When it became apparent that the summer of 2020, with all of its COVID-19 regulations for summer camps and sports, would be a summer like no other, that didn’t stop a handful of our most dedicated Colorado youth sailors from taking advantage of the unique circumstances that this season would have to offer.
Mask wearing. Check. Social distancing. Check. Racing in your own sailboat alone while social distancing. Check and check.
While so many other sports have had their share of pandemic-based reboots, sailing has actually been one of the safest sports to participate in without too much alteration. Wear your mask onshore. Don’t wear your mask out sailing (unless voluntary waterboarding is on your bucket list) and keep your hands to your own equipment. Once you are out on the water (other than an overcrowded starting line) you inherently keep your social distance anyway.
CSC wasn’t able to offer fall youth sailing this season but that didn’t stop some of our junior racers from enjoying all that Park City’s Fall Regatta had to offer. And while one family was completely doing online school anyway, why not throw in a regatta in Virginia, and Texas while they were at it? Below are some highlights sent to us from these incredibly dedicated families.
Among these photos are 3 Laser sailors, Alex, Tamsin (Laser Radial) and Zack. 3 RS Tera sailors Bela, Henry, and Leo. And 4 c420 sailors, Audrey, Carl, Jack, and Will. Here is a link to the results. All told, Colorado sailors came home with 3 firsts, 2 seconds, and 1 third. Our youngest sailor, 8-year-old Bela (in the red helmet), participated in her first regatta ever. Congratulations Bela and great work everyone!
Here’s what some of them had to say:
Wendy (Mom): A great tribute to the sailors CSC has developed over the years! Thank you for. Providing these opportunities!
Then 
and now 
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Henry (RS Tera sailor): The first day of racing was amazing. We sailed four races in 8-15 knots of wind, and I won all four! The second day had a little more wind with gusts up to about 17 knots. We managed to fit in 8 races that day. The wind died a little for the last race which I got stuck at the start but managed to get a second-place right behind the second-place finisher, Leo. I managed to win the other races closely followed by Leo and the third-place finisher, Cartland. I had a great time racing in the constant wind and in a fleet. Although the drive was long, it was worth it to enjoy sailing at Jordanelle Reservoir.
Alex and Tamsin’s Mum: Park City Fall Regatta & Laser District 23 Championship| 16 boats on the start line; 10 races with variable wind. Alex came 2nd overall. Tamsin (the youngest, the only woman and only radial) worked hard and kept up with the fleet earning her 1st place burgee.
This was one of 3 regattas Alex and Tamsin went to spanning the country in just a few short weeks. From Utah, to Virginia and then back to Texas for the umpteenth time this year. There’s more to come on these road warriors!
It was a long haul but definitely worth it. A great time was had by all and amidst a pandemic, no less, Park City Sailing Association hosted a great and safe event.
Can’t wait for 2021!
