Junior Racing is big at the Union Sailing Club.
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Posted Sunday, July 3, 2005
BAT BOAT BANTER
"I'll coach them a bit"....
A comment overheard at the skippers meeting after it was announced the juniors would be sailing with the adults. There was a nervous giggle and almost in unison the crowd whispered, "The juniors are probably going to school us!" Let the results speak for themselves. Juniors are in the top of standings now. Best bring your "A" game to regattas that have juniors amoungst the fleet. Maybe break out that hiking bench to reveal the six pack of days gone by, work on your tacks, bone up on the rules, and most importantly spend more time on the water sailing and training preferrably with good sailors regardless of their age. With an unbeatable combination of one design sailing, talent, drive, practice, quality coaching all youngsters from Community Sailing, Carter Lake, Union are making huge strides on their quest for sailing excellence. Reeve Dunne is on his way to Lightening Nationals, Mike Ruwitch & Avana Andrade are heading for Butterfly Nationals. Laura Stamets & McKenzie Jacobs are heading for Snipe Nationals. And the Colorado JOSF at Union Reservoir is right around the corner July 23 & 24. Featuring Snipes, C420, Laser Full, Butterfly, Sunfish & Vanguard Pram.
SNIPE FLEET (NINE BOATS)
Reeve Dunne & Gabe Stahlings...2nd with 4 points
3rd in first race & 1st in second race. (That old blue boat has got some "go" left in it yet)
Laura Stamets & McKenzie Jacobs...3rd with 5 points
2nd in first race & 3rd in second race
PORTSMOUTH "B" FLEET (THIRTEEN BOATS)
Mike Ruwitch & Gavin Jacobs (C420)...2nd with 7 points
Avana Andrade (Butterfly)...4th with 10 points
Haley Heer (Sunfish)...5th with 12 points
Of special note...Recovering from repeated capsizes right at the start of race #1 as a gust of 25knots flattened the fleet were Caitlin Owens & Sonya Ropek on C420 #3449. Working with skills recently honed at Carter Lake Sail Camp with coach Craig Fleming of Eckard College fame, they moved up to 11th. The next race saw them finish mid fleet. Excellent showing for a light weight team in their first open regatta. Hats off to their parents & coaches for making it all possible.
Maggie Stamets. What can I say. Of all the juniors I have had the honor to sail, teach and train with over the past six years in Colorado I have really enjoyed Maggie. The days we spent goofing off and repeatedly capsizing whatever boat we were sailing on...the wacky water battles with serious boat handling skills required to get the maximum amount of water in to the other boat....or the time we fininshed absolutely last (boats on the horizon!) at an Open regatta at Union last year and agreed it was so much fun to just sail. Who cares where you finish (sort of). Her pluck and determination are commendable. She knows where she needs to improve to reach her goal of sailing performance but she is already a champion in my book.
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