The 2024 U.S. Junior Women’s Championship, presented by Southcoast Wind, was an exciting event that showcased the talents of young female sailors from across the nation. The championship featured multiple days of valuable clinics, followed by racing, with sailors competing in both the ILCA 6 and 29er classes.
The Singlehanded Championship was started by Tom Clagett in 1980 at the Ida Lewis Yacht Club, Newport, RI and sailed for a trophy named in memory of Tom’s wife, Nancy, who died in April 1977. In 1985, USYRU (now US Sailing) agreed to support the event on a trial basis. In 1986, it became the U.S. Junior Women’s Singlehanded Championship for the Nancy Leiter Clagett Memorial Trophy.
The U.S. Junior Women’s Doublehanded Championship for the Ida Lewis Trophy championship was started in 1995 when it became apparent that a second championship in a doublehanded boat was needed to complement the singlehanded event. It became a US Sailing national championship in 1996.
The awards ceremony celebrated the hard work and achievements of all participants. The following sailors were crowned champions in their respective classes:
Ida Lewis Trophy – Doublehanded – 29er
1st place: Olympia Barelli + Maribelle Barelli – San Diego, CA
2nd place: Elizabeth Roesch + Chloe Kong – Annapolis, MD / Hong Kong
3rd place: Tally Gaver + Daphne Walsh – Annapolis, MD
For the first and second place teams, it was their first time ever competing for the Ida Lewis Trophy.
Leiter Trophy – Singlehanded – ILCA 6
1st place: Leila Pfrang – Suffolk, VA
2nd place: Kaitlyn Beaver – Kirkland, WA
3rd place: Caroline McClain – Chicago, IL
“It feels amazing to win the doublehanded trophy,” shared the Barelli sisters. “We’ve sailed here for the past couple weeks and I think all of our hard work and learning this venue has really paid off.”
On their biggest takeaway, the pair noted that “solidifying our sailing in heavy wind” proved to be important.
Next up, they head back to San Diego to prepare for 29er Nationals in Coronado.
Also provided at the ceremony were the following awards:
Most Improved Award
Doublehanded: Ana Fishback – Annapolis, MD
Singlehanded: Daniella Cheng-Sun – Bainbridge, WA
C. Thomas Clagett Jr. Sportsmanship Prize
Winners are decided by vote of the competitors in each fleet
Doublehanded: Tally Gaver – Annapolis, MD
Singlehanded: Petra Humphrey – Wilmington, NC
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.
The event not only provided a platform for competitive racing but also fostered camaraderie and sportsmanship among the young sailors. It was an excellent opportunity for these athletes to gain valuable experience and build connections within the sailing community.
Overall, the 2024 U.S. Junior Women’s Championship was a resounding success, celebrating the future of women’s sailing and the dedication of these young athletes.
Full results can be found HERE