The 2026 U.S. Youth Championship delivered thrilling racing and dramatic weather challenges as over 190 youth sailors competed for national titles and coveted spots on the United States team for the Youth Sailing World Championship. Held over Columbus Day weekend, the regatta split across two venues: Alamitos Bay Yacht Club in Long Beach, California, hosted the 29er, Formula Kite, International 420, ILCA 6, and iQFOiL classes, while Sarasota Youth Sailing in Sarasota, Florida, staged the Buzzelli Nacra 15 North American Championship. Both events felt the effects of hurricanes on their respective coasts but adapted admirably to deliver outstanding competition.
The Youth Champs pushed sailors to their limits both on and off the water, with large swells and constantly shifting winds creating a true test of skill. Friday opened with classic Long Beach conditions, featuring 15-plus knot winds and choppy seas, allowing each class a full slate of racing to kick off the event. Saturday proved far more difficult as approaching storms sent winds swinging wildly from 0 to 25 knots across all compass directions, making racing impossible despite persistent efforts from the Race Committee. Sunday brought large swells paired with moderate breeze, producing great racing in a technically demanding sea-state that tested sailors’ finesse. Monday’s finale delivered lighter, shifty winds and periodic rain showers, setting up challenging final races. Principal Race Officer Jeff Johnson and Course Race Officers Becky Ashburn and Randy Smith earned praise for their steadfast leadership through the many curveballs thrown by Mother Nature.
On shore, Alamitos Bay Yacht Club performed masterfully in the face of weather-related road and beach closures, ensuring the regatta continued despite minimal vehicle access and no boat storage on the beach. “Event Co-Chairs Ed Feo and Mike Van Dyke, along with ABYC Club Manager Susannah Pyatt, Waterfront Director Brooke Jolly and a dedicated crew of staff and volunteers pivoted many times throughout the long weekend to keep the event on track,” said John Pearce, US Sailing Youth Racing Director. “On behalf of US Sailing, I want to thank the entire ABYC community for their dedication and spirit, contributing to one of the most successful and memorable regattas in US Youth Championship history. Our thoughts are with the Long Beach residents whose homes have been damaged by the ocean.”
“It was a privilege to host the top youth sailors from around the US for four competitive days in quite varying conditions,” said Event Co-Chair and ABYC Commodore Ed Feo. “We had to deal with hurricane-generated waves resulting in damage to property and the closure of the only road leading to ABYC — and the challenge of ferrying by small boats 300-plus sailors, coaches, volunteers and spectators every day from across the bay. What impressed me was the extent to which everyone adapted to the circumstances and worked together to make this a memorable and successful event.”
On the racecourse, the Vakaros Racesense system was utilized for the ILCA 6 and International 420 classes, eliminating general recalls and allowing more races to be completed when weather windows opened. “This pilot of the Racesense automated race management system has helped gather data and feedback from sailors, parents, coaches and race officials on how to best capitalize on this technology in the future,” said Pearce. “The fact that we were able to start races without any general recalls, and that boats can quickly restart and get back into the race, is pretty cool.”
The 2026 edition also marked the first time the Formula Kite class competed at the Youth Champs. Four kiters raced at speeds exceeding 20 knots on the same racecourse that will host the LA2028 Games. Molly Obrien demonstrated impressive speed and skill to claim the first-ever Formula Kite title at the championship.
Meanwhile, in Sarasota, the Nacra 15 North American Championship attracted 14 teams vying for the Arthur D. Stephens US Youth Multihull Championship Trophy. Saturday’s opening day produced excellent racing in 12 to 20 knots of wind, with five races completed. Sunday brought storms that kept sailors ashore until mid-afternoon, allowing only one race. Monday saw 9 to 14 knots and three more races, with the team of Dylan Tomko and Casey Small capping a dominant performance by winning every race for a perfect “picket fence” scoreline.
After a weekend defined by patience, perseverance, and tight competition, champions were crowned on Monday. Far more than national titles hung in the balance: the top eligible team in each class earned selection to represent the United States at the 2026 World Sailing Youth World Championships in Portugal this December, while the top half of each fleet received automatic invitations to the U.S. Sailing Youth National Team Thanksgiving Camp this November.
“The places you go and the friendships you make are the real trophies in our sport,” said sailing legend Dave Perry at the US Youth Championship awards ceremony.
2026 U.S. Youth Championship Results:
29er for the Trevor Moore Trophy
iQFOiL for the Major Hall Trophy
Echo Lin (Youth Worlds Qualified iQFOiL Girls)
I420 for the Manton D. Scott Memorial Trophy
ILCA 6 for the Robert and Ann Conner Trophy
Sydney Small (Youth Worlds Qualified ILCA 6 Girls)
Dave Perry Sportsmanship Award
Buzzelli Nacra 15 North American Championship Results
Photos by Simone Staff.
