Annapolis Snipe Invite/US Junior Nationals

Annapolis, MD, USA, August 17, 2025. Final results after 6 races (1 discard):

Owen Fretwell & Colin Krebs, 10 – Juniors
Mason Cook & Catherine Kammeler, 16 – Juniors
Paige Tillson & Efe Derman, 17 – Juniors
Christian Filter & Jimmie Leonard, 24 – U30
Owen Hennesey & Thomas Walker, 26 – U30

Fretwell/Krebs Capture U.S. Snipe Junior National Championship, Win Annapolis Snipe Invitational

by Kim Couranz

Cover photo: The team of Owen Fretwell/Colin Krebs gets the most out of a gybe in light air. Photo: Will Keyworth.

The future for U.S. Snipe sailing is looking bright: Junior (under 22 years old) teams captured the top three spots at the August 16-17 combined Snipe Junior National Championship and Annapolis Snipe Invitational (U30), held at Severn Sailing Association in Annapolis, Maryland.

18 teams from around the country spent some quality time together on shore on Saturday, as winds were too light for racing. While the competitors would have preferred sailboat racing, they competed in pickleball, ping pong, and card games—and shared lots of conversation, laughter and regatta-provided pizza. After the RC called racing around 3 p.m., six teams went out and practiced in the ‘harbor hurricane,’ with regatta coaches providing video and Race Committee volunteers bringing out a couple marks. Thanks to great fleet vibes and a humane Race Committee, it was a fun day.

A better forecast greeted the fleet on Sunday, and the start time was moved up a half hour to 9:30 a.m. to enable more racing. The first race started in a light southerly. Five boats were over early but cleared themselves. Christian Filter/Kimmie Leonard led most of the race but were passed just before the finish by Snipe rookies Ashton Perkins/Daniel Skutch Tyson as the breeze dropped below 5 knots.

The Race Committee, led by SSA PRO Eric Reinke, waited for the southerly breeze to settle in before ripping off five more races at breakneck speed, starting the sixth race (allowing for a drop) just before the 2:30 p.m. time limit. During the racing, the breeze built steadily from 6 to 12 knots: champagne conditions for most, but a bit overpowering for some of the lighter junior teams by the last two races. Waves, wind, and swirling current all factored into each race as the fleet battled on the Chesapeake Bay just outside the mouth of the Severn River. There were numerous lead and position changes within each race in a highly competitive fleet. It was a long day, but everyone was happy to get in a full regatta.

Perkins/Tyson working hard as the breeze builds. Photo: Will Keyworth.

The team of Owen Fretwell/Colin Krebs (Mission Bay Yacht Club, California) sailed consistently to win with a total of 10 points. Mason Cook/Catherine Kammeier (Annapolis Yacht Club, Maryland) took second with 16 points, and Paige Tillson/Efe Derman (Mission Bay YC) captured third with 17 points. Fretwell, Krebs, and Tillson are all second-generation Snipe sailors, while Cook and Kammeier began sailing Snipes this past spring through boats provided by the Skibo initiative, a pioneering yacht club/Snipe partnership.

The top three US junior teams qualified to compete in the 2026 Snipe Junior World Championship in Melilla, Spain. All three junior teams have been making their mark on the class with Fretwell/Krebs taking second at 2025 U.S. Nationals in Atlanta earlier this summer and Cook/Kammeier and Tillson/Derman training hard all summer to sail their best regatta to date.

Tillson/Derman’s focus paid off with solid, consistent finishes. Photo: Will Keyworth.

Under 30 sailors took the next three places, separated by only a few points: Christian Filter/Kimmie Leonard (Severn Sailing Association) 4th overall with 24 points, Owen Hennessey/Thomas Walker (AYC/SSA) 5th with 25 points, and Alfonso García Bringas/Lexi Pline (Porto Bravo) with 27 points.

The youngest team in the fleet—Ashton Perkins and Daniel Skutch Tyson (Annapolis YC)—came out hot with a win in the first race, eventually capturing seventh place and 4th Junior team. Full results:

Final Results Download

While some sailors brought their own boats, the event relies on “O30” Snipe sailors to let the younger sailors use their boats for the event. Big thanks to all the fleet members who chartered their boats, giving these talented young sailors a taste of the “Serious Sailing, Serious Fun” Snipe sailors enjoy around the world.

Another boost to the event was a clinic held Friday afternoon. Time on the water let teams get sorted out in their boats, and a debrief afterward led by Arthur Blodgett helped the young sailors understand the “why” behind how to get the best speed out of their Snipes.

Thanks to regatta chairs Bradley Adam and Kim Couranz, Snipe Fleet 532 Captain Lisa Pline, and U.S. Snipe National Secretary Alex Pline for a fun event.