Seabrook, TX: Ten Lakewood youth sailors traveled to New Orleans to participate in the
annual USODA Midwinter Championship, hosted by Southern Yacht Club Nov. 28-30.
A total of 68 sailors raced at this two-day event, with a wide range of different sailing conditions. While Saturday, the wind blew from the N-NE with max intensity of 8 knots, Sunday came fully stocked with S-SW winds and gusts from 12 to up to 23 knots.
The weather fully cooperated, with sunny skies and no rain, and the RC did a great job finishing eight races during these two days.
Lakewood sailor
Stephen Momeier
took the overall win and got his name engraved on the perpetual trophy. After a very consistent and well-sailed regatta, Momeier secured the win with even a race to spare, showing great determination and focus. He finished 1st in Red Fleet as well as first GYA sailor, who got his name engraved on the perpetual trophy.
Two more sailors finished in the top 10, with Matias Martin missing the podium by just one point but scoring a bullet and getting 3rd in Red Fleet. Charlie Allen was the other Lakewood sailor in the top 10, finishing 8th overall.
Inside the top 20, were Dylan Tomko, Casey Small and Ewan Dossin. Dylan sailed a fantastic regatta, and fought for the White Fleet overall until the last upwind, missing the win by just two points but getting 12th overall and 2nd in White Fleet. Casey Small didn't end up far behind, finishing 15th overall with a few ups and downs but bringing two awards back home, with her 3rd overall in White Fleet and 2nd overall in the Girls Division. Closing the top 20 was Ewan, who despite the heavy winds on Saturday, claimed 20th overall.
The rest of the Lakewood sailors exhibited great perseverance and determination as nobody retired and all of them sailed until the end, displaying a vast improvement on their heavy wind skills. Patrick McNamara, being our youngest sailor, claimed the last spot in the White Fleet, and finished 5th overall to achieve his first award in a USODA Regatta. Following Patrick was Sydney Small, who, despite not sailing her best regatta, fought hard and finished 36th overall.
Closing the Lakewood representation were Teddy Reiser in 39th, with his first-ever top 15 race result in a USODA Event, and Dax Marsden in the 48th overall.
