Nation’s Top Young Sailors to Race in Rhode Island at U.S. Youth Championships

Chubb JrBristol, R.I. (July 6, 2015) – From the Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover, to the ICSA College Sailing National Championships, the state of Rhode Island has featured an impressive line-up of sailing’s top racing events in 2015. Over 160 of the top young sailors in the country will embark on the Ocean State for the 2015 U.S. Youth Sailing Championships, the pinnacle event for youth sailors under 20 in the U.S.

Sailors representing five classes will race on Narragansett Bay and Mount Hope Bay beginning Tuesday, July 7 through Friday, July 10. Many of this week’s winners will qualify for the US Sailing Team Sperry Youth World Team and compete at the 2015 ISAF Youth World Championships in Langkawi, Malaysia from December 27 to January 3.

Like all US Sailing Youth National Championship events, there is much more to this championship than racing. This regatta is run by a team of top judges, coaches and race officers that provide high quality racing and support. Since the genesis of this championship in 1973, this event has served as a motivational force for young sailors to enjoy sailing for a lifetime, while making strong friendships along the way. U.S. Youth Championship graduates have become the stalwarts of successful college sailing programs and routinely fill out the ranks of All-Americans. Many former and current US Sailing Team Sperry and Development Team members have competed at this championship. The event continues to align with the U.S. Olympic Sailing Program and youth high performance sailing.

The 2015 edition of the U.S. Youth Sailing Championships will be hosted by Roger Williams University at the newly constructed Richard L. Bready Mount Hope Bay Sailing and Education Center, and supported by the Bristol Yacht Club.

Event Coverage

  • For Twitter updates from the racecourse, daily video highlights, results and standings, photo gallery, and more information from the 2015 U.S. Youth Sailing Championships, please visit the event website.

Events

  • Doublehanded Dinghy – International 420
  • Singlehanded Dinghy – Laser Radial
  • Singlehanded Dinghy – Laser Standard
  • Skiff – 29er
  • Multihull – Formula 16

Racing Schedule

  • First race warning on Tuesday – 12:00 pm
  • First race warning on Wednesday and Thursday – 10:30 am
  • First race warning on Friday – 10:00 am

Coaches

  • Leandro Spina – US Sailing Youth Development Director
  • John Vandemoer – Stanford Head Coach
  • Richard Feeny – US Sailing Junior National Coach
  • Phillip Muller – Community Sailing of Colorado Program and Development Director
  • Ward Cromwell – College of Charleston Head Coach
  • Elizabeth Kratzig – Elite Youth Sailing Coach
  • Willie McBride – 29er High Performance Program Director and Head Coach

Prizes

  • The Manton D. Scott Memorial Trophy will be awarded to the winning I 420 team.
  • The Robert L. Johnstone III Trophy will be awarded to the winning Laser Standard competitor.
  • The Robert and Ann Conner Trophy will be awarded to the winning Laser Radial competitor.
  • The Arthur D. Stevens Trophy will be awarded to the winning Multihull team.
  • The David M. Perry Perpetual Sportsmanship Trophy will be awarded, as well as sportsmanship keepers, in each discipline.

The 2015 U.S. Youth Sailing Championships is sponsored by Gill North America, Sperry, Hobie Sunglasses, and Switlik. This US Sailing National Championships is a Sailors for the Sea certified Clean Regatta.

Contact: Jake Fish, US Sailing Communications Manager, 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 Sperry
Sperry was founded in 1935 by avid sailor, inventor and intrepid explorer Paul Sperry. From the invention of the world’s first boat shoe to a full collection of sea-tested lifestyle products, Sperry equips all those who believe the best stories are written with their feet. Proud sponsor of the United States Sailing Team and numerous world-class regattas, Sperry is distributed around the world at independent and department stores in North America, Asia, Europe and Latin America, Sperry specialty retail stores and at Sperry.com. Sperry® is a division of Wolverine World Wide, Inc. one of the world’s leading marketers of branded casual, active lifestyle, work, outdoor sport, athletic, children’s and uniform footwear and apparel.  The Company’s portfolio of highly recognized brands also includes: Merrell®, Hush Puppies®, Saucony®, Wolverine®, Keds®, Stride Rite®, Sebago®, Cushe®, Chaco®, Bates®, HYTEST®, and Soft Style®.  The Company also is the global footwear licensee of the popular brands Cat® and Harley-Davidson®.  The Company’s products are carried by leading retailers in the U.S. and globally in approximately 200 countries and territories.  For additional information, please visit our website, www.wolverineworldwide.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 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.

About Switlik
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