U.S. Youth Match Racing Championship for the Rose Cup Preview

US Youth Match Racing Championship 2022 for the Rose Cup © Bronny Daniels / Joysailing

The 2024 U.S. Youth Match Racing Championship (USYMRC) is set to be a thrilling event, showcasing the top young sailing talent in the country. This prestigious competition will take place from June 26 to 30, 2024, at the Corinthian Yacht Club in Marblehead, Massachusetts.

The USYMRC is an invitational event open to sailors who have reached their 16th birthday but not their 21st birthday during the calendar year in which the event is held. The Championship features world-class coaching and race management and serves as an outstanding training ground for young sailors who are interested in match racing and focused on competing at the next level.

The event will feature teams of four sailors, competing in a round-robin format followed by knockout stages. Races will be held using Sonars, known for their suitability for close and competitive match racing.

Prior to the start of racing, competitors are treated to two days of practice and clinics, with coaching from sailing rules expert, Dave Perry, and match racing icon, Janelle Zarkowsky Martin.

Participants will be vying not only for the championship title but also for the prestigious Rose Cup, a trophy that symbolizes excellence in youth match racing. The event will follow the Racing Rules of Sailing and the specific Sailing Instructions tailored for this championship.

The winner of the USYMRC will also receive an invitation to the Governor's Cup International Youth Match Racing Championship, provided he or she has filed a Request for Invitation (RFI) for the Governor's Cup by Friday, April 12, 2024. The "GovCup" is the oldest, and arguably the most prestigious, youth match racing event in the world and will be sailed this year for the 57th time at Balboa Yacht Club in Newport Beach, California from July 22-27, 2024.

The Rose Cup started as an invitational youth match racing event in 2010. It was founded by members of Balboa Yacht Club in Newport Beach, California, and the Newport-Balboa Sailing & Seamanship Association ("NBSSA"). US Sailing made the event one of its three match racing championships, and it officially became the U.S. Youth Match Racing Championship in 2015.

At each USYMRC, the presentation of the Nick Scandone Sportsmanship Award is always a highlight. This trophy, named for the late US Paralympic Gold Medalist Nick Scandone who, in addition to winning the Gold Medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, was beating both able bodied and physically challenged competitors throughout the last year of his life as he fought ALS. Nick's persistence against seemingly insurmountable odds provides inspiration to winners of the Scandone Sportsmanship Trophy and to all sailors.

The Rose Cup was named by NBSSA for America's Cup, Congressional Cup and offshore tactician Andy Rose, for his contributions to youth match racing for the Governor's and Rose Cups.

Spectators and sailing enthusiasts can look forward to a high-energy competition with tight maneuvers and strategic sailing. The Corinthian Yacht Club, known for its excellent facilities and coastal views in the iconic sailing town of Marblehead, will provide a perfect backdrop for this exciting championship.

"The Corinthian is thrilled to be this year's Rose Cup host," shared Joe Fava, Regatta Chair at CYC. "Our club has been leading a movement to bring match racing back to Marblehead and the Rose Cup is part of this effort. Sailors should expect outstanding racing and umpires as the team includes both international race officers and international umpires. As with any event hosted at the Corinthian, competitors should also expect a great program off the water filled with great instruction and most of all FUN!"

Conditions in late June are expected to feature relatively light breezes with temperatures in the high 70's. While cloud cover and humidity generally increase during the month, sea breezes are possible in the afternoons.

This year's list of skippers includes sailors from all over the country, including one local:

• Connor Bennett (San Francisco, CA)
• Dylan Sih (Newport Beach, CA)
• Hamilton Barclay (La Porte, TX)
• James Pine (Mt Pleasant, SC)
• Morgan Pinckney (Newport Beach, CA)
• Pearse Dowd (Marblehead, MA) * local competitor
• Peter Busch (San Diego, CA)
• Siena Nichols (Corona del Mar, CA)
• Thomas Sitzmann (Severna Park, MD)
• Tor Svendsen (Ross, CA)

The event will feature a two-day livestream on June 29 - 30 with commentary, presented by GoPro. Commentary provided by Clinton Hayes (Saturday) and Ansgar Jordan (Sunday).

For more details on the event schedule, rules, and livestream, visit the event website.