Sailing ends on high note

By By Robby Atkinson / staff writer
June 7, 2004
The first day of the sailing competition at Okatibbee Lake was not the best of days to take to the water for the 2004 State Games of Mississippi, but what a difference a day can make for sailing.
The second day of the competition had great wind and exciting racing as the four-boat field was able to complete the day with four races.
Leo Potvin has overcome a lot of obstacles in his life, and on Sunday, the Petal native was just that good. Potvin and crew member Glenn Hughes captured the gold medal after dominating much of Saturday's action. Potvin and Hughes took a pair of wins on Saturday and won two more races of Sunday to capture the gold medal.
Potvin has battled brain cancer in the past and was very happy to be a part of the event this weekend.
Potvin and Hughes will take a short break before heading to Bay St. Louis to sail the Jordan River on the coast.
Robbie Harrison took home the silver medal and captured one win on Sunday in the second race to end the weekend with seven points. Potvin ended the weekend with a four points to win by a three-point margin over Harrison.
Greg Patterson won the bronze medal after ending the weekend with 11 points.
The talk among all of the competitors after the races on Sunday was the start of the last race of the day. The race to the starting line was the best of the day according to some of the people of each boat.
John Smith took home the gold medal in the Open Centerboard class to close out the weekend of sailing competition at Okatibbee Lake.