Blake Bentzen Near Top in Bay Opti Event
Blake Bentzen Racing on San Francisco Bay
CYC Junior Blake Bentzen finished third in his age group and 12th overall in the 57-boat Opti Heavy Weather Regatta hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club June 17 – 19 on San Francisco Bay.
Bentzen, son of Paige and Erik Bentzen, said the fact that he was bigger than many of the kids in his 10 – 12 age group, which had 20 competitors, helped him keep the boat flat and dry in the breezy conditions.
“My size helps when it’s super breezy,” he said. “The kids who were light didn’t go so fast, and I passed them.” He also worked the shore for current relief, which paid off even through the wind was lighter
Bentzen, who will be in the eighth grade this fall at Kingston Middle School, hopes to qualify for the U.S. Opti Team at the district championships next month in Santa Barbara.
Busy start at Opti regatta.
Of the competition in San Francisco, he said, “It was really good. There were some super good sailors there, and I had a hard time keeping up.”
