US YOUTH WORLD TEAM REPORTS
FROM WEYMOUTH, UK
By Team Leader
David Dellenbaugh

 

Sunday, July 16

Greetings from Weymouth! Today there was not much wind. The Lasers, Radials, 420s and Hobies all sailed out to their races courses, but the wind did not cooperate today. The Hobies actually started a race, but it was abandoned on the first leg. Kyler and Evan were having their best race to date due to a great start and conditions that are similar to what they are used to, but it was not to be. Portland Harbor, where the boards are racing, did have wind so the race committee squeezed in 2 races in light to medium air. Jimi and Nancy turned in their best finishes so far with a 12th for Jimi and and a 6th for Nancy. Both were very pleased! Check the website to see the current standings in each class.
 
Today is coach Mikee's birthday, so Team USA got a cake and decorated it. Happy Birthday Mikee!
 
Monday is the lay day of the regatta, and the organizers have lots of activities planned to keep everyone busy. Among the choices are a talk from Nick Dempsey - Olympic boardsailing medalist, model boat racing, and a chance to go sailing on the Volvo Extreme 40 Basilica or Mike Golding's Open 60 Ecover. We'll have our Team dinner tomorrow night as well.
 
The 420s, Lasers and Hobies are now scheduled for 3 races on both Tuesday and Wednesday (instead of 2). Tuesday will also bring a visit from Princess Anne to the race course and the boat park after racing. The photo gallery has some great shots of Team USA, log in to see them!

Thanks for your support! More on Tuesday when we are back to racing.
 

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Friday, July 14
 
Greetings,
 
Last night was the Opening Ceremony for the 2006 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship.  This is one of the largest Youth World regattas ever with over 350 sailors from 64 nations are competing.  Highlights from last night include a festive parade, fireworks, and the traditional mixing of the waters ceremony.  This ceremony was an exciting and memorable moment for US Team member Kyler Hast (Hobie 16) in particular.  As the youngest competitor in the whole regatta, he was chosen as one of two sailors to perform the water mixing ceremony.  It was an exciting evening for all.
 
Today was the first day or racing, but also the longest, as 3 races were scheduled and completed.  The remainder of the regatta will only have a maximum of 2 races per day if the conditions are favorable.  The first boats left the dock around 10:30am and the last boats returned close to 6:15, so a very long day for all of us.  The sun came out today, but brought shifty conditions, making it tough to be consistent.  Thanks to Chris Bedford and Jennifer Lilly who are sending us the weather forecasts, keep them coming! 
 
The racing is being held over 3 courses, divided up as follows:
Yellow - Hobie 16, 420 Boys, 420 Girls.  Coach Mikee Anderson-Mitterling worked with this group today.
Orange - Lasers, Laser Radial.  Coach Brett Davis worked with these 2 team members today.
Pink:  RS:X Boys, RS:X Girls.  Coach ME!
 
Team USA is excited to get back on the water for day 2 and get back to the races.  You can see our team by visiting www.ussailing.org/olympics/YouthWorld/2006/team.htm.  Results will be linked from here too.  If we can, we'll send pictures to go with these reports, but the organizers also have a photo gallery on their site. 
 
Thanks for your support!