We had races cancelled due to no wind, sun that rivaled my Florida hometown, rain that soaked us to the bone and finally the biggest breeze of the week switched on just in time for the final three races.
What a day to decide the British National Championships!
15-20 knots ripping down the channel, torrential rain at times and temperatures that reminded us of the downright cold conditions of 2009 USODA Team Trials greeted the sailors as they prepped their boats. Most of Team USA chose drysuits, and it was a good call. The Americans were first to the site and first to rig, not just because Coach Bryan said so but also because it was clear they were ready to get on with it!
The GBR sailors were loaded for bear and Team IRL was ready to rumble as they looked up at the scores and saw two Americans at the top of Senior and Junior Fleet. And our sailors? If you listened closely you would probably have heard "...bring it on." New friends off the water but fierce competitors once the warning flag was hoisted, this international fleet was simply impressive to watch as the sailors found a way to handle the pressure of representing their respective nations.
So after the toughest day of racing for the event, the results are in. GBR, fueled by outstanding heavy air speed, came from behind and finished 1-2 in Senior Fleet. Team USA's light air speedster Roger Dorr fought hard and held on for 3rd overall, top overseas Senior competitor and best first day scoreline, while Team USA's Megan Grapengeter-Rudnick finished 8th overall and 1st Senior girl and 1st overseas Senior girl . Nathaniel Johansson had the heartbreak of losing a 1st to a Black Flag OCS today but wrapped the regatta with two 3rds to finish 9th. Rounding out Team USA's strong close were American aces Ravi Parent in 21st, Jack Toland in 23rd and Jack Budill in 33rd.
In the Junior Gold Fleet American Jack Johansson came that close to victory but in the end had to settle for 2nd to IRL. Adele Whitmyer finished 6th overall, 1st Junior girl and 1st overseas Junior girl. Ian MacDiarmid stepped up to post the best American score line in the Junior Gold Championship round to finish 8th overall, and fellow Floridian Ben Kern proved to be a force to be reckoned with, ending with a strong 11th overall. Rounding out five Americans in the top twelve was Haddon Hughes, who earned a 2nd in Junior girls as well. US National White Fleet Champion Parker Hughes had a challenging last day and ran out of drops, but still finished a solid 30th overall.
Results Summary
1st Senior Fleet: Callum Airlie (GBR)
1st Junior Fleet: Cian Byrne (IRL)
1st Overseas, Best first day score line, 3rd Overall Senior: Roger Dorr (USA)
1st Girls Senior, 1st Overseas Girls Senior, 8th overall: Megan Grapengeter-Rudnick (USA)
1st Girls Junior, 1st Overseas Girls Junior, 6th overall: Adele Whitmyer (USA)
Full Overall American Results
Juniors overall (145 boats):
2nd Jack Johansson
6th Adele Whitmyer
8th Ian MacDiarmid
11th Ben Kern
12th Haddon Hughes
30th Parker Hughes
Seniors overall (109 total boats):
3rd Roger Dorr
8th Megan Grapengeter-Rudnick
9th Nathaniel Johansson
21st Ravi Parent
23rd Jack Toland
33rd Jack Budill
And so it ends with a fabulous photo finish with GBR, IRL and the USA each taking home their fair share of silverware. Bravo to every participant, volunteer and parent who made this event fantastic... and let me say no one does an awards ceremony like our UK cousins.
The rain continues to fall in Largs as Team USA dodges raindrops on the way to what is possibly the world's only waterfront bowling alley for one more night together. Each member has become a better sailor after their week with Coach Bryan Paine and guest coach/US Laser rockstar Luke Lawrence and have some new memories they will never forget.
As for me, it's bye for now - I'm off to the Highlands for some haggis!
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