From the Port Townsend Leader.
Annie and Chris Sitzenstock, both PTHS graduates. Photo courtesy of Annie Sitzenstock from the PT Leader
Posted: Wednesday, October 2, 2013 5:00 am
Port Townsend played a role in last week’s stunningly successful defense of the 34th America’s Cup sailboat race for the oldest trophy in the history of sports.
Chris Sitzenstock, Port Townsend High School Class of 1996, is now a two-time America’s Cup winner with Oracle Team USA. A number of Port Townsend marine trade businesses and individuals also have been connected in some way or another.
“Don’t underestimate the influence of Port Townsend,” said Sitzenstock, who lives in California with his wife, Annie Saran, PTHS Class of 1996; they are expecting a second child later this year.
“Our team works with local businesses and individuals” in Port Townsend, said Sitzenstock.
He named Brandon Davis at Turn Point Design, Bill Juran at Marketech International, David King and Paul Zeusche at Townsend Bay Marine, with moral support from Russell Brown at PT Watercraft, lumber from Ted Pike and Edensaw Woods, and Dan Newland and Pegasus Aeromarine, located at the PT Business Park.
STARTED SMALL
Sitzenstock started out in the marine trades like many people in Port Townsend: building a small boat in a garage. Chris and his father, David, built several.
“From there, it came to learning to sail with local boating legend and former PTHS teacher Ed Barcott on Port Townsend Bay,” Sitzenstock told the Leader of the man with a speedy sailboat called Pacemaker.
“Between the culture of marine trades and local sailing scene, Port Townsend provided an ideal location to instill a passion in sailing and boatbuilding.”