From Phil Muller, US Sailing Youth Performance Manger:
US Sailing’s Youth Department partnered with Portland Yacht Club to host a Learn to Skiff Clinic in Maine over the past weekend. 16 youth sailors ventured to the scenic waters of Maine for three days of high-performance sailing.
“Southern Maine has embraced the 29er as part of their regular youth programming in the past few years, and after an invitation from the Portland Yacht Club to co-host a camp US Sailing was very excited to provide some support to that region,” said US Sailing Youth Performance Manager, Phil Muller.
The clinic was open to both novice and skilled 29er sailors and included coaching and instruction from Phil Muller and Alie Toppa. Toppa was in the top 10 at the 2018 29er Worlds in Long Beach and part of the National Champion 2019 College of Charleston Sailing Team.
“This past weekend was a success,” said Toppa. “Having sailors from all different levels of experience in the 29er was great to spread the knowledge and create a team culture of everyone pushing each other to improve. Casco Bay offered us a little bit of everything with a range of 2-18 knots over the course of the weekend, letting us focus on boat handling specifics in the lighter air and then stretch the legs in the bigger breeze that we were gifted on Sunday.”
Youth Worlds bronze medalist helmswoman, Annie Sitzmann, attended in a sailor/coach role, jumping in the boat to help the next generation of skiff sailors. “It was a fun weekend working with people and watching them develop skills and grow to love the boat,” she said.
Sailing Director of Portland Yacht Club, Thomas Sitzmann, said of the event; “Portland Yacht Club has made great strides in the last year attracting top coaches, clinics and events, and we are thrilled to add 29er high performance training to the mix. Exciting announcement to come soon about PYC, 29ers, and next summer.”
US Sailing is committed to supporting the growth of high-performance youth sailing. If your club is interested in partnering on a similar camp, please reach out to youth@ussailing.org