Weather shortens championship for young sailors

Weather limited the number of races able to be held during the 2012 USODA Great Plains Championship held Saturday and Sunday on Clear Lake.  The youth sailing event for sailors ages seven to 15 from across the Midwest was hosted by the Clear Lake Yacht Club.

Final results were based upon races from day one (Saturday).  Robbie Lindemann, Pewaukee Yacht Club, Wis., finished in first overall.  Alex Keck, Nagawicka Lake Yacht Club, Wis., was second, and Henry Chapman, Pewaukee Yacht Club, Wis. placed third.   Christian Spencer, Pewaukee Yacht Club Wis. finished in fourth and Nathan Olmsted, Lake Minnetonka Sailing School, Minn. was  fifth.  The top girl was Oliviarose Chapman, from Pewaukee Yacht Club

Friday was a practice day for sailors of the approximately 30 boats competing. They completed six practice races in heavy wind.  Saturday, three races were held in the rain; Sunday no races were able to be held due to calm wind.

The Clear Lake Yacht Club did not have a sailor place in the final standings, however they did well amidst very, very good competition, according to CLYC Commodore John Vratsinas.

The Opti class is the worldwide recognized youth training boat.  Top finishers at the event held in Clear Lake qualified for the US team trial event to be held in 2013 at Pewaukee, Wis.