They flew a long way across the country, and they don't wanna go home empty handed...
The young California sailors who stand proud in this picture are some of Youth Champ's hot hands this year. The young competitors hale from Southern California in the areas of San Diego and Newport Harbor. They are representing numerous yacht clubs including; San Diego Yacht Club; Mission Bay Yacht Club, Southwestern Yacht Club, and Newport Harbor Yacht Club.
Some of the competitors are being privately coached by Tyler Sinks, BC '11; the former two-time 420 class Youth Champion. Tyler packed his wisdom of the boat and some tiny tips he has for sailing in unpredictable breeze (very helpful for the sound). The sailors experience a slightly different scene back in their full year round summer setting. The breeze is usually steady and a regatta report time is usually a lot less early, which meant they all got the same reality wake up call...Literally. The cool Californians may be adjusting to the new setting, but the sailing is something they surely don't need to be introduced to. Most of the sailors are placed within the top ten, and some even fighting for first!
Kevin Laube (Mission Bay YC) and Reece Bernet (Southwestern YC) are leading the 420 class with 62 points just 3 less than the second place boat of Stephanie Hudson (Lake Beulah YC/Chicago YC) and Rebecca King (California YC). Both skipper and crew hale from San Diego, and are going to be seniors in high school this upcoming September. The second place boat had a strong lead the whole regatta up until today when the boys placed well ahead of the competition.
When asked about the event both boys said the same thing-"hard venue." With big shifts and dying/building breeze throughout each day of racing so far, the boys have definitely been keeping their sanity.
Kevin admits it isn't just the breeze making the regatta intense. "I'm definitely enjoying the regatta; the high level of competition especially. It's forcing me to be more focused because of the trickier sailing. Every race counts."
A high level of competition is right, but from what part of the country is it coming from? The West Coasty's definitely aren't fooling around in any breeze. Their attitude may be laid back but they keep the intensity turned on when it comes to their sailing. Who knows, we may even have another California 420 Youth Champion for the third year in a row! Go get 'em boys! Get full results of all the competitors at Youth Champs Online
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