U.S. Youth Sailing Championship – Final Report

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Sailors Qualify for US Sailing Youth World Team

CORONADO, Calif. (August 9, 2016) – An inspired group of talented young sailors embarked on Southern California to engage in four days of racing on San Diego Bay at the 2016 U.S. Youth Sailing Championships, hosted by Coronado Yacht Club with support from the San Diego Yacht Club. The premiere event for youth sailors under 20 came to an exciting finish on Tuesday, as many of this week’s winners qualified for the US Sailing Youth World Team and will compete at the 2016 Youth Sailing World Championships in Auckland, New Zealand in December.

Laser Radial (singlehanded dinghy)
Carrson Pearce won seven of 14 races to win the 42-boat Laser Radial fleet. He bounced back after an OCS in Race 1 on Saturday.

“I just kept focusing the next race and do the best I could,” said Pearce. “Leo Boucher and I sailed a lot together in New Jersey, so it was really fun for both us to compete against each other. We’re good friends. We both sailed well and I’m proud of both of us.”

Sophia Reineke came from behind on Tuesday to catch Talia Toland to win the Radial girls fleet by four. Reineke finished fourth overall and Toland was fifth.  Toland had a 15-point lead over Reineke entering today’s racing.

“It was up and down and really shifty today,” said Reineke. “The key to having good races today was the starts and playing the pressure off of that. Talia had a great regatta and is really tough competitor.”

Top 5 – Final Standings
1. Carrson Pearce [Radial – Boy], Surf City Yacht Club, [43/OCS]-1-12-1-1-1-1-3-2-1-35-11-1-6- ; 76
2. Leo Boucher [Radial – Boy], Severn Sailing Association, 13-11-3-5-3-2-7-8-[32]-6-1-22-4-18- ; 103
3. Chase Burwell [Radial – Boy], Lauderdale Yacht Club – Carlouel, 8-8-15-13-7-3-8-13-1-17-6-[20]-17-3- ; 119
4. Sophia Reineke [Radial – Girl], Lauderdale Yacht Club, 6-28-17-7-13-14-9-12-13-2-[29]-3-9-2- ; 135
5. Talia Toland [Radial – Girl], Seattle Yacht Club/Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, 7-13-4-8-[36]-19-5-10-4-21-13-5-22-8- ; 139

International 420 (doublehanded dinghy)
Wiley Rogers and Jack Parkin won six of first seven races of the championship to win the 32-boat I420 fleet. Placing second overall and top girls I420 team, Kathryn Hall and Ashton Borcherding defeated third place team Carmen Cowles and Emma Cowles by seven.

Top 5 – Standings
1. Wiley Rogers/Jack Parkin[I420 – Boy], Texas Corinthian Yacht Club/Lakewood Yacht Club, 1-1-1-1-2-1-1-[16]-4-2-1-1-14-2- ; 32
2. Kathryn Hall/Ashton Borcherding[I420 – Girl], LISOT, 10-5-[11]-10-3-4-10-3-10-7-2-7-1-11- ; 83
3. Carmen Cowles/Emma Cowles[I420 – Girl], LISOT/Larchmont Yacht Club, 5-17-2-2-11-[20]-6-4-2-19-9-2-4-7- ; 90
4. Eduardo Mintzias/Declan McGranahan[I420 – Boy], Long Island Mid Atlantic Sailing Team/Coral Reef Yacht Club, 3-9-4-9-7-5-11-5-14-8-10-[33/OCS]-10-12- ; 107
5. Emma Kaneti/Catherine Beatrix E. Lindsay[I420 – Girl], Larchmont Yacht Club, 22-18-5-4-[23]-8-12-7-12-11-3-3-3-1- ; 109

Laser (singlehanded dinghy)
Ford McCann put the finishing touches on a great week today to win the 18-boat Laser fleet competition by 24 points through 12 races. He won Races 6-11 to take a commanding lead after trailing Marshall McCann by two points after Saturday’s racing. Maximilian Guerriero had a strong finish Tuesday posting 2-3 race results to finish second.

Top 5 – Final Standings
1. Ford McCann, Texas Corinthian Yacht Club, 3-4-1-3-7-3-1-1-1-1-1-3-4-[19/RET-AF]- ; 33
2. Maximilian Guerriero, Texas Corinthian Yacht Club, 4-6-3-9-2-4-2-7-5-6-[14]-4-2-3- ; 57
3. Marshall McCann, Texas Corinthian Yacht Club, 1-3-2-1-3-8-3-4-4-5-6-10-8-[19/RET-AF]- ; 58
4. Jack Gower, Edison Sailing Center, 2-1-5-2-[19/OCS]-6-7-5-3-9-3-5-10-2- ; 60
5. Brandon Lee Kirby, C-vane, 5-2-[19/UFD]-11-1-1-4-12-2-2-13-6-3-4- ; 66

29er (doublehanded dinghy)
The team of Ryan Ratliffe and Sam Merson edged Neil Marcellini and Ian Brill in a great back and forth battle by two points in the 18-point 29er fleet. Ratliffe and Merson took the lead for good on Monday. Louisa Nordstrom and Catherine Mollerus finished third overall and won the girls 29er fleet.

Ratliffe on sailing in his home waters – “I think the winds were a little more shifty than normal, so it wasn’t as much as an advantage as it could have been. We usually have much steadier winds or you just bang left.”

“We’ve been training for the past four months together and put a years worth of work within that four months,” said Nordstrom.

“It’s been a long time coming and we wanted it really bad,” said Mollerus.

Top 5 – Final Standings
1. Ryan Ratliffe/Sam Merson[29er – Boy], Mission Bay Yacht Club, 2-1-2-2-2-1-2-1-2-1-3-1-[6]-5- ; 25
2. Neil Marcellini/Ian Brill[29er – Boy], Richmond Yacht Club, 1-2-1-1-1-[19/DNF]-1-2-4-3-4-2-2-3- ; 27
3. Louisa Nordstrom/Catherine Mollerus[29er – Girl], Sarasota Youth Sailing Program, [9]-5-5-4-8-4-3-3-1-2-2-3-3-4- ; 47
4. David Eastwood/Wells Drayton[29er – Boy], Santa Barbara Yacht Club/Newport Harbor Yacht Club, 3-3-3-6-5-3-[8]-4-3-7-5-4-8-6- ; 60
5. Lucy Wilmot/Sally Wilmot[29er – Girl], San Francisco YC / Richmond YC, 12-8-4-5-6-5-[19/DSQ]-5-6-13-1-5-7-2- ; 79

Techno 293 (windsurfer)
Steven Cramer won Races 4 through 11 to win the championship over Geronimo Nores by just five points. Nores won the first three races of the event on Saturday.

Top 3 – Final Standings
1. Steven Cramer, Miami Yacht Club, [2]-2-2-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-2- ; 14
2. Geronimo Nores, Miami Yacht Club, 1-1-1-[3]-2-2-3-2-2-2-2-1- ; 19
3. Michael Cramer, Miami Yacht Club, 3-5-4-6-[8/DNF]-8/DNF-2-3-3-3-3-3- ; 43

* The winning boys and girls in the Laser Radial, International 420, and 29er fleets qualify for the US Sailing Youth World Team.

US Sailing Youth Director, John Pearce was on site this week interacting with the sailors and coaches, while observing the racing. “The racing has been tight and fair, and the vibe is very focused and professional, just as you would expect at America’s premier youth regatta,” said Pearce. “Our sailors have taken a leap forward in ability over the last few years, particularly in the high performance classes. Finishing well in your fleet here requires excellence in boathandling, tuning, speed and execution on the racecourse, and the sailors are pushing each other to new levels all the time.”

Added Pearce: “It’s really exciting to be tracking the progress of our Olympic sailors in Rio while watching the next generation hone their skills at this regatta. There is a groundswell of potential here and I’m sure many of these young sailors will be pursuing their Olympic dreams in a few years.”

Like all US Sailing Junior Championships, there is much more to this event 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.

US Sailing Coaches on site

  • Richard Feeny (US Sailing Junior National Coach) – 29er
  • Jon Rogers (Head Coach at Coronado Yacht Club) – International 420
  • Phil Muller (Professional Sailing Coach) – Techno 293
  • Mike Pinckney (Head Coach at Balboa Yacht Club) – Laser
  • Charles Higgins (Assistant Coach at Old Dominion University) – Radial
  • Morgan Wilson (Assistant Coach at SUNY Maritime Academy) – Radial

Coverage & Media

  • For Twitter updates from the racecourse, video highlights (to be posted Wednesday, August 10), results and standings, photo gallery and more information from the 2016 U.S. Youth Sailing Championships, please visit the event website.
  • Follow on Twitter and Instagram – #youthchamps16

2016 U.S. Youth Championship

Championship Notes

  • Invitations to the event are made by US Sailing’s Youth Championship Selection Committee, based on review of applicant’s entry forms.
  • The U.S. Youth Sailing Championships started in 1973.

Prizes

  • The Manton D. Scott Memorial Trophy was  awarded to the winning doublehanded dinghy (I420) team.
  • The Robert L. Johnstone III Trophy was  awarded to the winning open singlehanded (Laser Standard) competitor.
  • The Robert and Ann Conner Trophy was  awarded to the winning singlehanded (Laser Radial) competitor.
  • The Major Hall Trophy was  awarded to the winning windsurfing competitor.
  • Sportsmanship Award winners – Marley Mais (29er), Carrter Pearce (Radial), Jack Gower (Laser), Thomas Staubli (Techno 293), Reese Guerriero   (I420)

The 2016 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

Social Media Highlights from Tuesday

29er start three of day four. #youthchamps16

A photo posted by Coronado Jr. Sailing Program (@coronadojrsail) on

Another snap by Steve Washburn out on the Laser course this morning. #youthchamps16

A photo posted by Coronado Jr. Sailing Program (@coronadojrsail) on

Laser course crew. #youthchamps16

A photo posted by Coronado Jr. Sailing Program (@coronadojrsail) on

 

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