America's Cup Challenger Boosts US Sailing Youth Champs

US Sailing today announced that New York Yacht Club American Magic, Challenger for the 36th America’s Cup, will send sailing team members to coach competitors during the 2019 U.S. Youth Sailing Championships on June 21-25, 2019 at Little Egg Harbor Yacht Club in Beach Haven, New Jersey. American Magic was formed in 2017 to win the America’s Cup, the highest prize in sailing and the oldest trophy in international sports.

The premier annual regatta in American youth sailing, Youth Champs brings together over 150 talented young athletes in six classes. The American Magic coaches for the event will be sailors Andrew Campbell (San Diego, Calif.), Bora Gulari (Detroit, Mich.) and Trevor Burd (Marblehead, Mass.).

“US Sailing is doing critical work helping young sailors, and we’re just excited to assist however we can,” said Terry Hutchinson (Annapolis, Md.), Skipper and Executive Director of American Magic. “It will be awesome for American Magic to be a part of Youth Champs this year, and to spend time with a bunch of really motivated kids who have worked hard to get there.”

“We are really excited to have these incredible sailors and coaches from American Magic at Youth Champs to work closely with these young, aspiring sailors,” said Jack Gierhart, Chief Executive Officer of US Sailing. “American Magic has so much knowledge to share and inspiring stories to tell, and for many, Youth Champs was a launch pad for their careers. Andrew, Bora and Trevor were all members of the US Sailing Team earlier in their careers and pursued Olympic campaigns.”

On Friday June 21, American Magic sailors will join US Sailing coaches on the water to oversee optional practice races for all competitors. After racing and dinner, each fleet will meet with the combined coaching staff for a debrief.

On Saturday, June 22, the first official day of racing, American Magic and US Sailing coaches will again join forces for pre-racing coaching sessions, observation on the water, and post-racing debriefs. An American Magic presentation will be the highlight of Saturday's Youth Champs Celebration Dinner, and is open to all sailors, coaches, parents, volunteers and club members. The American Magic contingent will then wish all competitors well before returning to their training base near Newport, Rhode Island. Racing at Youth Champs will continue until June 25.

“US Sailing is committed to providing world class education and youth development opportunities to sailors at every level,” said John Pearce, Youth Director of US Sailing. “This year’s Youth Champs will offer a chance for the nation's top youth athletes to learn from some of the world's best sailors.”

The U.S. Youth Sailing Championships is the pinnacle event for youth sailing in the United States. Annually, this US Sailing National Championship welcomes the top competitive U.S. youth sailors under 20, both young women and men, in multiple classes to race over four days.

As with all US Sailing Junior and Youth National Championships, competitors will receive world-class event management and support. The 2019 U.S. Youth Championships will be run by a team of experienced judges, coaches and race officers who will provide high quality racing for America’s top youth talent. 

Since the first edition of the Youth Champs in 1973, the regatta has served as a transformative step for young sailors who aspire to reach the highest levels of sailing. Participants fill the rosters of successful college sailing programs and routinely achieve All-American status. Youth Champs is also part of the pathway for ambitious athletes who hope to earn a place on the US Sailing Team, and ultimately at the Olympic Games.