Delisser U.S. Junior Women's Singlehanded Champion

by SallyAnne Santos on 9 Aug 2008 After three days of racing on Lake Michigan with conditions ranging from light winds on Wednesday to strong seas on Thursday, Arielle Delisser and Marissa Lihan, both of Coral Reef Yacht Club were tied with 37 points going into Friday's final race.

Thursday's leader Sky Adams of Santa Barbara Yacht Club, was also still in the hunt with 40 points, but in the end it was Arielle Delisser of Miami, Fla. who prevailed, claiming the title of 2008 U.S. Junior Women's Singlehanded Champion.

Hosted by the Macatawa Bay Yacht Club (Holland, Mich.) and sponsored by LaserPerformance, the competition sailed in Laser Radials took place over three days and was preceded by a two- day clinic headed by US SAILING's Junior Championship coach John Vandemoer. Other coaches included Ward Cromwell, Sarah Lihan and Allie Bleecher. After somewhat disappointing results in Wednesday's racing with lighter winds, Delisser had a fantastic Thursday afternoon taking a first and a third, which moved her up to second position, just two points shy of then leader, Sky Adams of Santa Barbara, Calif. On Friday, Marissa Lihan of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. scored two firsts and a second which tied her with Delisser going into the final race. In the closely contested tenth and deciding race of the regatta Delisser finished first to clinch the championship, followed by Lihan who finished third and Adams who finished fourth. Lihan placed second overall in the regatta with 40 points and Adams claimed third with 44 points.

Delisser said that although the big seas on Lake Michigan were a challenge for her, she sails best in heavier air by hiking harder and holding the boat down longer. Her skill showed in her results in Friday's conditions of 10+ knot northwest winds. Runner-up, Marissa Lihan, who is also one of Delisser's best friends, said 'I am quite happy with second place.' To Lihan, the best part of participating in this US SAILING championship, is the camaraderie of her fellow competitors both on and especially off the water.

As the winner of the event, 16 year old Delisser who bested 45 top junior women sailors from across the country ranging in age from 13 to 18 years old, will be awarded the Nancy Leiter Clagett Memorial Trophy. Additionally, she along with the nine other top finishers have now qualified to attend two advanced junior women's racing clinics to be held in 2009.

U.S. Junior Women's Singlehanded Championship
Laser Radial (Top 5/ 46 boats, 10 races, 1 discard)

1. Arielle Delisser/ Coral Reef YC (Miami, Fla.); [16], 10, 4, 5, 3, 1, 4, 9, 1, 1: 38 points
2. Marissa Lihan/ Coral Reef YC (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.); 9, 4, [33], 9, 2, 1, 1, 2, 3: 40 points
3. Sky Adams/ Santa Barbara YC (Santa Barbara, Calif.); 6, 1, [15], 7, 6, 2, 3, 2, 13, 4: 44 points
4. Katherine Lund/ Riverside YC (Riverside, Conn.); 7, 17, 10, [21], 7, 5, 2, 7, 3, 6: 64 points
5. Eliza Richartz/ Wadawanuck YC (Old Lyme, Conn.); 12, 3, 3, 2, 13, 15, 5, 11, [22], 7: 71 points

This event, part of US SAILING's National Championship series, was founded 1980 to encourage women's sailing in the United States by providing an opportunity for young women to compete at the national level. Among the past winners of this event is current Olympian and member of US Sailing Team Alphagraphics, Amanda Clark, who has won the championship twice.
For complete results, daily reports, and photos from the event, visit the event website at http://www.ussailing.org/championships/youth/usjrw/single/. The U.S. Junior Women's Singlehanded Championship for the Nancy Leiter Clagett Memorial Trophy is part of US SAILING's National Championships series. For more information about these events, visit www.ussailing.org/championships

Support for the U.S. Junior Women's Singlehanded Championship comes 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 Laser Radials sailed in this event, is once again sponsored the U.S. Junior Women's Singlehanded Championship. LaserPerformance has been a dedicated sponsor of numerous U.S. National Championships for more than a decade, encouraging sailors in the U.S. to enjoy the sport while also ensuring great competition. Visit their website at www.laserperformance.com.

The United States Sailing Association (US SAILING) is the national governing body for sailing. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, the organization provides leadership for the sport of sailing in the United States. 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 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Teams. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.