Junior Women's Doublehanded Champs
Sydney Bolger and her crew Caitlin Beavers dominated US SAILING's 33-boat U.S. Junior Women's Doublehanded Championship for the Ida Lewis Trophy, which wrapped up Saturday evening at host club Sausalito Yacht Club, Calif. The two 18-year-olds from Southern California came out of the gates strong on the first day of racing, winning all three races that day. They continued their dominance throughout the regatta, finishing 30 points ahead of the second-place team of Eliza Richartz (Old Lyme, Conn.) and Morgan Russom (Springfield, Penn.). The Championship is among several U.S. Championships sponsored by LaserPerformance.
For Bolger, this was her third consecutive year competing in the event, each year improving her final standing (finishing third in the event last year and 14th in 2006). This year was the first time she teamed up with Beavers for the U.S. Junior Women's Doublehanded Championship. For both sailors, this was their last time competing in this national Championship, as they will age out to compete in the event again next year (the event is open to female sailors between the ages of 13 and 18).
For complete results, photos and daily reports visit the event website.
This year's Championship was filled with returning sailors who competed in the same event last year: out of the 66 sailors who competed, 31 competed in the event last year. In addition, this year's Championship has been all about improving results: four of the teams who finished in the top five this year, finished in the top ten last year. All five teams now qualify for an Advanced Junior Women’s Clinic to be held next month in 29ers in Kingston, Ontario.
Racing at this National Championship, organized by US SAILING, was preceded by two days of on-the-water and on-land clinics designed to help the sailors prepare physically and mentally for the regatta. The clinics were taught by some of the nation's top youth coaches.
Support for the U.S. Junior Women's Doublehanded Championship, as well as the clinics, come from funds provided by the late C. Thomas Clagett, Jr., to perpetuate his 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.
Demonstrating a continuing commitment to youth sailing, LaserPerformance, manufacturer of the Club 420s sailed in this event, is once again sponsoring the U.S. Junior Women’s Doublehanded Championship.
