West Marine US Open Sailing Series continues this weekend
by US Sailing 15 Jul 2022 01:43 NZST
July 15-17, 2022
West Marine US Open Sailing Series © simone staff photography
The West Marine US Open Sailing Series continues the West Coast swing with a stop in Long Beach, CA, the sailing venue for the 2028 Olympic games.
A joint effort between Alamitos Bay Yacht Club, Long Beach Yacht Club, and the US Sailing Center Long Beach, the site will be in the spotlight as sailors in 10 classes take to the water July 15 - 17.
Sailors from across the country will be racing the 29er, Finn, iQFoil (Men's, Women's, U19), Open Kite Foil, ILCA 7, ILCA 6, and ILCA 4. The event will highlight the Formula Kites, an Olympic class making their debut in Paris 2024, with close quarters racing visible from the Long Beach shore.
The Long Beach stop of the West Marine US Open marks the return of many former Tokyo 2020 Olympians and Olympic hopefuls. Anna Weis, Tokyo 2020 athlete in the Nacra 17, will make her debut in the Women's iQFOiL class. Another Team USA Tokyo 2020 athlete, Pedro Pascual, will race in the Men's iQFOiL class.
Several US Sailing Team Olympic Development Program (ODP) athletes will also be in attendance, including ILCA 7 sailor Leo Boucher and iQFOiL sailors Noah Lyons and Alex Temko.
New this year, the event will feature the Sea Change sustainability festival and beach clean-up, lead by US Sailing Team sponsor Kilroy and The Surfrider Foundation Saturday July 16 from 12-4pm. The festival will host live viewing of the Formula Kite racing, as well as live music and art exhibits, food and beverage stations, athlete appearances, educational activities including an interactive US Sailing Reach STEM display, and more.
Not short on entertainment, the event is also accompanied by the West Marine Sailing Olympian and Olympic Hopeful Panel at the West Marine Long Beach store Friday July 15. Hear from Olympic bronze medalist John Shadden and three Olympic hopefuls as they discuss what it takes to get to the podium in 2028 and beyond.
US Sailing would like to thank Title Sponsor West Marine, National Sponsors Gill, Gowrie Group, New England Ropes, Yeti, and Kilroy and Local Sponsors the Port of Long Beach, CISA, and the Alamitos Bay Sailing Foundation for their support of the event. US Sailing also recognizes partner clubs California Yacht Club and Newport Harbor Yacht Club for their assistance in running the event.
Long Beach is the second of three stops on the California tour. Following the stop in Long Beach, the series continues up the California coastline to San Francisco on August 12- 14, 2022.