U.S. Youth Sailing Championships Concludes in Corpus Christi

by

U.S. Youth Sailing Championship 2017

2017 U.S. Youth Sailing Championships – Final Report

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (June 28, 2017) – The sun cascaded upon Corpus Christi Bay this morning for the fourth and final day of competition at the 2017 U.S. Youth Championships, hosted by Corpus Christi Yacht Club.

This US Sailing National Championship featured 177 of America’s top youth sailors, boys and girls under 20, with qualification for the 2017 Youth Sailing World Championships on the line in four of the six classes. Most of the championship events were up for grabs entering Wednesday’s finale and when the dust settled several lead changes occurred on an exciting finish to the regatta.

Boats launched at approximately 9:00 am in hopes of morning breeze, but racing was postponed for several hours due to insufficient wind (under 5 knots). After a long day of patience, the signal sounded for racing at approximately 1:45 pm.

The race committee set up two race courses, one for the International 420, Laser and Laser Radial on Course A, and a second course for the 29er, Nacra 15 and Techno 293 Plus on Course B. Due to a wind shift, the race committee had to stop the race and re-set the course. Nonetheless, all six classes completed their only race of the day in 5 to 10 knots.

Skiff – 29er
Neil Marcellini (Lafayette, Calif.) and Ian Brill (San Diego, Calif.) moved into first place with a critical win today. Tuesday’s leaders, David Eastwood (Santa Barbara, Calif.) and Sam Merson (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.), were tied in points with Marcellini and Brill but lost on the secondary tiebreaker of more second place finishes. The top women’s team, Catherine Lindsay (North Palm Beach, Fla.) and Jana Laurendeau (Billerica, Mass.), placed fourth overall and third place today.

“We’re actually the heaviest team here, so we were expecting to go fast in heavy air, but we’ve been doing well in lighter air recently, so that’s awesome for us,” said Marcellini.

“Leading up to the Worlds, this is a feeler to see where the rest of the U.S. fleet is and the competition has gone up over the past year. So, it was really tight and really fun,” said Eastwood.

“One of our strengths is our ability to get our heads outside of the boat and I think that was really important,” said Lindsay. “You have to think on your feet to be successful in this boat and I like the athleticism the boat demands.”

Standings – Top 5

1. Neil Marcellini/Ian Brill, Richmond Yacht Club, 2-6-4-2-4-2-3-6-1-[19/OCS]-1- ; 31T
2. David Eastwood/Samuel Merson, Santa Barbara Yacht Club, 3-2-3-5-[7]-1-2-1-4-3-7- ; 31T
3. Robert Shelley/Severin Gramm, 2Niner Skiff Squad, [11]-10-1-4-1-3-1-8-9-1-2- ; 40
4. Catherine Lindsay/Jana Laurendeau, 2Niner Skiff Squad, [12]-4-6-1-3-10-9-3-3-4-3- ; 46
5. Harry Melges/Finn Rowe, Lake Geneva Yacht Club/ BMSC, 5-5-5-8-2-7-6-[9]-2-2-8- ; 50
Full Results

Singlehanded Dinghy – Laser Radial
Joseph Hou (Newport Beach, Calif.) placed seventh in today’s race and it was more than enough to win the championship. He won by a 17-point margin. Ricky Welch (Long Beach, Miss.) had a strong showing and moved up to second place after winning the race, his second bullet of the regatta. Hou won five of the nine races this week.

“There was a lot of frontal breeze, so there’s more tricky conditions and it takes a lot more mind power to get through the day,” said Hou. “I tried to keep an even keel kind of attitude, making sure nothing gets to me. If a good race happens, it’s on to the next one.”

“For this summer, I’m focused on the Worlds in The Netherlands and Nationals later this year will be fun in Tahoe. Looking forward to Youth Worlds as well. I’m just always training for the next event.”

Charlotte Rose (Houston, Texas) won the women’s division and eighth overall.

Standings – Top 5

1. Joseph Hou, Newport Harbor YC/Alamitos Bay YC, 6-1-1-1-1-10-[12]-1-7- ; 28
2. Ricky Welch, Long Beach Yacht Club/ Gulf Coast Youth Sailing Association, 8-8-6-8-[46/UFD]-7-1-6-1- ; 45
3. Asher Zittrer, Lakewood Yacht Club / GCYSA, 12-4-4-4-5-2-2-13-[15]- ; 46T
4. Leo Boucher, Severen Sailing Association, [27]-6-17-2-3-3-4-5-6- ; 46T
5. Chase Carraway, Carolina Yacht Club North Carolina and Lauderdale Yacht Club, 3-3-23-7-[46/UFD]-5-19-2-2- ; 64
6. Skylar Bayman, Houston Yacht Club, 2-12-2-12-[46/UFD]-8-27-7-4- ; 74T
Full Results

Multihull – Nacra 15
Mark Brunsvold (Sarasota, Fla.) and Dylan Heinz (Sarasota, Fla.) had a two point lead with one race go. They placed second today and Jake and Maxwell Mayol (Newport Beach, Calif.) finished first, but it was not enough to overcome the narrow deficit in the highly competitive fleet.

Standings – Top 5

1. Mark Brunsvold/Dylan Heinz, Sarasota Youth Sailing, 2-1-3-1-1-3-3-3-[5]-2-2- ; 21
2. Jake Mayol/Maxwell Mayol, Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club, 4-3-2-[5]-2-2-4-1-2-1-1- ; 22
3. Luke Melvin/Kyle Collins, Alamitos Bay Yacht Club, 1-4-1-2-3-4-[7]-2-1-5-4- ; 27
4. Helen Horangic/Charlotte Versavel, Peninsula Youth Sailing Foundation, 5-7-4-[9]-6-5-5-4-4-4-3- ; 47
5. Nicolas Martin/Chase Sabadash, Seabrook Sailing Club/Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, 3-2-13-4-4-1-1-6-10-[14/DNF]-10- ; 54
Full Results

Windsurfing – Techno 293 Plus
In a three way race atop the leaderboard, Manuel Nores took over first place with his third place finish today. Tuesday’s leader, Maverick Putnam (Palm Harbor, Fla.) slipped to second place after finishing fourth. Alexander Temko (Palm Harbor, Fla.) finished strong and won today’s race, including the final two races of the regatta.

Standings – Top 6

1. Manuel Nores, Miami Yacht Club, 2-2-2-2-1-[3]-1-3-3- ; 16
2. Maverick Putnam, Clearwater Community Sailing Center, 3-1-1-3-[4]-1-2-2-4- ; 17
3. Michael Cramer, Miami Yacht Club, 1-3-[6]-1-2-2-4-4-2- ; 19
4. Alexander Temko, Clearwater Community Sailing Center, [5]-4-4-5-5-5-3-1-1- ; 28
5. Dominique Stater, Miami Yacht Club, 4-[5]-3-4-3-4-5-5-5- ; 33
6. Gabriel Varra-Gonzalez, Miami Yacht Club, 6-[7/DNS]-5-6-6-6-6-6-6- ; 47
Full Results

Doublehanded Dinghy – International 420
Max Anker (Old Greenwich, Conn.) and Leyton Borcherding (Greenwich, Conn.) jumped ahead two places into first place after finishing second today. Tuesday’s leaders, Thomas Rice (Garden City, N.J.) and Trevor Bornarth (Stuart, Fla.) slipped to third with an 18 on Wednesday.

Moving up to fourth place was Carmen Cowles (Larchmont, N.Y.) and Emma Cowles (Larchmont, N.Y.), who won today’s race and the women’s division.

Standings – Top 5

1. Max Anker/Leyton Borcherding, Riverside Yacht Club / LISOT, 4-11-1-5-5-7-[17]-1-2- ; 36
2. Joseph Charles Hermus/Walter Henry, Bellport Yacht Club, 2-5-6-6-8-4-[12]-2-4- ; 37
3. Thomas Rice/Trevor Bornarth, Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club / LIMA, 1-12-9-2-1-1-3-14-[18]- ; 43T
4. Carmen Cowles/Emma Cowles, LISOT/Larchmont Yacht Club, [16]-6-7-1-3-6-11-8-1- ; 43T
5. Eduardo Mintzias/Declan McGranahan, Coral Reef Yacht Club, 11-9-[12]-7-4-2-4-4-6- ; 47
Full Results

Singlehanded Dinghy – Laser
Chase Burwell (Clearwater, Fla.) finished strong with a fifth place score today and won the regatta by nine points over Jake Vickers (Annapolis, Md.). Burwell placed in the top five in all nine races this week.

Standings – Top 5

1. Chase Burwell, Carlouel Yacht Club, 3-1-2-3-3-1-3-[5]-5- ; 21
2. Jake Vickers, Annapolis yacht club/severn sailing association, 2-3-1-8-6-3-5-2-[13]- ; 30
3. John Kirkpatrick, Sail Newport, [17/OCS]-2-9-1-2-4-13-1-2- ; 34T
4. Cameron Feves, Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club, 1-[8]-8-4-1-2-6-6-6- ; 34T
5. Gabriel El Hajji, Waikiki Yacht Club, 5-7-5-7-11-9-2-[15]-3- ; 49
Full Results

2017 U.S. Youth Sailing World Championship Team

  • Laser Radial Boy: Joseph Hou
  • Laser Radial Girls: Charlotte Rose
  • I420 Girls: Carmen Cowles / Emma Cowles
  • I420 Boys: Thomas Rice / Trevor Bornarth
  • Nacra 15: Mark Brunsvold / Dylan Heinz
  • 29er Boys: Neil Marcellini / Ian Brill
  • 29er Girls: Berta Puig / Charlotte Mack
  • RS:X Boys: TBD
  • RS:X Girls: TBD

As with all US Sailing Junior and Youth National Championships, competitors receive world-class event management and support. The 2017 U.S. Youth Championships was run by a team of experienced judges, coaches and race officers who provide high quality racing for America’s top youth talent. Since the first edition of the Youth Champs in 1973, the regatta has served as a transformative step for young sailors who aspire to reach the highest levels of sailing. U.S. Youth Championship participants fill the rosters of successful college sailing programs and routinely achieve All-American status. The Youth Champs is also part of the pathway for ambitious athletes who hope to earn a place on the US Sailing Team, and ultimately at the Olympic Games.

“Youth Champs is the place to be. We have the top sailors in the country here, as well as US Sailing provided coaches who provide excellent instruction, tips and mentorship for these young sailors,” added John Pearce, Youth Director of US Sailing. “This is a great place for sailors to up their skill level, challenge themselves and be exposed to a high level environment, as they prepare for their summer sailing season.”

Coverage & Media

For Twitter (#YouthChamps17) posts from the racecourse, video highlights (to be posted by Friday, June 30), results and standings, photo gallery and more information from the 2017 U.S. Youth Sailing Championships, please visit the event website.

Facebook Live and Social Media Highlights

2017 US Sailing Youth World Team qualification facts

The 2017 U.S. Youth Championships is the second of two Youth Worlds qualifier events for the International 420, Laser Radial, and 29er classes (men’s and women’s).

  • Second qualifier for the Laser Radial (previously held): Laser Midwinter’s East Regatta, February 23-26, 2017, Clearwater Beach, FL
  • Second qualifier for the I 420 (previously held): I420 Midwinters, February 18-20, 2017, Miami Beach, FL
  • Second qualifier for the 29er (previously held): 29er Midwinters West, March 24-26, 2017, Coronado, CA
  • The 2017 U.S. Youth Championships is the sole Youth Worlds qualifier for the Nacra 15.
  • The windsurfing sailors at Youth Worlds will be selected by resume.
  • The Laser Full rig is not a Youth Worlds event.
  • More qualification details.

US Sailing Coaches on-site

  • Laser Radial: Amanda Clark – 2012 and 2008 Olympian, Women’s 470 Class
  • Laser Radial: Charles Higgins – Assistant Coach, Old Dominion University
  • Laser: Scott Ikle – Head Coach, Hobart and William Smith Colleges. US Sailing National Coach of the Year (2003), Developmental Coach of the year (1998), and Pan Am Games team leader (2003)
  • I 420: Elizabeth Kratzig – Seven-time US Sailing Team Member
  • 29er: Richard Feeny – Head Coach, US Sailing Junior and Youth National Championships
  • Nacra 15: Robbie Daniel – 17-Time US Sailing Team Member, Head Coach of Red Gear Racing
  • Techno 293 Plus: Solvig Sayre – Three-time US Sailing Team Member

Championship 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 (Techno 293 Plus).
  • The Arthur J. Steven Trophy was awarded to the winning multihull (Nacra 15) competitor.
  • The David M. Perry Perpetual Sportsmanship Trophy was awarded to sailors in each class: Chase Burwell (Laser), Matthew Priebe (Laser Radial), Luke Melvin (Nacra 15), Lars von Sydow (29er), JC Hermus (I420), Maverick Putnam (Techno 293 Plus)
  • US Sailing Championship medals were awarded to competitors who finish first through fifth overall in classes greater than 25 and first through third overall in classes greater than 10. In classes with 10 or less, first and second will be awarded.

The 2017 U.S. Youth Sailing Championships is sponsored by Gill North America and Hobie Sunglasses. This US Sailing National Championships is a Sailors for the Sea certified Clean Regatta.

US Sailing Contact: Jake Fish, US Sailing Communications Manager, jakefish@ussailing.org
Corpus Christi Yacht Club Contact: Jessie Monsivais, jessie.monsivais@gmail.com

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. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.

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.