The 7th annual San Diego Olympic Classes Regatta (OCR) rolled out on a perfect June weekend. The classic San Diego "June Gloom" burned off quickly and a nice westerly filled in for the majority of both days. With winds ranging from 7-14 kts, and modest little swells running down the course, 28 sailors in three classes completed seven races on a trapezoid course located just south of Point Loma on the Coronado Roads.

This month I went to Toms River, New Jersey to compete in the 2024 Waszp Atlantic Coast Championships. The competition was intense and very high, with the majority of the competitors having world and national titles. 

When I arrived the first day, I put together the charter boat that was given to me from the SailGP Inspire Program. While in the boat park, I met some sailors from Hawaii and the America One Racing Team who invited me to train with them that day. Once we got our boats rigged and ready, we all headed out for a nice 12 kt session. 

We are excited to announce that registration is now open for the 2024 INSA Junior Sabot Nationals, which will be held at San Diego Yacht Club July 29 through August 1! Make sure to register online before 1700 on June 14 to avoid late entry fees.

For the first time since 1962, the INSA Junior Sabot Nationals is returning to SDYC, making it an unprecedented event in the modern history of the Junior Sabot Nationals. While this marks an exciting new development for the Sabot Fleet, it is also a return to form in many ways, with a qualification series limiting the championship series to 120 boats and the Cove Cup Consolation Regatta. 

This past month, my skipper, Anton Schmid, and I took part in the 29er Midwinters West Regatta held out of Alamitos Bay Yacht Club in Long Beach. This regatta was also the single qualifier for the 2024 Youth Sailing World Championships.

In March, I spent the week in Long Beach, California at  Alamitos Bay Yacht Club to take part in the CISA clinic and 2024 Youth World Qualifiers.  

We started the week with the CISA clinic that lasted for three days. Our coaches for the 29ers, Willie Bride, Briana Searle, and Evan Heffernan were very knowledgeable. They all provided many resources and information to us with the goal to best prepare us for the regatta the following week, Youth World Qualifiers. I learned so much from this clinic that I can carry on with me for the rest of my sailing in the future.  The wind ranged from light to medium during this clinic which was perfect because those were the conditions that my crew, Zach Peterson and I needed to improve in the most.

I agreed to sail to support my friend Carly Keiding who was looking for a crew at C420 Mid Winters East in Jensen Beach, FL. MWE is one of the largest regattas in the C420 with 148 boats competing.

I arrived a few days early where, along with a number of west and east coast teams, we trained in various conditions with the wind being light and shifty. With the number of boats in the fleet we knew they would break up the sailors into flights and eventually into gold, silver, and bronze for the final days.

When we arrived in Florida, I unloaded my 29er off the trailer and rigged it completely to ensure everything was rigged correctly. After that, I went to eat sushi with the team.

On the second day, we sailed about 30 minutes out to Biscayne Bay to practice. I was struck by how clear and shallow the water was in the bay. When we got out there, I could see hundreds of other boats sailing. We did a lot of up-downs and lineups, then a practice race with the other teams. It was hot and sunny. This was the last of the warm weather for the remainder of the trip.

This past month, my skipper, Anton, and I traveled to Florida to take part in the Open Orange Bowl regatta. It was the first time I was taking part in the event. We flew out Christmas night and rigged our boat the next day. We had one practice day before the regatta started. 

Day one of the regatta was met with rain and wind. We had a 2-hour postponement on land before we were sent out. Once on the race course, we had 20-30 knots of wind. Following multiple capsizes within the 29er fleet, racing was called off for the day. 

Days 2 and 3 were very similar with medium wind and very shifty. We learned a lot from that regatta and it helped us as we are preparing for the Youth World Qualifier that is coming up in late March in Long Beach. 

Thank you to SDYC and HPYS for the support and for helping make the Orange Bowl possible.