Paul Didham spent the summer competing in a number of championship regattas around the country including the Laser Nationals, Chubb US Junior Sailing Champs, and the Youth Champs.
Chubb US Junior Sailing Championship
Traverse City, MI
Byte CII Class
Results
After competing in the Laser Nationals in San Francisco Bay, I hopped on a plane, and flew to Traverse City, MI to compete in the 2014 Chubb U.S. Junior Sailing Championship. Only being able to practice in a Byte once made me nervous, but luckily the first day was a clinic. This allowed me to learn how to rig and sail the boat, which did in fact ease my nerves for the next three days of sailing.
The first day of the regatta was met by no wind and an onshore postponement. After being grounded at the Yacht Club for two hours, the flag was taken down, and I launched into an unsteady northern breeze (which was different then the practice day). The Bytes being the first start, I had little time to test the course. Going into the first race my game plan was simple.
1) Start at the favored end.
2) Get on the lifted tack.
The plan was easy, but as I soon found out the boat speed was not there to execute it. After that first race I knew I would have to make adjustments on my boat. Soon I was going as fast as most of the fleet, but like in any boat, weight is a factor. In the Byte the optimal weight is 120 pounds. I was weighing in at 150 lbs, which is the optimal weight for a Radial not a Byte.
The second day of the regatta we were met with similar conditions, light air; again onshore postponement. Even though the forecast predicted light air, I was excited. On shore I was able to make an adjustment to my boat. Hopefully this would be a "moving up day." Race five started with the same game plan as race one, but this time I had the speed. Rounding the top mark in 6th I was looking to make gains, playing the low road on the reach and heading right on the run. As I made it to the bottom gate I was faced with a difficult decision, should I go left with the top five or go right alone. Knowing I did not have the speed of the top I hitched out right waiting for a shift that would not come. I soon dropped from 6th to 11th. It was disappointing, yet it was a learning lesson too. How do you weigh risk vs. reward? Is it better to do low percentage moves or high percentage moves?
The third day again we saw light breeze, and a repeated onshore postponement. The one o’clock cut off was looming and it looked like we wouldn't race, but as the breeze filled in an eager race committee took down the postponement. After looking at the results I knew I was tied for 12th. With there being only one race the pressure was on. During the pre start I found my competition. If I wanted to beat them I would have to keep them in check. I would do this by sailing with the highest percent of the fleet. Sure enough by the end of the race I finished ahead and secured the 12th place.
In conclusion the 2014 Chubb US Sailing Junior Championship was a great learning experience. I learned that Lake sailing is very different from ocean sailing. I can truly say I am a more experienced sailor now. I appreciate having the opportunity to be able to race in such different places like Michigan.
Having the financial support from The Sailing Foundation is very much appreciated!
US Youth Champs
Grosse Point, MI
Laser Radial Class
Results
After a long and tiring five hour bus ride through central Michigan from Traverse City, I finally arrived at Grosse Pointe for the 2014 US Sailing Youth Championship. During the practice day I eagerly rigged my boat to go sailing but there was no wind to sail in!
The first day of the regatta, the race committee postponed the race due to thunderstorms. This was disappointing but, it’s better to be safe then sorry, a previous time somebody was struck by lightning!
The second day was better, and with a break in the storm, the race committee sent us out. Anticipation was high in the radial fleet as everyone was pushing the line. This caused one general recall after another. Not until the fifth start we were able to get a race off with about ⅓ of the fleet being black flagged, for me things were looking good. I was able to win the favored end, and tack soon after the start. Playing the wind shifts, constantly I was able to round in the top five. After the reach, I was still in the top five. Now I started on the run, heading out to a side was risky but clean air was key. Gaining some boats I was able to round one of the gate marks in second, but I soon realized that I was on the unfavored side. Seeing the problem I tried to sail back, but the damage was done. After that race the race committee sent us in due to more thunderstorms.
The third day the breeze was up due to a cold front from the thunderstorm. This was refreshing after the one light air race of yesterday. With no consistent wind pattern, my game plan was to get a clean start and sail to the side with more pressure. This would allow me to take advantage of my strengths: upwind speed. This plan worked out great. I was able to consistently round in the top ten. The problem arose on the third beat. I didn't know what gate to round and consistently would lose boats. Looking forward this regatta highlighted my strengths and weakness, which is good because now I know what I have to work on.
The fourth and final day of racing had the same breeze as the last day. This was good because I knew what to expect and where to take risks or hold on to my gains. The first race went well, rounding in tenth, I was able to pass two boats on the second beat and finish the race in 8th. After that race things started to get funky, with the cold front dying there were huge pressure differences through the race course. This knowledge helped me and also hurt me. For example, the 7th and 8th race I was able to round the top mark in first and the bottom gate in first, but after that I would always sail to the wrong side and lose about ten boats. This was incredibly frustrating, but it’s better to look at the positives. I had the speed, but my tactics needed some work.
In conclusion, the 2014 U.S Sailing Youth Championship held in Grosse Pointe was a refreshing experience even though I was expecting to do better than 14th. There is always next year. The way I look at it, I have one more year to work on my weaknesses thus turning them into new strengths. I really appreciate the financial support from the San Diego Yacht Club Foundation.