VERO BEACH – Youth Sailing Foundation of Indian River County, Inc. (YSF) hosted its inaugural Veterans Day Regatta on Sunday, Nov. 12. The regatta was the fourth of five in the Treasure Coast Youth Regatta Fall Series.
Forty-three boats from Miami, Palm Beach, Jensen Beach, Fort Pierce and Melbourne traveled to Vero Beach to compete in three classes of dinghies.
Less than ideal weather conditions proved challenging with winds gusting to over 30 mph and occasional heavy rain squalls. Numerous capsizes during maneuvers prior to the first race caused race officers to cancel the 420 and Open Bic races due to safety concerns, but the Opti class sailed as scheduled.
Twenty-two Optimist dinghies in two fleets, sailing a short triangle course near the launch area and thus partially protected by the 17th Street Bridge, got in four races despite the high winds and choppy water. The sailors, some as young as 9, exhibited outstanding seamanship and seemed to enjoy the stormy conditions.
A crowd of over 150 sailors and parents looked on and enjoyed a barbeque prepared by volunteers from YSF and Sunrise Rotary of Vero Beach. Mayor Laura Moss and Councilman Tony Young were both in attendance, braving the elements and lending their support.
Congratulations to the winners:
Opti Gold Fleet – 1st Place: Jacob Ammons, Treasure Coast Youth Sailing, Ft. Pierce; 2nd Place: Austin Peterson, US Sailing Center Martin County, Jensen Beach; 3rd Place: Sara Vey, Coconut Grove Sailing Center, Miami.
Opti Silver Fleet – 1st Place: Cadance Oswald, Palm Beach Sailing Club, Palm Beach; 2nd Place: Christopher See, US Sailing Center Martin County, Jensen Beach; 3rd Place: Killian Embler, Palm Beach Sailing Club, Palm Beach.
Youth Sailing Foundation is a non-profit organization with a mission to bring free sailing to the children of Indian River County. Over 100 children, ages 9-18, receive sailing lessons every week at YSF.
For more information contact YSF: www.ysfirc.org; info@ysfirc.org; 772-492-3243.