Please select your home edition
Edition
Armstrong 728x90 - Performance Mast Range - TOP

U.S. Junior Women's champions crowned

by US Sailing 25 Jul 2023 07:19 HKT
Trophy winners at the 2023 U.S. Junior Women's Championship © US Sailing / Lexi Pline

After three days of clinic with eight fleet coaches, the nation's top and emerging female sailors went head-to-head at the U.S. Junior Women's Championship presented by SouthCoast Wind, held at Roger Williams University and organized by US Sailing.

"We had very competitive racing, in varying conditions which let all sailors shine," said Alana O'Reilly Marks. "Many thanks to sponsors and supporters including the C. Thomas Clagett Trust, SouthCoast Wind, Gill, Professional Boats, New England Ropes, and Bristol Yacht Club."

Despite contending with light winds that tested their skills and patience, 33 young sailors gave it their all on the waters of Mt. Hope Bay in Bristol, R.I. After a nail-biting second day in the ILCA 6 fleet, 2023 US Youth Worlds Girl's Singlehanded representative Audrey Foley emerged victorious, winning the tiebreaker with Ava Anderson. Norfolk Yacht & Country Club sailor Rebecca Schill took third.

"Winning this event feels great! It was a really good five days," said Foley. "The Junior Women's Championship has been great prep for Youth Worlds this December. Being able to talk with coaches and work through things during the clinic has been super helpful."

In the 29er fleet, Annie Sitzmann and Daphne Walsh dominated the week, winning every race of the seven-race series. San Diego Yacht Club sailors Ava Gustafson and Kaya Hancock took second over teammates Julia Stewart and Madilyn Anderson who came in third.

"Our goals were to play the shifts and be very aware of the current," said Sitzmann, skipper of the winning 29er team. "We were really focused on communicating about the shifts."

  • Most improved ILCA - Petra Humphrey
  • Most improved 29er - Leila Pfrang & Madison Bivins
  • Sportsmanship ILCA- Lina Carper
  • Sportsmanship 29er - Sabrina & Jamie Starck
The U.S. Junior Women's Championship focuses on both competition and learning, with a three-day clinic preceding the two-day event. Private coaching is not allowed; instead, US Sailing provides eight fleet coaches, pulled from the top college, high school, and high-performance programs in the United States. This year, a majority of the coaches, seven of the eight, were women, inspiring the next generation of female sailors.

"It was so inspiring to see the 29ers in the Ida Lewis, and the next generation of female 29er sailors developing," said 29er fleet coach Kelly Cole.

Sailors noted takeaways beyond just improving their sailing. Many said their favorite part of the event was meeting new friends, and getting to sail in a new, exciting venue with help of the fleet coaches.

Related Articles

US Sailing and Zhik announce strategic partnership
Zhik will provide cutting-edge gear designed to enhance athlete performance on the water US Sailing, the national governing body for the sport of sailing in the United States, is proud to announce a new multi-year partnership with Zhik, global leader in high-performance water wear. Posted on 13 May
US Sailing Team set for the Paris 2024 Olympics
13 American athletes in nine classes will take to the Bay of Marseille Over the course of 12 days, 13 American athletes in nine classes will take to the Bay of Marseille for competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics, following a shortened runway of three years due to the delayed Tokyo 2020 Games. Posted on 27 Jul 2024
Some thoughts on U.S. Olympic sailing
If you're a fan of US Sailing you're best advised to stop reading this editorial Caveat Emptor: If you're a fan of US Sailing, and specifically how the organization runs the U.S. Olympic sailing program, you're best advised to stop reading this editorial. Posted on 13 Mar 2023
Open letter from Paul Cayard
The Executive Director of U.S. Olympic Sailing writes from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Sailing venue I am departing Japan today after absorbing the Olympic environment, observing our team in action and getting pointers from old friends who have been running teams in this game for decades. Posted on 5 Aug 2021
Fun is the key
We can create growth in sailing by helping people have more fun playing with sailboats The lessons of the past are still relevant today! This article excerpt was originally published in the July/August 1996 edition of the American Sailor. Posted on 29 Jul 2020
Hempel Worlds: New Doublehanded Offshore event
Mixed two-person offshore keelboat event will be on the program at the Paris 2024 Olympics For the first time in Olympic history, a Mixed Two-Person Offshore Keelboat event will be on the program at the Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing Competition. Posted on 7 Dec 2019
US Sailing team leadership statement
A statement from US Sailing regarding the U.S. Olympic Sailing Program US Sailing and Malcolm Page, Chief of Olympic Sailing, announced that they have agreed to part ways. Page will be leaving US Sailing and returning to his home in Australia. Posted on 20 Sep 2019
2019 Hempel World Cup Series Miami preview
30th anniversary of elite-level Olympic class sailing on Biscayne Bay Racing will soon begin at the 2019 Hempel World Cup Series Miami (HWCSM). This year marks the 30th anniversary of elite-level Olympic class sailing on Biscayne Bay. Posted on 25 Jan 2019
US Sailing competes at Tokyo 2020 Olympic venue
An important opportunity to test themselves against the best Olympic class sailors The competition this week is expected to be fierce, with eight recently crowned World Champions and over 30 OIympic medalists joining an entry list of more than 450 sailors from 45 nations. Posted on 11 Sep 2018
US Sailing team takes on Olympic Qualifier
At World Championships in Aarhus, Denmark The official start of the 2018 Hempel Sailing World Championships is Thursday, (August 2) in beautiful Aarhus, Denmark. Over the course of 11 days of racing, 10 Olympic classes and kites will coexist on the waters outside of Denmark's second largest city. Posted on 1 Aug 2018
Rooster 2025Pantaenius 2022 - SAIL & POWER 2 FOOTER ROWHenri-Lloyd Dynamic Range