YOUNG AMERICA FIELDS JUNIOR TEAM
FOR JAPANESE INVITATIONAL REGATTA

SOUTH PORTLAND, ME, June 18, 1997- A junior sailing team will represent the NYYC/Young America America's Cup Challenge this summer at the Tamatsukuri International Junior Regatta, an invitational event hosted by the Nippon Challenge, the Japanese America's Cup Challenge. Five junior sailors will compete representing NYYC and its Partner Yacht Clubs in the event July 31-August 4.

The following young sailors were named to the NYYC/Young America team: Sailing Optimists: Peter Fleming, 14, of Portsmouth, R.I. (NYYC); Brittany Buchan Maschal, 15, of Beach Haven N.J. (St. Petersburg YC/NYYC); and Scott Wake, 15, of Sturgeon Bay, Wis.(Bayview YC). Sailing Mini Hoppers: Sean Doyle, 17, of St. Petersburg, Fla. (St. Petersburg YC) and Justin Hood, 18, of Zenda, Wis. (Chicago YC).

The team coach is Toshifumu Sakama of St. Petersburg, Fla. The team leader is Merritt Palm, director of the Partner Yacht Club program for the NYYC/Young America Challenge.

"We are honored to participate in the Tamatsukuri International Junior Regatta," said John Marshall, president of the NYYC/Young America Challenge. "The NYYC/Young America Challenge is dedicated to giving something meaningful back to young people both on the water and in the classroom. This regatta is just another opportunity for us to practice this philosophy."

The NYYC/Young America Challenge has a number of programs that benefit America's young sailors including a national classroom education initiative and a junior match racing regatta. On the water, the NYYC/Young America Challenge provides young sailors with unique opportunities to compete through the Partner Yacht Club program with Annapolis (Maryland) Yacht Club, Bayview (Michigan)Yacht Club, Chicago (Illinois) Yacht Club, Portland (Maine) Yacht Club and St. Petersburg (Florida) Yacht Club. This year's Young America Junior Match Racing Championship will be held at Partner Yacht Club St. Petersburg October 3-5. Ten junior teams from NYYC/Young America's Partner Yacht Clubs around the nation will compete in Sonars.