Success at the 2013 Halloween Regatta in Clearwater, FL!
Racing Starts at the Halloween Regatta in Clearwater, Florida
By Connor Oursler – USA 313
With the advent of cooler weather the Clearwater Windsurfing Team is anything but reluctant to get out on the water. To commence this year’s season, the Clearwater Community Sailing Center hosted its first annual Halloween Windsurfing Regatta this past weekend. Led by Coach Britt Viehman, the eight youth racers consisted mainly of those from the local racing team, age 12 to 19. Nevertheless, with three current members of the US Sailing Youth Development Team on the start line, it was enough for some successful and intense racing from the RS:X and Techno classes. Accompanied by light to marginal conditions and crisp October skies, these committed sailors were ready to put two months of rigorous training to the test.
In order to take advantage of the 6-8 knots of morning breeze from the East, day one was an early start. Immediately after the skippers meeting, the competitors headed across the flat and brilliant waters of Clearwater Harbor to catch the 10:15 start. It was a strong start too as Jonathan Rudich earned three straight bullets leaving the others to fight for second. However, by noon the winds were shifting to the West, causing a two hour postponement, yet the racers were back on the harbor in no time for three more races in 10 knots of sea breeze. This time, Margot Samson finished in the lead by only two points.The following morning presented ten knots of more Easterly winds to allow four more races of an intense battle for first. Conclusively, and not without a great performance by all, Margot Samson was able to hold her position in the RS:X fleet, but only barely with Connor Oursler and Malo Ouallet trailing by only two and four points respectively. Being the only competitor in the Techno fleet, Noah Lyons received his well deserved prize. Ultimately, Coach Viehman expects a very successful season for each of his students with the exceptional results and outstanding display of skill from this exciting weekend of great racing.
Top Finishers: 1. Margot Samson; 2. Connor Oursler; 3. Malo Ouallet
A big thank you to the Clearwater Community Sailing Center for hosting the event, and to US Windsurfing for making it happen!
Awards Ceremony – Group Portrait of Smiling Competitors
Overall Results:
1. 28 pts. Margot Samson
2. 30 pts. Connor Oursler
3. 32 pts. Malo Ouallet
4. 33 pts. Jonathan Rudich
5. 35 pts. Diego Becerra
6. 44 pts. Charlotte Samson
7. 50 pts. Tucker McElwaney
8. 68 pts. Noah Lyons (1st Techno)
