Lakewood youth sailor Asher Zittrer spent the better part of August in Kiel, Germany training and competing in the 2018 Laser Radial Youth World Championships, where he took 14th overall and 1st among his American peers.

Nearly 300 boys and 100 girls ages 19 and under were selected by their respective countries to be their country’s representatives in this event. In the U.S. those selections are based on the radial point system of the North American Laser Association. 

The US was allocated 15 spots at the championship based on the sailor’s point ranking from the year prior. U.S. Sailing further selected four young men as its official delegation to the event, providing high-level coaching and some cool U.S. Sailing Team gear. Zittrer was amongst that official delegation. 

Sailors competed for six full days with no more than two races to be sailed each day on the open waters of the Baltic Sea. Conditions varied from mild to a water spout on the water which tossed around a few boats on the last day and wind from nearly all directions over the course of the week. At one point in the event, Asher held 8th overall, but could not hold onto his top-10 spot in the final challenging days of Gold Fleet racing. Out of 11 races finished, he took 14th place overall and was the top American boy. The Club congratulates Asher for his hard work in advancing the Lakewood burgee! 

For more info about Lakewood Yacht Club's youth sailing program, which offers classes for youths ages 7 through 18, contact Waterfront Director Terry Flynn at [email protected].