Roll tacking is fast except when you're on a replica of a ship that fought in the War of 1812. That didn't stop us from running across the boat as the sails back winded and then running back again to "flatten" the 49 ton ship. The cruise on the Friends Good Will was just one of our evening activities at the US Junior Womens Singlehanded Championship (Leiter). Macatawa Bay Yacht Club hosted the five day event which was sailed on Lake Michigan. After registering at the yacht club, our host families greeted us and we met our roommates.

One of the interesting things I learned in the two day clinic is that even lakes can develop strong "current" from waves bouncing off the beach. I had thought that would be the one factor I wouldn't have to think about on a lake.

The regatta began with light, shifty wind and plenty of chop. Fouled at the start, I struggled to find clear air the entire race and finished sixth. I finished the second race with a large lead, but sailed too far from the start line between races and started the third race a minute late. I worked my way up to 15th in the 46 boat fleet, but I had learned my lesson. On the second day, the first race was abandoned half way up the first beat and we were quickly towed in due to advancing water spouts on the lake. Two hours later, we were on the water again for two races in 15-20+ knots and steep 10 foot swells that prevented two thirds of the fleet from finishing the second race. The wind had dropped to 10 to 15 knots with chop on the final day. I began the day in first with a one point lead over Arielle Delisser and increased my lead in the first two races. Unfortunately, I missed a big shift in the third race and finished 13th, which dropped me to third overall. A fourth place finish in the last race kept me in third overall behind Arielle and Marissa Lihan, who finished first and second overall respectively. Racing was a roller coaster ride of ups and downs in each race. No one was able to get all top ten finishes.

Leiter was an amazing experience because there were so many girls my age who sailed Lasers. The yacht club was very welcoming, and everywhere we went members asked us about the regatta and told us how excited they were to be hosting it. I experienced a slice of life in the Midwest, and I made friends from all over the country. The best part is that I get to see most of those friends again next year.

--Sky Adams

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