Kirk, Segerblom capture US Youth Multihull Championship

Portsmouth, R.I. (Jan. 20, 2009) - Twelve teams waited patiently for sufficient winds throughout this year's edition U.S. Youth Multihull Championship at the Alamitos Bay Yacht Club in Long Beach, Calif. In the end, it was the team of Korbin Kirk, 14, and Daniel Segerblom, 13, holding the Arthur J. Stevens Trophy, awarded to the top youth doublehanded fleet racing team in the country.

Kirk (Long Beach, Calif.) and Segerblom (Costa Mesa, Calif.) qualify to represent the United States at the 39th Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship to be held in Buzios, Brazil, July 9-18, 2009.

The team of Kirk and Segerblom seemed unfazed by their lack of multihull racing experience. "We really didn't expect to win," said a humble Kirk. "But after the first day of races, we felt really confident." Sailors raced in Hobie 16s with spinnakers in this year's regatta.

Kirk should be full of confidence following his second win in six months. He also won the U.S. Junior Doublehanded Championship with his sister Haley in July. For the second consecutive year, a Segerblom can stake claim to the U.S. Youth Multihull Championship. Segerblom's older brother, Chris, won the championship a year ago.

The champs finished no lower than sixth in any of the seven races. They tallied three first place finishes while landing in second twice. They were tied for first following day one's two races with Taylor Palmer (Miami, Fla.) and Elizabeth Newberry (Biscayne Park, Fla.) after exchanging first and second place finishes. They cruised into first place alone after a second place finish in race three, and never looked back.

Scott Hoffman (Escondido, Calif.) and Ryan Porteous (San Diego, Calif.) finished in second place. They were the only returning team from last year's regatta when they finished third.

For complete results, photos and more information about the racing at the US SAILING ISAF Youth World Qualifier and U.S. Youth Multihull Championship Regatta, please visit the event Web site.

FINAL RESULTS: Entries - 12, Sailed - 7, Discards - 1, To count - 6, Boat - Hobie 16
1. Korbin Kirk (Long Beach, Calif.) / Daniel Segerblom (Costa Mesa, Calif.); 2, 1, 2, 6*, 1, 5, 1: 12 points
2. Scott Hoffman (Escondido, Calif.) / Ryan Porteous (San Diego, Calif.); 4, 5*, 4, 3, 2, 1, 5: 19 points
3. Julian Roots (Miami, Fla.) / Naomi Zenderman (Miami Beach, Fla.); 6*, 6, 1, 4, 5, 4, 3: 23 points
4. Eric Raybon (Shrewsbury, NJ) / Matthew Raybon (Shrewsbury, NJ); 5,3, 6, 1, 3, 8*, 6: 24
5. Taylor Palmer (Miami, Fla.) / Elizabeth Newberry (Biscayne Park, Fla.); 1, 2, 10*, 7, 4, 3, 9: 26