August 11, 2025
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — After three days of thrilling, high-intensity racing on the iconic San Francisco city front, the San Francisco Yacht Club claimed victory at the 2025 Chubb U.S. Youth Triplehanded Championship, securing the coveted Sears Cup Perpetual Trophy.
Mission Bay Yacht Club earned second place and the Judges Trophy Perpetual Trophy, while Wayzata Yacht Club rounded out the podium in third place.
Special honors also went to Mission Bay Yacht Club, who received the Shipshape Perpetual Trophy for exceptional seamanship and care for boats and equipment, and Waikiki Yacht Club 1 & 2, who were awarded the Cox Sportsmanship Perpetual Trophy.
“The modern style of short, high-energy races at this championship brought the nation’s best young sailors head-to-head in a way that demanded skill, strategy, and teamwork—making every start and every mark rounding a moment of pure competition,” said St. Francis Yacht Club Race Director Felix Weidling.
“While watching the racing was exciting, perhaps what makes me most proud is what happened beyond the results sheet. Over these days of racing, lifelong friendships were forged—through shared moments on the docks, collaboration under pressure, and celebrations that transcended club, coastal, and even national boundaries. These connections, built on mutual respect and a shared love for the sport, are what truly define great sailing events. They will carry forward well beyond this championship, shaping not only future regattas but also the personal journeys of these remarkable young sailors for years to come.”
Friday’s opening day delivered quintessential San Francisco conditions, with 15–20 knots of breeze and a building ebb tide. Twenty teams rotated through the St. Francis Yacht Club’s fleet of J/22 sailboats for nine action-packed races. From the start, California teams were strong contenders, with St. Francis YC, San Francisco YC, and Mission Bay YC pulling ahead early.
Saturday brought a mix of tactical and physical challenges. The morning featured a tactical chess match with a flooding current, flat water, and 15–20 knots of wind, before conditions intensified in the afternoon with an ebb tide, large waves, and 20–25 knots.
On Sunday, the final day, winds built from 12 to 25 knots, producing close battles across the fleet and big shifts in the leaderboard. St. Francis YC, Wayzata YC, Mission Bay YC, and San Francisco YC all turned in standout performances, but it was San Francisco YC who ultimately pulled away to clinch the championship.
Off the water, sailors enjoyed the hospitality of host club St. Francis Yacht Club, including a post-race taco bar and skill-building debrief sessions with US Sailing’s John Pearce and Chief Umpire Rob Overton.
In addition to winning the Sears Cup, San Francisco YC earned a wildcard invitation to the Youth SAILING Champions League Final, offering the team the chance to compete against the world’s best youth sailors on an international stage.
About the Chubb U.S. Youth Triplehanded Championship
First sailed in 1921, the U.S. Youth Triplehanded Championship for the Sears Cup is one of US Sailing’s oldest and most prestigious youth sailing events. The championship showcases the top triplehanded teams from across the country, fostering skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship at the highest level of youth competition.
Final Results – 2025 Chubb U.S. Youth Triplehanded Championship
🥇 Sears Cup Perpetual Trophy: San Francisco Yacht Club
🥈 Judges Trophy Perpetual Trophy: Mission Bay Yacht Club
🥉 Wayzata Yacht Club
🏆 Shipshape Perpetual Trophy: Mission Bay Yacht Club
🏆 Cox Sportsmanship Perpetual Trophy: Waikiki Yacht Club 1 & 2