MISSA News

by Coach Enrique Quintero

Ransom Everglades High School was invited to sail for the second time in two years in the Lawrence A. White Invitational at the Coast Guard Academy.  Last year, the team finished 6th in their first year of attending the invitational, but this year, the Raiders had more experience and with the leadership of their two captains Nathaniel Johansson '14 and Sonora Hospital-Medina '14, they were able to take this prestigious championship home this year. Conditions were tough, with light shifty winds and ripping current on the first day. Despite the conditions, the Raiders started the first set with two firsts in both divisions led by Nathaniel Johansson '14 and Adrienne Han '16 sailing the A division and Shawn Harvey '17 and Dylan Denman '15 sailing the B division. Six races were completed in both divisions of which two were won by the A division and three were won by the B division. The final day of the event, the Raiders entered the day with the lead and a seven point difference over Minnetonka High School. The breeze was up, but remained very shifty along with tricky current. Alex Swerdlow '15 and Sonora Hospital-Medina '14 started B division and came in strong. The Raiders began the first set with a first and a third in the A division led once again by Johansson and Han and two firsts led by Swerdlow and Hospital-Medina. The Raiders ended the event with a 14 point victory over Minnetonka High School. Congratulations to the Ransom Everglades Varsity Sailing Team on their win!

Report from the Coast Guard Academy:
 

The Lawrence A. White Invitational
U.S. Coast Guard Academy
October 19 - 20, 2013

Summary

Ideal seasonal conditions greeted competitors on the Thames River at the Coast Guard Academy in New London Connecticut. As competitors arrived at Jacobs Rock Sailing Center a brisk northerly breeze had filled to 7 knots just before the competitors meeting. Unfortunately it did not hold and phased out to zero as competitors arrived to the starting area; postponement followed shortly thereafter and competitors were sent in for an early lunch break. The sea breeze filled in from the Southwest at 6 knots gusting to 9 knots just before noonday and racing commenced. A strong ebbing current forced several OCS’s as crews adjusted their timing to the line. Two protests were filed one was withdrawn and the other was found to be invalid. Six races were completed on Saturday in both divisions with Ransome Everglades and Minnetonka High Schools establishing an early point’s lead over the fleet.

Sunday was another beautiful autumn day in New England with the breeze out of the North Northwest at 10 knots gusting to 20 knots with a strong ebbing current. Competitors adjusted to the morning’s blustery conditions but had trouble shifting gears as the velocity waned and the ebb increased into the afternoon. Five races were completed before lunch with Ransome Everglades and Minnetonka extending their points lead and a tiebreaker developed between Antilles School and The Christian Brothers Academy for 4th place. The afternoon brought a shifty West North West breeze that challenged competitors and race committee alike. The course was shifted south of Jacob’s Rock after lunch for cleaner conditions and three races were completed. One protest was filed and found to be invalid. All races were W4’s with leeward gate 14 races were completed in both divisions. Congratulations to Ransome Everglades High School for winning the 2013 Lawrence A. White Invitational.

Thank you to the following folks who helped make this a successful event; Cadet 2nd Class Bradley Brown and all the Coast Guard Cadets for running races and helping shore side with scoring, rotations and cleanup.. My personal thanks and appreciation to Commander Greg Hall and Jim Perkins for hearing protests and Assistant Intercollegiate Sailing Coach Chris Klevan for expediting mark changes and breakdowns.

Jason LeBlanc
Assistant Offshore Sailing Coach
U.S. Coast Guard Academy