July 2013 - California Yacht Club

Memorial Day Regatta
Consistency Pays Off for Junior Racers
By SIMONE STAFF
Laser Radial start at the Memorial Day Regatta
- Rich Roberts photo
This year three CYC Junior racers – Jessica McJones,
Cooper Weitz, and I – participated in the Memorial
Day Regatta, held in Long Beach. I arrived early
Saturday morning to ensure a parking spot, only to find
light breeze and a perfect day ahead of me. There were
clear, sunny skies, and, although the wind started out in a
southwesterly, it shifted throughout the day north. As it
shifted, the breeze picked up, topping out at around 15
knots. My goal for the weekend was to qualify for the
O’Day Single-handed Championship, held in New Jersey in
September. There were 18 boats competing, and my goal
was to be top five. All three of us were very consistent
Jessica McJones and Simone Staff
- Madeleine McJones photo
throughout the weekend: Cooper had three bullets by the end of
the regatta. Jessica was up in the front of the fleet consistently, and
I kept my goal in sight by finishing in the top five every race. By
the end of the day I was exhausted and ready for some food and a
good night’s sleep.
Sunday arrived and I was ready to go back out on the water.
We started the morning with some stretching, which in the long
run helped me not be so sore while sailing. My goal for the day
was to stay in the top three, which I successfully achieved. Sunday
was lighter, with inconsistent winds coming from Catalina. The
courses were very long, and although the fleet was spread out, the
top boats were very competitive. This helped me to stay on my
toes, keeping my eyes out for new shifts and puffs.
By the end of the weekend I successfully qualified for the
O’Day Regatta, along with finishing fourth overall. Cooper
finished in second place, and Jessica finished in eighth. Overall it
was a great weekend of sailing, as it is always fun to be on the
water, and I am looking forward to many more events coming
soon in the summer months.
JULY 2013 BREEZE/25