West Marine US Open Series
The last stop on the Florida edition of the West Marine US Open Sailing Series begins this week, February 4 through 6, in Clearwater, Florida. Hosted by Clearwater Yacht Club, Clearwater Community Sailing Center, Sail Life, LLC, City of Clearwater & presented by Baystar Restaurant Group, the Clearwater event features the ILCA 6, ILCA 7, Nacra 15, iQFoil, and Formula Kite classes.
“Clearwater Yacht Club is thrilled to be part of the 2022 US Open Series, welcoming officials and competitors from around the world to beautiful Clearwater, FL,” said Yachting Chair Kelley Lesperance. “Our members look forward to continuing the Clearwater Yacht Club tradition of providing support to world class events such as these.”
Stakes are high at this year’s Clearwater US Open event. It is the only Youth Worlds qualifier in the Nacra 15, and the first of two Youth Worlds qualifiers for the ILCA 6 and iQFoil. Nine Nacra 15 sailors will go head-to-head in their one chance to represent the USA at 2022 Youth Worlds in the Netherlands.
In total, 166 sailors will descend on Clearwater for three days of high-caliber racing. The Clearwater area has been the training ground for several high-level racers, including many members of the iQFoil class. First and second place finishers at the 2021 iQFoil US Nationals, Noah Lyons and Alexander Temko, both train out of the Clearwater Community Sailing Center and will be fighting for the podium this weekend.
New this year, sailors from the United States competing in Olympic classes will be eligible for prize money over the three Florida and three California events. Athletes will vie for $1000 for first place, $500 for second, and $250 for third, helping them fund their sailing ambitions.
For information usopen.ussailing.org
