LYC’s own Erika Reineke just earned the US Sailing Yachtswoman of the Year award! Erika, who grew up in Ft. Lauderdale and graduated from the LYC sailing program, came back this fall to coach the LYC Laser High Performance Program after graduating from Boston College. In her spare time when she’s not coaching she’s campaigning to sail the Laser Radial in the 2020 Olympics The YOYA was awarded to her for excellent Laser Radial accomplishments over the past year including 6th at Radial Europeans, 5th at World Series Round 1 in Japan and Gold at Enoshima Sailing Week, the site of the 2020 Olympic Games.
Her achievements over the last year sailing have been spectacular, and her achievements coaching for LYC have been impressive as well. She coached the St. Thomas Aquinas high school team to 5th at the Mallory Cup when her sister, Sophia, won A-Fleet (High School National Championships). She also coached her sister to a win at Youth Champs where Sophia earned the only female spot to represent the US at Youth Worlds. Recently, she coached her HP Team at LOCR where Chase Carraway put on a dominating performance leading into the next qualifier for Youth Worlds 2018.
Erika’s passion for the sport and drive for excellence have spilled over into the LYC Sailing Program very easily. LYC has the largest Laser fleet yet with a major competition to get onto her High Performance Team. She’s training before and after she coaches and holds the team accountable for their performance, and the team listens because of her work ethic and performance. Congratulations Erika and thank you for being a major part of the LYC program!