Loring seeks big sail trophy in Sunfish

David Loring is competing in the U.S. Singlehanded Championships for the George O'Day Trophy at Sayville Yacht Club in Blue Point, N.Y., on Long Island's South Shore through Sunday.

He is one of 23 top American single-handed sailors, including Doug Kaukeinen of Rochester, N.Y., the recent winner of the Sunfish North American Championship, Paul Foerster of Heath, Texas, an Olympic and Pan American Games medalist, and former Sunfish world champion Paul-Jon Patin of Forest Hills, N.Y.

The event is being sailed in Sunfish, which is Loring's boat of choice. He has won the Sunfish World Championships twice, most recently here in Charleston in 2006.

Loring said he expects the competition to be tough. "I've got a heck of list to compete against — Paul Foerster and others," he said. "Should be fun."

Results of the George O'Day Trophy regatta can be seen online at http://www.ussailing.org/championships/a....

Port Royal Challenge

Local sailors can put the "O" back in the Charleston Ocean Racing Association by participating in the Offshore Challenge Series Port Royal Challenge this weekend.

These challenges were designed to give local cruisers an easy entry into offshore sailing in a low pressure, high safety environment with the company of other boats. Though participation was low for the Challenge that took place over the Fourth of July weekend, this continuing series is showing promise of increased participation by boats that don't normally race, and increased offshore experience for local racers who have already proven themselves around the buoys.

Mount Pleasant Junior Sailing

The Mount Pleasant Junior Regatta will be at Hobcaw Yacht Club on Aug. 23. It is a joint venture of the Town of Mount Pleasant and the yacht club. Recreation department program coordinator Tina Carter encourages sailors of varying experience levels to consider signing up.

"This regatta encourages participation from youth who have little racing experience but basic boat-handling skills," said Carter. "We also encourage experienced young sailors to participate. This is a great experience for new sailors to get out on the water and compete in an environment that's fun and lighthearted."

Participants do not need to own a boat to enter and may contact Carter in advance of the event to arrange to use a boat for the competition.

Registration forms are available at any Mount Pleasant Recreation Department facility or online at www.townofmountpleasant.com. Pre-registration is $10 and will be available through Aug. 20 and on-site registration will take place the day of the event from 9-11 a.m. for $15. Participants with a U.S. Sailing number will receive a $5 discount on registration.

Results

CORA Summer Series II, Race 4, Sailed Aug. 6, Charleston Harbor, avg. wind 12 kts. (Winning boat, type, owner) A Fleet: Hoodoo, J/109, Ric & Deb Campeau; B Fleet: Short Bus, J/24, Chris Hamilton; C Fleet: Andiamo, Beneteau 35S5, Dave Kowert; D Fleet: Knot Twins, Pearson 30, David Smith; N Fleet: Cool Change, J/92S, Teddy Turner; Sportboat Fleet: Spray/ Melges 24, John Lucas/Marc Durlach

Coming up

TODAY: Port Royal Offshore Challenge, Charleston Harbor, 6 p.m.

AUG 13: CORA Summer Series II, Race 5, 6:15 p.m., Charleston Harbor

AUG 23: Mt. Pleasant Junior Regatta, Hobcaw Yacht Club

Reach Will Haynie at willh@thepickledish.com.