FBYC Optimist Team Wafts Through Nationals
on Tuesday July 31, 2007 10:25PM
If patience is a virtue then the FBYC Optimist Team was put to the virtual acid test after waiting two days just to see a race through on Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota last week. In spite of the weather, our stalwart sailors found lots of fun stuff to do from their lair on Bug Island including swimming, bailer fishing cards and best of all, the 2007 National Trash Boat Regatta.
We still dont know who won the trash boat regatta but on Wednesday the Lake Minnetonka Yacht Club R/C was able to punch out four races in one afternoon in light to moderate conditions. However, Wednesdays racing success was followed by yet another period of calm on Thursday, dashing any final hopes that the 2007 USODA National Championship would be decided on more than four races. In the end our congratulations went to fellow Chesapeake Bay Sailor Teddy Stokes of Norfolk Yacht and Country Club who was crowned the 2007 Optimist National Champion based on his first place overall finish in the 281 boat championship fleet.
However, FBYC had its own successes including a solid 8th place finish by Alex Jacob. Alex was joined by eight of his FBYC teammates including Ben Buhl (66th) Madeleine Alderman (88th), Austin Powers (103rd), Conrad Roos (153rd), Kendal Swenson (172nd), Erin Jacob (176th), Eric Roos (190th) and Graeme Alderman (191st).
Congratulations are also in order for FBYCs top 160 finishers who are now qualified for National Team Trials in Annapolis next May! Before the event was over, FBYC had one final success as its three Team Racing members Madeleine Alderman, Eric Roos and Graeme Alderman finished 2nd in the Silver Fleet along with several of their colleagues from Annapolis Yacht Club in the USODA Team Racing National Championship. Next Week, its on to Newport, RI for the 2007 USODA New England Championships!