Ten teams and more than 60 sailors competed in the Orcas Open Regatta last weekend on Sept. 19 and 20. The wind was blowing and the sun was out as 72 races were completed over the span of the course.

This was an all-ages team race regatta represented by four high school teams, two college teams and four adult teams. The competion was hot and a variety of teams demonstrated great dexterity and seamanship during the two day regatta.

The high school teams represented were from Bainbridge Island, North Kitsap, Mercer Island, Friday Harbor, and Orcas. For the Orcas Open, the Mercer and Friday Harbor high school participants combined to make up a team.

After the scores were combined (Orcas had four wins and two losses in the silver fleet racing on Sunday) the Orcas team took second in the silver fleet.

And the week before, Lee Gibbons, Taylor Smith and Jake White, all members of the Orcas High School Sailing Team, participated in the JAMS Regatta, hosted by Port Madison Yacht Club on Sept. 12 and 13. Ten races were completed during racing conditions that were very tricky both days.

Smith placed second in the Laser fleet, with White taking fourth in the Laser radial fleet. Gibbons showed great improvement on his boat speed and by the second day was picking four to six boats on the runs. For regatta results go to http://www.portmadisonyc.org/pages/race_results/race_results_webpage.html.

The high school sailing team continues competing this weekend at a youth regatta called the Octoberfest at Sail Sandpoint, Magnuson Park, in Seattle on Sept. 26 and 27.