The Royal Vancouver Yacht Club hosted the CYA Sail West/U17 Championships on August 9-12. This was also the Laser District 6 Championships. The wind and weather were spectacular all weekend, with sunny weather bringing an 11-14 knot thermal breeze down the bay. The first day was opti training only, and Friday training was open to everyone. Coaching was provided by the event coaches headed by BC Provincial Coach Kevin Black, and supported by Chris Cowan on the laser/radial course and Jenn Grierson with the optis.

Saturday and Sunday had some spectacular, tight racing in all fleets. BC sailors Adrian Vlasic (RVan), Alex Fritz (RVan) and Reece Myerscough (RVic) took top 3 in the 26-boat radial fleet, and Miranda MacGillivray (RVan) was top female. BC sailors dominated the laser fleet, taking top 5 overall and top open, U17 and master.

6 of the 8 29ers were from BC, and included some sailors racing the boat for the first time. Jen Braem and Kristine Williams (RVic) took top honors, followed by Alana Tacy and Arkus Fredriksson (RVan) and Sophie Papp and Maddy Innes (RVic). The 420 fleet had a big turnout, with 17 boats all from BC!

The opti fleet was the largest on the water, with 40 boats racing from all 4 provinces! BC sailors dominated the opti fleet, with Jack Rieder (RVan) winning the red fleet and overall, followed by Eric Lyall (RVan) and Tara Yuen (RVan). Alec Coleman (WVYC) was first in blue, and Ethan Kinsman (RVan) first in white.

Congratulations to all the sailors who competed at the 2012 Sail West regatta. Thank you to the regatta organizers, the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club and all the regatta sponsors for putting on a great event!