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Sitzmann Sets Sail at Youth World Championships
Severn sailor Annie Sitzmann captured a bronze medal in the women's skiff 29er competition at the Youth Sailing World Championships this summer.
Annie Sitzmann '26 competed in the Youth Sailing World Championships in Lake Garda, Italy, this summer, sailing off into the sunset with a bronze medal in the women's skiff 29er regatta. The annual YSWC brings youth sailors from across the globe together to compete and prime themselves for a future of high-level competitive sailing.
Annie's journey to becoming a world championship bronze medalist started at her home on the banks of the Magothy River. Annie’s father -- who is also the Severn School sailing head coach -- Thomas Sitzmann put it in simple terms.
Annie's journey to becoming a world championship bronze medalist started at her home on the banks of the Magothy River. Annie’s father -- who is also the Severn School sailing head coach -- Thomas Sitzmann put it in simple terms.
"Annie was a captive audience when she first learned to sail," said Thomas. "She got the feel for sailing and never looked back."
Annie learned the ropes with her father and brother, Thomas Sitzmann '23, as mentors and motivators. Their experience as sailors and ability to keep cool heads made sailing a passion. This lack of pressure proved pivotal during a tight regatta.
"I was never too stressed; there was so much to sail," said Annie. "I didn't pay attention to the leaderboards; I was just having fun."
Annie and her sailing partner, Molly, kept calm even when presented with red leaders' pennies, a clear sign of their exceptional performance.
"We knew we were doing well, but we didn't think about it too much," said Annie. "We had no expectations."
Annie's calm demeanor and experience proved to be a winning formula. In her last race, sitting in fourth place overall, with the distance to sail growing shorter with every second, Annie and Molly did the unthinkable: they overtook ten boats. They passed their third-place rivals, the Argentines, to secure a coveted podium spot.
"We had a terrible start," said Annie. "We started towards the back and would've finished without a medal if we stayed there."
"But we caught up, passed the boats we needed to on the upwind, and stayed ahead of them on the downwind."
Annie's triumph is not just a personal victory but also an inspiration to her peers and the broader American sailing community.
World sailing competitions, such as the YSWC, are typically dominated by European and Oceanic sailors. Their time spent training on the water, familiarity with the equipment used, and experience with regattas in similar locations means they hold distinct advantages over competitors from other countries.
The experience and knowledge Annie gained during this competition will be invaluable for her sailing career at Severn and beyond. Qualifying for the next YSWC is high on her list of priorities, including a spot at the Open World Championships. She will also learn to sail Waszps, a challenging Australian single-handed hydro-foiling sailboat.
Despite the heights of her summer, Annie remains grounded and focused on Severn, both on and off the water.
"Annie brings her schoolbooks to every regatta," said Thomas. "She is an extremely dedicated student."
With the same fleet race team as last year and a heavier focus on team racing, Annie's hope for her penultimate year of sailing at Severn is bright.
"I want to win the Baker Trophy," said Annie. "My goal is to do that at Severn."
With her sights set on the horizon and the wind at her back, Annie's future is as limitless as the deep blue upon which she freely sets sail.
