VanTolMatchRacing.org
Current ISAF World Ranking: 30th
2008 Schedule
Detroit, MI
Apr 19-20 ~ Grade 3
Long Beach, CA
Apr 28-May 3 ~ Grade 1
Detroit, MI
May 9-11 ~ Grade 2
Buffalo, NY
June 13-15 ~ Grade 3
Long Beach, CA
Aug 29-31 ~ Grade 3
Port Washington, NY
Aug 20-24 ~ Grade 2
Detroit, MI
Sept 6-7 ~ Grade 4
(Pending)
Oyster Bay, NY
Sept 24-28 ~ Grade 3
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Welcome...
...to the home of the VanTol Match Racing Team! We are the #1 ranked match racing team in the United States and 30th worldwide for competitive sailboat racing. Please feel free to use our site to learn more about the team, our sponsors, and the sport of match racing. Thanks for visiting!
Sincerely,
Chris, John, & Mike
Latest News...
Congressional Cup Wrap Up
(Monday, May 5th)
Our first run at the Congressional Cup was a tough one to say the least. The bright spots on the water were far and few between— we were able to pull off victories against runner-up Johhnie Berntsson (SWE) and 4th place finisher Scott Dickson (NZL). Penalties, boat speed, and crew errors caught up with us in several losses. The second you make the slightest mistake against these teams...you lose. We will shift our approach in the way we practice this summer. We have three more events this summer in boats 26+....so we will set a schedule to train in boats of similar size. We remain positive as we know that we were sailing against an extremely deep field littered with America’s Cup sailors. We had a very similar showing in our first run at the Knickerbocker Cup and turned it around the very next year....so we’ll keep our heads up.
Our sincere thanks go out Bayview Yacht Club for their support in getting the team to the event. Also, thanks to Long Beach Yacht Club and the Congressional Cup Committee for our first invitation to this prestigious event. The 250+ volunteers at this event provided an astonishing friendly atmosphere. We look forward to a return to Long Beach the near future!
(Friday, April 25th)
The team started off 2008 with the bang and a win at the BYC Match Racing Grade 3 Invitational this past weekend! Upon completion of the single round robin, we emerged on top, posting a 7-0 record headed into the clubhouse. Unfortunately, the weather did not quite cooperate for a semi or finals series. While we are thrilled with a Grade3 win, our focus was immediately set on the upcoming Congressional Cup, which is less than a few days away. The team arrives Sunday morning in Long Beach. We will practice all day Monday and the regatta runs Tuesday (April 29- May 3) Saturday. Check back next Tuesday, as we will be providing updates each night after racing. Also be sure to visit the Congressional Cup website each night for streaming video of each day's racing.
Finally, please mark May 8-11 on your calendar. Those are the dates of the 2008 Bayview International Match Race for the Detroit Cup, presented by Toyota. It should be an awesome regatta for spectators. Bayview will provide entertainment, live commentary, bleachers on the front lawn for race viewing, spectator boats, food, drinks, and a live press conference after Saturday's racing. Six different countries will be represented at this regatta - Russia, New Zealand, Argentina, Italy, Canada, and the United States. Come on down, bring a friend, and enjoy the entertainment!
Team Makes the List for the 2008 World Match Racing Tour
(Monday, March 3rd)
The VanTol Match Racing Team has been added to the list of competing skippers for the 2008 World Match Racing Tour. The World Match Racing Tour is the world's leading professional sailing series. The television coverage of the Tour reaches over 600 million households in 75 countries through 34 broadcasters. A skipper profile of Chris has been added to the Tour website. Our team joins two other American teams on the World Match Racing Tour—Ed Baird, winner of the past America's Cup, and Sally Barkow, 2005 Women’s World Match Racing Champion. There are 10 events scheduled for the 2008 Tour, beginning in April with the Brazil Sailing Cup and ending in December with the Monsoon Cup in Terengganu, Malaysia. The total prize purse of the 2008 Tour exceeds US$1.9 million. This is a great accomplishment for our team as it gives the team recognition toward receiving bids to different Tour events.
Supporting Sponsors...
