Lucy Brock wins 2018 Women's USSCA North American Championship

Sunfish dinghies © Manhattan Yacht Club

An Austin Yacht Club youth sailor, Lucy Brock (age 15), won the Linda Tillman North American Championship trophy, renamed last year to honor one of our treasured members who left us a year ago and will never be forgotten. Lucy was fast and consistent with 4 bullets, one second and had to throw out a 3rd. She read the light air shifts smartly and avoided the holes that some sailors seemed to find.

Yes, this second day of racing was another light air day but with no rain or thunder storms. It was a gorgeous day on Lake Travis at this 400-member sailing club that boasts many national champions and even some Olympic medalists.

Anne Edwards of the Bay-Waveland Yacht Club in Mississippi took second place; her bullet in Race 5 on Day 2 brought loud cheers from the finish line. The third place finisher was Andrea Bright of the Rush Creek Yacht Club in Rockwall, TX, who had a bullet in Race 2 on Day One of sailing. Gail Murphy-Heausler of the Davis Island Yacht Club in Tampa was the 4th place finisher who managed top ten finishes in all the races. The fifth place finisher was Joanne Kolius of the Houston Yacht Club who said once she felt comfortable with the boat her finishes got better and better, and we noticed her smiles got bigger and bigger.

The Top Youth trophy was awarded to the second highest youth finisher, Fiona Foerlich of the Austin Yacht Club, since Lucy Brock had already received the highest award of First Place. The Austin Yacht Club's Youth Sailing Program is producing champion sailors who have won national and international acclaim. Bartlett Sails donated six Sunfish board bags which were awarded to the lucky recipients whose name was drawn.

And no regatta is complete without a huge, huge thank you to everyone who made it happen: the committee chairs Annie Lancaster, Pat Manning, Chris Bataille and Carolyn Wilsford; PRO Ray Shull and his dynamic race committee team; the hard-working and talented volunteer chefs in the kitchen who prepared meals fit for the most discriminating appetites; the tuxedo'ed boat boys who helped with getting boats on and off the board boat spaces each day and served everyone a glass of champagne when putting away the boats on the last day. Now how's that for Texas hospitality at its best?

Will Kresic and Lyndsay Stockwell gave a brief presentation of what's in store for next year's Women's USSCA North American Championship to be held Oct. 5-6, 2019 at the Niantic Yacht Club in Niantic, CT. Their planning has already started, so watch for updates and mark your calendars to join in on the fun!

Full results available here.