Mid-Regatta Report: Americans Showing Strength at ISAF Youth Worlds

Pictured: I420 leaders Will Logue (Cos Cob, Conn.) and Bram Brakman (Darien, Conn.). Photo: Christophe Launay/ISAF

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 1, 2016

Portsmouth, R.I. – US Sailing’s ISAF Youth Worlds Team has submitted strong results after four days of racing at the 2015 ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship in Langkawi, Malaysia. Five American boats are currently battling in the top ten in their fleets, led by Will Logue (Cos Cob, Conn.) and Bram Brakman (Darien, Conn.) who are leading in the Boy’s International 420 class.

“We have two more days of racing ahead,” said Leandro Spina, the team’s head coach, who also serves as Youth Development Director for US Sailing. “Our athletes are focused and looking forward to continuing racing. We have celebrated the new year and regained some energy.”

Laser Radial sailor Nic Baird (St. Petersburg, Fla.) has been battling at the top of his fleet since the first day, recording no score worse than 5th until sailing a discardable score in race six. He now sits in third overall. “This is our chance to show the world how good our country has become in recent years,” said Baird prior to the event.

Also within close reach of the podium are Mark Brunsvold (Sarasota, Fla.) and Anderson Brunsvold (Sarasota, Fla.) in the SL16, Christina Klingler (Darien, Conn.) and Victoria Thompson (Newport Beach, Calif.) in the Girl’s I420, and Romain Screve (Kentfield, Calif.) and Quinn Wilson (Ojai, Calif.) in the Boy’s 29er. Wilson, a 2014 medalist at this event, has returned for an impressive fourth consecutive Youth Worlds.

US Sailing’s Olympic Development Program (ODP) was launched in January 2015 to lead the progression of the most promising youth sailing talent in the US. Guided by the US Olympic Sailing Committee’s Project Pipeline strategic initiative, the ODP fosters an integrated approach to training in the core development and Olympic classes, and is part of a system to provide the United States with a steady stream of well-prepared sailors. Some of these athletes will go on to represent Team USA at The Olympic Games, and provide the national team with consistent success. The fundamental premise of the ODP is to focus on the critical transition from youth sailing to high performance racing in Olympic classes. The ODP is funded through generous donations by individuals and organizations. The lead gift as well as a matching grant has been provided by the AmericaOne Foundation, and the US Olympic Sailing Program is actively seeking supporters to meet this generous match.  For more information on the ODP and the AmericaOne Match campaign, please visit www.ussailing.org/olympics

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