Hello, I am on the 2011 USA National Opti Team, This week I am at USA Team Trials to qualify for another year of racing. I am larger now and sailing on a Laser Radial I got from Olympic Qualified Paige Railey! and I am also on the High School sailing team for Palos Verdes High School. I am trying very hard to master sailing on these new hulls as I transition off OPTI\\\'s. My goal is to improve my Laser skills with hard training work and coaching. Also to improve my CFJ and learn the 420 for High School regattas. I would like to attend major Laser regattas all year. BUT I am still on the USNT team and have one more big HURRAH at TEAM TRIALS!

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BRANTS BEACH USNT TEAM TRIALS

This is a single blog of this event.

Last Team Trials day and travel

The last day of team trials was light and shifty and super low tide. On the first race I went too far left and hit the bottom, I had to sail to the windward mark with my centerboard up a few inches. I still did well and got in the 20's. The next race was similar but the wind was going farther left than the first. I finished in the 20's again, and I was pretty glad I was doing so well for being heavier than everyone else. The last race was the lightest and the wind had set itself to come from a new direction. I started off with a bad start and that translated into a bad race, so I got in the 40's. We had to leave the venue early so I didn't stay for awards, but Evon S. won the regatta. the flight back was long and I got back to the warm California at 1:00 AM, and went to school that day. I feel that this regatta has made me a better sailor in the other fleets other than the Opti, and in general. i'm looking forward to my next regatta now that CFJ's are done.

April, 28th 2012 : Morning Race Day 3

Complete change now the wind is gone and vanished this will be a difficult day to keep my scores up. I am rested and full of food and ready to launch the buzz is high there are many stressed parents and kids. I hope the breeze builds some more by the afternoon. Results are here I am in the top 100 again and I want to remain there. But no wind is not my friend. I will have to keep focused.

April, 27th 2012 : Evening Race Day 2

The wind was wild we had some 30 Knot strong, people in survival mode and chicken Gybing and these are the best kids in America! Over 50 top kids dropped out and many TLE (Time Limit Expired) so I moved up all my finishes where high not as high as they should be though. I will have to fight on. I am trying my best and working hard but not hiking enough.

April, 27th 2012 : Morning Race Day 2

The rain has passed now we are getting strong winds and this means 20+++-Knots with Gusts above 22.. I am ready for a great day this is my stuff. I am big and for once if they do not stop the racing I can pull some scores up.

April, 26th 2012 : Evening Race Day 1

Ouch the rain fell all day it was cold and not a bunch of wind. I had some pretty awful scores but one 11th that is a great race in the lightest conditions shifty with current messed up my last and many kids last race with a Z flag penalty. Yuck of course this is not what I came here to do. Regrouping as wind is called for tomorrow.

April, 25th 2012 : Registration Day

Checkin Day and my Moms birthday, I have almost been sailing for 14 days straight granted in different boats. We are checked into the venue and we are going to Philadelphia to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. There will be three groups racing in rotation. Each day we will get assigned a new group. It is a pretty warm day with pretty clouds.

April, 24rd 2012 : Practice Day

20 knots steady choppy but flat not steep chop. We are going out and getting our high wind skills tuned up. My team includes my brother at his first regatta 10 yrs, Cameron Feves 12, Matty Pierce 12, Stuart Henry 13. Having fun in big wind.

April, 23rd 2012 : Arrival Day 20+ knots gusty

I have arrived at Brants Beach and it is blowing full blast, I feel good about this big breeze this may be my regatta what a gift for my last Team Trails. I have to recover my jet lag and get on the water. I have recovered from my two days of High School sailing and there are some good photos of me here : Photos of CFJ Championships Silver fleet at CBYC I will get some photos of Brants beach to day there are kids blowing the dollar signs off their new sails in 20 gusts to 27!