By: Dieter Creitz, freshman at Ballard high school representing CYC Seattle

In October I competed in the NWISA Singlehanded Champs 2021 hosted by Corinthian Yacht Club with 37 other high school sailors from the North West Interscholastic Sailing Association District (NWISA) which encompasses 5 regions - North, Peninsula, Seattle, South Sound and Oregon. As the winner at this for the Laser Radial (ILCA 6) class I qualified to represent our district, Corinthian Yacht Club and the Ballard Beavers in the ISAA High School Singlehanded Championship. Local sailor and my friend Jack Carroll qualified to represent the district in the Laser Full Rig (ILCA 7). 

The National Championship was hosted by the Lauderdale Yacht Club at Virginia Key Park in Miami Florida December 17-19.  

A lot of sailors competing in the Bacardi Cup were staying at our hotel and we ran into a team from Orcas. 

On Thursday I picked up my Zim Sailing charter boat, got it put tother and worked on my rigging.  

Friday was the practice sail. In high school sailing there are no coaches or spectators on course, not even for the practice. I tuned up and sparred with some of my sailing friends from the California district. The practice session was short. 

Conditions on Saturday were moderate 10 - 13 knots with choppy waves. There was a strong current coming from Biscayne Bay. The race committee ran 9 races. My best finish was 2^nd. Courses are shorter in high school sailing. And there are no dropped races. 

Sunday started with an on-course postponement with the wind slowly building to 9 knots. The light air conditions were challenging. Of 6 races sailed my best finish was a 1^st place. 

Overall, I ended up finishing 6^th out of 18 competitors. I was 1 of 3 freshman competing in the Radial fleet. I’m hoping for the opportunity to return to Cressy and represent NWISA, CYC and Ballard High School in 2022!