Stewart Draheim wins second 2016 South West Regional
by Sunfish Class on 20 Sep 2016
Sunfish fleet Sunfish Class
The second Regional for the South West Region in 2016 was held at the Austin Yacht Club in Austin Texas. The turnout was attended by some 15 Sunfish sailors who had to endure hot weather, light air and weather delays.
The projections was for light air and thunderstorms, which might have accounted for the low turnout. Saturday saw only one race run due to a high pressure system over head that prevented the winds from developing until late in the afternoon. The AP Pennant was dropped at 4 pm and the first race started at 4:45. The wind turned up to 5 mph at the start, but quickly dropped to 2 mph by the second mark where the race was shortened and the sailors sent in.
Sunday proved to be more promising as the winds were up to 6 mph at the start holding to about 4 mph. A second race was started in 5 mph winds but quickly started to drop, so only two races were run. The race was completed with Stewart Draheim winning with a total of six points, followed by John Bartlett with 11 points.
Stewart takes the bid for next year’s Worlds. Our youngest competitor Richie Amato, nine years old, sailed the race in only his third time in a Sunfish. Though the winds were not favorable, the competitors were appreciative that RC did not make them sit on the water all day long in 95 degree heat, waiting for the wind to fill in.
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