Columbia, S.C. (June 25, 2015) – US Sailing makes a return to the state of South Carolina this week for the 2015 U.S. Junior Women’s Doublehanded Championship, hosted by the Columbia Sailing Club. Thirty-nine teams will race for the Ida Lewis Trophy in Club 420s on Lake Murray this Sunday, June 28 through Tuesday, June 30.
High-level coaching and skill development is a key component of this championship. Prior to racing, teams will take part in a two-day clinic this Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27. Led by Richard Feeny, US Sailing Junior National Coach, the clinics will feature several college sailing coaches including Old Dominion’s Mitch Brindley, Eckerd’s Zack Marks, and MIT’s Matt Lindblad. They will be joined by two-time Olympian Amanda Clark and former US Sailing Team members Alana O’Reilly and Elizabeth Kratzig.
“This championship is a great event because of the supportive atmosphere and camaraderie,” said Feeny. “The competition for the championship is fierce, make no mistake, but at the end of the day the sailors, and coaches as role models, share their passion and sportsmanship with one and all.”
What’s on the line?
- The top two eligible teams not already qualified will receive an invitation to the 2015 U.S. Youth Championships (July 6-10 in Bristol, R.I.), the premiere youth sailing regatta in the country, in a doublehanded boat of their choice.
Results & Coverage
- For Twitter updates from the racecourse, results and standings, photos, final report, and more information from the 2015 U.S. Junior Women’s Doublehanded Championship, please visit the event website.
Racing & Venue
- List of teams
- First warning for racing is 10:25 am EDT.
- The regatta will be sailed on Lake Murray between the Lake Murray Dam to the East and Spence Islands to the West.
- Spectator boats may be available via sign-up at the venue for racing days only.
- Ten races are scheduled. Three races are required to be completed to constitute a series.
- When fewer than six races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores.
- When six or more races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her worst score.
- Sailors must be 13 to 18 years of age.
Prizes
- US Sailing Championship medals will be awarded to competitors who finish first through fifth.
- The Ida Lewis Trophy is the perpetual trophy presented to the winning team.
- The C. Thomas Clagett Jr. Sportsmanship Prize will be awarded.
Championship Notes
- The U.S. Junior Women’s Championships Committee annually hosts two events: a Singlehanded and a Doublehanded championship. Both championships are open events.
- The U.S. Junior Women’s Doublehanded Championship started in 1995.
- Support of the U.S. Junior Women’s Doublehanded Championship as well as the clinics is made possible by funds provided by the late C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. to perpetuate his unwavering dedication to junior women’s sailing. This support is intended to encourage young American women to enhance their sailing ability, with emphasis on sportsmanship, by providing the opportunity to compete in national-level competition with guidance from high-level coaching. Tom Clagett’s family continues to assist in fulfilling his vision.
The 2015 U.S. Junior Women’s Doublehanded Championship is sponsored by Gill North America and Switlik. This US Sailing National Championship is a Sailors for the Sea – 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 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 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