The U.S. Windsurfing National Championships have been selected as the broadcast site for the July 26 airing of ESPN's SportsCenter.
The event will represent Oregon as part of "SportsCenter Across America," as ESPN visits 50 states in 50 days this summer.
"We are thrilled to present the U.S. Nationals and the sport of windsurfing to millions of ESPN's viewers," said race director Scotia Bauer. "This takes the event to an entirely new level in terms of coverage and exposure."
Organizers are expecting 125 of the best windsurfing athletes to compete in the national championships, with competitors from 12 to 70 years old.
Top windsurfers from across the U.S. as well as a strong contingent of international competitors will compete to determine the U.S. national champion in formula and slalom disciplines, in several age categories.
According to Bruce Peterson, owner and founder of Sailworks, a Hood River-based windsurfing sail company, "Hood River has an increasing presence as a world class sports destination, and we welcome ESPN to Hood River and the nationals, which will showcase our area and the sport of windsurfing."
Peterson is a local race favorite who will be competing in the Masters division.
The event venue, at the Port of Hood River's Hood River Event Site, offers excellent viewing for spectators, and admittance to the event is free.
For more information or to register for competition, visit www.vmgevents.com on the Internet.
ESPN's flagship news and information program will embark on an unprecedented enterprise with SportsCenter Across America, a 50-states-in-50-days summer tour that starts Sunday, July 17, when the entire 8 p.m. PT show, hosted by
Chris Berman and Stuart Scott, will originate from Fenway Park following the N.Y. Yankees-Boston Red Sox game.
The 50 States, 50 Days initiative will continue the next 49 consecutive days when SportsCenter will traverse the nation, stopping at a sporting event in a different state each day through Sept. 4.
Each SportsCenter Across America segment will originate from a mobile SportsCenter set with an anchor and a live audience at a sporting event germane to the state. These daily segments will include event action, historical notes, factoids and vignettes about each state's contribution to the national sports scene, as well as "Best" lists compiled from ESPN research and ESPN.com voters, and several long-form features.
"This is a phenomenal opportunity for ESPN to touch our viewers, to personally meet the fans who watch us every day," said Norby Williamson, senior vice president and managing editor. "Along the way, we will educate our viewers about the varied sporting events popular throughout the country, and point out the well-known, and perhaps not-so-well-known, athletes and events from each state."
ESPN will capitalize on its expertise of televising thousands of hours of live, remote programming each year by sending five experienced production teams on the road to achieve 50 States in 50 Days.
They will present a look at an eclectic list of events ranging from duck calling in Louisiana and the annual Elvis 5K Road Race in Memphis, to professional golf, the NFL and NASCAR.
Commented