Light conditions greeted the Finn Fleet at the US Open Sailing Series Olympic Classes regatta in Long Beach, California. “AJ” Nosar continued where he left off at the SDYC Olympic Classes regatta battling out the overall lead w/ San Diego’s Rob Coutts, but leading after day one. Multiple race winners including U25 Peter Sangmeister, James Lawson and AJ Nosar. Racing continues today on Alamitos Bay, predictions for more 8-12 knot light breeze.

Day two of the US Open Sailing Series/Olympic Classes regatta sailed out of ABYC saw more of the same, light, shifty breeze in the 8-12 knots range. Robert Kenny came out swinging Sunday morning after making the adjustment of “getting my head out of the boat and looking around more….” which definitely helped as he won the first race of the day. Second race went to Rob Coutts, whom won last months Olympic Classes regatta (SDYC) and recently finished 3rd during the Finn Nationals in windy Corpus Christi, Texas a couple weeks ago, setting up a 3-way show-down-winner take all- in the finally race of the series.Anatolli “AJ” Nosar struggled Sunday w/ an 8th and 6th place, putting his overall lead in jeopardy, but in the end and last race, finished 2nd in the final race, good enough to secure his overall WIN when Kinney and Coutts were OCS. AJ commented, “The rest of regatta was with ‘San Diego’ weather conditions- where I have to train more! Last race decided everything and my rivals Rob Coutts and Rob Kinney did false start so I was a little lucky. Fantastic feelings and hope the next year we will have Olympic classes regattas AND FINNS…” Robert Kinney climbed back to 6th in the last race to secure 2nd overall, and the young and local Peter Sangmeister finished the regatta w/ a 3rd and winning the last race advanced Peter to the podium, in 3rd overall-ahead of Coutts in 4th and John Reiter in 5th.

Regatta Report by Mike Dorgan and Photos courtesy of US Sailing