Daily Reports
 Thursday, June 22, 2006

 

 

Conditions

 

It was a lovely summer’s day as the 2006 U.S. Youth Sailing Championship participants began to gather at Grosse Pointe Yacht Club in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan.

 

The club has done a tremendous job preparing for this prestigious championship with less than a year's planning after the venue had to be moved following Hurricane Katrina.   All is in place, the boats are arriving and rigging is being checked.  The Vanguard representatives are on hand to assist anyone who needs it and PS 2000 is here with the 29ers. 

 

The 2006 U.S. Youth Sailing Championships Chair, Dan Bracciano and his team have done a fabulous job with registration which will continue until 10 pm this evening and begin again tomorrow at 8:30.  Sailors will be spending the night at their host families preparing for Media Day and the start of the clinic tomorrow. US SAILING's  Dean Brenner will be the official speaker at the opening ceremonies, sponsored by Nautica.

 

Laptops and wireless access will be available each morning and evening during the event allowing sailors to check e-mail and view the results.  A full schedule of events is planned for the week.  More information can be found on the regatta’s website.

 

Friday, June 23, 2006

The U.S. Youth Sailing Championship began its 33rd annual competition.  This year’s event is hosted by the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club in Grosse Pointe Shores, Mich. on Lake St. Claire.  There are 150 competitors sailing 107 boats composed of 7 29er’s, 36 420’s, 37 Laser Full Rigs and 27 Laser Radials.  The competitors come from across the nation (California to Maine, Texas to Minnesota including the U.S. Virgin Islands.  A major feature of this prestigious event is a high level 3 day clinic run by Mike Kalin and his team of collegiate and Olympic coaches.  Winds were 5-8 kn. with the sailing area directly outside the harbor providing great viewing for spectators.

 

The impressive Opening Ceremony was held on the front lawn of the 1929 Italian style Clubhouse with a 7 story bell tower.  The ceremony started with the National Anthem followed by the raising of the Event and Class Flags with a cannon salute.  A warm welcome was given by Commodore Robert Kay who invited all participants, their families, coaches and officials to consider the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club their home for the coming week.  Dan Bracianno, Regatta Chairman, welcomed all participants to the challenging competition in the week ahead.

 

The Nautica Clam Bake followed for all attendees.  An educational and exciting multi-media presentation was given by Dean Brenner, Chairman of the US Olympic Sailing Committee.

Saturday, June 24

The Clinic continued today.  Mike Kalin and his coaches continued helping the contestants strive for ever higher levels in their sailing skills.  Winds were light from 4-8 knots shifting from North to Northeast.  In addition, the contestants had to deal with the competitors in the Detroit Boat Club//Grosse Pointe Club Regatta sailing a traditional course since 1931.  It is all part of the educational experience with all regatta competitors clearing the Youth Champ area within about 45 minutes.  The Clinic concludes tomorrow with practice racing. 

This evening, the contestants have dinner with their host families who are members of four local clubs (Grosse Pointe Yacht Club, Bayview Yacht Club, Crescent Sail Yacht Club and Detroit Yacht Club).  This will give the contestants an opportunity to experience local flavor.

Sunday, June 25

The final day of the clinic was bright and sunny with temperatures in the low 80’s.  The coaches met with their respective groups for onshore debriefings of Saturday’s performance.  Tension increased as racing approaches and all participants strive to improve their performance.  The Race Committee met with Tim Rumptz, National Race Officer and PRO, to review final details and equipment checks prior to the practice race.  Lunches are provided every day of the event by Subway with Ice Mountain bottled water provided Nestle Waters North America, Inc.

 

The afternoon saw everyone out on the water.  However, the Lake St. Clair winds did not cooperate.  Winds were light and variable in the 2-3 knot range, generally from the Northeast.  After running several practice starts, the Committee decided to cancel further on the water activities for the day.  The participants then returned to shore and spent the remainder of the afternoon enjoying the pleasures of the swimming pool, tennis courts and bowling alleys. 

 

A Competitors Meeting was held with the Race Committee, Judges and Competitors at 7:00 pm to answer any questions before racing starts.  Another fabulous dinner, this time with an Italian flavor, prepared by Executive Chef Jim Carney and his staff followed.

 

Special thanks should be given to General Manager Mike Mooney and his efficient staff whose hard work makes us all feel at home at this truly spectacular Club.

 

Tim Wilkes, the Official Event Photographer, has been hard at work.  You can see a selection of his work on this web site and copies of his photographs can be ordered on his website at www.timwilkes.com.

 

Monday, June 26

The first day of racing dawned bright and sunny.  However, by the 10:30 starting time, cloud cover had begun to roll in.  The first race was held in 4-6 knot winds from the northeast.  This was the first race for the 29er class at the US Youth Sailing Championships.  The 29er winners were:   1st- Mc Bride/Schifferns, 2nd–Vetter/Connor, 3rd-Heineken/Kuschner.  The 420 winners were:  1st-Dellenbaugh/Hammel, 2nd-Canfield/Rosenberg, 3rd-Sinks/Todter.  The Laser Full winners were:  1st-Hall, 2nd-Strammer, 3rd-Horowitz.  The Laser Radial winners were:  1st-Furnary, 2nd-Dennis, 3rd-Schalka.

 

The 2nd Race followed with lightening breezes.  Winds were 2-5 knots out of the north east.  The 29er winners were:  1st-Vetter/Connor, 2nd-Roesler/Mignon, 3rd-Heineken/Kuschner.  The 420 winners were:  1st-Canfield/Rosenberg, 2nd-Dellenbaugh/Hammel, 3rd-Roselle/Savage.  The Laser Full winners were:  1st-Weber, 2nd-Buckingham, 3rd-Hall.  The Laser Radial winners were:  1st-Himler, 2nd-Smith, 3rd-Hancock.  All races were shortened due to the light air conditions.

 

With the air dropping below 3 knots, racing was postponed for better air.  Lunches were again provided by Subway and Ice Mountain water by Nestle.

 

The 3rd Race started in 4-6 knot northeasterly breezes.  Winds were steady providing good racing.  The 29er winners were:  1st-Vetter/Connor, 2nd-Roesler/Mignon, 3rd-Heineken/Kuschner.  The 420 winners were:  1st-Barnard/Segerbloom, 2nd-Allsopp/Kupersmith, 3rd-Canfield/Rosenberg.  The Laser Full winners were:  1st-Weiksnar, 2nd-Barrows, 3rd-Buckingham.  The Laser Radial winners were:  1st-Himler, 2nd-Wilson, 3rd-Dennis.

 

A 4th Race was started for the 29er fleet and once again, Chris Vetter took the gun.  There were no boats scored OCS for the day and a possibility of several protests could be filed.

 

Special thanks should be given to Tim Rumptz and his Race Committee for their hard work under very trying conditions.  Thanks are also due to Bill Thorpe, Chief Judge, Ted Everingham, George Griswold and Karen Reich for serving on the water as judges.

 

North Sails deserve special thanks as sponsors for providing bow numbers, wet bags and other gifts for the competitors.  They are also sponsoring this evening’s Mexican Fiesta Dinner with a presentation by Brian Bissell, Three Time Collegiate All American Sailor, on Becoming an All American Sailor. 

 

Tuesday, June 25

Today's racing  or lack thereof may best be describe as an experience in frustration for both competitors and the Race Committee.  Light air caused a postponement at the start of the day.  The 29er’s and Laser Full Rig’s went out at 10:00 am.  The 29er’s were started at 10:30 and the race was abandoned due to an approaching storm.  The winds started oscillating 180○ and the wind speed dropped from 6 knots to 2 knots.   

A continuing line of storms moved north from Indiana and the forecast predicted severe thunderstorms throughout the late afternoon and evening.  With the approach of the second storm front, the competitors were sent back to the harbor. Finally all racing for the day was postponed by the Race Committee at 3:30 pm.  The competitors filled their day with card games, bowling, tennis and the internet café. It was trying for all that no races could be held between the storms  and the oscillating winds.  

In talking with many competitors, parents and coaches there was a great deal of disappointment in the postponement of racing for the day.  This was especially true because there appeared to be 4-6 knots of wind in the harbor. The shore effect breeze diminished quickly as you moved away from the harbor. That frustration was also felt by the Race Committee who shared the sailors' feelings and their boats remained on the water most of the day searching for air.