Newport Harbor Sailing Foundation: Sailor Stories

Dylan Sih at the 2023 C420 North Americans

Results

Thank you so much for your continued support of my sailing in allowing me to compete in the 2023 C420 North Americans at Sail Newport in Rhode Island. Albeit a more difficult and disappointing regatta results-wise, I still gained much experience and was able to use this event as an opportunity to acknowledge and improve on some of my biggest weaknesses.

Having gone straight to Newport, RI after C420 Nationals, we were at the venue training during the week leading up to the event, and after six days of practice, were feeling ready to race. We stayed conservative and consistent the first day of the regatta, finishing all four races with top tens, placing us in 8th, but still in touch with the regatta leaders. Unfortunately, we got off to a poor start on the second day, and struggled to reset for the following two races of the day. Prior to the third day of the event, we had talked things through as a team and were feeling ready for redemption. Nonetheless, we were still unable to get off to a good start, and after so many tough races, it was quite difficult to stay in it mentally and maintain the confidence needed to perform how we wanted to. Furthermore, due to extreme wind forecasts for the last day of the event, the race committee decided to call it off, ending the regatta after three days of racing.

Despite no official racing, our team still went out and enjoyed champagne sailing conditions - a warm sunny day with 15 knots that gradually built to over 20. Although we landed far short of our hopes and expectations, we still learned that sometimes it’s good to take a step back, and remember how lucky we are to be a part of such an amazing sport and visit so many places. As such, we look forward to moving on to the next events with all the experience, humility, and fire that we gained from this one. Thank you again for all of your support! I truly appreciate your help and am excited to continue racing!