North American Champ!
Today was the last day of the North American Championship. We headed out in a dying westerly breeze in hopes of getting two races in before the 2 PM time deadline. We ended up only getting one race in pretty light and sketchy conditions before we were sent in for the day.
Tacking at the Windward Mark. Photo Credit: Ralph Skorge
In the race, I got a great start in the middle of the line. I was on a huge starboard lift and was almost laying the mark, so I sailed as far as I could on starboard. Eventually we started to get headed and I played the top right and opened up a 100 yard lead by the weather mark. I stayed in first on the reach and downwind, but on the second beat the breeze died to almost nothing. I covered from the middle, but Evert McLaughlin from Canada went hard right and got some pressure to just get in front of me at the mark. The fleet converged as the breeze died and the sea breeze started to fill in, but I was always in the top couple. Lee Parkhill sailed a good race to overtake Evert and me before the last mark. But right as he was about to round he was yellow flagged and had to drop out of the race. Evert ended up winning and I finished in 2nd.
After the race, the breeze had died to almost nothing and instead of waiting around in hopes of a sea breeze filling, the RC sent us in for the day and the regatta.
So with a 2nd in the day's only race, I was able to hang on to my lead and win the regatta. I'm very excited to win the event, especially so close to home with lots of great friends and family there to cheer me on! I've never won the North Americans before, so it's great to have the title!
Rounding the Leeward Mark. Photo Credit: Ralph Skorge
Next week I'm heading back to Weymouth for 10 days of training. I'm going to soak up all the sun and enjoy the warm weather before I leave!
Stay tuned for updates.
