The 2026 US Junior Women’s Singlehanded Championship for the Leiter Trophy, hosted by Corpus Christi Yacht Club in Corpus Christi, Texas on July 27-30 featured the strong winds and choppy water that Corpus Christi is known for. This special event featured a 2-day clinic with US Sailing coaches followed by 2 days of racing, giving the 16 young female sailors an exceptional learning experience in the ILCA 4 and ILCA 6 classes.
The U.S. Junior Women’s Singlehanded Championship for the Leiter Trophy is US Sailing’s National Championships for young women 13 to 18 years of age sailing one-person singlehanded boats. No private coaching is allowed, instead US Sailing Coaches are provided to lead world-class training and coach all competitors to enhance the experience, sailing skills, competitiveness, and sportsmanship of the group. This unique, all girls event provides junior sailors with a chance to build their skills in an all-female environment and foster friendships for a lifetime. This event is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Clagett Family.
“Thank you to Corpus Christi Yacht Club for a great week of sailing” said US Sailing Junior Women’s Championships Committee Chair Alana Marks. “We saw classic Corpus conditions, 15-20 knots of wind with steep waves that make ILCA racing really fun and challenging. The sailors did a great job working hard and rising to the occasion.”
The awards ceremony celebrated the hard work and achievements of all participants. The following sailors were crowned champions in their respective classes:
ILCA 6
- 1st place: Sydney Small, Lakewood Yacht Club
- 2nd place: Lily Poindexter, Lakewood Yacht Club
- 3rd place: Ava Beaver, Seattle Yacht Club
ILCA 4
- 1st place: Siri Biswas, Olympia Community Sailing
- 2nd place: Hannah Austin, Cedar Point Yacht Club
- 3rd place: Katharine Frost, Southern Yacht Club / Pass Christian Yacht Club
Also awarded at the ceremony were the following awards:
- Most Improved Award: Margaret Poston, Big Blue Sailing
- Thomas Clagett Sportsmanship Prize: Emma Spengeman, Hoover Sailing Club
The championship is part of US Sailing’s commitment to fostering youth development for women in the sport, providing a platform for young female sailors to showcase their skills and gain valuable experience. It also serves as a steppingstone for many aspiring sailors aiming to compete at higher levels, including national and international competitions.
Thank you to Corpus Christi Yacht Club for hosting this year’s Leiter Trophy, and a special thank you to the Clagett Family for their generous support of the US Junior Women’s Championships!
Full results can be found here: https://corpuschristi.theclubspot.com/regatta/jwwHbISvTU/results
The 2027 US Junior Women’s Singlehanded Championship will be hosted by the Columbia Gorge Racing Association in Cascade Locks, Oregon on July 28-31.