FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Marlieke de Lange Eaton
401-683-0800
U.S. Junior
Women’s Doublehanded Championship
Headlines Country's Top Junior Women Sailors
Portsmouth, R.I. (July 3, 2008) - Thirty-three teams from across the
country are gearing up to compete in the U.S. Junior Women’s Doublehanded
Championship (JWD) for the Ida Lewis Trophy, hosted by Sausalito Yacht Club
(Calif.) and sponsored by LaserPerformance from July 7-13. The regatta will
be sailed in Club 420s over three days, preceded by a two-day advanced
racing clinic. This event, part of US SAILING’s National Championship
program, was founded in 1996 to encourage women’s sailing in the United
States by providing an opportunity for young women to compete at the
national level.
The field of competitors, who range in age from 13 to 18 years old, was
selected from among the best junior women’s teams throughout the United
States. This year’s roster of 66 is particularly strong with the return of
31 who competed in the 2007 event.
A quick look at the entry list indicates that racing promises to be very
exciting. Returning for another shot at the title are last year's runners-up
Stephanie Hudson (Winnetka, Ill.) and Laura McKenna (Lake Forest, Ill.) who
finished sixth at last year's Club 420 North American Championship. Last
year's fourth-place finishers Chanel Miller (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) and
Melany Johnson (Berwyn, Penn.) are also competing. The California teams of
Sydney Bolger (Long Beach) and Caitlin Beavers (Santa Ana), and Sally Mace
(Newport Beach) and Carly Shevitz (Santa Barbara) will arrive at the
Championship with good showings at several recent events and are expected to
be very competitive.
The Ida Lewis Trophy, named for the 16-year-old Newport (R.I.) lighthouse
keeper, will be awarded to the winning team of this Championship. Born in
the mid-1800s, Ida Lewis began tending the light when her father could no
longer perform the job, she continued with this responsibility through 1911.
Lewis was credited with 18 documented rescues by rowing out in extreme
conditions in her small wooden dinghy. The trophy is a pewter representation
of Lewis, heading from the lighthouse to her wooden boat. Also at stake for
the top ten finishers will be the opportunity to attend two advanced junior
women’s racing clinics. The first will be held in Kingston, Ontario in
September sailed in 29ers, the second will be held in the spring of 2009
with location and dates to be announced.
For complete results, daily reports, and photos as the event is happening,
please visit the event website at
www.ussailing.org/championships/youth/usjrw/double.
The U.S. Junior Women’s Doublehanded Championship for the Ida Lewis Trophy
is part of US SAILING’s National Championships series. For more information
about these events, visit
www.ussailing.org/championships.
About LaserPerformance
Demonstrating a continuing commitment to youth sailing, LaserPerformance,
manufacturer of the Club 420s sailed in this event, is once again sponsoring
the U.S. Junior Women’s Doublehanded Championship. LaserPerformance has been
a dedicated sponsor of numerous U.S. National Championships for more than a
decade, encouraging sailors in the U.S. to enjoy the sport while also
ensuring great competition. Visit their website at
www.laserperformance.com.
The United States Sailing Association (US SAILING) is the national governing
body for sailing. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode
Island, the organization provides leadership for the sport of sailing in the
United States. US SAILING offers training and education programs for
instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing
organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and
provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the
country, including National Championships and the U.S. Olympic and
Paralympic Sailing Teams. For more information, please visit
www.ussailing.org.
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