Mike Hoey and J.B. Shumaker sailing for the Chris Van Tol Match Racing Team have earned there first invite to The King Edwards VII Gold Cup.  The Gold Cup is a grade 1 match racing event sailed in Hamilton Bermuda October 9th through the 13th.  In 2006 the competition at this first class event featured many top professional match race helmsmen including James Spithill, Ian Williams and Chris Law. 

Chris Van Tol, Mike Hoey, John Van Tol and J.B. Shumaker have campaigned on the U.S match racing circuit for the past three years sailing for Bayview Yacht Club.  They are currently ranked 3rd in the U.S match Racing rankings.  Mike Hoey has sailed on various Pied Piper boats since 2004.  J.B began sailing for Pied Piper in 2006 and in 2007 has been working and racing onboard the GL 70 and also the Melges 24.  In 2007 J.B played a key role in the Detriot NOOD as tactician helping guide the team to a third place finish in the 32 boat Melges 24 fleet.  Mike Hoey recently helped lead Pied Piper GL 70 to a come from behind victory sharing tactical duties with Ron Sherry during the 2007 Bay Harbor regatta. 

Pied Piper Racing would like to wish Chris Van Tol and the rest of the team good luck as they compete against some of the best sailors in the world in thier first of many Grade 1 events.