Light winds launch Snipe US Nationals

Annapolis, MD (June 17, 2021) – Fresh off winning A Division at College Nationals earlier this month, Alfonso García Bringas and crew Olivia Smith (above) sailed to a 1-3 in tricky conditions on the opening day of the 2021 Snipe US National Championship.

Raul Rios/Andrea Riefkohl Gonzalez currently sit in second, with Charles Miller/Lindsey Kroc in third. The 52-boat fleet competed in 5-10 knots out of the ENE-ESE.

García Bringas/ Smith held off Miller/ Kloc and Augie Diaz/ Barbie Brotons in a shifty first race. The wind direction stabilized a bit for the second race, but the wind speed didn’t, and competitors had to put a premium on connecting from puff to puff and shifting gears. Rios/ Riefkohl Gonzalez topped the fleet, followed by Carol Cronin/ Kim Couranz and García Bringas/ Smith in the second race.

Racing continues tomorrow, with three races scheduled. The current forecast calls for 10-15 knots from the south, testing some different skills.

Ten races are planned for June 17 to 20.

Race details – Results – Facebook

Source: Kim Couranz