Catamaran races at Ocean Springs Yacht Club

Some of the best sailors in the country are on the Coast this week for two major sailing competitions.

Bragging rights and a national championship are at stake for over 50 sailors this weekend at the Hobie 17 North American and Hobie Mid-Winters East-North races. 2015 OSYC Commodore Cynthia Moncrieff said, “We’ve got sailors from all over the country competing for the national championship. With our mid-winters competition, it will be mainly regional sailors so, folks primarily from the Southeast.”

Five classes of catamarans will compete in the mid-winters race. One of the sailors will be New Orleans native Jason Bosley who enjoys the competitive format. “This type of regatta is a one design regatta. So, the different boats competing against each other are all the same. That really levels the playing field.”

The key to victory for competitors is to find the best line to sail relative to the win, checking the wind’s speed and direction.  “They can see on the buoy course the fastest way to get between the buoys with minimum changes in direction.”

Since post-Katrina both races have involved and skill. Bosley believes his new boat will enhance both attributes. “Instead of my Hobie 16, I’m sailing a Hobie 20. I only have sailed it three times so I’m going to be learning the ropes as we go.”

The sailing competition continues Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. If you want to watch head over to Front Beach or the Ocean Springs Yacht Club.