CHAMPION SAILORS: (from left to right) Norman Vallette Jr., Michael Levert, Thomas S. Meric III, Shawn Patrick Ryan and Andrew Eyring

University of New Orleans student Norman Vallette Jr. is a member of the sailing team that won the June Oakcliff Invitational, sponsored by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF), held June 25-26 in Oyster Bay, New York. Vallette, who is studying naval architecture and marine engineering at UNO, and his Rigamaroo Racing teammates earned an invitation to the ISAF 2011 Chicago Match Cup this month.

Members of the Rigamaroo Racing team are Vallette, Thomas S. Meric III, Michael Levert, Shawn Patrick Ryan and Andrew Eyring. Vallette started match racing after he and Ryan participated in the Balboa Yacht Club’s Governor Cup in 2006. Vallette, Meric and Ryan began a match racing team in 2007. Within the past year, the team has begun competing in higher profile events.

The Chicago Match Cup is the first of four grade two events that constitute the United States Grand Slam series. The event will be held in Chicago August 12-14. By virtue of its victory of the Oakcliff Invitational, Rigamaroo Racing has been invited to all of the events in the Grand Slam series.