J/70 YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP

North Sails partners with J/Boats to create a unique platform opportunity for youth sailing at a championship level

Nine youth teams from Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, California, and Rhode Island met in Newport, RI to compete in the J/70 Youth Championships to further develop high performance racing and get more young sailors on the water. To start off the weekend, North Sails Tim Healy and Will Welles held a clinic with the youth teams to get them race ready. The main focus of the clinic was rig tuning, weight placement, and techniques. Sailors were able to take what they learned and use it during the actual regatta.

After the weekend of racing, youth team Santa Barbara came out ahead with flying colors, winning 1st place at the Championships as well as free usage of a fully equipped J/70 with sails and a trailer to race for twelve months. Consisting of SBYC, Severn Sailing Association, Sail Newport, Annapolis YC, CRYC, Little Traverse YC, the Mudratz, Eastern YC, and St. Pete Youth Sailing Team, the Youth Champs was a great event for younger sailors to gain experience in a high-performance racing boat.

Congratulations to the youth team representing Santa Barbara YC! Skipper Lucas Pierce and his valiant crew sailed a fantastic regatta and were well deserving of this win. Next year, the St. Petersburg Yacht Club in Florida will be the host of the 2018 Annual J/70 Youth Championships. Thank you to SPYC for stepping up for next year to promote youth sailing. We look forward to seeing more youth sailors on the water in the future.

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