Olympia Team Race Regatta

Wind! Rain! And lots of team racing!

A low pressure system off the coast of Washington brought with it high winds and April showers, making for challenging but great conditions for getting off many races. The most notable challenge was the draining of Capital Lake at low tide each day, creating a river like current in Budd Inlet. Saturday saw a complete round finished with 36 races. One redress request was granted. Other than a brief yet strong 20+ knot squall that knocked a number of competitors down, the sailors handle the conditions well, and managed to have engaged team racing.

The rain and wind did not let up, but the racing continued swimmingly!

After a scrumptious breakfast at the Olympia Yacht Club, competitors sailed to Port Plaza (the regatta venue) and races were under way before 10:30am. Due to the redress granted Saturday, race 13 (Round 1) was re-sailed, prior to the beginning of Round 2. While the wind was just as strong, and the rain endless, the weather was "better" in terms of no sudden squalls or puffs, making for efficient races and rotations (the 300 yards to the start line from the rotation dock helped too!). The 2nd Round was completed before the cut off time, and after coaches discussed, all teams agreed to see through the completion of 1 top 4 round, and 1 bottom 4 round - making for a satisfying end, of a rigorous but awesome weekend of team racing.

Congratulations to Orcas, Sehome and Olympia for placing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively.

Thank you to Bainbridge and Sail Sand Point for bringing travel boats.

Thank you to the wonderful race committee who braved the conditions, especially Casey Pruitt, PRO. Thank you to all the OYC members and Parent volunteers who provided food, warm drinks, and shelter!

Lastly, thank you Norm Smit for being the head Umpire, and prior to the event training up volunteer umpires. The interscholastic sailing community would not be as successful without volunteers and professionals like you.