Loring video primer for speed in Sunfish

Charleston sailor David Loring has won two Sunfish world championships plus one Laser North American championship, so when he does an instructional video, smart sailors will watch and learn. He and another local sailor, Dayton Colie, recently produced "Back to Basics for Sunfish World Championship Speed," filmed in Charleston Harbor.

I had the pleasure of watching David win the 2006 Sunfish Worlds, and one of the points he repeatedly makes in his video was very apparent when I watched him beat the world — he keeps the tiller neutral to reduce drag, and his posture in the boat, though perhaps not unique, is certainly pronounced. Loring keeps his legs forward in the cockpit so he can shift his weight fore or aft to keep the boat at maximum speed.

The production quality of the video is comfortably casual but not amateur — you get the feel that you are spending a day with a low-key, very personable and ordinary world champion sailor. Raised on Lake Murray, Loring's father won four Y Flyer national championships and got David on the water at and early age. "I attribute a great deal of my close boat tactics and starting techniques to our Wednesday night Sunfish racing at Columbia Sailing Club," Loring told me. He considers Charlestonian Randall Swan to be his Sunfish mentor.

I asked what he thought was the most common mistake beginning Sunfish sailors make. David replied, "Not enough practice, by far. My dad always said to find people faster than you and go sailing with them. If you get beat, make sure you learn. If you are winning you are only making others faster."

The video is available for $39.95 at www.sunfishracing.com.

Mt. P Junior Regatta

Last Saturday, over 40 sailors ages 18 and under competed in the fourth annual Mount Pleasant Junior Regatta at Hobcaw Yacht Club. The event is run jointly by the Town of Mount Pleasant and Hobcaw Yacht Club.

"As sailing is growing in the community, many youth are taking lessons. The Mount Pleasant Junior Regatta is really a great event for those who have recently learned how to sail, as well as for those who are already experienced at it," Mount Pleasant Recreation Department program coordinator Tina Carter said. "Hobcaw Yacht Club does a really good job in making this a nice event. Kids enjoy not only the sailing aspect, but also the social part of the event. The atmosphere of the day is all about our youth."

Regatta results:

420 Fleet: 1. Joe Sanders (age 9, Mount Pleasant) and Margaux Bacro-Duverger (13, Mt. P); 2. Patrick Ging (13, Charleston) and Russel Smith (13, Chas.); 3. Jack Cabell (15, James Island) and Patrick O'Donnell (16, Chas.)

Optimist Classes—Red Fleet: 1. Avery Fanning, age 14, Isle of Palms; 2. Alexander Laughlin, 13, Chas. Blue Fleet: 1. Todd Fanning, age 12, I of P; 2. Marc DeLoach, 12, Mt. P; 3. Patson Saner, 12, Mt. P. White Fleet: 1. Cameron Gise, age 10, Mt. P. Green Fleet: 1. Will Monts, age 11, Hilton Head; 2. Sam Cabiness, 10, Chas.; 3. J.D. Monts, 8, Hilton Head

Sunfish Fleet: 1. Nick Valente, age 14, Mt. P; 2. Billy Lesemann, 15, Mt. P; 3. J. Michael Lally, 12, Sullivan's Island

Laser Radial Fleet: 1. Chet Wood, age 15, Mount Pleasant

Results

CORA Summer Series II, Race 5, sailed Wednesday, Charleston Harbor, avg. winds 12. (Winning boat name, type, owner): A Fleet: Dauntless, Beneteau 47.7, Don Terwilliger; B Fleet: Kia-Ora, J/24, Jim Smith; C Fleet: Andiamo, Beneteau 35s5, Dave Kowert; D Fleet: OSA 2, Colgate 26, Ocean Sailing Academy; N Fleet: Mongo, J/29, Miles Martschink/Ben Hagood; Sportboat Fleet: N/A

Reach Will Haynie at willh@thepickledish.com.