The Orcas sailing team, represented by sailors Jake White and Josh Inch, took third place at the Hawaii High School IMU Invitational Regatta.

They competed in 20 races during the event, which was on Nov. 29 and 30.

“The winds were 10 to 20 knots, but tide issues were minimal inside the lagoon on Sand Island where the racing took place,” Assistant Coach Chris White said. “Usually tides are a big factor, but the wind was the biggest variable there, with 30 degree wind shifts. The wind hits them and the sailors almost go over backwards.”

In addition to the Orcas representation, eight teams were Hawaiian and three were from Los Angeles. Seven of the 12 were varsity level teams.

“Only one Hawaiian team bested us,” Chris said. “Jake and Josh finished in the top three nine times. That’s competitive. Our guys won third by two points.”

The teams that responded fast to the shifting conditions did best. Hannah Tucson-Turner, a former Orcas racing crew member, is going to school in Honolulu and is also part of the sailing team at her college.

“She came down to coach the guys, and that was great,” Chris said. “She has local knowledge about sailing in the area, which is so helpful. She met both days with the guys, and she was able to help tune the boats and guide them on where to go and where not to go, and she got their weight squared away as well.”

Chris says Jake and Inch showed more improvement than at any previous event he has coached.

“We were hosted by Sarah and David Moore (Orcas residents) at their apartment in Diamond Head and that helped make the difference,” Chris commented. “It really helped control expenses for us and the camaraderie was so great. It truly made a difference for the guys in that particular racing experience.”

Members of Sail Orcas and Orcas Island Yacht Club, which sponsored the boys, say they are proud of their success at the regatta.

Six members of the Orcas team will take part in the prestigious invitational Anteater Regatta in Newport Beach, Calif. from Dec. 10 to 13. It is hosted by the UC Irvine “Anteaters” and draws more than 50 teams.