US SAILING

Full Report - Day 1



July 29, 2008
 

A light and shifty 4-6 south east breeze greeted the sailors today for day one of competition with the  country's top youth sailors at the Chubb U.S. Junior Championships, held at Chicago Yacht Club. Sponsored by the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies and LaserPerformance, the events feature competition in single-, double-, and triplehanded classes sailing Lasers, Club 420s and Lightnings respectively. 

Shortly after Race 2 started, the breeze built and shifted left to a steady 10-12 knots east-south-easterly that remained for the rest of racing. The breeze across Lake Michigan challenged competitors with strong chop, making conditions extremely tough for this first day of competition. With the conditions improving all day, the race committee was able to run four races on both courses, a double windward-leeward course, with gates at the leeward mark.

On the 420 course, Corbin and Haley Kirk, of Long Beach Yacht Club, hold the largest lead of all fleets, 6 points over Kaye Siemers and Hilary Kenyon of Wayzata YC. The Kirk’s finished day 1 with a 2, 1, 1, and 5. Corbin attributes their boats success today to “having a clear lane on port tack off the start to be able to work through the chop as well as not crossing the middle of the course.” 

Racing is even tighter on the Laser course, with one point separating the leader, Caleb Paine of Southwestern YC, and second place, Cleve Hancock of Clearwater YC.  According to E.J. O’Mara, representing Area E and currently in third place, “sailing today was tough with all the chop. Minimum vang and cunningham use were important to keep your sail fully powered up and the boat moving forward.”

On the Lightning course, clinic coach, John Vandemore said, “racing was extremely close between the top 3 boats, with lead changes happening every leg. It was very exciting racing to watch.” Will Stocke and crew from Sarasota, FL are currently winning the Lightning class with a 1, 2, 2, and 2-- a very consistent day amidst tough conditions.

The Race Committee plans to run four races again tomorrow, especially with the threat of thunderstorms later on this week. Chubb U.S. Junior Championships run from July 29, 2008 through August 1, 2008. Check the US SAILING website at http://www.ussailing.org/championships/ for up to the minute results throughout the day and daily photos.


Return to Today's Report