Fourteen Orcas sailors from the high school team traveled to Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge Island to compete in the Kitsap 10 percent regatta March 18-19. This two-day district-wide regatta counts as 10 percent of the team’s season score and helps determine what team will move on out of district to nationals. Rain and light winds Saturday morning greeted the 150 competitors from 33 teams as boats were rigged and launched, by the time the first start gun sounded the rain had slacked and a light southeast wind had filled the race course on Eagle Harbor. All the Orcas teams stayed focused and battled hard in the light and very shifty breezes in the first four races. The sun peaked out after lunch and the breezed shifted 180-degrees to the northwest and built to a steady 15-18 with gusts near 20 mph, and the Orcas team excelled in the conditions.

Sunday brought clear skies and light winds, the varsity team competed in 16 races for the regatta, winning the last two, securing the regatta win. Twelve races were completed by the junior varsity team, which came from behind to win three out of the last four races, earning a regatta win as well.

Next up for the team is a day of practice and fun races with Friday Harbor in West Sound on March 25.