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Corpus Christi Yacht Club to Host U.S. Multihull Championship Next Week

“This will be the largest U.S. Multihull Championship in the last 20 years, and maybe the biggest Wave regatta in the last 10,” says event Co-Chair Ben Wells. “We have many sailors competing that have been successful both on the Wave and on other catamarans, and this regatta will prove to be a good challenge for all.” In the fleet sailors registered for the event, more than half are over sixty years old.

“It’s an all-world fleet,” says John Nekus, the incoming U.S. Multihull Championship Committee Chair for the event. “There are some world-class sailors coming into town and some folks who are just day sailors, and that’s the beauty of competition at this level and the beauty of US Sailing. We attract the top competitors but also are open to folks who want to join us out on the water and want to participate.”

“In that regard, in any competition when you have that many boats, it shows the organization and planning have been super. It’s an active multihull fleet so they’re to be commended for that, bringing people together from across the US and from different parts of the world is something great to see,” continues Nekus. “Particularly when you consider we didn’t have the event last year and travel has been difficult. It’ll be very exciting and fun to have this group of folks together after a long period that we’ve gone through.”

The event was organized by a full team, including 2021 U.S. Multihull Championship Event Co-Chairs Chris Wessels and Ben Wells, as well as outgoing U.S. Multihull Championship Committee Chair Ashley Enders.

“We are excited to have so many Wave sailors compete in this event,” says Wells. “Whoever the top finishers will be will have demonstrated error-free sailing consistently. We also have so many fun things planned throughout the week; Our ultimate goal is that everyone walks away with a smile on their face, and has made some amazing memories.”

Founded in 1985, the U.S. Multihull Championships has become one of the nation’s major sailing championships, counting world champions from numerous classes, Olympic medalists, and several national champions from the multihull ranks as past and present competitors. The perpetual trophy is named the Alter Trophy in 1986 in honor of Hobie Alter, Sr. and his extraordinary promotion of one-design multihull sailing and racing programs. The event is sponsored by Regatta Craft Mixers.

For more information, and to follow along, visit https://www.ussailing.org/competition/championships/2021-u-s-multihull-championship/

About US Sailing

The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and advancement for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Bristol, Rhode Island, US Sailing is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US Sailing offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the US Sailing Team. For more information, please visit  www.ussailing.org .

About Regatta Craft Mixers

Since 2006, Regatta has been making classic Bermuda Stone Ginger Beer, a premier mixer that has become widely recognized as the industry standard. Now Regatta offers a full line of premium mixers and sodas, all finely crafted in small batches including Regatta Dry Citrus Sparkling Tonic, Regatta Royal Oak Ginger Ale, Regatta Pacific Sea Salt Club Soda and Regatta Light Ginger Beer. The company uses the highest quality ingredients and creates distinctive flavors that appeal to the most discerning customers. For news and updates follow Regatta Craft Mixers on Facebook and Instagram (@RegattaCraftMixers) or visit  www.regattacraftmixers.com

Copyright ©2018-2024 United States Sailing Association. All rights reserved. US Sailing is a 501(c)3 organization. Website designed & developed by Design Principles, Inc. -->

Corpus Christi to host national, world sailing championships this summer

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that the Corpus Christi Yacht Club is slated to host the 2021 J/22 World Championship, the 2023 J/24 World Championship and the the 2021 U.S. Finn National Championships.

Corpus Christi will host a world sailing championship and a national one along it's bayfront. 

The Corpus Christi Yacht Club is slated to host the 2021 J/22 World Championship from July 17 through the 23 as well as the 2023 J/24 World Championship. The city last hosted this international competition in 2002. 

And for the first time in 25 years, the 2021 U.S. Finn National Championships will be held along Corpus Christi’s Bayfront.

The national sailing competition will begin Thursday and last through the weekend. The regatta, a series of boat races, will be hosted by the Corpus Christi Yacht Club.

The wind and the Corpus Christi Bay helped attract the competitions to the city, said marina manager Jonathan Atwood, who started leading the facility in December. 

"We've got consistent winds beautiful weather this time of the year," he said. "We're recognized as a place people want to come race at, enjoy the weather, enjoy the town."

This week's regatta will feature adult competitors from all over the country competing in eight races throughout the weekend.

The Finn is a single-handed sailboat that debuted at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. The Finn has been featured in every summer Olympics and is one of the most prolific sailboats in Olympic history.

The city is also spending roughly $20 million of renovations at the Corpus Christi Marina. Floating docks A, B, C, D and L are being replaced, and silt surrounding the docks is being dredged out. 

The renovations will further the boating facility toward its goal to become a world-class marina. And it will attract even more competitions once they're completed, Atwood said.

The marina has been losing customers and revenue due to the docks that were constructed out of wood in the 1990s and have beyond reached their life expectancy. 

Located in downtown Corpus Christi, the marina is built around two "T Heads" and one "L Head" and is home to local shrimp boats, private yachts, public touring boats and several waterfront restaurants. 

Docks A, B, C and D are located on a T Head in the center of the marina. Dock L is connected to the L Head. The marina has 629 dock slips. Roughly a third of them will be replaced with the new docks. 

The new concrete docks will have a life expectancy of 40 to 50 years, updated plumbing and proper electrical cables to accommodate modern boats. 

City officials hope to have a majority of the work completed by the end of summer 2022.

The public is invited to watch the 2021 U.S. Finn National Championships as competitors race along the city’s bayfront.

Practice races will begin 3 p.m. Thursday.  The competing races will start at noon on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The races will take about three hours per day. An awards ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday.

Kathryn Cargo follows business openings and developments while reporting on impacts of the city government’s decisions. See our subscription options and special offers at Caller.com/subscribe . 

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