09/26/2022
The annual Cressy qualifier was held this past weekend at FYC in Jacksonville. It was fun to see the regulars from the ILCA circuit pull on their respective high school pinnies (jerseys) and hit the water for a different kind of regatta experience. It just so happens that the SAISA division of the Interscholastic Sailing Association is slam packed with the best sailors in the U.S. Unfortunately , only three from each class get to go to the National event held in late October. Two Miami boys and One rockstar South Carolina kid made that list for the radial (ILCA 6) class. Huge congrats to each of you, it was a hard earned honor. In short, these kids, accustomed to 50 minute races on a large (usually close to 1 mile windward leg) course format where they can spread out and apply their strategies, were all crammed into a small course (.23 nm or kess windward leg) where they had to fight it out in 20 minute drag races where finding clean air was next to impossible. It was very interesting to watch as 56 boats rounded the top mark and all came down in mass to the leeward gate. Fun stuff all around, and our little Salty Dog, Elyse joined up with former teammate River Keysers to get in on the fun representing their St Augustine High School. Both kids had their ups and downs, and it would appear that both also had a truly good time, shaking it up a bit and sailing their boats on a different playing field. Good luck to our regions three qualifiers- looking forward to one of you bringing home that Cressy trophy this year from Nationals!
