Sailing provides relaxing competition

By By Will Bardwell / staff writer
May 25, 2004
A handful of sportsmen will gather in June for one of the most relaxed competitions in the State Games of Mississippi.
The sailing races will take place June 5-6 at Okatibbee Lake. Sailing commissioner Fred Smith said he looks forward to seeing familiar faces who enter the races year after year, like last year's winner and 12-year veteran Leo Potvin, but he also hopes for new blood.
Each entrant will compete in a series of six races with one throw-out. Four of the races are scheduled for Saturday and two for Sunday, though Smith warned that could change based on weather and wind conditions.
The number of boats in each race will be determined by the total number of racers entered, but the winner of a race receives one point. The second-place boat receives two points, the third-place boat gets three, and so on.
The sailer with the fewest number of points after the races end is the winner.
The competition consists of two divisions, open centerboard and cruising. Any five boats of the same design may compete as a separate class.
Boats are also required to be stocked with standard safety equipment.
Smith said both racers and fans alike gather at the marina at meal time and throughout the weekend's light-hearted competition.