Blind Match Racing World Championships to be held on Lake Michigan in Sheboygan, Wisconsin this September

SHEBOYGAN, Wis., July 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Some of the world's best sailors will compete for the Blind Match Racing World Championship this September in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.  What is different about this international race is that all sailors are blind.

IFDS (The International Association for Disabled Sailing), in conjunction with Sail Sheboygan and SEAS (Sailing Education Association of Sheboygan) will host the World Championships of Blind Match Racing September 9-14 on Wisconsin's Lake Michigan shore.

A Match Race is a race between two competitors going head-to-head in an intense sailing competition. What is unique about this regatta is that the sixteen competing teams from the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, Italy, Israel, Spain, Australia, New Zealand and Japan are each comprised of three crew members that are IBSA classified as B1 or B2 blind. With restricted vision, sailors must rely on acoustic buoys, and a unique sound system that changes signals when on starboard or port tack. This is only the second Championship that will have been sailed without a sighted coach.

Because Match Racing is a series of races between two boats at a time, the sport is easy to follow and spectator-friendly, even to the sailing novice. SEAS and Blue Harbor Resort & Spa will host spectator stations for the public with a clear view of the race course. The public is encouraged to visit the hospitality area or to go out onto the water to watch the action first-hand.

The Wisconsin Lions Club,  Lions Club International and RCS Empowers, Inc.  are among the proud supporters of this event.

Sheboygan, Wisconsin, a city that is known as the "Malibu of the Midwest" for its scenic waterfront, sailing, boating and freshwater surfing is excited to welcome this event. Visit http://www.seasheboygan.org/blindmatchracing/ for the most up-to-date details.

Sail Sheboygan is the Organizing Authority of this race. Please visit them at SailSheboygan.org.Events; for race information. All net proceeds will be used to build an Adaptive Sailing program.

For more information contact:

Event Manager: Winter Hawley – [email protected]
Or, Darlene Thomas: [email protected]
Principle Race Officer: Rich Reichelsdorfer 
Event Page & Notice of Race

SOURCE Sailing Education Association of Sheboygan