FBYC’s Juniors excelled at the 2005 Optimist National Championship held July 25-29 at the Norfolk Yacht & Country Club. Three of four who sailed in the Championship Fleets (Red, Blue and White) qualified for the Optimist National Team Trials to be held in New York the first week of May 2006, by finishing above 230 out of 317 boats, some well above that mark.

Those who qualified for the Team Trials were Madeleine Alderman, age 12, who finished 64 for the week Overall; Kyle Swenson, age 12, finishing 117, and Alex Jacob, age 11, finishing 120.

Austin Powers, age 10, just missed the team trial cut by only four places with an overall place of 234 in the 317 boat fleet, but he will be ready for this year’s Atlantic Coast Championship where he will have another chance to qualify for the Team Trials with the new Winner racing Opti he purchased at the end of the Nationals.

The week long event was marked by very light winds, an evening of thunderstorms, and extremely hot weather. “There was definitely on and off wind and lots of waves,” said Alex, “but I really enjoyed the whole week.” “It was a blast racing against sailors from all over the world,” remarked Kyle. “I just loved the whole event.” he added. “When we got some wind on Thursday, I got a 26, which I am really proud of,” said Austin.

One thrilling highpoint of the week for Madeleine was coming in 1st in the third race of the week. “It was really cool sailing with those sailors in the front because I think I recognized several of them as having their pictures as “Top Guns” in OPTI NEWS”, remarked Madeleine.

FBYC was also ably represented in the Gold Green Fleet with Kendall Swenson, 9, sailing with Tom Coleman. She finished 28

out of a fleet of 49 boats, which was impressive. Erin Jacob, 7, and Graeme Alderman, 8, sailed in the Silver Green Fleet with Tommy Coleman, in which places are not kept. Erin and Graeme really had fun with Tommy and according to Erin, “I learned a lot from Tommy and now want to sail in all the races that my brother Alex goes to.”

Parent Eric Powers observed that “the Opti Nationals was a great momentum builder for the FBYC race team. The parents all worked very hard, but I think we all felt it was definitely worth it. We met interesting people from all over the country and I think we found out that with a high level coach like Juan Romero, FBYC Juniors can be competitive in any major regatta.”

The Girls’ National Championship was held separately on Monday, July 25, in heavier air with Madeleine placing 30 out of 103 boats. Madeleine improved to 12 out 101 boats sailed by girls on Tuesday through Friday during the mixed gender Nationals.

When viewed within their two year age groups in the sub-fleets, our Juniors did very well also. In the Blue Fleet (Age 11-12), Madeleine came in 27 out of 140 boats, Kyle placed 53 and Alex placed 55. In the White Fleet (Age 10-11), Austin placed 29 of 44 boats.

The Nationals left our Juniors hungry for more top level competition.

By Dale Alderman and Noel Clinard