The 2011 Team Trial Regatta hosted by the San Francisco Yacht Club was a great and windy success! Four ILYA sailors qualified to make the journey out to California to compete against the top Opti sailors in the country.  Jack Bitney (Minnetonka), Henry Chapman (Nagawicka), Augie Dale (Pewaukee), and Mark Davies (Geneva) all took part in the regatta.
 

The entire SFYC team, PRO and USODA ran a top-notch event.  It was clear from the Day 1 skippers' meeting that the race committee and jury were serious about racing clean.  The sailors' were told succinctly that the on-the-water jury would be closely scrutinizing the sailors from start to finish.  In turn, the yellow flags were flying throughout the event and had significant impact on sailors' overall results.
 

The weather cooperated and even though the water was a chilly 48 degrees, the daytime temps were way above normal on land.  Sailors had to dress accordingly, as the cove near the yacht club was a significant 20 degrees warmer than it was out on the racecourse.  Twelve races were sailed, and after a "light air" - as the Californians referred to it - Day 1 of 12-14 knots, San Francisco Bay kicked up some wind and the remaining three days were sailed in steady 20 - 25 knot breeze, with gusts on Day 3 topping out at 30+ and 4-5 foot rolling swells.
  

Augie ended up 19th overall in his sixth (and last) Team Trials, while Henry (140th), Jack (150th) and Mark (169th) all took part in their first (and hopefully not last!) Trials.  Congratulations to all.
  

(Picture:  Jack Bitney, Henry Chapman, Augie Dale.  Missing:  Mark Davies)