Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Youth Trophy Announced for Key West Race Week

J/70 youth sailor at Key West Race Week (Key West, FL) – As a gold-level sponsor of Quantum Key West Race Week 2016, hosted by the Storm Trysail Club, Sailing World Magazine’s editorial team announced today the creation of a new trophy to recognize the most outstanding performance of the regatta’s youngest team.

“For the sport to be sustainable we need younger sailors engaged at all levels, not just in junior sailing but also at top-tier events such as Key West Race Week,” Sailing World Editor Dave Reed said. “The intent with this trophy is simple: to recognize owners and teams that provide opportunities for young amateur sailors to keep racing during a period of their lives where they potentially drop out of the sport.”

The Sailing World Trophy will be awarded to the best-performing team in any class whose average age of all crew members is less than 30 years old. Selection will be made by the Organizing Authority in consultation with Sailing World based on the average scores for the week, average age of the crew, and the relative difficulty of the competition in the class.

John Fisher, Chairman of Quantum Key West Race Week said on behalf of the Storm Trysail Club, “we applaud the decision by Sailing World to encourage participation of up-and-coming sailors at the grand prix level.  We are thrilled to introduce this new competition and thank Sailing World Magazine for sponsoring a special trophy that recognizes the best young team at Quantum Key West Race Week.  Storm Trysail Club has always believed it’s important to give young sailors an opportunity to race at the highest level. The ultimate goal is to grow sailing overall and sailboat racing with friends and family is one of the best ways to do that- it helps to foster a lifelong interest in the sport for young people.”

NOTE- to youth sailors.  You can sail Key West in a J/22, J/24, J/70 or J/80!  Many to be found in your backyards!  For more Quantum Key West Race Week sailing information