Roger Williams University in Rhode Island hosted the 2015 U.S Sailing Youth Championship. The regatta is invitation only; therefore, competition is always tough. This was my second year competing in the event, last year I placed 14th sailing in Michigan. Going into this event my goal was a have a consistent regatta and place in the top ten.
Mount Hope Bay is an interesting venue to sail in. It is at the top end of Narragansett Bay quite a distance from the ocean. The breeze can be anything, from a constant sea breeze to an unstable front. Also, the shipping channel in the middle of the race course makes current a factor. The first day of the regatta conditions were pristine, the sea breeze filled in and built to a constant 15 knots. The race committee got three races off, I had a solid day, and ended the day in 6th place overall.
Conditions during the second day of the event were bleak to say the least. With a front fighting the sea breeze we had an unstable breeze the entire day. This was a nightmare for the race committee, when they finally went for it, I knew the race was going to be tricky. I was able to get a good start and working the shifts up the middle I rounded the top mark in top ten, but the race was far from over. The race committee had the radials sailing on the outer loop of the trapezoid course. Sailing on the edge of the fleet on the downwind I made some gains. Things only went wrong on the second upwind beat. The breeze dropped down to 1.5 knots, the course was shortened. I tried working up the middle but lost on both sides. It was a tough race.
The third day again we were faced with unstable conditions. The breeze was so shifty you just had to pick a side and hope the last shift would favor you. As frustrating as it was it did teach me a lot about shifty venue tactics. Information I would later use for Laser Nationals.
Unfortunately the last day of the regatta we again saw the same unstable conditions. After two more races the regatta was over. I finished 9th, it was a bittersweet moment. I had made the top ten, but I knew if the conditions had been like the first day of the regatta I would have done better. Even so I enjoyed myself, and was able to get plenty of “take a ways” for the next regatta. Thank you for supporting me this event!