Connecticut based team takes Rose Cup at U.S. Youth Match Racing Championship

by US Sailing 2 Jul 2018 15:36 AEST 27 June - 1 July 2018

From left: Bram Brakman, Ashton Borcherding, Wiley Rogers, and Jack Parkin - 2018 U.S. Youth Match Racing Championship © Francis George / Oakclif

2018 U.S. Youth Match Racing Championship © Francis George / Oakclif

Ten teams of four, each with at least one female crew, competed at this year's 2018 U.S. Youth Match Racing Championship for the Rose Cup. Hosted by Oakcliff Sailing and Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, the competitors finished an exciting Round Robin in the late Saturday evening, the second day of racing. The hot and humid conditions continued Sunday with no breeze and no wind. The race committee could not start any races past 1:00 pm ET, so they referred to the results of the previous two days to score the regatta.

Round Robin leader, Jack Parkin (Greenwich, Conn.), and his team composed of Ashton Borcherding (Greenwich, Conn.), Bram Brakman (Darien, Conn.), and Wiley Rogers (Kemah, Texas) were crowned the overall winners of the 2018 U.S. Youth Match Racing Championship for the Rose Cup. Parkin's team represented the Riverside Yacht Club (Conn.).

They finished nine races with eight points, and only one loss in the Round Robin to last year's champion, David Wood (Corona del Mar, Calif.).

Also finishing with eight points through nine races were Cameron Feves (Long Beach, Calif.), Tanner Chapko (Coronado, Calif.), Brock Paquin (Coronado, Calif,), and Lukas Kraak (Palos Verdes, Calif.). Parkin defeated Feves in the Round Robin for the tie-breaker edge. Feves took second place overall and represented the Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club (Calif.).

Placing third with six points was Ansgar Jordan (San Diego, Calif.), Soenke Jordan (San Diego, Calif.), Patrick Mulcahey (Los Angeles, Calif.), and Marianna Shand (Chula Vista, Calif.). They represented the Coronado Yacht Club (Calif.).

In its brief, yet impactful history on youth match racing in the U.S., this invitational event for 16 to 20 year-olds has served as an outstanding training ground for young sailors who are passionate about match racing and focused on competing at the next level.

At each Rose Cup, one team is awarded the Nick Scandone Sportsmanship Award. The recipients are chosen by the other competitors. This year's recipients were Conrad Vandlik (Wayzata, Minn.), Carl Eaton (Wayzata, Minn.), Emma Aubuchon (Wayzata, Minn.) and Nathan Olmstead (Wayzata, Minn.).

Coaching and instruction plays a major role in these sailors' experience. Five-time U.S. Match Racing Champion, Dave Perry (Southport, Conn.), led a North U Advanced Match Racing Clinic on Wednesday and Thursday before the regatta, June 27 and 28. He also coached all three days of the regatta. His enthusiasm was contagious and invaluable to keeping the kids' morale high despite challenging conditions.

Originally known as the Rose Cup, this event was founded by members of the Balboa Yacht Club and the Newport-Balboa Sailing & Seamanship Association (NBSSA) and was started as an invitational youth match race event in 2010. The mission is to promote youth match racing in the U.S. and improve the skills of racers from around the country in national and international competition. In 2015, US Sailing elevated the Rose Cup to an official US Sailing National Championship.

Overall Results: