The first event of the West Marine US Open Sailing Series wrapped today, completing six races in a wide range of conditions. Lauderdale Yacht Club welcomed 135 sailors in the three ILCA classes – ILCA 4, 6, and 7.
Two races were sailed on Saturday after a morning postponement due to light winds. Racing was cancelled on Sunday due to a squall line passing through the area, and Monday’s racing saw a 12-17 knot shifty shore breeze.
Roger Casellas (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico), winner of the ILCA 4 fleet had a banner event, winning his division by 17 points with a score line of 2-1-3-1-3 (9). Isabella Mendoza Cabezas (Key Biscayne, FL) took second and Alfonso Lanseros (Key Biscayne, FL) came in third.
Winner of the ILCA 6 fleet, Robby Meek (Annapolis, MD), started off strong on Saturday with a 1-2 score line. After a mid-fleet race to begin Monday, he was able to grind back and secure first place overall. US Sailing Team Olympic Development Program sailors Christina Sakellaris (Milton, MA) and Charlotte Rose (Houston, TX) took second and third, respectively.
“The conditions were super tricky, but I’m happy with my results,” said Meek. “I was glad that we were able to get four good races off in the breeze today.”
Marshall McCann (Miami, FL), a member of the US Sailing Team ODP, took first place in the ILCA 7 fleet after a weekend of tight racing at the top of the pack. Tom Ramshaw (Toronto, Can.) took second and Leo Boucher (Annapolis, MD) took third.
“The fleet was so close it wasn’t until the last race that I knew I was in contention for first place,” said McCann. “I went out, sailed my own race, and kept it simple.”
As podium finishing American sailors in Olympic Classes, Meek, McCann, Boucher, Rose and Sakellaris were awarded prize grants – $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place, and $250 for third.
“It’s great to see some of the best sailors in the country, but it’s even better to see the developing sailors who were yesterday’s Optimists champions realizing how much more of a path lies ahead,” said Regatta Co-Chair Bob Meagher. “We’re happy that US Sailing and West Marine continue to make that path easier for them with the Series events.”
The series continues this month with the West Marine US Open Sailing Series Miami, featuring many of the Olympic Classes, including the 49er, Nacra 17, and 470; and the WMUSOSS Clearwater, featuring formula Kites, iQFoil and the ILCA classes.
For more information visit usopen.ussailing.org/florida-ocrs.
