Oakcliff’s intensive training program provided a high level of competition last weekend at the U.S. Women’s Match Racing Championship in Oyster Bay.
This year, the teams selected for the event were highly ranked through the United States, and several of the competitors are past and current Oakcliff trainees, including Elizabeth Shaw, Kathryn Shiber, Madeline Gill, and Danielle Gallo.
Gill, of Oyster Bay, took fifth place in the championship.
SapGrad Elizabeth Shaw, a member of Stephanie Roble’s winning team, attributes all of her match racing success to Oakcliff.
“Before I came to Oakcliff, I had never participated in a match race. Oakcliff allowed me to find another side of myself through match racing that I had not experienced with other racing before,” said Shaw.
Oakcliff’s current Acorn, Kathryn Shiber, who sailed with Agustina Barbuto in the event, felt confident with her match racing skills after participating in Oakcliff’s Inshore and High Performance programs. “I have learned a lot about match racing after being here for a month, and I hope I can come back next summer to keep expanding on my new skills.”
Both Shaw and Shiber participated in Oakcliff’s two signature programs, Acorn (ages 15-18) and Sapling (ages 18 & up). They both believe that Oakcliff has been an incredible opportunity and want to encourage others to join in on the Oakcliff experience.
Other local sailors who participated in the event are Wyz Mooney and Katie Mooney, both of Mill Neck, and Karen Martin of Oyster Bay.
Bruce Cook of Bayville also worked at the event. He is an international umpire.
For more information about Oakcliff’s programs, visit oakcliffsailing.org or contact Samantha Pilz at pr@oakcliffsailing.org.
