By Airwaves writer Martha Pitt
Last weekend, thirty-six high school sailors from around the country came to Newport, RI to compete in the 2013-2014 ISSA Singlehanded National Championships for the Cressy Trophy. The regatta is sailed in two separate divisions – Laser Radial and Laser Full Rig – with eighteen sailors competing in each division. These sailors qualified in their respective districts for the chance to compete in the national championship event. This year in the full rig division, Matt Long from Santa Barbara, CA edged out the competition to finish the event with 35 points in 10 races, just three points over Richard Didham, also from southern California. Long is a 16 year old senior from the Dos Pueblos High School and has been sailing in Santa Barbara Harbor for eight years. He began in the Santa Barbara Sea Shells Association program sailing Sabots before moving into CFJs and Lasers. Long competed in SCYYRA events (Southern California Youth Yacht Racing Assc.) for a number of years and finding his first racing success, and then joined his high school team when he was old enough.
Long’s high school sailing career has just been leading up to this moment: he has won his district qualifier the past two years, and last season he and his brother skippered for the Dos Pueblos High School team at ISSA Fleet Race Nationals sailed out in Chicago, IL where they finished 11th. Long has also recently finished 3rd at Laser PCCs, 7th out of 29 in the Laser Class at Orange Bowl in 2012, and 8th out of 99 in the Laser Radial Class the year before.
The conditions for the 2013-2014 Cressy challenged the sailors in a number of ways; as true to New England weather, in the two days of racing the competitors were faced with a wide range of conditions, really testing the diversity of their skills and strength of their nerves. Saturday was unseasonably warm in Newport, but light air made for a long, slow day and tested the sailors’ patience. Sunday, in contrast, was cold, blustery, and a particular challenge for those sailors venturing from warmer climates! Nevertheless, Matt Long was able to remain consistent through the two days and edge out the competition.
When asked about the factors that lead to his success, Long had a few simple answers: “For the competition in Newport I prepared myself for the conditions by knowing when the high and low tides were in order to know if the current would be ebbing or flooding. The tides were the most important factor both days so knowing the tide was very helpful.I liked the conditions both days because the current made it simple.My success was due to knowing the current and keeping as many low consistent scores as possible because there are no throw outs in high school sailing.I kept in mind that every point counted in this regatta and I tried to fight for every point.”
With help from coach Nick Kaschak with whom Long has worked with for a number of years, Long was able to stay focused with a positive mindset, keep his game plan simple, and sail fast. “He also helps by providing me with key factors to the race course,” says Long, “as in Rhode Island where it was current.” Kaschak’s parents, Matt’s hosts for the weekend, also helped; “Nick’s parents were both accomplished sailors themselves and along with being gracious hosts, they also provided me with information that helped me understand the conditions and always put a smile on my face before I stepped out the door each morning.”
Though the fall high school sailing season is just about over, Matt’s plans for sailing continue through the winter and beyond. Keep an eye out for him in Miami over the next few months at Orange Bowl and Miami OCR, on the ISSA race courses in the spring. Long also hopes to sail in college.
Check out the Cressy results and highlights: http://www.regattanetwork.com/event/7122#_newsroom
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