High Stakes at 2017 U.S. Youth Sailing Championships

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2017 Preview – U.S. Youth Sailing Championships

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (June 21, 2017) – For the second time since 2013, the Corpus Christi Yacht Club will host the pinnacle event for youth sailing in the United States. The 2017 U.S. Youth Championships will bring together over 175 of America’s top youth sailors, with qualification for the 2017 Youth Sailing World Championships on the line in four of the six classes. Sailors under 20, both young men and women, will race on Corpus Christi Bay over four days, beginning Sunday, June 25 through Wednesday, June 28.

As with all US Sailing Junior and Youth National Championships, competitors will receive world-class event management and support. The 2017 U.S. Youth Championships will be run by a team of experienced judges, coaches and race officers who will provide high quality racing for America’s top youth talent. Since the first edition of the Youth Champs in 1973, the regatta has served as a transformative step for young sailors who aspire to reach the highest levels of sailing. U.S. Youth Championship participants fill the rosters of successful college sailing programs and routinely achieve All-American status. The Youth Champs is also part of the pathway for ambitious athletes who hope to earn a place on the US Sailing Team, and ultimately at the Olympic Games.

Championship Events

  • Girls Doublehanded Dinghy – I 420
  • Boys Doublehanded Dinghy – I 420
  • Girls Skiff – 29er
  • Boys Skiff – 29er
  • Open Multihull – Nacra 15
  • Girls Singlehanded Dinghy – Laser Radial
  • Boys Singlehanded Dinghy – Laser Radial
  • Open Singlehanded Dinghy – Laser
  • Boys Windsurfer – Techno 293 Plus
  • Girls Windsurfer – Techno 293 Plus

2017 US Sailing Youth World Team qualification facts

  • The 2017 U.S. Youth Championships is the second of two Youth Worlds qualifier events for the International 420, Laser Radial, and 29er classes (men’s and women’s).
    • Second qualifier for the Laser Radial: Laser Midwinter’s East Regatta, February 23-26, 2017, Clearwater Beach, FL
    • Second qualifier for the I 420: I420 Midwinters, February 18-20, 2017, Miami Beach, FL
    • Second qualifier for the 29er: 29er Midwinters West, March 24-26, 2017, Coronado, CA
  • The 2017 U.S. Youth Championships is the sole Youth Worlds qualifier for the Nacra 15.
  • The windsurfing sailors at Youth Worlds will be selected by resume.
  • The Laser Full rig is not a Youth Worlds event.
  • More qualification details.

US Sailing Coaches on-site

  • Laser Radial: Amanda Clark – 2012 and 2008 Olympian, Women’s 470 Class
  • Laser Radial: Charles Higgins – Assistant Coach, Old Dominion University
  • Laser: Scott Ikle – Head Coach, Hobart and William Smith Colleges. US Sailing National Coach of the Year (2003), Developmental Coach of the year (1998), and Pan Am Games team leader (2003)
  • I 420: Elizabeth Kratzig – Seven-time US Sailing Team Member
  • 29er: Richard Feeny – Head Coach, US Sailing Junior and Youth National Championships
  • Nacra 15: Robbie Daniel – 17-Time US Sailing Team Member, Head Coach of Red Gear Racing
  • Techno 293 Plus: Solvig Sayre – Three-time US Sailing Team Member

Championship Prizes

  • The Manton D. Scott Memorial Trophy will be awarded to the winning doublehanded dinghy (I420) team.
  • The Robert L. Johnstone III Trophy will be awarded to the winning open singlehanded (Laser Standard) competitor.
  • The Robert and Ann Conner Trophy will be awarded to the winning singlehanded (Laser Radial) competitor.
  • The Major Hall Trophy will be awarded to the winning windsurfing competitor (Techno 293 Plus).
  • The Arthur J. Steven Trophy will be awarded to the winning multihull (Nacra 15) competitor.
  • The David M. Perry Perpetual Sportsmanship Trophy will be awarded, as well as sportsmanship keepers, in each class.
  • US Sailing Championship medals may be awarded to competitors who finish first through fifth overall in classes greater than 25 and first through third overall in classes greater than 10. In classes with 10 or less, first and second will be awarded.

Coverage & Media

  • For Twitter updates from the racecourse, video highlights, results and standings, photo gallery and more information from the 2017 U.S. Youth Sailing Championships, please visit the event website.
  • Follow on Twitter and Instagram – #YouthChamps17

The 2017 U.S. Youth Sailing Championships is sponsored by Gill North America and Hobie Sunglasses. This US Sailing National Championships is a Sailors for the Sea certified Clean Regatta.

US Sailing Contact: Jake Fish, US Sailing Communications Manager, jakefish@ussailing.org
Corpus Christi Yacht Club Contact: Jessie Monsivais, jessie.monsivais@gmail.com

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. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.

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 Hobie Polarized
Hobie Polarized is a leading designer, developer, marketer and distributor of polarized eyewear. The brand’s innovative lens technology allows total glare reduction, 100% UV protection, enhances contrast and provides optimum visual acuity. The company’s products are sold worldwide and are used by watermen at all skill and lifestyle levels. The Hobie Polarized headquarters is located in Plainview, New York. For further information, please visit the company’s website at www.hobiepolarized.com.