July 31, 2008

The Chubb U.S. Junior Championships wrapped up this afternoon with the 93 sailors safely returning to shore just before a thunderstorm rolled in over Lake Michigan. After three days of racing in light wind conditions, the winners will be awarded the Smythe Trophy (singlehanded - sailed in Lasers), the Bemis Trophy (doublehanded - sailed in Club 420s), and Sears Cup (triplehanded - sailed in Lightnings) at an awards ceremony this evening. The US SAILING National Championship was hosted by Chicago Yacht Club and sponsored by Chubb Group of Insurance Companies and LaserPerformance.

History was written in the doublehanded Club 420 fleet when Korbin and Haley Kirk became the first siblings to win the event in its 34-year history. Representing Long Beach Yacht Club (Calif.), these two strong competitors bring back the Bemis Trophy to Long Beach turf 29 years after the last Long Beach YC sailors won the trophy in 1979. The siblings were thrilled after their win. "We're very excited!" exclaimed 16-year-old Haley.

When asked what it's like to crew for her brother who is two years younger, Haley says, "We get along great on the water. It's probably because we had the same coaches growing up so we think alike."

Second-place finishers Kaye Siemers and Hilary Kenyon, representing Wayzata Yacht Club in Minnesota, were just as thrilled. "After four years of trying, this was my first time qualifying for the national championship and I'm just so excited," said Siemers. "We went into this regatta hoping to finish in the top half, but halfway through the regatta we changed that goal to finishing in the top five and we did it!"

Singlehanded champion E.J. O'Mara (Burton, Mich.) of Sarnia Yacht Club said the light winds that dominated the event worked out in his favor. "I often sail in light air and that helped me stay pretty consistent." O'Mara was the only sailor of the 20-boat fleet who stayed in the top 10 throughout the regatta. His parents, seeing the results after the second day of racing, hopped into their car and drove eight hours overnight to be there in time to see their son cinch the championship.

Racing was tight further down the singlehanded fleet with only 1 point separating second-place finisher Timothy Zacher of Vermillion Boat Club (Ohio) and the tie in points for third place, which was won by local favorite Drew Shea of event host Chicago Yacht club.

The winners of the triplehanded fleet were decided a little later in the day after a protest hearing. In the end, the San Diego Yacht Club team skippered by Nevin Snow got disqualified in the last two races of the regatta, which propelled the North Cape Yacht Club team (Perrysburg, Ohio) of Andy Gunkler, Nick Gilmore, Sydney Rush to a silver medal. Will Stocke, Max Famiglietti, and Matt Dowd of Sarasota Youth Sailing Program in Sarasota, Fla. won the fleet and the famed Sears Cup, finishing a comfortable nine points ahead of the team from Ohio.