Southwestern Central and Chautauqua Lake, pictured from left, are: Mari Abbey, Felicity Farris, Ashley Solarz, Aiden Solarz, Vivian Watson, Jack Colburn, Gabe Logan and Jack Webb. Submitted photo

Southwestern-Chautauqua Lake sailed at the NYISA-NW Fleet Race Qualifier at Lakewood beach on Sunday, Oct. 5.

The day featured light and shifty winds that kept sailors on their toes throughout the day. Despite the challenging conditions, the race committee was able to complete four races in each division. Teams demonstrated great adaptability and focus as they navigated the variable breeze and tight competition on the course.

Sailing for Team 1 were Jack Colburn and Ashley Solarz in A Division with Jack Webb and Vivian Watson in B Division. Team 2 was Aiden Solarz with Felicity Farris in A Division, and Gabe Logan with Mari Abbey in B Division.

This was Ashley Solarz’s first regatta.

“This was an interesting experience for our young team, to say the least,” said Hunter Farris, CLCSF director of sailing. “Sailors experienced dramatic shifts between hiking conditions to waiting for wind. We even had one race in which the wind shifted between all four cardinal directions, drastically affecting the course. It doesn’t get more complicated than that.”

The high school team will sail 420s in Buffalo on Saturday at the Great Pumpkin Regatta, with the elementary school Opti race team sailing Sunday at Rochester in their Pumpkin Regatta. Both events will hold costume contests with awards, making it one of the most fun activities of the fall season.