U.S. Junior Womens Doublehanded Championship
by Betsy Crowfoot & Jake Fish, US Sailing 28 Jun 2013 00:23 PDT
25-27 June 2013
Carolyn Smith (Newport Beach, Calif.) and Bayley Davidson (Costa Mesa, Calif.) cashed in on their fourth consecutive attempt to win the Ida Lewis Trophy at the 2013 U.S. Junior Women's Doublehanded Championship, hosted by the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club. The duo tallied a 3-4-2-4 scoring line in Thursday's third and final day of racing to win the title by eight points over contenders Cassie Obel (Marina del Rey, Calif.) and Annika Garrett (Culver City, Calif.). Smith and Davidson were representing the Newport Harbor Yacht Club and Balboa Yacht Club this week.
Smith and Davidson placed second at least year's U.S. Junior Women's Doublehanded Championship on Lake Minnetonka in Minnesota. They were the most consistent team this week. Smith and Davidson finished outside the top five just twice through 10 races. Making a hard charge today to place third was the team of Elena VandenBerg (Annapolis, Md.) and Lilla Salvesen (Edgewater, Md.). They won Race 9 and finished second in Race 10. Thursday's leaders Alie and Liza Toppa finished fourth (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.).
There were plenty of Black Flags and OCS calls throughout the three-day championship. "Starts are the most crucial part of the entire race," said Smith. "However, finding that happy medium between a competitive start and OCS is difficult."
"It's our first big win," exclaimed Davidson, who came up short in last year's championship by one point. "That haunted us," Smith added.
Winning in their home port in their final U.S. Junior Women's Doublehanded Championship was even sweeter. Smith and Davidson will find themselves on opposing college sailing teams next year. Smith will be attending St. Mary's (Md.) and Davidson is headed for the College of Charleston.
Today's conditions were a marked improvement from yesterday. Hazy skies were accompanied by ample breeze, with light but steady southerly winds for all four races.
For results, final standings, photos and more information on the 2013 U.S. Junior Women's Doublehanded Championship, please visit the event website.
The U.S. Junior Women's Doublehanded Championships sponsored by Gill North America and Zim Sailing, and is supported by the C. Thomas Clagett Jr. Trust. This championship is a Sailors for the Sea - Clean Regattas certificated event.