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Thursday, July 5 Mandeville, Louisiana welcomed 70 girls today to the 2007 U.S. Women’s Junior Doublehanded Championship. Two days of clinic and three days of racing are ahead for the 35 teams competing for the Ida Lewis Trophy. Read the Full Report |
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Friday, July 6
This year, we are trying something new: housing all the competitors in dorms
at the Fountainbleu State Park. The rooms are clean, the beds are military,
but the AC works....and given the weather, that's a HUGE bonus!
Speaking of temperature, it's in the mid-80's, but with 100% humidity (ie,
rain), it feels like the mid-90's or worse. There was wind early in the
afternoon, but as soon as the girls all launched, it died. The good news is
that the sun has been out....After an hour of drifting, the coaches towed
the girls back to harbor. Another round of chalk talks were followed by
cards, Scrabble, Frisbee and Rummycube.
For supper tonight, we have a classic home-cooked Cajun meal of Gumbo, red
beans and rice, plus the trimmings. More news from the sticky shores of
Lake Pontchartrain tomorrow.
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Saturday, July 7 This morning brought a clear sky, sunshine and a very fresh southwesterly breeze (12-17) with big rollers. After breakfast and a short clinic, the girls headed out to work on gibing in big waves and wind. No sooner had we launched 34 out of 35 teams, than one team came right back in. Then another and another….
After a short chalk talk, one third of the fleet stayed back to rest and hopefully feel better. The others were going to have a mini practice regatta, but thunderstorms and close lightening spoiled the afternoon’s plan. No sooner had we pulled every one out the water, the sun came out and it was beautiful once again, but we were all finished for the day. The good news is that all the girls who were overtaken by the conditions came back with smiles on their faces and are going to compete (or give it their best shot). Great enthusiasm from these girls!
Many of the girls are disappointed they are not going into New Orleans, but with the Essence Festival (a rhythm and blues festival similar to JazzFest) the organizers felt that it would be too difficult to ensure that everyone could be kept safe in one place and accounted for.
The organizers are hoping to find the opportunity to take the sailors to see for themselves just how Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the area, especially New Orleans, itself. Read the Full Report |
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Sunday, July 8 Today was the start of racing for the 2007 U.S. Junior Women's Doublehanded Championship. Because the breeze is best in the morning hours, the competitors are having an early start.
With a first gun at 9:30, the committee was able to get four races off in five to nine knots of wind. Fortunately there was less chop than yesterday when rough seas and hot temperatures made conditions difficult for all the sailors. Coach John Vandemoer and National Chair, Shannon Bush and Vice Chair Carolen Amarante made sure that the sailors remained hydrated during the hot, hot conditions.
Stephanie Hudson and Laura McKenna have taken an early lead but Sidney Bolger and Morgane Renoir (fresh from her victory at the U.S. Youth Sailing Championships last month) and Emily Maxwell and Kelly Standard are right behind them.
In a show of true determination, Megan Place, who had dislocated her shoulder yesterday, is racing one-armed with helm Caroline Wright. Her arm, carefully bandaged and wrapped in a sling, has been held firm and in place within her lifejacket. With finishes of 15, 16, 15 and 13, the team are in 13th place overall. Read the Full Report |
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Monday, July 9 News from Lake Ponchartrain – Day 4 The breeze was light and shifty but we managed to get off one race this morning. Almost as soon as the race ended, a storm loomed over the Causeway. We got off the water, had lunch and waited as the storm (and more rain!) rolled through. Even the Weather Channel said there would be no wind today, and they’re never right. Around 3:30, we had wind readings over 9 kts and rallied the girls. By the time we got the Flying Circus to the race course, the wind had completely shut off. Big boomer storms started to form over New Orleans and, with no promise of any wind in the near future, we abandoned the day’s racing and came back in….again. This has been a tough regatta for all involved. The girls are tired from being out in the elements (or the oven), the RC is frustrated they can’t do anything about the weather and the Organizers are pulling their hair out trying to accommodate 70 competitors who are tired and just want to chill out (literally). We are all looking forward to tomorrow. Racing or loading the trucks, we’re still smiling! Read the Full Report |