As the high school and college spring seasons come to a close, CBYRA junior racing and youth sailing camps kick into high gear. SpinSheet welcomes your junior sailing photos and insights for regatta reports, coach profiles, and other youth sailing news. Send all to [email protected].
The Mallory Trophy
The Mid-Atlantic Scholastic Sailing Association (MASSA) 2026 Fleet Championship and Mallory Qualifier brought high school teams to Severn Sailing Association in Annapolis on May 9 and 10 to compete aboard Club Flying Juniors. Of the 18 teams racing, the top four—Severn School, Southern Regional High School, Christchurch School, and Key School—have qualified to compete in the Mallory Fleet Race Nationals (for two-division fleet racing in doublehanded dinghies) held at the Southern Yacht Club on Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana on May 30-31. Nationals unfolded after this issue went to print, so stay tuned for updates.
The first day of racing for the Qualifier in Annapolis began with a promising eight to 12 knots of breeze from the south, but as rain moved in and the breeze became unstable, an AP was called on the water for A division. Later in the day, competitors got in two more sets as a light breeze filled in. Sunday was a different story; competitors benefited from a southeast breeze that allowed for two sets in each division.
The Baker Trophy
In other high school national championship news, Severn School sailors clenched the Baker Trophy, besting 12 teams at the 2026 Team Race National Championship hosted by Christchurch School in Virginia on May 15-17 at the school’s waterfront campus on the Rappahannock River. Sailing for Severn School (Severna Park, MD) were skippers Annie Sitzmann ’26, Alex Baker ’26, Harrison Szot ’27, and Will Mohler ’27, with crews Annabelle Ulak ’26, Ana Fishback ’27, Georgia Knoepfle ’29, Hudson Grow ’28, and Charlotte MacDonald ‘26. The Admirals’ senio
r sailors named here are all headed to college sailing teams next year: Sitzmann-Stanford, Baker-Georgetown, Ulak-Cornell, and MacDonald-Boston College.
Friday began with breeze at seven to 10 mph, with higher gusts; however, racing was called when significant wind shifts brought 90-degree oscillations and lulls. Saturday brought south-southeast winds at seven to 15 mph, though wind oscillations continued and low tides resulted in moving the course further offshore. On Sunday, after little to no breeze in the morning, winds built to 10 mph with gusts in the teens for some great racing.
Annapolis Sailor Named to Youth National Team
Annapolis sailor Natalie Gaver has been named to the 2026 US Sailing Youth National Team. Gaver, now finishing her sophomore year at Severn School in Severna Park, MD, competes on the 29er with Caroline Heersink of Dothan, AL.
The US Sailing Youth National Team is composed of the top American youth athletes, under age 19, in the Youth Worlds Classes (iQFOiL, Formula Kite, ILCA 6, Nacra 15, 29er, and i420). Up to 74 athletes are named to the team annually, with selection procedures updated and revised on an annual basis. Athletes may qualify for the Youth National Team based on performance at qualifying events. Learn more at ussailing.org/teams/youthteam.
June CBRYA Junior Events
- Commonwealth Cup VA/ State Championship hosted by Fishing Bay Yacht Club, June 20-21
- Norfolk Yacht and Country Club Annual Junior Regatta, June 23
- Hampton Yacht Club Junior Annual Regatta and USODA Chesapeake Bay Championship, June 25-26
- Maryland State Championship at West River Sailing Club, June 29
- Annapolis Yacht Club Junior Annual Regatta, June 30
Find more junior sailing information at cbyra.org/junior-sailing-2.
