By Georgette Wong

Tina Torri, Nige Oswald and Kevin Ranker

Four high school sailors advance to the North West Interscholastic Sailing Association Fleet Race Championships, which brings together the top 20 teams from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska and British Columbia on May 10 at the Columbia Gorge. The winning sailors placed third at the Ranking Regatta in Port Angeles April 5 and 6 and hail from three separate islands: Emmett Beadnall and Else Ranker from Orcas; Tilda Twigg from Lopez; and Lyric Melville from San Juan. The sailors sail for Spring Street International School and practice with other high schools on both San Juan and Orcas Islands.

The third place finish is the best showing ever for the Spring Street team, which started in 2023. SSIS finished first, seventh, first and second among 16 teams over the first four races, causing the crowd of sailors, parents and audience members to murmur, “Who are they?!” The remainder of the 18 races were all hard-fought with the overall scoring getting tighter and tighter. Under huge pressure to maintain their podium position in the last races, Else and Lyric worked their way through the fleet and were able to pull out another first-place finish. In the last race of the weekend, Emmett and Tilda beat the fourth and fifth place teams by three inches to clinch third place in the regatta for SSIS.

Coach Nige Oswald said, “That was close racing under high pressure. Each of the sailors held their nerve to do what was needed. I am really proud of them!”

The top two finishers from NWISA Fleet Race Championships will compete against other top teams from around the country for the Interscholastic Sailing Association Fleet Racing Championship (Mallory Trophy) May 31-June 1 at Connecticut College.

Sailing is a lifetime sport that teaches teamwork, sportsmanship, camaraderie and marine stewardship. Any middle or high school aged student interested in participating with the local teams may contact Coach Stephanie Arnold (Orcas) at stephanie@dashracing.org or Coach Nige Oswald (San Juan/SSIS) at fridayharborsailingteam@gmail.com.