Shea/Gargula Compete for Smythe Trophy

Update - 08/13/09: Drew Shea has finished in 8th place overall followed by Mark Gargula in 17th place. The two Trevians faced a strong fleet in Laser Full Rigs which was dominated by Kevin Laube of California. Dan Nickerson was second followed by Olin Paine. Tim Zacher of Culver Academy finished in 6th place. For final results, click here.

PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (August 10, 2009) - US SAILING’s Chubb U.S. Junior Championships is a nationwide elimination series that is being held in Marblehead, Mass. on August 11-13. Sponsored by Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, LaserPerformance and Gill North America, and hosted by the Pleon, Eastern, Corinthian, and Boston Yacht Clubs, this unique regatta is among the oldest of US SAILING’s National Championships.

The events will feature competition in single-, double-, and triplehanded classes sailing Lasers, Club 420s, and Rhodes 19s respectively. Teams representing their home sailing organizations qualified for the championship by their performances at elimination events held within the 11 US SAILING Areas around the country. The top teams from each Area semifinal have advanced to compete for the Sears, Bemis and Smythe Trophies.

The Laser fleet will race for the Smythe Trophy. Established in 1974, this award is named for D. Verner Smythe, who was dedicated to organizing US SAILING Championships. Seven of the 20 competitors from last year’s singlehanded event, including the top three finishers in the 2008 regatta, have returned to sail for this year’s championship. Defending champion, E.J. O’Mara (Burton, Mich.) of Bayview Yacht Club, returns to the fold after winning the title on Lake Michigan a year ago. He finished 13th at the 2009 U.S. Singlehanded Championship and ninth at the 2009 U.S. Youth Sailing Championships. O’Mara will be challenged by last year’s runner-up, Timothy Zacher (Vermillion, Ohio) of the Vermillion Yacht Club, and last year’s third place finisher, Drew Shea (Wilmette, Ill.) of the Chicago Yacht Club. Dan Nickerson (Noank, Conn.) of Ram Island Yacht Club, could also be a factor in this year’s event. He finished fifth at the 2009 U.S. Youth Sailing Championships.

Note Shea recently finished in third place at the Buzzards Bay Regatta in MA.

Read more at:
http://media.ussailing.org/US_SAILING_Media_Home/Latest_News/Chubb_USJC_preview.htm