Shortly after 0800 (8 AM) on Sunday morning, October 15th, sailors and parents from up and down the east coast of Florida started streaming into YSF’s sailing campus in Vero Beach. It was regatta day! A nervous energy of anticipation filled the air as 64 sailors from five sailing clubs rigged and prepared their boats for the 1100 (11 AM) first gun.
It was a perfect day for sailing with a steady 10 knot west by northwest breeze. Occasional gusts to 15 knots kept everyone literally and figuratively on their toes, as sailors tucked their feet into hiking straps leaning far out over the water to balance the boat.
A team of two dozen YSF volunteers served afloat and ashore as score keepers, safety officers, VIP water-taxi drivers, and parking lot attendants. The crowd of 100 coaches, parents and observers enjoyed hanging out ashore or going out on the water in coach and personal boats for a close-up view of the racing.
YSF Sailing Director, Ben Chafee served as over-all Principle Race Officer (PRO) and PRO for the 420 races. Racing nonstop, with quick turnarounds between races, Ben was able to shoot off nine races. John Mark Gaponiuk, YSF Sailing Instructor, ran the Optimist Class (Opti) races. Two classes: Gold for advanced racers, and Silver for sailors new to racing, competed on the same course. John Mark and his team did an artful job managing fleets of 14 Gold and 8 Silver boats. It is testimony to the sailing skills of these 8-12 year-old solo sailors that there were no collisions or protests after eight races on the tightly packed course.
After three and half hours of non-stop racing sailors came off the water around 1500 (3 PM) tired but exhilarated knowing they had persevered and given it their all. YSF made the podium in Opti Gold class with David Ratanu’s 3rd place. Ocean Free brought home a 1st place finish in the Opti Silver Class.
Youth Sailing Foundation of Indian River County, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit devoted to eliminating cultural and financial barriers to sailing. Please contact Executive Director Stu Keiller at: [email protected] or 772-925-2521 if you would like to learn more about YSF’s free sailing programs.
