Newport Harbor Sailing Foundation: Sailor Stories

Olivia Norton at the Ida Lewis Trophy

Results

Thank you so much to the Newport Harbor Sailing Foundation for supporting me for the Ida Lewis Regatta! This clinic and race was held in Norfolk, Virginia, and was breeze on during the four clinic days and incredibly light during the actual races. The racing lasted two days and despite the light air, my crew (Fiona Barbieto) and I had loads of fun. She did handstands on the trapeze, we made a raft up between boats, and did a photo shoot in our pink shirts during postponement. Racing on Saturday consisted of three races, and a lot of learning. I struggled in my first two races due to shifts, I was not tracking. Before the third race, I spoke to a different coach, and explained that it felt like no matter what side of the course I picked caved despite how much wind I saw there. This coach, Caroline Young from MIT, told me we were in an oscillating east coast sea breeze. While I have sailed in many oscillating wind venues before, I had never heard of this one. I learned that the shifts were about 3-4 minutes, and the upwind was the same time. Young further explained that going to the side of the course that did not look as good could be a good strategy, because the wind would shift there. Since I felt like I had nothing to lose, I went to the left side of the course, alone, at the third race. Although it was scary to wait for wind I was not sure would come in, I did it anyway and when the wind filled, I got third in the race. Thank you so much to the Newport Harbor Sailing Foundation for supporting travel sailing and learning moments like these!