Optimist US National Championships at Pensacola - Overall
by Talbot Wilson 27 Jul 2015 15:13 BST
23-26 July 2015
The top 93 sailors at the end of the Qualifying Round Saturday moved into the Gold Division of the Medal Round Sunday. After sailing five races in that round against the regatta's best sailors, Luke Arnone of Bay Head NJ, Mantoliking YC was crowned the 2015 USODA National Champion winning the USODA National Championship Trophy. Racing in the three USODA National Championship events at Pensacola Yacht Club came to a brilliant conclusion.
What a fantastic final day of racing it was for the all the young 8-15 year old competitors. Sailors in the Gold Division sailed five races, Silver A and Silver B Divisions each sailed four. The pace was fast, and the sailing was fair.
Luke Arnone took the top prize with final results of 2-2-1-1-(7)-2-10-2-(14)-4-5 for 29 Points.
Emma Cowles, Larchmont NY the top girl was second with (20\ZFP)-1-1-5-2-1-4-(17)-6-6-4
Justin Callahan, Cape Coral FL was third with 2-3-4-(94\BFD)-1-4-6-1-3-9-(10)
Two special prizes were awarded— The Ewell C. Potts Memorial Friendship Trophy went to Anika Boicheff of St Petersburg, FL and the New York Yacht Club Sportsmanship Award went to Chris Capiola of Naples, FL.
In the Green Fleet, all competitors received participation awards and Maggie Walker of Bonita Springs was presented with a North One-Design Opti sail for good sportsmanship.
By sailing five races, the Gold Division sailors, the cream of the crop, got to drop a second race from the series — one had been dropped after five Qualifying Round races. This shook up the preliminary standings posted at the end of the day Saturday.
Complete results are posted on www.usoda2015nationals.com