US Sailing crowns new U.S. Junior Women's Singlehanded Champions

Hailey Thompson (Left) & Lucija Ruzevic (Right) © John Liebenberg

The 2019 U.S. Junior Women's Singlehanded Championship. For the first time in the event's history, the Nancy Leiter Clagett Memorial Trophy has been awarded to two competitors, across two classes. Representing Dallas Corinthian Yacht Club, Lucija Ruzevic (Denton, Texas) claimed victory in the Laser Radial fleet and local, Hailey Thompson (Kentfield, Calif.) represented San Francisco Yacht Club in the 4.7 fleet. The young women edged out a total of 43 competitors to claim the 2019 trophy and titles as National Champions.

This year's edition of the event was hosted by Richmond Yacht Club, located in Richmond, Calif. Ruzevic and Thompson triumphed in typical bay area conditions, facing moderate-to-heavy breeze and one-to-three-foot chop. Across the four final races, both finished in first place three times, and in second once. Their results in these races allowed each of them to clinch the Championship.

While this is Thompson's first appearance at the event, Ruzevic returned after competing at the 2017 edition. After finishing in sixth-place then, she was pleased to climb up the scoreboard this week, "I've sailed this regatta twice now, and I've worked really hard over these past few years. So, it's nice to walk away with the win."

The U.S. Junior Women's Championship was started in 1980 by C. Thomas Clagett Jr. (Washington, D.C.) at the Ida Lewis Yacht Club in Newport, R.I. Competitors sailed for a trophy in memory of Tom's wife, Nancy Leiter Clagett (Washington, D.C.) who passed away in April, 1977. The clinic preceding the event is made possible by the funds provided by the late C. Thomas Clagett Jr. to perpetuate his unwavering dedication to Junior Women's Sailing. As a national sponsor of US Sailing, Sperry and Hobie Polarized provide support to all 2019 U.S. Sailing Championships.

Overall Results: (top three)

Laser Radials
1. Lucija Ruzevic - 13/1-1-3-1-2-[4]-1-1-2-1
2. Sarah Young - 18/[7]-2-1-2-1-2-3-2-3-2
3. Kaitlyn Hamilton - 34/4-4-6-[10]-4-5-4-3-1-3

Laser 4.7s
1. Hailey Thompson - 19/4-5-3-1-1-[7]-2-1-1-1
2. Sophia Debs - 23/1-1-2-3-2-1-[9]-8-3-2
3. Catie Vendervort - 27/2-3-1-5-3-4-1-5-[8]-3

Full results available here.

For more information visit the event website.