By Kurt Hoehne
The Seattle Laser Fleet has produced an amazing number of highly successful sailors over the past few decades. At various times names like McKee, Buchan and Brink have topped the list. In recent weeks it has become clear that the tradition continues. For 2007, the SLF can boast three top-ten performances in the Olympic trials and two top-ten performances in the Laser Master Worlds. The Olympic Trials for the Laser class were sailed at Middletown, Rhode Island October 3-14. Emery Wager, ably coached by Dan Falk, overcame an OCS in race one to finish 6th overall. Derrick Vranizan finished an outstanding regatta in 9th overall.
In the 49er trials sailed at the same time but on the opposite coast at Southwestern Yacht Club in San Diego, veteran Dalton Bergan and crew Zack Maxam sailed consistently to finish 2nd. At the Laser Master Worlds, where Laser sailors aged 35-70s from around the world come together, the elder statesmen of our fleet made their mark. This year the event was sailed in Roses, Spain, from Sept. 17- Oct. 6. Todd Willsie finished 32nd in a tough apprentice division with both Jim Johnstone and Jay Winberg finishing 9th in their respective Radial rig grand masters and Radial rig great grand masters divisions. Johnstone won one of the races outright.
Congratulations to all!
Seattle Laser sailing continues throughout the winter (of course) in its own fleet-run Sunday series (CYC membership not required), followed by a full schedule of local and traveling regattas next year. One of the keys to the success of this fleet is the encouragement members give to fledgling Laser sailors. Another is that the range of skills runs from the highly experienced to the newly initiated. For more information visit the fleet web site www.cycseattle.org/slf/ or email Mike Johnson.