— from Gray Cope —

TopTeamAtOrcasRegionalRegatta

Top Team At Orcas Regional Regatta. Photo: Charles Foster

Local sailor Perham Black, a sophomore on the San Juan Island Youth Sailing Team, and his sister Leah Black, a freshman on the team, won the Orcas Regional sailing regatta on Saturday March 26, 2016.

Sixteen boats, each with a skipper and crew, competed on Saturday March 26th, 2016 at West Sound, Orcas Island. Teams represented Orcas High School, Friday Harbor Youth Sailing Team, Sehome High School (Bellingham), North Kitsap High School, and Bellingham High School. Perham skippered the boat and sister Leah crewed. The duo amassed 17 points in seven races, besting their nearest competitors from Sehome who finished with 24 points, a Sehome pair that finished with 27 points. Another Friday Harbor team took tenth place. Orcas teams placed fourth, fifth and seventh.

The regatta results can be found at www.scores.hssailing.org/s16/orcas-regional/. Team photos can be found at www.facebook.com/sjisf.

Interested youth should consider signing up for the San Juan Island Parks & Rec sailing program this summer, as it is the typical feeder onto the team.

Top3TeamsAtOrcasRegionalRegatta

Top Three Teams At Orcas Regional Regatta. Photo: Charles Foster

The San Juan Island Sailing Foundation sponsors and supports the San Juan Island Youth Sailing Team, which is typically around 15 to 20 sailors and coached by Todd Roberts. The team can be seen practicing off Jackson’s Beach on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Spring.

The San Juan Island Sailing Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to advance sailing in the San Juan Islands. The Foundation’s primary focus is to provide sailboats and coaching for the SJI Youth Sailing Team and funds participation in regional regattas. The Foundation also provides boats, equipment, and volunteers to support San Juan Island Parks & Recreation’s Summer sailing classes for beginning and intermediate sailors of all ages. The Foundation has also had youth sailors from Shaw Island, Spring Street International School, and Friday Harbor High School on the team.

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