U.S. Multihull Championship at Pensacola Beach Yacht Club
by Jake Fish, US Sailing 19 Nov 2012 15:19 HKT15-18 November 2012
Newberry becomes first woman skipper to win event
Sarah Newberry (Miami, Fla.) and Kenny Pierce (Hialeah, Fla.) capped a perfect week by finishing first in Sunday's only race. The duo won the 2012 U.S. Multihull Championship, hosted by the Pensacola Beach Yacht Club, with 14 wins in 14 races. Not only were they undefeated, but Newberry made history by becoming the first woman skipper to claim the U.S. Multihull Championship for the Hobie Alter Trophy, a US Sailing National Championship.
"I'm so pleased and so honored," said Newberry, who was sailing in her fifth U.S. Multihull Championship, all as a skipper. "It was great to sail with Kenny this week, who's such a great sailor, and has been a hero of mine." Newberry and Pierce are members of the Miami Yacht Club. Pierce is the 2006 Nacra 20 National Champion.
Newberry and Pierce won by a 23-point margin over Sandra Tartaglino (Tiverton, R.I.) and crew Glenn Holmes (Pensacola, Fla.). Finishing third was Eric Witte (Fairfield, Conn.) and Tyler Holmes (Panama City, Fla.).
"I thought we communicated well this week, despite not racing together before," said Newberry. "We made good transitions and were always focused on our next move."
Newberry has started an Olympic campaign for Rio 2016, with crew John Casey. "We will start training more full time in December," she added.
There was very light wind today for the F16 Catamarans on Santa Rosa Sound. The Race Committee originally planned for two races on Sunday.
Newberry finished sixth out of 19 teams last year at the U.S. Multihull Championship in Long Beach, Calif. The last woman to win the U.S. Multihull Championship was Kathy Ward who crewed for Mike Montague in 2003.
The U.S. Mulithull Championship is sponsored by Rolex Watch U.S.A., Gill North America, and Hobie Polarized. This Championship is a Sailors for the Sea - Clean Regattas certification event.