Sears Cup, Bemis Trophy and Smythe Trophy are on the line in San Diego
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (August 11, 2016) – The Greater San Diego area has been a hub for US Sailing Junior Championships this summer. On the heels of this week’s U.S. Youth Sailing Championships in Coronado, the Mission Bay Yacht Club will host US Sailing’s oldest championship this Friday through Monday. The 2016 Chubb U.S. Junior Sailing Championships will feature three days of racing for the historic Sears Cup, Bemis Trophy and Smythe Trophy.
A highly-skilled group of young sailors representing a new generation of top racers are eager to test themselves against their peers from around the country in single-, double-, and triplehanded competition. First sailed in 1921, sailors compete regionally to earn an opportunity to race at this championship in one of three fleets. Competing sailors range in age between 13 and 18. Each Area is eligible to send at least one sailor/team to compete in each of the fleets for the 2016 event:
- U.S. Junior Singlehanded Championship for the Smythe Trophy to be sailed in the Laser Radial.
- U.S. Junior Doublehanded Championship for the Bemis Trophy to be sailed in the Club 420.
- U.S. Junior Triplehanded Championship for the Sears Cup to be sailed in the Lightning.
- List of Competitors
The top two Youth Champs eligible single- and doublehanded teams will receive early acceptance to the 2017 U.S. Youth Championships in a boat of their choice.
Sailors will take part in onshore and on-water clinics on Friday to hone their skills and acclimate themselves to the racing conditions and the boats. The Radial and Club 420s will be sailing on the waters of the Pacific Ocean while the Lightnings will be sailed on Mission Bay itself. The following coaches will be on site to work with the sailors throughout the championship:
- Richard Feeny – US Sailing Junior National Coach
- Jon Rogers – Head Coach, Coronado Yacht Club
- Kevin Burnham – 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist
- Brett Davis – Five-time US Sailing Team Member
- Sarah Lihan – 2012 Olympian
Event Coverage & Social Media
- For social media coverage, results and standings, photo gallery, video highlights (Tuesday, August 16), and more information from the 2016 Chubb U.S. Junior Sailing Championships, please visit the event website.
- For breaking news and race results, follow Twitter hashtag – #ChubbChamps16 – and participate in the conversation throughout the championship on all social media platforms.
Championship History – Previous Winners
A long and distinguished list of past winners who advanced their sailing to the highest levels of national and international competition.
- U.S. Junior Triplehanded Championship for the Sears Cup
- U.S. Junior Doublehanded Championship for the Bemis Trophy
- U.S. Junior Singlehanded Championship for the Smythe Trophy
Sportsmanship and Seamanship Awards
- Singlehanded – Faye Bennet Sportsmanship Award
- Doublehanded – Bemis Sportsmanship Award
- Triplehanded – Cox Sportsmanship Award
- The Seamanship Trophy will be awarded to the triplehanded Team that receives the greatest number of points for neatness and general ship-shape condition of their boats.
This event is sponsored by Chubb Insurance Group, Zim Sailing, Gill North America, and Switlik Survival Products. Chubb, a long-time supporter of this championship and youth sailing, has been title sponsor of the U.S. Junior Sailing Championship for over a decade. The equally matched Club 420 sailboats are supplied by Zim Sailing. Zim has been a sponsor and boat provider for this championship over the past five years and is dedicated to the growth of the sport and moving dinghy sailing forward.
This US Sailing National Championship is a Sailors for the Sea certified – Clean Regatta.
US Sailing Media Contact: Jake Fish, jakefish@ussailing.org
About US Sailing
The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and growth for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, 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 Sperry. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.
About Chubb Group of Insurance Companies
Member insurers of the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies form a multi-billion-dollar organization providing property and casualty insurance for personal and commercial customers through 4,000 independent agents and brokers worldwide. Since its founding in the seaport district of New York City in 1882, Chubb has been a leading insurer of marine-related operations. Chubb provides comprehensive insurance and loss control services to private yacht clubs, marina operators and yacht owners. Chubb’s global network includes branches and affiliates throughout North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Australia. More information on Chubb may be obtained at www.chubb.com.
About Gill North America
Gill NA, with headquarters near Atlanta, GA is the exclusive importer and distributor of Gill-brand foul weather gear in North America including Caribbean, US and Canada. Gill is a worldwide apparel and accessories brand serving the marine industry with over three decades of experience. Gill specializes in high tech, breathable waterproof clothing. The company develops and markets a variety of performance-oriented, award-winning apparel and accessories for virtually every type of boating activity with product lines that include foul weather gear; interactive layering systems; footwear; gloves; bags; junior gear; scholastic gear and team wear. Gill products are available through hundreds of independent dealers and select West Marine Stores. For further information, please contact: Gary Barker at 941 505 2111 or gary.barker@gillna.com.
About Zim Sailing
Zim Sailing, headquartered in Warren, RI is the fastest growing manufacturer of one-design sailboats in North America. Currently, Zim manufactures and distributes the most comprehensive line of training, recreational and performance sailboats in North America. Zim is best known for its C420, Optimist, Byte CII and CFJ. The durability of Zim boats has been proven at all levels to include High Schools, Colleges, Yacht Clubs, and Community Sailing Centers along with the passionate dinghy sailor. In addition, the Zim performance has elevated sailors to podium finishes at several local, regional, National and North American championships since the company’s creation in 2008. Zim is dedicated to the success and growth of dinghy sailing and Zim’s experienced staff and support vehicles can be found at many regattas. For more information please visit www.zimsailing.com or email info@zimsailing.com.
About Switlik Survival Products
Established in 1920, Switlik Parachute Co. has been owned and operated by the Switlik family for four generations and is known worldwide as a manufacturer of the highest quality sewn and heat sealed inflatable safety and survival products for the aviation, marine, and military/government markets. Our capabilities include a wide variety of anti-exposure and anti-g suits, inflatable life rafts, inflatable life vests, inflation systems and other specialty textile-based military equipment all manufactured at our 85,000 sq. ft facility located in Trenton, NJ USA. www.switlik.com