The Sunshine Open, held at Severn Sailing Association in Annapolis, offered close to ideal conditions for this early season regatta. Thirty four boats were registered, 23 standard rigs and 11 radial rigs. Although conditions were light to nothing on the way out to the course the first day, the wind soon filled in to the forecasted 12-15 knots out of the northwest. The sun was shining but the water temperatures were still cool enough to warrant spray tops and even a dry suit or two.
Competition was fierce in the standard fleet on Saturday with four points separating 1st and 3rd place after four races. At the end of the first day John MacCausland was leading the standard fleet with Mike Russom, Jonathan Phillips and Luke Shingledecker close behind. Kim Couranz led the radial fleet with Susan Taylor and Dorian Haldeman in second and third. On the way back to the dock both fleets were treated to 20+ knots with gusts exceeding 30. Timing is everything.
Saturday evening the sailors enjoyed drinks and dinner on the deck overlooking the Naval Academy, Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay. The Unified Jazz Ensemble provided cool jazz on the upper deck to round out a great evening.
Sunday turned out just as beautiful with bright sunny skies and breeze in the low to mid-teens. The race committee got in three more races on Sunday for the standard fleet and two for the radials before the wind turned shifty and began to die. Final results did not change much from Saturday. In the standard fleet John MacCausland finished in first with 11 points through 6 races scored, Mike Russom was second with 15 points and Jonathan Phillips was third with 19 points. In the radial fleet Kim Couranz was first with 7 points through 5 races scored, Susan Taylor was second with 10 points and Dorian Haldeman was third with 15 points.
Steven D Cofer
Laser Fleet 10
ILCA-NA District 11 