SEISA LA-TEX Gulf Battle

Regatta Report This promotional event saw eight ILCA-Laser sailors in ILCA 4 and ILCA 6 compete in a post cold-front northwesterly of 18-20 knots with higher gusts. This event permitted sailors not on a registered team to experience the exciting short course, no drop, format of high school and college racing. It is our hope that sailors will be inspired to register their school for the spring season and continue in the innovative format getting singlehanded sailors involved in high school racing in the ILCA platform. The event was created by a discussion between the ILCA D-14 (LA-AL-MS) and ILCA D-15 (TX) Secretaries to bring ILCA-Laser competition to Louisiana and Texas high schoolers. However, the ODP clinic in Miami and events in NOLA drew sailors from turnout. Both classes started together. The format of racing ILCA 4s and ILCA 6s together in strong breeze allowed for 15 good Windward-Leeward races over two days. Discussion arose among the sailors to develop the event into team racing with an ILCA 4 paired with two ILCA 6.

Saturday Sailors launched off the Houston Yacht Club beach. Saturday’s stiff northwesterly and ample late Fall sunshine made for great spectating with the weather mark set 100 yards from shore. Two parents brought boats out for close views of starts and finishes. With 5 minute weather legs, races were completed in 14-17 minutes. Downwind wipeouts among the leaders occurred as gusts rolled through the fleet. Some gusts were strong enough to create slow motion capsizes on weather legs. After 8 races, tired racers were sent in at 4 PM.

Sunday Racers saw the same great sunshine and slightly warmer temperatures topping out at 68F. With winds of 12-20 puffing from the northwest, 7 more races were held. The leeward gate and start line was moved right after race 11 keeping the race committee busy. Congratulations to all the sailors for competing in the first LA-Tex Battle even without the LA sailors. Tight racing between Langham Creek’s Zach Brown and Clear Falls Hamilton Barclay, with a 1 point win going to Clear Falls. ______

Regatta Report This promotional event saw eight ILCA-Laser sailors in ILCA 4 and ILCA 6 compete in a post cold-front northwesterly of 18-20 knots with higher gusts. This event permitted sailors not on a registered team to experience the exciting short course, no drop, format of high school and college racing. It is our hope that sailors will be inspired to register their school for the spring season and continue in the innovative format getting singlehanded sailors involved in high school racing in the ILCA platform. The event was created by a discussion between the ILCA D-14 (LA-AL-MS) and ILCA D-15 (TX) Secretaries to bring ILCA-Laser competition to Louisiana and Texas high schoolers. However, the ODP clinic in Miami and events in NOLA drew sailors from turnout. Both classes started together. The format of racing ILCA 4s and ILCA 6s together in strong breeze allowed for 15 good Windward-Leeward races over two days. Discussion arose among the sailors to develop the event into team racing with an ILCA 4 paired with two ILCA 6.

Saturday Sailors launched off the Houston Yacht Club beach. Saturday’s stiff northwesterly and ample late Fall sunshine made for great spectating with the weather mark set 100 yards from shore. Two parents brought boats out for close views of starts and finishes. With 5 minute weather legs, races were completed in 14-17 minutes. Downwind wipeouts among the leaders occurred as gusts rolled through the fleet. Some gusts were strong enough to create slow motion capsizes on weather legs. After 8 races, tired racers were sent in at 4 PM.

Sunday Racers saw the same great sunshine and slightly warmer temperatures topping out at 68F. With winds of 12-20 puffing from the northwest, 7 more races were held. The leeward gate and start line was moved right after race 11 keeping the race committee busy. Congratulations to all the sailors for competing in the first LA-Tex Battle even without the LA sailors. Tight racing between Langham Creek’s Zach Brown and Clear Falls Hamilton Barclay, with a 1 point win going to Clear Falls. ______

The following chart shows the relative rank of the teams as of the race indicated. Note that the races are ordered by number, then division, which may not represent the order in which the races were actually sailed.

The first place team as of a given race will always be at the top of the chart. The spacing from one team to the next shows relative gains/losses made from one race to the next. You may hover over the data points to display the total score as of that race.