Junior Sailors quest for National title

BHYC sailors qualified to compete in the Sears Cup National championship in Texas!

The Sears Cup is the oldest and most prestigious Junior trophy in the country. Begun in 1921 by Commodore Sears of the Eastern Yacht Club, in Marblehead, MA, it became a national trophy for triple-handed sailing in 1930 for sailors aged 12-18. The cup was founded "to promote seamanship and sportsmanship in youth sailing" and that is still the goal.

BHYC has only sent seven teams to the Sears Cup in its 100-year history. The first team was in 1955 when BHYC hosted the Sears Cup. Qualifying again this year is both an honor and a hard-fought goal.

The qualifier took place earlier this month in Bristol, RI, and was sailed in J 22s in light winds. The team excelled, taking three firsts and two seconds for a score of 7. In Texas, our sailors will race in RS 21s, which they sailed previously in 2021.

This year’s team is made up of Toby Clarkson, a rising senior at Lincoln Academy in Damariscotta , Otto Schoenthal, a rising Junior also at Lincoln Academy, Holden Langenhagen, a rising Senior at Weston High School, and Finn LaDue, a rising Freshman from New Hampshire. 

Toby and Otto are racing the Sears Cup for their third consecutive year.  Both currently work at BHYC in the Junior Sailing Program. In addition, they sail for Lincoln Academy in fall and spring as part of the high school sailing team, and again qualified for the Atlantic Coast Championship last fall.  As avid racers and eager competitors, both plan to continue racing after graduation from high school.

Holden Langenhagen has sailed at BHYC in the summer program since he was a child and now works at BHYC in the Junior Sailing Program.  Last year Holden sailed with Toby and Otto at a qualifier in challenging high winds and made clear his desire to join the quest for the Sears Cup.   

The Sears Cup requires all sailors to be from the same US Sailing region.  This year for the first time the team includes a New Hampshire sailor, whose skill Toby and Otto noticed while competing.  Finn has been sailing with his family his entire life and racing for six years.  He currently sails for the Lake Winnipesaukee Sailing Association and the University of New Hampshire MSST spring high school team.  He not only sails in summer, but also in winter with his kite wing on frozen lakes.  He sails in the summer on J-80s and other keelboats, never turning down an opportunity to sail.  He has talent beyond most 13-year-olds.

This appeal is for funds to offset the cost of sailors' travel, housing, meals, registration, and boat charter. The Sears Cup final is at Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook, Texas. This is an incredible opportunity and huge honor for these young sailors - and they thank you for your support. Sail Fast!