Team USA dominant in first day of championship racing

Delivering an impressive performance on the first day of championship racing here at the 2009 British Nationals, Team USA and Coach Bryan Paine made it clear they have the pace, performance and persistence to get the job done.  Breeze today was shifty and lighter than expected and proved a challenge to those with a "normal" Largs setup, and Team USA seemed to change gears as a group the best.

Leading the way for Team USA, Roger Dorr sits atop the leaderboard in the Senior fleet, despite battling a severe migrane headache throughout the afternoon.  That's one tough kid! But this isn't a one man show since Ravi Parent is nipping on his heels in 3rd (a bullet in race 2 helped his cause), Megan Grapengeter-Rudnick sits in 12th, Nathaniel Johansson in 21st, Jack Budill in 25th and Jack Toland in 31st.  Each got off the line well and fought to master the current that is abundant here on the Firth of Clyde.

The news in Junior Fleet is just as exciting to report - how about all 4 Team USA sailors in the top eight?  Woohoo!  Ben Kern led off the day's racing with a bullet and is top American in 3rd. Ian MacDiarmid is just behind in 5th, Haddon Hughes next in 6th and Adele Whitmyer in 8th after winning race 2.

In fact, 3 of 6 possible first place finishes in championship fleet racing today went to boats carrying "USA" on their sail.  That's a heck of a way to start the week!

And to go along with the excellent on the water performance, let's not forget every member of Team USA continues to make new international friends and represent our Country in a remarkable way.  Under Brian Payne's leadership our sailors are making us all very proud.

After racing, our ever-hospitable Scottish hosts treated all overseas sailors, families and coaches to a reception in the event tent.  With a live traditional band, refreshing beverages and the opportunity to meet new friends it was just another example of how much fun international Opti events can be.

PS  After some technical difficulties we're hoping to get some big lens images of of the racing up soon.  Thanks for your patience!