U.S. Junior Olympics Sailing Festival 2001
A Huge Success!

Wayzata Yacht Club greeted over 100 sailors from throughout the Midwest, June 22-24, for US Sailing’s Junor Olympic Festival sponsored by West Marine. Opening ceremonies began with the local Wayzata Color Guard, greetings from the mayor, and an introduction from Betsy Alison (Newport, RI), five-time Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year and one of the world’s top sailors. Alison served as a special guest coach for the weekend. Attendance this year was up over 30% from the previous Junior Olympics Festival held at the club and included large contingents of youth sailors from the Chicago area. Alison was quick to comment on how much fun this event is on Lake Minnetonka. “The Junior Olympic Festivals do so much to foster enthusiasm in sailing, boost confidence levels of young kids, and give them the chance to compete in a non-threatening environment.”

Cappy Capper of the Lake Minnetonka Sailing School saw many of his students excel at the event. He was quick to comment on the gratitude of all the kids and that this is not just any regatta, but an event that really encourages kids to focus on their dreams and aspirations. “This has been a truly successful grass roots level program of US Sailing and it’s growing the sport,” commented Capper.

David Jcrominski (Oak Creek, WI), silver medal winner of the 420 class, said a highlight of the event was “letting my crew get experience since it was his first regatta,” although he was also happy that “We got a first after taking 12th for two years.” brian Pannier (Lake Forest, IL) won the Optimist Green Fleet, for the youngest sailors. Catherine Carstens (Lake Forest, IL) finished second, and Robbie Allen (Deephaven, MN) took the bronze medal. Local sailor Jessica Haverstock of the Minnetonka Yacht Club wond the Optimist fleet for older kids (10-14). Gordy Lamphere and Andy Camarda, both from the Columbia Yacht Club of Chicago, rounded out the top three. Jessica really showed “the necessary discipline, maturity and ability to always think ahead when racing,” according the Betsy Alison after watching her race during the weekend. Minnetonka Yacht Club sailors Lindsey Allen and Ryan McNaught (both from Deephaven, MN) finished first and second in the Laser Radial fleet (Laser sailboats with smaller sails). Christopher Pinahs of Delafield, IL finished third. The Laser event, and Olympic class boat, was eventually won by Graham Erwin (Wayzata, MN) with 16 points, but not before closely fighting with Amanda Allen (Plymouth, MN) and David Onan (Shorewood, MN), who eventually took second and third, with 21 and 22 points, respectively. Alison was especially impressed with the competition in the Laser fleet commenting, “The top of laser fleet was real competitive with lots of lead changes.” Adele Wilhelm and Nicole Rothstein (Chicago, IL) won the gold medal in the Club 420, a popular double-handed boat used in college racing. David Jerominski and Maxx Berkowski (Oak Creek, MI) finished second with 18 points and the team of Lindsey Duda and Maggie Lumkes (Chicago, IL) finished thired with 20 points.

Complete results can be found at www.wyc.org/jo/, which also provides a link to event photographs taken by Joe Steel and Tim Altier.