Chubb U.S. Junior Sailing Championships – 2017 Preview
TOMS RIVER, N.J. (August 8, 2017) – Barnegat Bay is the place to be for youth sailing this week as the 2017 Chubb U.S. Junior Sailing Championships will feature three days of racing for the historic Sears Cup, Bemis Trophy and Smythe Trophy. The Toms River Yacht Club will play host to US Sailing’s oldest championship this Tuesday through Friday, August 8-11, 2017. Nearly 100 highly-skilled young sailors representing their home yacht club or local sailing organization are eager to test themselves against their peers from around the country in single-, double-, and triplehanded competition.
First sailed in 1921, sailors compete regionally to earn an opportunity to race at this championship in one of three fleets. Competing sailors range in age between 13 and 18. Each Area is eligible to send at least one sailor/team to compete in each of the fleets for the 2017 event:
- U.S. Junior Singlehanded Championship for the Smythe Trophy to be sailed in the Laser Radial.
- U.S. Junior Doublehanded Championship for the Bemis Trophy to be sailed in the Club 420.
- U.S. Junior Triplehanded Championship for the Sears Cup to be sailed in the Flying Scot.
- List of Competitors
The top three eligible athletes in the singlehanded fleet will receive early acceptance to the 2018 U.S. Youth Championships.
Sailors took part in onshore and on-water clinics on Tuesday to hone their skills and acclimate themselves to the racing conditions and the boats. The Triplehanded Championship started racing Tuesday afternoon and competition for the Singlehanded and Doublehanded Championships starts Wednesday.
The following coaches will be on site to work with the sailors throughout the championship:
- Richard Feeny – Head Coach, US Sailing Junior and Youth National Championships
- Kevin Burnham – 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist, Men’s 470 Class
- Amanda Callahan – Head Coach, Roger Williams University
- Amanda Clark – 2012 and 2008 Olympian, Women’s 470 Class
- Cappy Capper – US Sailing Master Coach Trainer
“Our team of US Sailing-provided fleet coaches is one of the things that sets the US Sailing Championships apart from most youth regattas,” said John Pearce, Youth Director of US Sailing. “It’s a great opportunity for young sailors to get a fresh perspective on their skill development, and soak up knowledge from some of the best coaches in the game.”
The sailing area for the Single- and Doublehanded Championships will be at the mouth of Toms River on the eastern half of the body of water known as the “Wanamaker Course” or, weather dependent, east of the Intracoastal Waterway. The sailing area for the Triplehanded Championship will be at the mouth of Toms River on the western half of the Wanamaker Course.
Event Coverage & Social Media
- For results and standings, photo gallery, and more information from the 2017 Chubb U.S. Junior Sailing Championships, please visit the event website.
- Facebook Live: We will be live streaming the racing periodically throughout the championship. Follow US Sailing on Facebook for live streaming updates and alerts.
- For breaking news and race results, follow Twitter hashtag – #ChubbChamps17 – and participate in the conversation throughout the championship on all social media platforms.
- Previous Winners – A long and distinguished list of past winners who advanced their sailing to the highest levels of national and international competition.
Sportsmanship and Seamanship Awards
- Singlehanded – Faye Bennet Sportsmanship Award
- Doublehanded – Bemis Sportsmanship Award
- Triplehanded – Cox Sportsmanship Award
- The Seamanship Trophy will be awarded to the triplehanded team that receives the greatest number of points for neatness and general ship-shape condition of their boats.
This event is sponsored by Chubb Insurance Group, Zim Sailing, and Gill North America. Chubb, a long-time supporter of this championship and youth sailing, has been title sponsor of the U.S. Junior Sailing Championships for over a decade. The equally matched Club 420 sailboats are supplied by Zim Sailing. Zim has been a sponsor and boat provider for this championship over the past six years and is dedicated to the growth of the sport and moving dinghy sailing forward.
This US Sailing National Championship is participating in the Sailors for the Sea certified – Clean Regatta program.
US Sailing Media Contact: Jake Fish, Communications Manager, communications@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 Chubb Group of Insurance Companies
Member insurers of the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies form a multi-billion-dollar organization providing property and casualty insurance for personal and commercial customers through 4,000 independent agents and brokers worldwide. Since its founding in the seaport district of New York City in 1882, Chubb has been a leading insurer of marine-related operations. Chubb provides comprehensive insurance and loss control services to private yacht clubs, marina operators and yacht owners. Chubb’s global network includes branches and affiliates throughout North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Australia. More information on Chubb may be obtained at www.chubb.com.
About Zim Sailing
Zim Sailing, headquartered in Warren, RI is the fastest growing manufacturer of one-design sailboats in North America. Currently, Zim manufactures and distributes the most comprehensive line of training, recreational and performance sailboats in North America. Zim is best known for its C420, Optimist, Byte CII and CFJ. The durability of Zim boats has been proven at all levels to include High Schools, Colleges, Yacht Clubs, and Community Sailing Centers along with the passionate dinghy sailor. In addition, the Zim performance has elevated sailors to podium finishes at several local, regional, National and North American championships since the company’s creation in 2008. Zim is dedicated to the success and growth of dinghy sailing and Zim’s experienced staff and support vehicles can be found at many regattas. For more information please visit www.zimsailing.com or email info@zimsailing.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.