Osterville, Mass. (August 3, 2015) – The 2015 Chubb U.S. Junior Sailing Championships is underway this week for four days of racing at one of the country’s most preeminent maritime venues – Cape Cod. The Wianno Yacht Club in Osterville, Mass. will host this year’s championships that feature a talented collection of the top young sailors in the country. These aspiring young sailors are eager to test themselves in single-, double-, and Quadruplehanded competition. Nearly 100 youth sailors will be racing on Nantucket Sound for the renowned Smythe Trophy, Bemis Trophy, and Sears Cup.
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:
- U.S. Junior Singlehanded Championship for the Smythe Trophy to be sailed in the Byte CII.
- U.S. Junior Doublehanded Championship for the Bemis Trophy to be sailed in the Club 420.
- U.S. Junior Quadruplehanded Championship for the Sears Cup to be sailed in the Wianno Senior.
2016 U.S. Youth Sailing Championships Early Acceptance
The top two Youth Champs eligible single- and doublehanded teams not already qualified and finishing in the top 30% of competitors will receive early acceptance to the 2016 U.S. Youth Championships in a boat of their choice. Teams must apply for the 2016 U.S. Youth Championship by the 2016 deadline to be eligible.
Clinics and Coaching
Competing sailors engaged in an onshore clinic on Sunday and an on-water clinic on Monday with several notable college sailing coaches from around the country. The clinics are led by Richard Feeny, US Sailing Junior National Coach. Here is a list of coaches working with the sailors this week:
- Amanda Callahan: Head Coach, Roger Williams University
- Cappy Capper: Head Coach, University of Minnesota
- Brian Clancy: Head Coach, Cornell University
- Molly Vandemoer: Director, Peninsula Youth Sailing Foundation
Racing Notes
- Racing will take place in Nantucket Sound, with the race course located on the easterly side of the harbor entrance.
- The Singlehanded and Doublehanded disciplines will sail a trapezoid course.
- The Quadruplehanded discipline will sail a windward/leeward course.
- Ten races are scheduled for the Singlehanded and Doublehanded disciplines.
- Eleven races are scheduled for the Quadruplehanded discipline.
Schedule
- Monday, August 3: First warning at 2:00 pm
- Tuesday, August 4: First warning at 10:00 am
- Wednesday, August 5: First warning at 9:00 am
- Thursday, August 6: First warning at 9:00 am
Sportsmanship and Seamanship Awards
- Singlehanded: Faye Bennet Sportsmanship Award
- Doublehanded: Bemis Sportsmanship Award
- Quadruplehanded: Cox Sportsmanship Award; the Seamanship Trophy will be awarded to the Quadruplehanded Team that receives the greatest number of points for neatness and general ship-shape condition of their boats.
The equally matched Club 420 and Byte CII sailboats are supplied by Zim Sailing. The 2015 Chubb U.S. Junior Sailing Championships is sponsored by Chubb Insurance Group, Gill North America, Zim Sailing, and Switlik Survival Products. This US Sailing National Championship is a Sailors for the Sea certified – Clean Regatta.
Event Coverage
For social media coverage, daily video highlights, results and standings, photo gallery, and more information from the 2015 Chubb U.S. Junior Sailing Championships, please visit the event website.
Social Media Highlights
For breaking news and race results, follow Twitter hashtag – #ChubbChamps15 – and participate in the conversation throughout the championship on all social media platforms.
Sailing news: Wianno YC host US junior championship http://t.co/ielgsMOZUM @capecodtimes @SailingWorldMag @ussailing pic.twitter.com/Qj8oxUKkm3
— CapeCodTimes sports (@sportsCCT) August 2, 2015
Wianno Senior start race number 2 #chubbchamps15 @ussailing pic.twitter.com/WXqzxpyrxi
— Wianno Yacht Club (@WiannoYachtClub) August 3, 2015
A photo posted by Liz Ferenbach Walker (@liz.f.walker) on
US Sailing Media Contact: Jake Fish, 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 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 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 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 Switlik Survival Products
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