news release

Youth Sailing Foundation’s (YSF) Assistant Sailing Director, Roberto Ayala took first in the Junior Division of the 2021 Star North American Championship. Sailed on August 17-21 in the Pacific Ocean off Newport Beach, California; the regatta drew six Olympic medalists among an elite field of thirty boats. The Star class is a 22-foot high-performance sailboat with a two-person crew. In addition to Olympic competition, major regattas like the North American Championship are held around the world leading up to the 2021 World Championship in Keil, Germany. Dating back to 1923, the Star Championship is one of the most coveted cups in all of sailing.

Sailing seven races over four grueling days at sea, skipper Roberto Ayala and crew Hendrick Reidel took first in the Junior Division and twenty-first overall. YSF congratulates Roberto on this spectacular achievement. As Assistant Sailing Director, Roberto teaches a wide range of programs including advanced racing in Optimist (elementary school), Feva (middle school) and 420 (high school). He travels with YSF sailors to regattas across the state of Florida.

Youth Sailing Foundation of Indian River County, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit devoted to eliminating cultural and financial barriers to sailing. Numerous youth programs are offered throughout the year, many of them free to participants. For more information or to make a tax-deductible donation, please visit:  www.ysfirc.org.