High School Singlehanded Nationals in Virginia

Published on October 28th, 2015

The top 36 singlehanded high school sailors from around the country will descend upon the Old Dominion University Sailing Center starting Friday, October 30 to compete in the Cressy High School Singlehanded Championship sponsored by LaserPerformance and the Old Dominion University Sailing Team in Norfolk, VA.

The three day event (Oct 30-Nov 1) is organized by the Interscholastic Sailing Association in conjunction with the host Old Dominion University Sailing Team and title sponsor LaserPerformance.

The participants will compete in two fleets of 18 Laser Standard Full Rigs and Laser Radials. Each sailor has earned a spot by qualifying at championship regattas in their respective districts.

Three sailors are returning in the Full rig division from last year’s Championship to vie for the Standard Laser title, including Colin Brego from Antilles School (St. Thomas, USVI) who finished 2nd last year. Brandon Kirby of Oxbridge Academy (West Palm Beach, FL) finished 6th previously and Michael Munger of Rumson-Fair Haven (Rumson, NJ) hopes to better his finish from last year.

In the Radial division, an additional three returning competitors will make for stiff competition. Scott Rasmussen of Bishop Verot HS (Ft. Myers, FL) finished 3rd overall last year. Sophia Reineke of St. Thomas Aquinas High school (Ft. Lauderdale, FL), who finished as the top female in last year’s Cressy in 6th overall, returns to post a higher finish as does Gray Kiger of Norfolk Academy, sailing in his home waters.

Norfolk should serve up a mix of clouds and sun this weekend, with fall-like conditions and cooler weather. The most important forecast for the sailors, however, does include prediction of good wind for both days of competition, albeit lighter winds on Saturday with a predicted 5 knots and 11 knots for Sunday.

Racing is scheduled to start at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday, and 10:00 a.m. on Sunday; conditions permitting. All on-land activities will be based at the ODU Sailing Center, and racing can be watched from the shore.

Event website: www.hssailing.org/event/home/cressy

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