ALPENA HISTORY MADE!

The Alpena Youth Racing Team made history today by having Alpena's first top ten finish at a Yngling World Championship. After a week of frustration with high winds, equipment failures, etc they finally clicked. Though finishing 30th in the 1st race of the day they had an awesome 3rd windward leg and were finally going fast, pointing and calling the shifts. In the 2nd race they had a beautiful start, kept their lane in clear air and went fast in the lifts and tacked in the headers. They rounded the windward mark in 9th and battled the boats around them for 3 laps holding on to 10th place at the fiish. Although it is not history, it is worth noting that John Ingalls (also team USA) won the race and currently is in first place for the series.
Germany hosted the country party on the dock afterward and there were many kudus and much back slapping with 3 world champions congratulating them. I am very proud of their perseverence and positive attitude. Now they have reordered their goals to include more top 10 finishes. It will not be easy or preordained but I know they will not flag in their efforts.
Tonight is the annual dinner and they will attend as victors.