TEAM CYC
has Record-Breaking Entries at Orange Bowl International Youth Regatta By MATT GALLAGHER & RAY GROBLE Photos by RAY GROBLE & TOM BARNARD hicago Yacht Club had a great turnout of junior sailors, coaches and parents for the 2015 Orange Bowl International Youth Regatta in Miami, Florida. The Orange Bowl attracts more than 650 junior sailors from all around the world and is one of the nation’s premier youth regattas. Hosted by Coral Reef Yacht Club, the regatta is sailed on the waters of Biscayne Bay in Optis, C420s and Lasers from December 26-30. This year, CYC sent eight Opti sailors, eight C420 teams (16 sailors), two Laser sailors and six coaches to race. In fact, CYC had one of the largest turnouts of any yacht club outside of Florida, with sailors ranging ages 8-18. Many of the youth sailors and coaches arrived early to train in advance of the regatta. This event is always a logistical challenge as we have to get dinghies, coach boats and trailers to South Florida. Coaches Michael Cornew and Agustin Montes, Sailing School Director Bobby Collins and On the Water Director Jay Kehoe were up to the challenge and did a wonderful job getting the boats and
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Blinker | Spring 2016
people to the right place at the right time. The regatta was sailed in ideal conditions with winds of 10-18 MPH, clear skies and 80 degrees! The sailors reveled in the warm temperatures and in contesting with the world-class competition. The top CYC team in the C420s was Mark Davies and Grace Ann Nicolosi, 16th out of 80 boats; in the Laser Radials, with some very tough competition, James Wagner was 47th out of 92, and Bridget Groble was 80th. In the Opti White Fleet, Christian Prendergast took a 6th place in an impressive field, and Deana Fedulova lead the CYC sailors in the Green Fleet. While CYC did not win any of these classes, competing at this level improves our sailors and strengthens our junior program. One of the highlights of the regatta was an allteam dinner on December 27. This dinner allowed the sailors and parents from different classes to socialize and compare experiences. CYC’s presence at this regatta grows every year, and attendance at this regatta is the highlight of the winter circuit.
