Dear Maritime Sciences and Seamanship Foundation,
Thank you so much for the money that allowed me and my crew Leah Russell to go to Orange Bowl this winter break. This really was an experience that I will never forget. The regatta was held at Coral Reef Yacht Club in Coconut Grove, Florida. There was wind on the first day and on the second day. The third day was light and the races were cancelled, the fourth day had a little bit better wind.
The first day was difficult due to the lack of heavy wind practice in Newport. Overall we had a hard, long, day leaving us in 58th. On the second day the lighter wind was an advantage to us. We got out best race, which was a tenth. But on the same day we got our worst race a 68th. With the total of eight races we got a throw-out leaving us with our worse race as a 58.
The third day in the beginning was good we rounded the windward mark in 6th place. But as we headed down wind the wind shut off and the race was abandoned. So we kept our place, which was 50th. On the last day our goal was to get in the forties but the first race we didn’t do very well. And the last race we got a 12th. Overall we stayed in the same place with a 50th out of 76 boats.
We came to this regatta knowing we wouldn’t get a 1st but to us we got a 1st. This regatta will be a memory I will never forget. And every Christmas, when I get out my Orange Bowl ornament, I will think back to this event. At this regatta I learned a lot that I will use for the rest of my sailing years. This was the biggest line I had ever been on and with 76 boats on the line it was difficult. Sailing this regatta was a great experience I will never forget. Without your support and gracious donations I would not have sailed this event for BYC.
Megan Roach
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