Legacy lives on at Youth Champs 2026

Phil Muller, the Youth Performance Manager for US Sailing, shares a view from the pinnacle of US youth sailing:

Dave Perry’s speech on the final day was a retrospective on everything sailing gets “right,” and a forecast that outlines the life lessons that become the true gifts and treasures of youth sailing.

Dave Perry delivered a barn burner at the closing ceremonies at the 2026 US Sailing Youth Champs at Alamitos Bay Yacht Club. With an historic high tide edging to the top of the club’s bulkhead, he stood at the podium ready to present the winners of this year’s Dave Perry Sportsmanship Trophy, but before he did, he took a few minutes to “tell it like it is” to his captive audience. And we’re so glad he did.

For context, a brief history lesson on the event that I think is necessary.

Fifty-three years ago, Bob Johnstone had an idea that was revolutionary at the time: let’s round up the top youngsters from all over the country and host a Championship event. In the 1950s and 60s, top juniors remained big fish in little ponds scattered all over the country. Most juniors at the time were accustomed to racing with their parents, or regionally in Optimist, Sunfish, or 420 events.

“It was disheartening to see how poorly the USA was doing at the IYRU Youth Worlds,” reflects Johnstone. “These youth sailing activities were great fun, but they were hardly a path for success in competitive, large fleet, international class racing… learning the disciplines of preparing and optimizing a serious racing boat in order to win. In some ways, my Lightning days in the 1950s sailing against adults was a faster track than [my boys] were getting in ‘youth” boats’.”

Johnstone asked himself, “How could I help them progress in ways beyond those available to me as a kid in the ‘50s?”

So, he twisted the arm of his buddy Ding Schoonmaker, who brought the firepower of the North American Yacht Racing Union’s (now US Sailing) Junior Sailing Committee, and host club of Sheridan Shore Yacht Club in Illinois. But where would he find the talent without the internet, marketing, or social media?

Leveraging his network of USA Olympians and sailmakers, Johnstone asked his friends to identify the 2-3 most accomplished youth sailors in their area. With his shortlist, Johnstone mailed an “Uncle Sam Wants You” style letter of invitation on USOYC letterhead.

The “closed” event provided coaching for all attendees and served as the qualifying regatta for the Youth World Championships. In 1973, the Championship event attracted over 125 juniors in the Laser and 470 within two months.

“This event would challenge the top youth sailors of America to become better… an even more motivating format than racing against adults,” noted Johnstone. “They’d make friends for life all over the country.”

Johnstone’s letter reads:

Be assured that everyone will return home a winner. Buddy Melges, Dave Ullman, Bruce Goldsmith, Bruce Kirby, and Manton Scott are just some of the world class sailors who will be there to observe, video, critique, and discuss your performance and convey their racing experience every evening after racing. Housing and food is arranged at no charge for all contestants. Eight new 470s are available for purchase. Other 470s as well as Lasers are available for charter.

Raise a glass to the days of yore whence we dropped our lunch bags on the signal boat, and sailed to and fro without support vessels, or the ever-watchful coach’s eye and insight, much less the mobile phone to capture each moment. The old salts might yarn on about the good old days, but we live in the now, and so does the Youth Championships.

And most importantly, the spirit of today’s event lives up to its original credo. Which is what this article is really about, delivered by Dave Perry, the sage in sandals.

“My freshman year, I was invited and I sailed in the very first Youth Champs – 53 years ago. And it is because of that event that I stayed in the sport and am still here today!”

During his speech, he schooled the crowd on Paul Elvstrom’s contributions to the sport that has made the game better. Dave’s contribution to our sport, the racing rules of sailing and his passion to share that knowledge with all of us are unmatched. The Dave Perry opus of “Winning In One Designs” was the first sailing book I ever read, and it’s one that I go back to time and time again.

This year’s Youth Champs in Long Beach was on the shoulder of weakening Hurricane Rachel that sent a massive south swell which pummeled the coastal communities of Southern California.

“I am impressed with how well you sail and how hard you worked in the big breeze and waves!” remarked Perry. “I am also impressed with your attitudes and patience. It’s been a tricky weather week! There are days like that. We are 100% dependent on Mother Nature. You all laughed and played and got through the tougher times. It’s a silly game we play, but when the wind is right, it’s the best game!”

It’s hard to remember that at the end of the day it is just a game we play when the Youth Worlds Qualification is on the line.

“There is one key to building a strong reputation…respect,” reminded Perry. “Respect for yourself, respect for your competitors, respect for the judges, race committee and organizers, and respect for the sport.”

Examples of ways to build a strong reputation include:
• If you touch a mark or foul someone, you take your penalty right then.
• Don’t protest every little thing.
• Help a competitor on shore.
• Ask a volunteer if you can help them do something.
• Say Thank You to the race committee and the hosts after a race and event.

“Remember, the results often don’t tell the real story,” said Perry. “There are always battles within the battle. Set goals that are challenging but reachable. Maybe it’s to try to beat that one kid who always beats you, or to try to pass five boats in the race, or finish in the top half of the fleet, or do better in the next race. Succeed in reaching your goal, then move the goalposts a little farther away.”

The winners of this year’s Dave Perry Sportsmanship Award from each class are:
• 29er: Tommy Zaydon
• Formula Kite: Zhihong Jet Ting
• ILCA 6: Taylor Escola
• I420: Klaikangwon Pibulpanijkarn
• iQFOiL: Lars Williams

Just as Johnstone initially designed in 1973, this year’s Youth Champs was the qualification regatta for the 2026 World Sailing Youth Championships this December. The Youth Worlds classes of competition mimic the current roster of Olympic Classes. To bring it all around full circle, the Youth Worlds Team is one of many sailing efforts supported by the Schoonmaker Foundation. The legacy of Bob Johnstone and Ding Schoonmaker continue today, 53 years later.

This year’s Youth Worlds Team Members are:

• 29er: Tilly Niemann and Maribelle Barelli; Braden Ozarski and Bennett Simpson
• I420: Sophia Alexopolus and Ana Gazoni; Arturo Zizold and Alessandro Baldessari
• Nacra 15: Dylan Tomko and Casey Smalls
• ILCA 6: Sydney Smalls and Mateo Coates
• iQFOiL: Echo Lin and Garrett January
• Formula Kite: Molly Obrien and Quincy Radkowski

“Be patient, never give up, and remain positive through the journey,” shared Perry. “That is the oil that will keep your machine running long after others have gone off the path. Find people you like to race and train with. If you enjoy the process, the results will take care of themselves.”