Ryan Satterberg Recaps Opti Team Trials

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   2018 Optimist Team Trials

            The 2018 Optimist Team Trials was held in Key Biscayne, Florida (April 26-29). The best sailors in the nation came, after first qualifying, for a chance to represent the United States in various international regattas making this the most difficult optimist event of the year.

            The first day of the event brought a northern wind direction in the morning; the race committee anticipated a 180 degree wind shift to a southern wind direction so we were postponed on land for three hours. When the wind finally did shift, the race committee did not hesitate to send us out on the water because we were already three hours behind schedule and were still trying to get the goal of three races per day. The first race was sailed in unstable conditions due to the recent huge wind shift. Unfortunately, I rounded the top mark in twenty fifth. Fighting my way back to the front and being on the correct side of yet another wind shift on the last beat, I made my way back to fourth. I sailed the next two races races aggressively and fortunately made the right decisions on course and got two top two’s.

            The second day was deemed un-sailable. There was a severe low pressure system engulfing the race course making it hazardous to sail- It was so extreme that there was a potential tornado warning issued.

            The third and final day of the qualifying series brought strong wind from the north, north-west direction. I prevailed in the stronger wind and secured all top three finishes, maintaining my position in second place overall. Going into Gold fleet, five Santa Barbara sailors were in qualifying positions for The U.S. National Team.

            The final day of the regatta was the most challenging as Gold Fleet positions had now been assigned to the top 74. The West Coast brought their best sailors to the competition and eight had made their way into Gold Fleet representing a solid showing in unfamiliar waters. Light and unstable winds coming from the south made on course decision making crucial, it was going to be a difficult day on the water for the sailors. The races ranged from 45 minutes to well over an hour in shifty difficult air. I sailed the last races very conservatively taking only small calculated risks. By the end of race four, I had received confirmation that I had qualified for the IODA World Championships in Cyprus having finished second overall. I was tremendously excited and proud to be thrown off the dock into the water by some of my competitors- as is the tradition. Soggy, tired and elated this had been my very best regatta and one I had worked hard to achieve over the past six years.

Optimist Race Team @ USODA Team Trials

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Over the week of 4/21 - 4/29 our Opti Race Team, under the guidance of Head Coach Jack Barton, headed to Key Biscane YC, FL for the USODA Team Trials.  The " Team Trials" is the premiere Opti event in the United States.  Two hundred and twenty sailors from around the country must qualify to participate.  Up for grabs is the honor of representing the United States on the US National Optimist Team at various international regattas!

Team SB arrived Saturday 4/21, settling in to housing and picking up charter boats.  The first three days were dedicated practice.  Working on venue specific boat set up, speed, and learning the local tactics.  Wednesday 4/25 was slated as a lay day.  Sailors spent the day at the beach and relaxing.

Racing began on Thursday 4/26 and persisted for the remaining four days.  Our sailors did a great job with five of our team members qualifying for Gold Fleet!

We are extending a huge congratulations to Team SB sailor Ryan Satterberg for finishing 2nd overall and qualifying to represent the USA at the Optimist World Championship!  Other standout performances were: Blake Behrens (25th/220), Jon Seawards (43rd/220), Oliver Stokke (46th/220), Aston Smith (69th/220)!

Results