Ten teams competed this year for the J/70 Youth US National Championship. Regatta Chair Todd Fedyszyn and PRO were able to run a total of nine quick, fast races throughout the two-day competition. The St. Petersburg Yacht Club provided amazing hospitality for the teams in attendance from all over the USA (both West and East Coasts), plus a skipper/team from Spain. Sailed in their identically-equipped 10 J/70s, it was Spanish skipper Carlos Bermudez de Castro from Barcelona Yacht Club who just managed to hold on to their lead on the last day to win by a mere single point. Carlos’ crew consisted of Drew Mastovsky, Emmet Nevel and Oliver Stokke. They managed to post a somewhat consistent record until their last day, finishing with a 2-2-4-1-1-3-4-6-7 for 30 points total. The last day of racing proved to be pivotal for the Lake Minnetonka Sailing School Team from MN. This five-person team consisted of two boys and three girls. They were fast once they learned the J/70 and how to sail it in Tampa Bay’s choppy conditions. Skipper John Polek and crew of Max Sigel, Gwn Nechas, Sofia Sigel and Lucy Zinn managed to post an enviable record of 9-4-2-2-2-4-2-1-5 for 31 points total. Rounding out the podium was Pearse Dowd’s team from Corinthian Yacht Club in Marblehead, MA. Pearse’s team consisted of Max Dressel, Eloise Goedkoop and Tom Spencer. They started with an opening 10-8 tally, then posted a 1-3-4-6-1-4-1 for 38 points total. Rounding out the top five was Matei Meglic’s BOKE Team from the Del Rey Yacht Club in Los Angeles, CA in fourth place. His crew consisted of Oliver Keeves, Anton Schmid and Crue Ziskind. Taking fifth was Reid Nelson’s PUDGE Team from Davis Island Yacht Club in Tampa, FL. His crew consisted of Dawson Chambers, Maren Matthews and Kyel Pfang. For more J/70 Youth Championship information, visit https://www.facebook.com/j70usa.