The Report from USODA Team Trials:

Would you like to represent the United States and visit another part of the world? Qualifying for Team Trials at a USODA event is the first step.

The 2009 Team Trials occurred last weekend at Noroton YC in Darien , CT. With 211 competitors from all over the country, over a dozen Chesapeake sailors qualified for this event.

Racing was held over four long days, and the 200 competitors got in 12 races total. The host club provided great hospitality. The conditions on Long Island Sound were "foggy and soggy", with competitors seeing shifty breeze from 4 - 14 knots. Rain, along with water temps around 50 degrees, and maximum air temperature in the low-60's made for grueling conditions and long days. The current on the sound also provided challenge.

The top three Chesapeake sailors were Kendall Swenson/FBYC, Alex Jacob/FBYC, and Patrick Floyd/AYC. All three earned spots on the USODA National Teams.

Swenson, who finished in 20th overall will represent the United States at the IODA North American Championships in the Dominican Republic in July. Swenson (who, incidentally, was the 2008 CBYRA Girls High Point Champion) was 4th overall among girls. The 12 year old from Fishing Bay YC posted four top 10 finishes during the regatta, including a bullet (first place!) "I was so excited when I heard that horn!", said Swenson, who despite lots of upcoming travel still intends to compete frequently on the Chesapeake Bay this summer.

To see what Team Trials is like, check out this cool YouTube video from Photo Boat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MsMF3yqQo8 If you see what you like, and you'd like to try to qualify for Team Trials yourself, check out all of the qualifying regattas at ! www.usoda.org

CBYRA sailors selected to compete at Youth Champs:

The U.S. Youth Sailing Championship was started in 1973. The event has several goals: (a) to provide a challenge to young sailors to grow beyond the skill levels used to win at the local and regional level (b) to serve as a bridge between Junior Sailing and College Sailing (c) to better produce US sailors capable of winning the World Youth Championships in big-fleet races; (d) to develop and identify talent for the US Olympic Sailing Team, and (e) to motivate a lifetime commitment to sailing. Invitations to the event are made by US SAILING's Youth Championship Selection Committee, based on review of applicant's entry forms. Other than the Laser, boats have changed over the years. Beginning in 2006, this prestigious championship has included Club 420's, Lasers, Laser Radials and 29ers.

The Chesapeake Bay has several sailors who found out last week that they were accepted. Those sailors are:

Laser Full Rig: Bo McClatchy
Laser Radial: Kyle Swenson
Club 420: John Andril, Amanda Salvesen, Fletcher Sims, Brady Stagg, Scott Houck , Jack Ortel .

Congratulations, and good luck to these outstanding young sailors!