Madison ILYA Opti Clinic - A big hit!

The Madison Opti fleet enjoyed a beautiful day on the water on Sunday, August 29. Twelve optis with 15 children took part in a clinic sponsored by the Inland Lakes Yachting Association. The Inlands brought in two Opti coaches to help our young fleet progress to the next level. Coaches Andrew Fox from the Geneva Lake Sailing School and Brendan Boylan from the Lake Calhoun Sailing School put the sailors through a day of boat handling drills while keeping it fun. Special thanks goes out to ILYA's Candace Porter for suggesting the clinic and assisting with the arrangements.

The Mendota Yacht Club also lent their support through the use of motor boats for the instructors and pier/park facilities at Burrows Park.

Melissa Hanson gets the #1 Opti mom award for bringing two boats and five children to the lake while Jamie was tied up with a home renovation project. Go Melissa! Trey Sprinkman and Kyle Metzloff went the extra mile in towing boats from the Madison Youth Sailing Foundation sailing center in Warner Bay. Brian Anderson lent a hand in prepping the launching beach. Donna Schoor came through with serving platters to lend that special touch to the lunch.

The kids enjoyed the 15 mph southwest breeze and warm late-summer temperatures. While the Optis sailed near shore, Scow sailors traveled to the middle of the lake for the Sunday series. Burrows Park was buzzing with activity when the E's and I-20's returned to the pier in the midst of 12 Optis parked for lunch.

Congratulations to all Opti sailors for completing the clinic and advancing their sailing skills. Sailors included:

Billie and Micah Hanson
Bryn Ostby
Oscar and Martha Anderson
Will and Bella Sprinkman
Quinn and Colin Senke
Meta and Fritz Simon
Tyler and Cayley Metzloff

More photos at the picasa page.