Ruzevic and Thompson Claim 2019 U.S. Junior Women’s Singlehanded National Titles

Pictured: Hailey Thompson (Left) & Lucija Ruzevic (Right), Credit: John Liebenberg

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RICHMOND, Calif. (July 14, 2019) – At the 2019 U.S. Junior Women’s Singlehanded Championship, representing Dallas Corinthian Yacht Club, Lucija Ruzevic (Denton, Texas) claimed victory in the Laser Radial fleet and local, Hailey Thompson (Kentfield, Calif.) represented San Francisco Yacht Club in the 4.7 fleet. The young women edged out a total of 43 competitors to claim the 2019 trophy and titles as National Champions. The Nancy Leiter Clagett Memorial Trophy is awarded to Ruzevic, as the winner of the Radial fleet.

This year’s edition of the event was hosted by Richmond Yacht Club, located in Richmond, Calif. Ruzevic and Thompson triumphed in typical bay area conditions, facing moderate-to-heavy breeze and one-to-three-foot chop. Across the four final races, both finished in first place three times, and in second once. Their results in these races allowed each of them to clinch the Championship.

While this is Thompson’s first appearance at the event, Ruzevic returned after competing at the 2017 edition. After finishing in sixth-place then, she was pleased to climb up the scoreboard this week, “I’ve sailed this regatta twice now, and I’ve worked really hard over these past few years. So, it’s nice to walk away with the win.”

The U.S. Junior Women’s Championship was started in 1980 by C. Thomas Clagett Jr. (Washington, D.C.) at the Ida Lewis Yacht Club in Newport, R.I. Competitors sailed for a trophy in memory of Tom’s wife, Nancy Leiter Clagett (Washington, D.C.)  who passed away in April, 1977. The clinic preceding the event is made possible by the funds provided by the late C. Thomas Clagett Jr. to perpetuate his unwavering dedication to Junior Women’s Sailing. As a national sponsor of US Sailing, Sperry and Hobie Polarized provide support to all 2019 U.S. Sailing Championships.

Results – Top Three

See full results on event website

Laser Radials:

  1. Lucija Ruzevic – 13/1-1-3-1-2-[4]-1-1-2-1
  2. Sarah Young – 18/[7]-2-1-2-1-2-3-2-3-2
  3. Kaitlyn Hamilton – 34/4-4-6-[10]-4-5-4-3-1-3

Laser 4.7s:

  1. Hailey Thompson – 19/4-5-3-1-1-[7]-2-1-1-1
  2. Sophia Debs – 23/1-1-2-3-2-1-[9]-8-3-2
  3. Catie Vendervort – 27/2-3-1-5-3-4-1-5-[8]-3

US Sailing Media Contact:

Brittney Manning, olympiccommunications@ussailing.org, +1 (401) 487-4787

About US Sailing
The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and advancement for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Bristol, Rhode Island, US Sailing is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. 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 US Sailing Team. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.