US Sailing names 12 to 2014 ISAF Youth World Championship Team

by Will Ricketson on 15 Mar 2014 US Sailing has revealed the names of twelve athletes that have made in onto its 2014 International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Youth World Championships Team. The premier youth event in international sailing, ISAF Youth Worlds represents the ultimate stage for America's best young talent. The 2014 edition will take place from July 12-19 in Tavira, Portugal.

'The twelve talented athletes who have qualified for this year's US Sailing Youth Worlds Team prevailed through a challenging selection process and should be proud to have reached this stage,' said Josh Adams, Managing Director of US Olympic Sailing. 'We look forward to supporting them as they train for Tavira and during the event itself.'

US Sailing's 2014 ISAF Youth World Championship Team:

Laser Radial (boy's one person dinghy): Luke Muller (Ft. Pierce, Fla.)
Laser Radial (girl's one person dinghy): Haddon Hughes (Houston, Texas)
International 420 (girl's two person dinghy): Audrey Giblin (Monmouth Beach, N.J.) and Taylor Gavula (Villanova, Pa.)
International 420 (boy's two person dinghy): Jack Parkin (Riverside, Conn.) and Florian Eenkema van Dijk (Darien, Conn.)
29er (open high performance dinghy): Quinn Wilson (Ojai, Calif.) and Riley Gibbs (Long Beach, Calif.)
RS:X (boy's windsurfer): Pedro Pascual (Cadiz, Spain)
RS:X (girl's windsurfer): Charlotte Samson (Clearwater, Fla.)
SL16 (open multihull): Ravi Parent (Bradenton, Fla.) and Nicholas Schultz (Sarasota, Fla.)

Returning to the team this year are Haddon Hughes (Laser Radial), Quinn Wilson (29er), and Ravi Parent (SL16).

'I'm super proud and excited for the challenge and opportunity to represent my country on such a big stage,' said Luke Muller, who was the youngest-ever Laser US Open National Champion in 2013, and is a first-time Youth Worlds Team member. 'I'm ready to work for the goal that I've set, which is definitely a gold medal.' When asked about what the event represents, Muller spoke about how the Youth Worlds is each generation's first big opportunity to shine. 'The way I see it, the Youth Worlds is a platform for people to succeed among their own age group, and I like knowing that many of those who have won titles at this event have gone on to medal at the Olympic Games.'

The members of US Sailing's 2014 Youth Worlds Team will also be named to the 2014 US Sailing Development Team (USSDT). The USSDT is comprised of the country’s top sailors in the classes selected for the 2014 Youth Worlds and the ten events selected for the Olympic Games.

For more information about the selection process for US Sailing's 2014 ISAF Youth Worlds Team, click here. For more information about the 2014 ISAF Youth Worlds, visit the event website.