Attention turns to US Open Long Beach

Over 160 boats in 11 classes will take to the starting line July 14-16 at the US Open Sailing Series Long Beach, hosted by Alamitos Bay Yacht Club, Long Beach Yacht Club, and the US Sailing Center Long Beach.

This is the fifth event of the US Open Sailing Series, and is being held in conjunction with the ILCA North American Championship which has attracted competitors from Mexico, Canada, and the United States.

The US Open Sailing Series was established in 2019, building on the back of the popular Olympic Class Regatta (OCR) events as a domestic training platform for athletes racing in Olympic class boats. The US Open Sailing Series Long Beach is held at the same venue which will host Sailing at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

“Although 2028 is still five years away, there is much to do to ensure the venue and volunteers are ready for the games,” said Mike Van Dyke, chair of the Long Beach US Open Sailing Series. “Having the US Open and subsequent class world championships here will prepare the sailors and volunteers on what to expect when the Olympics come to town!”

US Open Sailing Series Long Beach, along with the other US Open California events, also serve as a qualifier for the ILCA 6 Women’s and ILCA 7 Men’s Olympic Trials, held January 2024 in Miami, FL. Top eight ILCA 7 men and top eight ILCA 6 women who have not previously qualified will earn a spot at the 2024 Olympic trials.

Information about the 2024 Olympic Trials: https://www.ussailing.org/olympics/selection/

Long Beach event details: https://raceoffice.usopen.ussailing.org/en/default/races/race/text/2023-long-beach-olympic-classes-regatta-en

2023 US Open Sailing Series
January 14-16: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
January 14-16: Miami, Florida
February 2-5: Clearwater, Florida
June 16-18: San Diego, California
July 14-16: Long Beach, California
August 11-13: San Francisco, California

Organized by US Sailing and host yacht clubs at venues in Florida and California, the 6-stage circuit has offered a domestic racing and training pathway for Olympic hopefuls in the US.