LYC Opti's Win Orange Bowl!

For the second consecutive year, an LYC sailor has won the Orange Bowl International Youth Regatta, with Stephan Baker dominating competition on the last day. The prestigious event hosted by rival Coral Reef Yacht Club attracts 240 Optis from all over the world. This year was a particularly stacked field - 5 of the top 10 boats were from other countries such as Greece, Mexico, Chile and Peru. LYC's Mitchell Callahan finished 2nd overall, and Justin Callahan was 5th and the 3rd American finisher. LYC's Kaitlyn Hamilton sailed her most consistent event to date to take 5th place in Blue Fleet - the 11-12 age group. 

Stephan began the last day of racing sitting in 4th place, but 3 races scheduled in Gold Fleet, and a shifty 15kt breeze coming off the city of Miami, there were lots of opportunities to move! In the first race he came back from outside the top 10 on the last leg to place 2nd, then got a bullet in the next race. Stephan saved his masterpiece for last: after a safe pin - third start, he tacked to consolidate the right 2/3 of the fleet, and lead the boats that had won the start across the course on port tack. Being perfectly in phase, when a huge right wind shift came down the course, he tacked on it and opened up a huge lead of 20+ boat lengths on the entire fleet - a lead he would never relinquish and built on with fantastic boatspeed. 

       Pilo Rocha and Arthur Blodgett coached the LYC team. We would also like to thank LYC Member and Olympic medalist Lucas Calabrese for working with our LYC Opti Clinic the week prior. 2015 Opti Champ Bella Cassaretto didn't have a bad week herself; she won the 29er class at the Open Orange Bowl Regatta hosed by Coconut Grove! 

photo credit: www.capizzano.com/2016-obiyr/

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