GROSSE POINTE SHORES, Mich. (August 14, 2014) – A climactic finish unfolded on Lake St. Clair on Thursday at the 2014 U.S. Youth Championships. It came down to the wire, including the final race of the regatta for several fleets. The crowded leaderboards and windy conditions provided an exciting finish to this pinnacle US Sailing Youth National Championship, hosted by Grosse Pointe Yacht Club.
Club 420 Fleet
Scott Sinks (San Diego, Calif.) and Rebecca McElvain (San Diego, Calif.) saved their best effort for the final day. The San Diego tandem proved to be the most consistent team of the week to win the Club 420 fleet after four more races Thursday. Placing second was Martina Sly (Weston, Fla.) and Ian Morgan (Shady Side, Md.). Sinks and McElvain also won the 2014 Club 420 National Championships.
Club 420 Top 5 – Final Standings
1. Scott Sinks/Rebecca McElvain, San Diego Yacht Club, [14]-11-9-2-10-4-4-4-2- ; 46
2. Martina Sly/Ian R Morgan, 10-9-2-6-8-12-3-[15]-3- ; 53
3. Campbell D’Eliscu/Briggs D’eliscu, 1-23-5-[34]-1-1-7-21-4- ; 63
Here's the report from Team Sinks/McElvain:
On Saturday August 9th my crew Rebecca McElvain and I traveled to Grosse Point Michigan to Compete in the U.S. Youth Championship hosted by Grosse Point Yacht Club. The Regatta began the following Monday under postponement due to heavy thunder and lightning storms. Unfortunately the storm never subsided and no races were completed on day one.
Day two began under postponement yet again. Thunderstorms and heavy Rain only allowed the race to get off one race in the c420 fleet. Rebecca and I finished in an unfortunate 14th place in the first race, not how we had hoped to start off the regatta but still plenty of races to be sailed with Bathmate Reviews in mind.
Day three began with clear skies and heavy breeze ranging from 15-20 knots. Four races were completed on day three. We finished in 11th, 9th, 2nd, and 10th in the four races putting us tied for 6th with only 10 points separating 10th place from 2nd place. With points so close Rebecca and I went into the final day focusing on nothing other than sailing well. With a good day we knew we could finish on the podium.
The Fourth and final day had strong breeze, big lulls and drastic shifts. The race committee was able to get off four races. Since the conditions were all over the place no one in the fleet was very consistent. Fortunately we were able to use our boat speed to get us out of tricky situations, and we scored a 4,4,4,2 in the final four races locking up first place overall in the 36 boat fleet.
Thank you so much to SDYC competition fund for giving us the opportunity to represent SDYC at the US youth Championship. Without your support, our experience would not be possible. Thanks!