By Hanna Vincent

Over 700 junior sailors from 24 countries, as well as 26 U.S. states and territories convened for the 32nd annual Orange Bowl International Youth Regatta at the Coral Reef Yacht Club in Miami, Florida on December 27-30, 2008.

Six Santa Barbara youth sailors competed in this huge international event as part of the 52 members of the California International Sailing Association (CISA) team. Tucker Atterbury, Davie McBride, Willie McBride, and Carley Shevitz sailed in the 113 boat Club 420 fleet. Oliver Toole and Hanna Vincent competed in the 110 boat Laser Radial fleet. Four intense days of competition against some of the top, most experienced sailors in the world was both challenging and rewarding. The CISA team was well represented on the podium with Chris Barnard of the Newport Harbor Yacht club in second place and our own Oliver Toole in 6th place.

This was my second time at the Orange Bowl regatta, and it is one of my favorite places to sail. The conditions ranged from full on hiking mode in chop, to long naptimes in the 'fishing' weather. Temperatures stayed in the mid 80's all week, with slightly milder humidity than the previous year. One thing that was really nice this year, was that my boat stall on the grass was free from the killer ants I was attacked by last year. (Oliver got them this year)! All in all, it was a great regatta. Less killer ants, narrow escapes from Man-O-War jellyfish, great weather and awesome sailing.

Thank you's extended to both the Santa Barbara Youth Foundation and Santa Barbara Yacht Club Women for their support.