For the second year in a row I (Molly Pleskus) have been lucky enough to attend the U.S. Junior Womens Singlehanded Championship for the Nancy Leiter Cup and represent San Diego Yacht Club, thanks to help from SDYC. This year the event took place in Marion, Massachusetts from July 14th to 19th at Beverly Yacht Club. 43 sailors from across the United States came to compete in a three-day regatta in Laser Radials, preceded by a two-day clinic on the beautiful Buzzards Bay. Last year I placed 32nd out of 48, and came into this year hoping to improve upon that.
Perhaps more prepared for the clinic days then the previous year, I came armed with questions branching from rigging ideas to sailing techniques to get as much as possible from the world class coaching staff, including two-time Olympian Amanda Clark, US Sailing Paralympic Coach Betsy Alison, and Old Dominion Head Coach Mitch Brindley. Buzzards Bay greeted us with an unusual weather pattern that I was not too upset about, consisting of a lighter 8-15 knot breeze, not seeing the typical sea breeze till the last day. During the clinic I adopted a semi new upwind sailing technique and listened to some great advice regarding big fleet starts that made a big difference in my regatta. I learned to bail early if a start is looking bad and in doing that, combined with the new upwind techniques, I had been working on, I started my regatta with a second place finish, losing only to the eventual regatta winner. This major confidence boost helped me earn a 16th place finish, despite a poor last day in upwards of 20 knots, where I spent a significant amount of time in the water. On the bright side, the coaches all voted that I had one of the most spectacular capsizes, and the water was warm.
I came home from the Lieter with more confidence, knowledge, and finesse in the radial then ever before. I am proud of my achievements during this week and hope to continue improving, hopefully placing even higher at my final Leiter Cup at Mission Bay Yacht Club in 2014. Thank you to the San Diego Yacht Club Competition Fund and Membership for encouraging me and allowing me to improve by attending events such as this, I would not be able to take advantage of such opportunities with out the support of such an amazing Yacht Club. I hope to represent San Diego Yacht Club again next year.
Thank you,
Molly Pleskus
