What’s the saying, “youth will be served”? That phrase certainly applies to this week’s SCOTW, Blaire McCarthy. I had the chance to hang out with Blaire at the as she was skippering Matt Wake’s fellow American Team at the FarEast International 23R Regatta in China, and what a delight she is! Smart, sweet, tough and a hell of a young sailor, Blaire is the kind of kid that makes us feel good about the future of our sport. This picture above is one that needs a bit of an explanation, so stand by for that! In the meantime, here are a few words from Blaire: – ed.
I began sailing at the age of 6. The first boat I sailed on was with my mother on her Sunfish. I started racing as part of the summer program at Barnegat Light Yacht Club in NJ and the remainder of the year on the Junior Sailing Team at the St Petersburg Yacht Club starting in Optis and racing them until I was 14. During that time I had the opportunity to race for the US Team at the 2012 British Nationals in Pwllheli Wales and the 2013 Garda Optimist Meeting in Riva del Garda Italy.
I left Opti’s early to start racing Laser 4.7 and I am currently the National Champion, two-time MidWinters East Champion, and headed to Kiel Germany for the 4.7 World Championships this summer.
While racing Opti’s I started racing keel boats in 2012 when I crewed on a J70 at the St Petersburg NOOD Regatta. I also crewed on our family J/24 and with my Coach Todd Fedyszyn on his J/24. When I started High School I was able to join the SPYC Jr Offshore Program in 2014 and participated in several races including my first real offshore event the 2015 Bone Island Race where my primary role was helmsperson.
This past winter, Matt Wake temporarily loaned his Fareast 28r to the SPYC Jr Racing Team, I became the team skipper and we won the Sailing World Trophy for U25 Competitors at the 2016 Key West Race Week. Based on our performance, Matt Wake invited me to take the helm in Shanghai at the 2016 Fareast Cup, and we will also be racing together in the 2016 Figawi Race later this month.
