It could be something in the air. Or water. Whatever it is, PNW women sailors rock! Of course the Sail Like A Girl gang pedaled (and sailed) their way to victory in the R2AK. But there’s another woman that deserves the spotlight as well, Hanne Weaver. Weaver won the US Singlehanded Women’s Championship sailed at the beginning of the month on Galveston Bay, sailed in Laser Radials.
I caught up with Weaver after the event as she was in Long Beach preparing for the Laser North Americans. Here’s her report:
The conditions were hot and humid. It was always light in the morning until the sea breeze came then it was about 10-15. The last day we didn’t sail due to lack of wind. My key to victory was keeping a consistent score. Having a good start and always the first beat getting to the top mark in the top 10. It’s always friendly competition when competing with someone you’ve sailed with a lot. But when you are on the water there are no friends.
I am going to keep sailing my Radial. I love it so much. I’m doing the Olympic campaign and right now in Long Beach for NA’s. Then I am going to Worlds and maybe Japan for future events.
My life is pretty much sail, gym, travel. Enjoying every minute of it. I couldn’t ask for a better life! Sadly I’m not as home as I was last year but still training out of Gig Harbor and Seattle when I can.
Here’s US Sailing’s report:
U.S. Singlehanded Women’s Championship:
For the second straight year, Weaver proved to be the top eligible Laser Radial sailor in the U.S. Singlehanded Women’s Championship competition. She won by a single point over Lillian Myers (Sarasota, Fla.). Kelly Cole (Charleston, S.C.) took home third place honors over nine races. Weaver and Myers changed leads multiple times throughout the Championship.
Ten of the 80 sailors in the Laser Radial event were eligible for this title. Weaver placed seventh overall in the Laser Radial Class Nationals which was won by Ricky Welch (Long Beach, Miss.).
Final Results – Top 5
1. Hanne Weaver, SYC/RVYC, 10-9-7-5-4-2-1-17-10- ; 48T
2. Lillian Myers, GCYSA, 4-10-9-2-5-4-13-16-2- ; 49T
3. Kelly Cole, OCBC, 3-14-12-13-8-10-14-29-22- ; 96T
4. Elizabeth Shanahan, Stamford YC/LYC, 17-8-16-19-11-9-32-37-24- ; 136T
5. Annika Fedde, Ventura YC, 15-21-13-11-11-11-37-35-36- ; 153
I’ll keep tabs on Weaver as she pursues that Olympic spot in arguably the toughest class.
Kurt grew up racing and cruising in the Midwest, and has raced Lasers since the late 1970s. Currently he is a broker at Swiftsure Yachts. He has been Assistant Editor at Sailing Magazine and a short stint as Editor of Northwest Yachting. Through Meadow Point Publishing he handles various marketing duties for smaller local companies. He currently is partners on a C&C 36 which he cruises throughout the Northwest. He’s married to the amazing Abby and is father to Ian and Gabe.