Racing for the world's oldest non-challenge match racing trophy will feature emerging and legendary talent to crown the Great Lakes regional match race champion.

Starting tomorrow and lasting through Sunday, the Chicago Match Race Center (CMRC) will finish its busy 2012 season of events with match race sailing's oldest non-challenge event, the Richardson Trophy. This venerable prize, in its 100th edition, will be rewarded to the winner of this ISAF Grade 3 double round-robin competition held among eleven skippers and their teams from clubs scattered throughout the Great Lakes region.

"It was 100 years ago that LMSRF (the Lake Michigan Sail Racing Federation) hosted the first Richardson, and Thomas Gooderham from the Royal Canadian Yacht Club was the victor," said Scott Spaeth, LMSRF representative for this year's event. "This will be an historic event after successfully competing for the Trophy over 73 times during those years. Neither rain, wind or snow would prevent us from having a great time, with some of the best match race competition being brought to CMRC. Our host has proven time and time again that whatever the weather challenge the event will fulfill all expectations."

At 35th in the world, CMRC founder Don Wilson is the highest-ranked in the field as well as the reigning Richardson champion. Wilson has been active throughout the year in numerous CMRC events ranging from Grade 3 to Grade WC, and he and his team's prowess in the TOM 28's used at CMRC will be tough to beat, having had three seasons in these boats and at this venue off Chicago's Belmont Harbor.

Another team to watch will be led by Canada's legendary match racing skipper Terry McLaughlin from Toronto's Royal Canadian YC. McLaughlin may be relatively new to CMRC, but he has match racing experience dating back to when he was skipper of Canada's last entry in the America's Cup in 1987. Since then he has remained active as Canada's perennial champion in numerous international events, including the Canada's Cup.

Facing these favorites will be some veterans from previous CMRC Grade 3 events - such as Steve Lowery representing Great Lakes YC, Hans Pusch from CMRC, Nathan Hollerbach from Bayview YC in Detroit, and Lars Hansen representing Wayzata YC in Wayzata, MN - but also some others who represent new and emerging talent. These include Ben Marden representing Chicago Corinthian YC, Peter Holz representing Chicago YC along with Michael Whitford, and David Neiman.

"In advance, I thank CMRC for their hosting of this year's event," says Spaeth. "At the end of the weekend the Trophy will be awarded and into the history books goes the victor. Who shall it be?"

That path to victory starts at 0900, with the weather forecast looking perfect for match racing: sunny skies, and a northerly 10-15 knot breeze trending to the east. Results will be updated online at www.chicagomatchrace.com and can be followed on Twitter at @MatchRaceCenter.

See Gold Cup images

Last Updated ( Friday, 12 October 2012 )