Youth Sailing World Championship - USA in the hunt in final stages

by Will Ricketson on 19 Dec 2016 US Sailing’s 2016 Youth Sailing World Championship Team (YWT) is competing in the top ten overall in five of nine classes as the world’s premier youth regatta enters its final stages. 380 sailors from 65 nations have gathered in Auckland, New Zealand for the event, which concludes on Tuesday.

“We have seen some strong performances from our team during the opening days of the regatta, and I think we have one of the best teams here,” said Leandro Spina (Miami, Fla.), US Sailing’s Olympic Development Director and Team Leader for the event. “Our sailors are focused on racing as well as they can, but not on medals at this point. Conditions in Auckland can change very quickly, as we have already seen. Our coaches have been encouraging everyone to stay in the moment, and at our team debriefs our sailors have been sharing as much information as possible.”

The Youth Worlds is widely seen as a pathway towards the highest levels of the sport, and US Sailing’s Olympic Development Program (ODP) has made the support of the YWT a priority. “This event will be a springboard for these kids to sail at the top, and to continue chasing excellence in the sport,” said Spina. “Whether they pursue a dream like the Olympics or something else, this will be an important step.”

Results heading in to Day 6:

• 1st overall, International 420 (boy’s two person dinghy): Wiley Rogers (Houston, Texas) and Jack Parkin (Riverside, Conn.)
• 4th overall, International 420 (girl’s two person dinghy): Kathryn Hall (Haverford, Penn.) and Ashton Borcherding (Greenwich, Conn.)
• 3rd overall, Nacra 15 (open multihull): Romaine Screve (Kentfield, Calif.) and Ian Brill (San Diego, Calif.)
• 7th overall, Laser Radial (boy’s one person dinghy): Carrson Pearce (Manahawkin, N.J.)
• 10th overall, Laser Radial (girl’s one person dinghy): Sophia Reineke (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
• 14th overall, 29er (boy’s skiff): Ryan Ratliffe (San Diego, Calif.) and Sam Merson (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.)
• 18th overall, RS:X (boy’s windsurfer): Geronimo Nores (Miami Beach, Fla.)
• 22nd overall, 29er (girl’s skiff): Louisa Nordstrom (Osprey, Fla.) and Catherine Mollerus (Larchmont, N.Y.)
• RS:X (girl’s windsurfer): No Selection

*Note: No female US RS:X sailor qualified for the 2016 Youth Worlds Team

More information about the 2016 Youth Worlds, visit the event website.