DECEMBER 21, 2006

Blessed with a Mediterranean climate, natural and manmade harbors lined with sailboats and powerboats, Southern California is a water lover’s dream. Teenagers and adults have to make some tough decisions – do I surf, play water polo, row, or sail. The area’s affinity for sailing is apparent; even Newport Harbor High School’s sports teams referred to as The Sailors.

Unlike junior sailors throughout the rest of the world whose first training sessions and regattas are in Optimists, the kids from Southern California’s first junior sailboat is the Sabot. There are some idiosyncrasies to the leeboard Sabot, but the basics of sail trim and boat handling are transferable and the Southern California Youth Yacht Racing Association (SCYYRA) and the California International Sailing Association (CISA) have been producing some of the nation’s top junior sailors. A powerhouse, CISA-sponsored, 35-person Orange Bowl squad is indicative of how organized junior sailing is in California and how dedicated parents and sponsors are.

Graham Biehl and Adam Roberts will be coaching Tyler Sinks and Morgan Renoir, Chris Barnard and Chris Segerblom, Oliver Toole and Willie McBride and others in the C-420’s. Andrew Campbell, one of the world’s top ranked Laser sailors, and Robbie Dean will be giving winning tips to Charlie Buckingham, Peter and Matt Wenner, Michael Menninger, Ryan Hoeven, Rex Cameron and others as they negotiate what may be their first large international regatta in Lasers and Laser Radials.

“We look for kids who are consistently finishing at the top of the fleet and are mature enough to travel with the coaches. They also have to be able to handle their boat in 20 knots, because they could end up sailing in those conditions in Miami,” says Jerelyn Biehl, one of the CISA directors. CISA has been sponsoring a team to the Orange Bowl since 2003. Team members get assistance with great coaching, weather supplied by Jennifer Lilly, mini clinics, prepping in the morning, and evening debriefing sessions. “It’s a win-win for everybody. The coaches are Olympic caliber athletes. By coaching they can help to fund their campaigns and the kids on the team realize how approachable they are. The team members get to participate in a huge international regatta in their own country,” said Jerelyn.

Graham Biehl, is coming off a win at the 2006 470 US Pre-trials. He is one of the coaches and was fortunate enough to make the CISA team a few years ago and sail 29ers with his brother, Cameron. “Even though we had traveled before and sailed in some large youth regattas, it was an awesome experience,” said Graham. He’s hoping that everyone on this year’s CISA team will finish among the top 10 in their fleets and have a great time at the regatta. A product of Southern California sailing, “I can’t tell you what a great feeling it is to be helping out these kids,” said Biehl.

Tyler Sinks, who is participating in his fifth Orange Bowl Regatta and took first in the C-420’s last year, will leave head to Florida on December 25th. His arrival at his first Orange Bowl Regatta left an indelible impression on all of his chaperones. “It was crazy. There were so many boats and so many kids! I was used to sailing in 25 to 30 boat Sabot fleets. I’d never sailed against 90 boats before.” Tyler is returning to defend his title in the 100 + boat C-420 fleet. He’s “totally excited” and doesn’t “want to go downhill” from last year’s finish.

Happy sailing CISA team, have fun in Miami, and bring home lots of fond memories.