Dear BYC Maritime Sciences and Seamanship Foundation,

Thank you for your generous donation to help support me in the 2012 Junior Olympic Festival Regatta, hosted at California Yacht Club from July 12–15. I sailed in the Club 420 class, with my crew coming to sail with me all the way from Maine. Both of us met and competed against one another at the Ida Lewis Regatta this past June and had never sailed together before the Junior Olympics—but we decided to give it a shot!

The first day of the regatta consisted of measuring our boat, filling out paperwork, etc. My crew and I went out to sail in the practice races later that day, only to find the wind rapidly dying down and the southbound current prevailing, leaving all fleets unable to reach the windward mark and the races to be called off. We prayed for more consistent breeze the next day… but to no avail.

Friday was the first official race day, and I felt very prepared to combat any lessening of wind. The 420, Laser, and 29er course was postponed for three hours before there was enough wind to start a race (which was very tiring to have to wait so long!). The RC was only able to get off two races before the breeze turned itself off. I ended up mid-fleet both races, a little bummed, hoping that the next day would fare better.

Saturday turned out to be very similar to Friday, with lots of swells, chop, and sparse areas of wind. However, four races were completed that day, and I was pleased to see myself getting a top five and a top ten that day. Unfortunately, two other teams protested the RC for improperly directing the fleet around a mark change (they won the protest), meaning my 5th place race was no longer included as a race for anyone. I had another mid-fleet race and a “throw out” that day, leaving my spirits low for the next day.

Sunday didn’t turn out as well as I would’ve liked, but I quickly realized the importance of a positive mental game every day I go out and compete. Dwelling on the previous days’ results certainly didn’t help my performance on Sunday, and neither did my lack of preparation sailing with my crew. Nevertheless, I had a lot of fun learning to skipper for a girl who is normally a skipper herself and practicing in the ocean current and swells that aren’t present in Newport Harbor. Learning to be a flexible sailor (in terms of varying wind, water “behavior”, sailing partners, etc.) will serve me well in my future sailing career.

Once again, I appreciate your support and am looking forward to many 420 regattas in the future!

Sincerely,

Lea Russell