High Pressure System Dooms Optimist Atlantic Coast Championship

October 3-4, 2009
Larchmont, NY

275 of the country’s top Optimist sailors traveled to LYC to compete for the 2009 Atlantic Coast Championship. Unfortunately, a large high pressure system that settled over much of the northeastern United States prevented racing for all but the Green Fleet.

   All rigged up but no place to go: a lack of wind stymied competitors

   at 2009 Opti ACCs. Photo by Maureen Koeppel

 

One race was started and abandoned for the Championship Fleet on Saturday before windless rain squalls arrived, while Sunday brought sun but no wind.  The Green Fleet sailors, defined as beginning Optimist racers, were able to complete two races on shorter courses on Saturday, with Trevor Lanigan from Long Island Yacht Club on the Great South Bay taking a first and a third in the 29-boat fleet. 

 

   Rain squalls on Saturday afternoon ended any chance the   

   championship fleet had of completing a race that day. 

   Photo by Tom Spelman

 

Event organizers, led by regatta chair Merrill Ulmer, spent months putting together a great event.  To make the best of a tough situation on Sunday, the fleet participated in “paddle races” once it became clear that the weather would not cooperate. 

 

   Making the best of it: competitors competed in “paddling races”

   on Sunday.  Photo by Maureen Koeppel

 

Participation medals were awarded to all Green Fleet sailors, but no prizes for place were given pursuant to the US Optimist Dinghy Association policy of emphasizing fun and participation for novice sailors.  For Green Fleet results, photos, and information about the Atlantic Coast Championships, please visit the event website.