By Sky Adams
Leiter Cup brings together over forty independent, energetic,
and kind Radial girls each summer. Leiter, more formally
known as the US Jr Women's Singlehanded Championship, is
always my favorite event because of the positive atmosphere
and evening social events. This year Coral Reef Yacht Club
did a wonderful job hosting it, treating us to kayaking,
paddle boarding, and yoga lessons after the first clinic
day. The three days of racing are always preceded by two
days of clinic, reflecting the event's goal of increasing
the level of and participation in women's sailing. This
year we had ten to twenty knots of wind every day, and a
tropical storm, which prevented any racing on the final
day. The short, steep chop on Biscayne Bay proved challenging
and a great learning experience both upwind and downwind,
as the Laser techniques for smoother waves found in venues
with deeper water are quite different. Overall, I finished
third, but was wonderfully surprised at the awards dinner
to receive the sportsmanship award. To be chosen for this
award by such a unique and special group of girls was a
great honor. I had known many of them for years, as well
as having met knew friends this year.
My final regatta sailing for the SBYSF was the CORK Olympic
Classes Regatta in Kingston, Ontario. With five days of
racing and conditions varying from twenty-five knots with
steep waves to flat water and less than three knots of wind,
the event forced mental and physical endurance as well as
versatility in sailing. Tucker Atterbury crewed for Tyler
MacDonald from Newport Harbor Yacht Club in the 29erXX fleet,
and I sailed in the Radial fleet. Tucker repeated his strong
performance in the CORK International Regatta a few days
earlier to finish fourth overall out of fifteen boats, and
I finished seventeenth out of eighty-four and came away
with a lot of new Radial techniques.
Since I have now graduated from the SBYSF, I'd like to
take a moment to thank everyone who has supported and run
it. Learning to sail and race with the Youth Foundation
has made a tremendous difference in my life by showing me
what it means to really be passionate about something and
to have confidence in myself and my ability to learn. I'm
very grateful to all those who have helped make this possible
for me and all the other junior sailors who have participated
in the program.
CORK
