Newport Harbor Sailing Foundation: Sailor Stories

Michael Sentovich at the 2024 Youth Champs

Results

Thank you to the Newport Harbor Sailing Foundation for the support at the 2024 US Youth Championship in Bristol, Rhode Island at Roger Williams University. 83 boats from all over the country made up the ILCA 6 fleet. In the days before racing, I participated in several practices with my team, GCYSA, and sailing with the US Youth Team as a part of an ODP camp.

The first day of racing was delayed on shore for about an hour due to fog. Once AP was down, the racing began. A storm system was rolling through and it brought winds in the high teens to low twenties. The conditions was nearly dead flat water with high breeze, with current and pressure on the left, but a large geographic righty on the right. After the first day I finished with a 4,2,4 scoreline and was sitting in second. On the second day the breeze was much softer with conditions of flat water and 6-10 knots. I got to wear the blue second-place pinny for the day and had some good races in the shifty conditions but ultimately dropped to third with a 5,12,3. The last day was the most difficult of the three. The breeze was from an offshore direction and brought light, super shifty, and super puffy conditions. Only one race was sailed on the last day and it ended up being my drop of a 35.

I ended up finishing on the podium in 4th in the fleet of 83. I was very happy with my result and I greatly exceeded my goal going into the regatta. This event was a great learning experience and I was grateful to have the opportunity to sail against such a high level of competition. I felt that I gained good experience in heavy breeze, flat water, and big fleet sailing. Again I would like to thank the Newport Harbor Sailing Foundation, my parents, and coaches for all the support that made this regatta possible for me.