Point Loma residents Tyler Sinks, 19, and his partner, Briana Provancha, also 19, have won their second straight United States Youth Championship Regatta ” the top U.S. youth event for competitive sailing.
“It was a special one for Briana and I after we both came off wins at the same event last year; mine in the 420 class and hers in the 29er class. I feel like winning it the second time was easier than the first time,” Sinks said.
The championship regatta was held in Belvedere and was hosted by the San Francisco Yacht Club from June 26 to July 1. The race is the premiere event in American youth sailing for those 20 years old or younger. The types of vessels featured in the race are Radials, Lasers, Club 420 and 29er skiffs.
The racing involved 12-foot dinghies and features a two-person crew: a trapeze and a spiniker. The trapeze is a type of ballast and a spiniker adjusts the sail of the boat to control the speed.
“We didn’t practice as much as we would have liked because we were both back at school busy with college sailing until June, so we didn’t get much time to sail together with the trapeze and spiniker,” Sinks said. “But the college sailing definitely helped prepare Briana and I for the regatta.” Sinks said.
Provancha agreed.
“We had our ups and downs, but we’ve grown up together,” Provancha said.
Sinks called the experience a challenge.
“The first couple of practice days we had a lot of kinks to work out. We didn’t feel comfortable in the big breeze when we first got out there, but by the end of the week it all came back, and we were in the groove,” Sinks said.
To qualify for the race, participants must apply and be accepted. Sinks has now qualified for the regatta in six consecutive years and has been racing since he was 7 years old.
After placing second in 2005 and 2006 in the United States Youth Championship Regatta, Sinks finished first last year with partner Morgan Renoir. But this year he and Provancha, a fellow PLHS alum and fellow Boston College student, pooled their resources to repeat as champions.
Provancha has also competed in races overseas.
“We raced together in 8th grade and we had a horrible regatta,” said Provancha. “It’s funny what five years can do for you.”
Sinks said his current experiences in college helped prepare the duo.
“Briana and I are both used to the cold weather after sailing for a full season out on the East Coast at Boston College,” Sinks said. “Back in Boston, we have a very strong sailing team and practiced against our teammates every day. That helped push us both to the next level.”
Sinks and Provancha are both going into their sophomore year at Boston College this fall.
“Looking forward, I plan on sailing at the collegiate level for the next three years back in Boston and hopefully lead the Eagles to a championship,” Sinks said. “After college, there is no telling where the road might lead me. Olympics, pro sailing, cruising. Either way I see myself sailing for many more years to come.”