, AUS, 14 13. Alexa Bezel, SUI, 13 14. Diana Kissane, IRL, 12 15. Annabel Vose, GBR, 10 15. Milly Bennett, AUS, 10 17. Louise Christensen, DEN, 6 18. Morgan Wilson, USA, 4 18. Sanna Häger, SWE, 4 20. Rikst Dijkstra, NED, 0 20. Johanna Larsson, SWE, 0 20. Nina Ramm-Schmidt, FIN, 0

The Women’s International Match Racing Series (WIM Series) is the first and only professional sailing series for women, hosted by the Women’s International Match Racing Association and joined by the world’s leading women match racing sailors. Match racing is sailed in two identical boats around a short course, providing fast action close to the crowds on shore. The intense racing is just as exciting for the spectators as it is strategically, tactically and physically challenging for the competing crews.

An overall prize purse of 40 000 USD will be distributed by the WIM Series at the final event in Busan, Korea, in addition to the prize money at each of the four events included in the 2015 WIM Series (date, event name, location, boat type): * July 8 – 12, ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championship, Middelfart, Denmark, Match 28. * August 3 – 8, Lysekil Women's Match, Lysekil, Sweden, DS 37. * September 16 – 20, Buddy Melges Challenge, Sheboygan, USA, Elliott 6. * October 28 – November 1, Busan Cup Women's International Match Race, Busan, Korea, K30.

The WIM Series is hosted by WIMRA. Official suppliers are Sailnet, 1080 Media, MILK, Sailing Education Association of Sheboygan, Adstream and Match Racing Results Service.

Images: A number of hi-res images are available for download on www.wimseries.com/media/

More information about the Women’s International Match Racing Series: WIM Series Press Officer Joakim Hermansson, media@wimseries.com+46 70 604 25 04 WIM Series Manager Liz Baylis, Liz@wimseries.com+1 415 691 6202 www.wimseries.com www.facebook.com/WIMSeries www.twitter.com/WIMSeries www.youtube.com/WIMRSeries www.instagram.com/WIMSeries

The Buddy Melges Challenge has been an ISAF Grade One match racing event in Sheboygan for a number of years. The event is named after the famous Olympian, America’s Cup sailor, boat builder, and Wisconsinite Buddy Melges, whose contributions to the sport have been long standing. The trophy for the event resides in the Sheboygan Yacht Club and is a replica of the America’s Cup.

More information about the Buddy Melges Challenge: Press Officer Matt Wierzbach, mattw@seasheboygan.org+1 920 918 9204 www.sailsheboygan.org www.seasheboygan.org www.sheboyganyachtclub.com www.facebook.com/SailSheboygan www.twitter.com/USSCSheboygan

Roble & Le Berre to meet in Sheboygan final

– quarters and semis decided in tricky Saturday conditions.

A Saturday with shifty, puffy and in general quite tricky conditions in the Buddy Melges Challenge, saw local hope Stephanie Roble and Anne-Claire Le Berre of France getting through to Sunday’s final. In the semi finals Roble beat Dutch Renée Groeneveld 3 – 2 after five thrilling matches, while Le Berre disposed of the previous dominant Anna Östling, Sweden, with a 3 – 1 record.

PRESS RELEASE SEPTEMBER 19 2015
Home sailors Stephanie Roble, Maggie Shea and Janel Zarkowsky won their semi final of the Buddy Melges Challenge in Sheboygan, USA, and will Sunday face Anne-Claire Le Berre, Mathilde Geron and Morgane Gautier of France in the final. Photo: Christopher Rydblom/WIM Series.Roble & Le Berre to meet in Sheboygan final – quarters and semis decided in tricky Saturday conditions

A Saturday with shifty, puffy and in general quite tricky conditions in the Buddy Melges Challenge, saw local hope Stephanie Roble and Anne-Claire Le Berre of France getting through to Sunday’s final. In the semi finals Roble beat Dutch Renée Groeneveld 3 – 2 after five thrilling matches, while Le Berre disposed of the previous dominant Anna Östling, Sweden, with a 3 – 1 record: “It was really difficult to know where the wind shifts were going today, but I think we made fewer mistakes than the others. Now we’re aiming for the top of the podium” Le Berre declares. “My crew did an awesome job finding the right tactics in the shifts today” says Roble.

The fog and the clouds from Friday went away over the night to Saturday, leaving behind the beautiful sunshine seen on the first two days of match racing in the Buddy Melges Challenge. Lake Michigan offered a rather puffy and shifty Saturday breeze, causing the race committee to make a few course changes. As the Saturday afternoon progressed the wind gradually faded, with the buildings of Sheboygan generating some challenging shadows and eddies in the quite light wind at the windward mark, tucked up under the shoreline.

“It was definitely a challenging and very stressful day” Stephanie Roble states, adding: “We won the last two semi finals against Renée thanks to my crew, who did an amazing job finding the pressure and letting me focus on driving the boat. In the quarters Pauline Courtois won two out of three starts, but we managed to dig back and play the shifts right, also thanks to great crew work.” “There was a lot going on out there and tough racing, all about picking the right shifts. Simply we lost one match too much, as they didn’t make any mistakes at all” Groeneveld comments, still enjoying being back in match racing after a few years absence. “It’s really good fun. The racing here is very well organized, with good quality and boats in excellent condition. I’ll do the next and final event in Korea for sure, and after that we will decide about our future involvement in the WIM Series” she reveals.

Anne-Claire Le Berre struggled with her speed in the big waves at the beginning of the week, but found it timely enough for the quarterfinals, despatching World #1 Camilla Ulrikkeholm Klinkby. Then the French team defeated World #2 Anna Östling in the semis: “We changed our boathandling to get faster upwind, and that helped. Today we sailed very well, playing the tactics and the shifts and managing to choose the right side of the course” Le Berre explains. “We had a hard time today, beginning when Juliana Senfft offered great competition in the quarters and we barely made it to the semis. Then Le Berre raced without mistakes, while we made a few costly ones. The lead changed a lot of times in every race, but she always managed to be ahead of us at the finish.” Östling says, now determined to fight hard for third. “We need that to gain valuable WIM Series points” she concludes.

Semi final results in the 2015 Buddy Melges Challenge, the third stage of the 2015 WIM Series: Stephanie Roble, USA – Renée Groeneveld, NED, 3 – 2 Anne-Claire Le Berre, FRA – Anna Östling, SWE, 3 – 1

Quarterfinal results: Anna Östling, SWE – Juliana Senfft, BRA, 3 – 2 Renée Groeneveld, NED – Caroline Sylvan, SWE, 3 – 1 Stephanie Roble, USA – Pauline Courtois, FRA, 3 – 0 Anne-Claire Le Berre, FRA – Camilla Ulrikkeholm Klinkby, DEN, 3 – 0

The Women’s International Match Racing Series (WIM Series) is the first and only professional sailing series for women, hosted by the Women’s International Match Racing Association and joined by the world’s leading women match racing sailors. Match racing is sailed in two identical boats around a short course, providing fast action close to the crowds on shore. The intense racing is just as exciting for the spectators as it is strategically, tactically and physically challenging for the competing crews.An overall prize purse of 40 000 USD will be distributed by the WIM Series at the final event in Busan, Korea, in addition to the prize money at each of the four events included in the 2015 WIM Series (date, event name, location, boat type): * July 8 – 12, ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championship, Middelfart, Denmark, Match 28. * August 3 – 8, Lysekil Women's Match, Lysekil, Sweden, DS 37. * September 16 – 20, Buddy Melges Challenge, Sheboygan, USA, Elliott 6. * October 28 – November 1, Busan Cup Women's International Match Race, Busan, Korea, K30.

The WIM Series is hosted by WIMRA. Official suppliers are Sailnet, 1080 Media, MILK, Sailing Education Association of Sheboygan, Adstream and Match Racing Results Service.

Images: A number of hi-res images are available for download on www.wimseries.com/media/

More information about the Women’s International Match Racing Series: WIM Series Press Officer Joakim Hermansson, media@wimseries.com, +46 70 604 25 04 WIM Series Manager Liz Baylis, Liz@wimseries.com, +1 415 691 6202 www.wimseries.com www.facebook.com/WIMSeries www.twitter.com/WIMSeries www.youtube.com/WIMRSeries www.instagram.com/WIMSeries

The Buddy Melges Challenge has been an ISAF Grade One match racing event in Sheboygan for a number of years. The event is named after the famous Olympian, America’s Cup sailor, boat builder, and Wisconsinite Buddy Melges, whose contributions to the sport have been long standing. The trophy for the event resides in the Sheboygan Yacht Club and is a replica of the America’s Cup.

More information about the Buddy Melges Challenge: Press Officer Matt Wierzbach, mattw@seasheboygan.org, +1 920 918 9204 www.sailsheboygan.org www.seasheboygan.org www.sheboyganyachtclub.com www.facebook.com/SailSheboygan www.twitter.com/USSCSheboygan

 

Fog and no wind delays Sheboygan quarters

– the penultimate event of the 2015 WIM Series resumes Saturday.

The first two days of excellent sailing conditions in the Buddy Melges Challenge on Lake Michigan, USA, was on Friday followed by nothing but the opposite. Thick fog rolled in over the Sheboygan race course, effectively killing not only the wind, but every attempt to get any racing going. After several hours of fruitless waiting both ashore and on the water, Principal Race Officer Rich Reichelsdorfer saw no other way out, than to postpone all racing until Saturday.

PRESS RELEASE SEPTEMBER 18 2015
Thick fog rolled in over the Buddy Melges Challenge race course on Lake Michigan, USA, postponing the quarterfinals until Saturday. Photo: Christopher Rydblom/WIM Series.

Fog and no wind delays Sheboygan quarters – the penultimate event of the 2015 WIM Series resumes Saturday

The first two days of excellent sailing conditions in the Buddy Melges Challenge on Lake Michigan, USA, was on Friday followed by nothing but the opposite. Thick fog rolled in over the Sheboygan race course, effectively killing not only the wind, but every attempt to get any racing going. After several hours of fruitless waiting both ashore and on the water, Principal Race Officer Rich Reichelsdorfer saw no other way out, than to postpone all racing until Saturday: “We plan to stick to the program as best as we can, but may need to make adjustments throughout the day tomorrow. We hope to conclude the semis Saturdayand decide the final matches on Sunday, as the forecast is for the light air to come back” he explains his plan.

Thunderstorms passed through the Sheboygan racing area during the night between Thursday and Friday, and the strong southerly wind that was so reliable for the beginning of the Buddy Melges Challenge, was nowhere to be seen Friday morning. When the fog settled in mid-morning, sailors were told to stay ashore. At around 14.00 the breeze filled in from the north and pushed the fog away, so the quarterfinal crews left the dock. But even before the boats managed to reach the racing area, the wind had already begun to die again. Then the thick fog rolled back in, but the wind never did. The AP over A signal was hoisted at 15.45, signalling that the racing was postponed for the day.

Quarterfinal pairings in the 2015 Buddy Melges Challenge, the third stage of the 2015 WIM Series: Anna Östling, SWE – Juliana Senfft, BRA Renée Groeneveld, NED – Caroline Sylvan, SWE Stephanie Roble, USA – Pauline Courtois, FRA Camilla Ulrikkeholm Klinkby, DEN – Anne-Claire Le Berre, FRA

The Women’s International Match Racing Series (WIM Series) is the first and only professional sailing series for women, hosted by the Women’s International Match Racing Association and joined by the world’s leading women match racing sailors. Match racing is sailed in two identical boats around a short course, providing fast action close to the crowds on shore. The intense racing is just as exciting for the spectators as it is strategically, tactically and physically challenging for the competing crews.

An overall prize purse of 40 000 USD will be distributed by the WIM Series at the final event in Busan, Korea, in addition to the prize money at each of the four events included in the 2015 WIM Series (date, event name, location, boat type): * July 8 – 12, ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championship, Middelfart, Denmark, Match 28. * August 3 – 8, Lysekil Women's Match, Lysekil, Sweden, DS 37. * September 16 – 20, Buddy Melges Challenge, Sheboygan, USA, Elliott 6. * October 28 – November 1, Busan Cup Women's International Match Race, Busan, Korea, K30.

The WIM Series is hosted by WIMRA. Official suppliers are Sailnet, 1080 Media, MILK, Sailing Education Association of Sheboygan, Adstream and Match Racing Results Service.

Images: A number of hi-res images are available for download on www.wimseries.com/media/

More information about the Women’s International Match Racing Series: WIM Series Press Officer Joakim Hermansson, media@wimseries.com+46 70 604 25 04 WIM Series Manager Liz Baylis, Liz@wimseries.com+1 415 691 6202 www.wimseries.com www.facebook.com/WIMSeries www.twitter.com/WIMSeries www.youtube.com/WIMRSeries www.instagram.com/WIMSeries

The Buddy Melges Challenge has been an ISAF Grade One match racing event in Sheboygan for a number of years. The event is named after the famous Olympian, America’s Cup sailor, boat builder, and Wisconsinite Buddy Melges, whose contributions to the sport have been long standing. The trophy for the event resides in the Sheboygan Yacht Club and is a replica of the America’s Cup.

More information about the Buddy Melges Challenge: Press Officer Matt Wierzbach, mattw@seasheboygan.org+1 920 918 9204 www.sailsheboygan.org www.seasheboygan.org www.sheboyganyachtclub.com www.facebook.com/SailSheboygan www.twitter.com/USSCSheboygan

 

Fog continues to postpone quarterfinal races

Fog continues to postpone the quarterfinal races of the 2015 Buddy Melges Challenge. Twitter feeds chronicle the day:

@USSCSheboygan

@WIMSeries

#BMC2015

#WIMSeries

WIM-logo

 

Will try again on Saturday

2015 Buddy Melges Challenge Round Robin Results

Changing weather conditions  provide a new challenge, and the 2015 Buddy Melges Challenge Round Robin Results. Where to find live race information.

WIM-logo

2015 Buddy Melges Round Robin Results

 

 

For live results, photos, comments from the race course, follow on Twitter:

@USSCSheboygan

@WIMSeries

#BMC2015 #WIMSeries

Fog and light breeze, very different conditions at the Buddy Melges Challenge

bmc-friday-fog

 

Östling takes Sheboygan round-robin 10 – 0

–Groeneveld just one point behind, followed by Roble.

World #2 Anna Östling keeps dominating the Buddy Melges Challenge, the penultimate event of the 2015 WIM Series. After another day with just ones on the score sheet, the Swede concludes the round-robin with a clean sweep.

Swedish crew of Anna Östling and Annie and Linnea Wennergren won the round-robin of the Buddy Melges Challenge in Sheboygan, USA. Photo: Christopher Rydblom/WIM Series.Östling takes Sheboygan round-robin 10 – 0 –Groeneveld just one point behind, followed by RobleWorld #2 Anna Östling keeps dominating the Buddy Melges Challenge, the penultimate event of the 2015 WIM Series. After another day with just ones on the score sheet, the Swede concludes the round-robin with a clean sweep: “It’s been so fun, the conditions are fabulous. We’ve been proactive and communicative in the boat, fighting hard for every metre, but it’s great when the hard work pays off” the exhausted but very happy skipper sighs and smiles.The sailing conditions on the Lake Michigan race course, set by Principal Race Officer Rich Reichelsdorfer just off the beautiful Blue Harbor Resort in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, were almost a carbon copy of the opening day. Bright sunshine, fairly big waves to get the most exciting surfs on, and even a bit more wind with gusts up to 18 knots: “This is sailing, in general, and match racing, in particular, at its best” Anna Östling states.

Except for one recent day of practising in the Elliott 6M:s in Sheboygan before this event, Renée Groeneveld of the Netherlands hadn’t done any match racing at all since sailing in these exact same boats in the 2012 Olympic quarterfinals. Nevertheless she only lost one match in the round-robin, to the seemingly unbeatable Swede: “We didn’t expect anything, and are really surprised how well we’ve been doing. Of course we’ve made some mistakes, but I still have the match racing skills somewhere in the back of my head. Some of it a little too far away in the back though” Groeneveld explains with a big smile on her face.

While Östling and Groeneveld won all their Thursday matches, home sailor and World #3 Stephanie Roble recovered very well from a not that good opening day of the round-robin, also lining up only wins. An especially eventful match was decided already in the start, when Roble gave Pauline Courtois a really hard time. The French skipper got two penalties quite early in the pre-start manoeuvring. Then she was black-flagged for coming down too much on the American boat, in an attempt to keep clear of the starting line before the signal went off: “We’re really happy with how things went today. The weather was pretty similar to yesterday, but we worked better together in the boat and sailed a lot faster” Roble comments.

Friday morning Anna Östling will choose her opponent for the quarterfinals, to be followed by sail-offs for 5th to 8th and 9th to 11th places. The weekend will then see the semis and the final matches. On Sundaywe’ll know who gets her name on the Buddy Melges Challenge Trophy, a replica of the America’s Cup, residing in the Sheboygan Yacht Club.

Round-robin results in the 2015 Buddy Melges Challenge, the third stage of the 2015 WIM Series (skipper name, nationality, wins – losses): 1. Anna Östling, SWE, 10 – 0 2. Renée Groeneveld, NED, 9 – 1 3. Stephanie Roble, USA, 8 – 2 4. Camilla Ulrikkeholm Klinkby, DEN, 6 – 4 5. Anne-Claire Le Berre, FRA, 5 – 5 6. Pauline Courtois, FRA, 5 – 5 7. Caroline Sylvan, SWE, 4 – 6 8. Juliana Senfft, BRA, 4 – 6 9. Diana Kissane, IRL, 3 – 7 10. Johanna Bergqvist, SWE, 1 – 9 11. Morgan Wilson, USA, 0 – 10

The Women’s International Match Racing Series (WIM Series) is the first and only professional sailing series for women, hosted by the Women’s International Match Racing Association and joined by the world’s leading women match racing sailors. Match racing is sailed in two identical boats around a short course, providing fast action close to the crowds on shore. The intense racing is just as exciting for the spectators as it is strategically, tactically and physically challenging for the competing crews.An overall prize purse of 40 000 USD will be distributed by the WIM Series at the final event in Busan, Korea, in addition to the prize money at each of the four events included in the 2015 WIM Series (date, event name, location, boat type): * July 8 – 12, ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championship, Middelfart, Denmark, Match 28. * August 3 – 8, Lysekil Women's Match, Lysekil, Sweden, DS 37. * September 16 – 20, Buddy Melges Challenge, Sheboygan, USA, Elliott 6. * October 28 – November 1, Busan Cup Women's International Match Race, Busan, Korea, K30.The WIM Series is hosted by WIMRA. Official suppliers are Sailnet, 1080 Media, MILK, Sailing Education Association of Sheboygan, Adstream and Match Racing Results Service.Images: A number of hi-res images are available for download on www.wimseries.com/media/

More information about the Women’s International Match Racing Series: WIM Series Press Officer Joakim Hermansson, media@wimseries.com+46 70 604 25 04 WIM Series Manager Liz Baylis, Liz@wimseries.com+1 415 691 6202 www.wimseries.com www.facebook.com/WIMSeries www.twitter.com/WIMSeries www.youtube.com/WIMRSeries www.instagram.com/WIMSeries

The Buddy Melges Challenge has been an ISAF Grade One match racing event in Sheboygan for a number of years. The event is named after the famous Olympian, America’s Cup sailor, boat builder, and Wisconsinite Buddy Melges, whose contributions to the sport have been long standing. The trophy for the event resides in the Sheboygan Yacht Club and is a replica of the America’s Cup.

More information about the Buddy Melges Challenge: Press Officer Matt Wierzbach, mattw@seasheboygan.org+1 920 918 9204 www.sailsheboygan.org www.seasheboygan.org www.sheboyganyachtclub.com www.facebook.com/SailSheboygan www.twitter.com/USSCSheboygan

 

Östling undefeated at the top in Sheboygan

– even though Groeneveld scored more wins.

On her comeback to the match racing scene, Renée Groeneveld of the Netherlands surprised with six wins and just one loss on the first day of the Buddy Melges Challenge, the penultimate event of the 2015 WIM Series. World #2 Anna Östling scored one win less on Lake Michigan, USA, but still sits alone on the very top of the leader board, rewarded for her perfect 5 – 0 score.

Swedish crew of Anna Östling and Annie and Linnea Wennergren defeating Renée Groeneveld, Annemieke Bes and Michelle Broekhuizen of the Netherlands, at the first day of racing in the Buddy Melges Challenge in Sheboygan, USA. Photo: Christopher Rydblom/WIM Series.

Östling undefeated at the top in Sheboygan – even though Groeneveld scored more wins

On her comeback to the match racing scene, Renée Groeneveld of the Netherlands surprised with six wins and just one loss on the first day of the Buddy Melges Challenge, the penultimate event of the 2015 WIM Series. World #2 Anna Östling scored one win less on Lake Michigan, USA, but still sits alone on the very top of the leader board, rewarded for her perfect 5 – 0 score: “We worked smoothly together in the boat today, focusing on the big picture. That made us really fast, especially upwind” the Swede comments. “It was good fun today, in great conditions. The waves made the racing very technical, but our boat handling was excellent” says Groeneveld.

Renée Groeneveld represented the Netherlands at the match racing competition of the 2012 London Olympics in Weymouth, reaching the quarterfinals. Since then she hasn’t done much match racing, and is currently without a position on the ISAF World Ranking. That situation will definitely change if she continues the Buddy Melges Challenge on Lake Michigan in the same way she’s started the event: “Some parts of today’s racing were feeling really natural, while other parts didn’t. We made some big match racing mistakes, real presents for our opponents” Groeneveld laughs and shakes her head.

In Wednesday’s seven matches the Dutch team was only defeated once. Despite a red flag penalty in the match against Anna Östling, for taking room she wasn’t entitled to at the top mark, Groeneveld continued her fierce fight. All the way to the finish line she and Östling raced on in their head-to-head battle, narrowly won by the Swedish boat at the end: “We had rather big waves and excellent surfing conditions, so the finish came down to who got the last surf. This time we were fortunate” Östling analyses the outcome.

Local hope Stephanie Roble was challenged by the sailing conditions, with 10 to 15 knots of quite steady breeze and waves enough to get the big surfs, all under a bright sun from a clear blue sky: “We haven’t done any match racing since the latest WIM Series event in Sweden more than a month ago, so we have to get back into the groove and get into the Elliotts again. Today it was tricky driving conditions with the big waves, and we struggled a bit coordinating our crew work. The matches were close but we lost two. Now we’re looking forward to learning from today’s lessons and continuing racing tomorrow” the American World #3 says.

Standings in the 2015 Buddy Melges Challenge, the third stage of the 2015 WIM Series, after the first day of round-robin (skipper name, nationality, wins – losses): 1. Anna Östling, SWE, 5 – 0 2. Renée Groeneveld, NED, 6 – 1 3. Stephanie Roble, USA, 4 – 2 3. Anne-Claire Le Berre, FRA, 4 – 2 3. Pauline Courtois, FRA, 4 – 2 6. Camilla Ulrikkeholm Klinkby, DEN, 3 – 2 7. Juliana Senfft, BRA, 2 – 3 8. Diana Kissane, IRL, 2 – 5 9. Caroline Sylvan, SWE, 1 – 3 10. Johanna Bergqvist, SWE, 0 – 5 11. Morgan Wilson, USA, 0 – 6

The Women’s International Match Racing Series (WIM Series) is the first and only professional sailing series for women, hosted by the Women’s International Match Racing Association and joined by the world’s leading women match racing sailors. Match racing is sailed in two identical boats around a short course, providing fast action close to the crowds on shore. The intense racing is just as exciting for the spectators as it is strategically, tactically and physically challenging for the competing crews.An overall prize purse of 40 000 USD will be distributed by the WIM Series at the final event in Busan, Korea, in addition to the prize money at each of the four events included in the 2015 WIM Series (date, event name, location, boat type): * July 8 – 12, ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championship, Middelfart, Denmark, Match 28. * August 3 – 8, Lysekil Women's Match, Lysekil, Sweden, DS 37. * September 16 – 20, Buddy Melges Challenge, Sheboygan, USA, Elliott 6. * October 28 – November 1, Busan Cup Women's International Match Race, Busan, Korea, K30.

The WIM Series is hosted by WIMRA. Official suppliers are Sailnet, 1080 Media, MILK, Sailing Education Association of Sheboygan, Adstream and Match Racing Results Service.

Images: A number of hi-res images are available for download on www.wimseries.com/media/

More information about the Women’s International Match Racing Series: WIM Series Press Officer Joakim Hermansson, media@wimseries.com, +46 70 604 25 04 WIM Series Manager Liz Baylis, Liz@wimseries.com, +1 415 691 6202 www.wimseries.com www.facebook.com/WIMSeries www.twitter.com/WIMSeries www.youtube.com/WIMRSeries www.instagram.com/WIMSeries

The Buddy Melges Challenge has been an ISAF Grade One match racing event in Sheboygan for a number of years. The event is named after the famous Olympian, America’s Cup sailor, boat builder, and Wisconsinite Buddy Melges, whose contributions to the sport have been long standing. The trophy for the event resides in the Sheboygan Yacht Club and is a replica of the America’s Cup.

More information about the Buddy Melges Challenge: Press Officer Matt Wierzbach, mattw@seasheboygan.org, +1 920 918 9204 www.sailsheboygan.org www.seasheboygan.org www.sheboyganyachtclub.com www.facebook.com/SailSheboygan www.twitter.com/USSCSheboygan

Sail Sheboygan Hosts the Buddy Melges Challenge

PRESS RELEASE SEPTEMBER 15 2015

– Sheboygan, USA, welcomes world top 6 and a total of 11 skippers.


On Lake Michigan, in the mid-US town Sheboygan, the world’s top ranked women match racing skippers are now gathered for the penultimate 2015 WIM Series event. Named after the legendary sailor, the Buddy Melges Challenge will be raced for the remainder of this week.

American Stephanie Roble and crew losing a tight final race to Danish Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen, in the light winds of last year's edition of the Buddy Melges Challenge. Photo: WIM Series.2015 WIM Series goes west for penultimate event – Sheboygan, USA, welcomes world top 6 and a total of 11 skippersOn Lake Michigan, in the mid-US town

Sheboygan, the world’s top ranked women match racing skippers are now gathered for the penultimate 2015 WIM Series event. Named after the legendary sailor, the Buddy Melges Challenge will be raced for the remainder of this week: “We’re really excited to be back in Sheboygan. It’s not officially our home waters, but we’ve done a lot of match racing here and love the waters and the boats. We were really disappointed losing the final of the latest WIM Series event in Sweden, so now we’re looking forward to a different outcome” says local hope and current WIM Series runner-up Stephanie Roble.Kicking off with two Scandinavian sea events, the ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championship in charming Middelfart, Denmark, and the Lysekil Women’s Match in the picturesque archipelago of Western Sweden, the 2015 WIM Series now moves on to interesting fresh water conditions. With the course set just off the beautiful Blue Harbor Resort in Sheboygan, the intense and exciting racing will be visible from the bluffs along Lake Michigan. The Buddy Melges Challenge will be raced in a fleet of totally equal Elliott 6Ms, the same boat type as in the London 2012 Olympic Sailing Competition: “I haven’t raced that boat since. It might turn out to be rather funny to watch” says World #1 and 2015 WIM Series leader, Camilla Ulrikkeholm Klinkby of Denmark. “I think we’ll see a mix of conditions this week. It will be challenging for sure, but my team is really experienced and I feel great confidence going into the event” Stephanie Roble comments.

“Sailing in September in Sheboygan can be challenging, as the weather changes from the light air and heat of August, to a more fall like weather pattern, where it can be a mix of everything. Last year we struggled with a stalled high pressure that provided some days of very light winds. This year’s event looks to be setting up quite nicely, especially for the first couple of days” Principal Race Officer Rich Reichelsdorfer points out. “The Sheboygan Yacht Club is thrilled to be the venue for this stop on the 2015 WIM Series. As Commodore and a woman who sails, it is an honour to have this event at our Club. We welcome the ladies of the WIM Series, and wish them the best this coming week” Sheboygan Yacht Club Commodore Michou Reichelsdorfer adds.

The Sailing Education Association of Sheboygan, SEAS, as the over arching organization of the boating activities groups of Sheboygan, is also honoured to have the WIM Series in town again this year: “The Series was started in an effort to provide women with racing opportunities similar to those available for men, and SEAS is all about creating boating opportunities for people who might not otherwise have them” states Leslie Kohler, president of SEA Sheboygan. “Having great partners like Sail Sheboygan, SEAS and the Sheboygan Yacht Club is what makes the WIM Series so successful. With their continued commitment to women’s match racing since 2007, we are very excited to have the Buddy Melges Challenge as a cornerstone event in the WIM Series now and in the future” WIM Series Manager Liz Baylis concludes.

The Buddy Melges Challenge has been an ISAF Grade One match racing event in Sheboygan for a number of years. The event is named after the famous Olympian, America’s Cup sailor, boat builder, and Wisconsinite Buddy Melges, whose contributions to the sport have been long standing. The trophy for the event resides in the Sheboygan Yacht Club and is a replica of the America’s Cup.

The trophy for the WIM Series overall winner – The Terry J. Kohler Perpetual Trophy – is named after Sheboygan businessman Terry Kohler, a long-time proponent and supporter of women's match racing and all of the sailing activities at Sail Sheboygan.

Skippers in the 2015 Buddy Melges Challenge, the third stage of the 2015 WIM Series (skipper name, nationality, ISAF World Ranking): Camilla Ulrikkeholm Klinkby, DEN, 1 Anna Östling, SWE, 2 Stephanie Roble, USA, 3 Anne-Claire Le Berre, FRA, 4 Pauline Courtois, FRA, 5 Caroline Sylvan, SWE, 6 Juliana Senfft, BRA, 35 Diana Kissane, IRL, 44 Johanna Bergqvist, SWE, 84 Renée Groeneveld, NED, – Morgan Wilson, USA, –

Standings in the 2015 WIM Series, after two stages out of four (skipper name, nationality, WIM Series points): 1. Camilla Ulrikkeholm Klinkby, DEN, 47 2. Stephanie Roble, USA, 42 3. Anna Östling, SWE, 35 4. Anne-Claire Le Berre, FRA, 31 5. Caroline Sylvan, SWE, 29 6. Klaartje Zuiderbaan, NED, 26 7. Lotte Meldgaard, DEN, 25 8. Pauline Courtois, FRA, 20 9. Katie Spithill, AUS, 14 10. Alexa Bezel, SUI, 13 11. Annabel Vose, GBR, 10 11. Milly Bennett, AUS, 10 13. Johanna Bergqvist, SWE, 8 14. Juliana Senfft, BRA, 6 14. Louise Christensen, DEN, 6 16. Diana Kissane, IRL, 4 16. Sanna Häger, SWE, 4 18. Rikst Dijkstra, NED, – 18. Johanna Larsson, SWE, – 18. Nina Ramm-Schmidt, FIN, –

The Women’s International Match Racing Series (WIM Series) is the first and only professional sailing series for women, hosted by the Women’s International Match Racing Association and joined by the world’s leading women match racing sailors. Match racing is sailed in two identical boats around a short course, providing fast action close to the crowds on shore. The intense racing is just as exciting for the spectators as it is strategically, tactically and physically challenging for the competing crews.An overall prize purse of 40 000 USD will be distributed by the WIM Series at the final event in Busan, Korea, in addition to the prize money at each of the four events included in the 2015 WIM Series (date, event name, location, boat type): * July 8 – 12, ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championship, Middelfart, Denmark, Match 28. * August 3 – 8, Lysekil Women's Match, Lysekil, Sweden, DS 37. * September 16 – 20, Buddy Melges Challenge, Sheboygan, USA, Elliott 6. * October 28 – November 1, Busan Cup Women's International Match Race, Busan, Korea, K30.The WIM Series is hosted by WIMRA. Official suppliers are Sailnet, 1080 Media, MILK, Sailing Education Association of Sheboygan, Adstream and Match Racing Results Service.Images: A number of hi-res images are available for download on www.wimseries.com/media/More information about the Women’s International Match Racing Series: WIM Series Press Officer Joakim Hermansson, media@wimseries.com+46 70 604 25 04 WIM Series Manager Liz Baylis, Liz@wimseries.com+1 415 691 6202 www.wimseries.com www.facebook.com/WIMSeries www.twitter.com/WIMSeries www.youtube.com/WIMRSeries www.instagram.com/WIMSeriesThe Buddy Melges Challenge has been an ISAF Grade One match racing event in Sheboygan for a number of years. The event is named after the famous Olympian, America’s Cup sailor, boat builder, and Wisconsinite Buddy Melges, whose contributions to the sport have been long standing. The trophy for the event resides in the Sheboygan Yacht Club and is a replica of the America’s Cup.

More information about the Buddy Melges Challenge: Press Officer Matt Wierzbach, mattw@seasheboygan.org+1 920 918 9204 www.sailsheboygan.org www.seasheboygan.org www.sheboyganyachtclub.com www.facebook.com/SailSheboygan www.twitter.com/USSCSheboygan

Recap of the 2015 Blind Fleet Racing World Championship

 

The team struggled on Sunday as the breeze was considerably lighter and we had to contend with large wind shifts. At one point a race was abandoned after a series of significant shifts completely turned the fleet around.

 

The British team did well in the lighter conditions and worked their way up on us in the points until we slipped into third. After a near collision with the New Zealand team we began to sail defensively knowing they were near enough to begin attacking us when the opportunity arose. Unfortunately by the time we had begun to dial in the tuning for the lighter conditions the races were abandoned for the day.

 

As a team we are very proud of our performance. This was BJ's first regatta and only second year of sailing and while Jason has been sailing for decades this was also his first regatta above club level. The training we did in August certainly made a difference and our crew work was solid considering our short time sailing together. We are extremely proud to take home a bronze medal and second place in the Squadron Cup.

 

- Matt Wierzbach, Tactician

 

Cumulative Results

Squadron Cup Results

From left: Jason Berdyck, BJ Blahnik, Matt Wierzbach, Kris Scheppe

 

Blind Worlds Update #6 September 12, 2015

bw2015 Saturday was a no go for racing. The weather was too rough.

Today is looking good if not a little light. Two more races needed for a throw out

Matt Wierzbach, Tactician

 

 

Check out this report from WBEZ Chicago

And another from Scuttlebutt Sailing News

bwc

 

For more information please visit these links:

2015 IFDS Blind Sailing World & International Championship Entries

 

SEAS USA  Team

Crew Info


Name Position ISAF Country

Jason Berdyck Headsail Trimmer Group 1 USA
BJ Blahnik Main Trimmer Group 1 USA
Kris Scheppe Helm Group 1 USA
Matthew Wierzbach Tactician USA

 

Blind Worlds Update #5 September 11, 2015

bw2015 Our team is in second place in category 3 after the first five races in strong breeze and wavy conditions. The conditions were so rough we had issues with water filling in the hull and all have bumps and bruises but we preformed well and look forward to the next few days.

We are also in first place for the Squadron Cup which consists of the best national team overall between the 3 categories. We are on one of two U.S. Teams competing for that title.

We rounded out the night with some more Chicago deep dish pizza and are all ready for an early night.

- Matt Wierzbach, Tactician

 

For more information please visit these links:

2015 IFDS Blind Sailing World & International Championship Entries

 

SEAS USA  Team

Crew Info


Name Position ISAF Country

Jason Berdyck Headsail Trimmer Group 1 USA
BJ Blahnik Main Trimmer Group 1 USA
Kris Scheppe Helm Group 1 USA
Matthew Wierzbach Tactician USA

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