US – UK Etchells Youth Challenge
Announcing the first US – UK Etchells Youth Challenge. The Challenge, issued by the Cowes, UK Etchells Fleet, includes one, or two, invitations to US Youth Teams for the Gertrude Cup in Cowes July 17-26, 2017. The US Team(s) will face stiff competition from 20 other teams, including the UK Youth entry.
The US Youth Team(s) will be selected from applications received by May 1, 2017. Applicants shall have reached their 18th birthday, and shall not be older than 25 as of January 1, 2017. Applications should include a sailing resumé, contact information, availability from May to July, birthdate, height, weight and a statement of how participation in the Youth Challenge will contribute to your development as a competitive sailor. The Selection Committee is Senet Bischoff, Michael Gavin, and Steve Benjamin. Applications may be submitted to EtchellsYouthChallenge@mgavin.fastmail.net
The Committee intends to make competitive boats available to youth sailors selected for the program, and will offer opportunities to develop their skills and teamwork in the run-up to the Challenge. The Committee may hold Trials during practices and at some or all of these events:
June 2-4: US National Championship, New York YC, Newport, RI
June 24-25: Atlantic Coast Championship, Shelter Island YC, Shelter Island, NY
July 8-9: Narragansett Bay Championship, Sail Newport, Newport, RI
July 15-16: Long Island Sound Championship, Larchmont YC, Larchmont, NY
For the 2017 Challenge the Selection Committee intends to source funding for the US Team(s). The British hosts have graciously agreed to supply accommodations and one entry, and a second entry can be secured for GBP 3,900. Please consider a tax deductible contribution to support the US Team(s)! In return, the US Etchells Fleet will be supplying a boat for the UK Youth Team to compete in a major US regatta in 2018, possibly the North American Championships. More details will be published as available on the Etchells Fleet 1 website www.etchellsfleet1.org
A new trophy will be dedicated to the annual US-UK Etchells Youth Challenge, commencing with 2017, the first year of this new competition. For 2017 the Youth Challenge Cup will be awarded to the top scoring Youth team at the Gertrude Cup.
The world famous Cowes Week regatta follows the Gertrude Cup, and it is possible that some of the US Team members may be interested in staying on in Cowes and competing.
