Each Nation member may fill up to 5 long boat, and 2 short boat berths for each race division
USDBF gives 1 long boat berth to each of the 4 regions to distribute as they deem fit. ERDBA awards their berth at ERDBA Regionals held the year before. The 5th long boat and 2 short boat berths are awarded at the US National Championships. Any berths not used, is distributed by the USDBF race committee to crews they selected from those who file a petition. This year, the race committee awarded berths to petitioners based on participation in nationals or regionals, then on strength of performance.