ICSA Sloop Nationals

Blake Kimbrough on Wednesday November 12, 2003 10:54AM

I havn't seen many of you since this past summer, so I thought that I'd give you an update on how college sailing has been going for me this fall. Having qualified in J-22s a month ago, this past weekend I traveled to the NY Maritime College for the ICSA Sloop National Championships.The regatta was sailing in three man crewed Flying Scots in the East River and Long Island Sound. On Friday we had very puffy conditions at around 15-20 in the East River. We got off four races and were in Sixth at the end of the day, only seven points spreading us from the leaders, Kings Point.

Saturday brought high winds and freezing conditions. With breeze at a steady 22 knots, we had puffs rolling down the long island sound at around 28-30 knots. And yes, we were all flying spinnakers the whole time. Downwind was wild, planing the entire way downhill, our whole crew was sitting back with me ion the stern. Unfortunately for us, we were much lighter than the majority of the others, making us overpowered and slow upwind. We placed a respectable 2, 7, 6, 7, and actually moved up to fifth place. A far cry behind Kings Point, who had all firsts thanks to a crew weight of 590 pounds between the three of them, compared to our 440.

Sunday brought light and patchy conditions, making wind strategy a must. We only had two races, in which we had a 5, 4. We finished the regatta fifth, two points behind Dartmouth, five behind Harvard, seven behind Hobart William Smith, and 18 behind Kings Point.

Overall we were pleased with our performance given the tough conditions. Fortunately I have another year left, so I can slay 'em next year.

Cheers,
Blake Kimbrough
College of Charleston

ICSA Sloop Nationals

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