news release

A full squad of fifteen YSF Community Sailing sailors traveled over 100 miles north on the weekend of March 29-30, 2025 to participate in the 72^nd Annual Mount Dora Yacht Club Regatta.   Sailed on beautiful Lake Dora under sunny skies with a freshening 8-12 knot breeze out of the northeast, the sailors could get five races in on Saturday.   Racing was canceled on Sunday due to dangerous storms moving through the area.

Fifty-four (54) boats competed with fifteen (15) in the high-school 420 class and thirty-nine (39) spread out across four Optimist classes sailed by 8-14-year-old sailors. 

Edee Steinkamp (skipper) and Michael Ladd (crew) took home the trophy for third place in the very competitive 420 Class. Nicholas LaRochelle and Jimmy Collins took fifth in their first time sailing together as skipper and crew respectively.

Nineteen (19) Optimist Green Class beginner sailors came to the starting line.  YSF’s Garrett Tilton left 18 boats in his wake to take home the winning trophy.   In the more advanced Red Class, Mia Lloyd brought a third-place trophy home to YSF.

Optimist coach Hermino (Herm) Argont and 420 coach Cameron (Cam) Friedauer along with several parents accompanied the team for a long weekend of sailing.  Cam remarked: “We are proud of the team.  Everyone had a great time competing while enjoying the camaraderie racing inspires.”

Youth Sailing Foundation of Indian River County, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit devoted to eliminating cultural and financial barriers to sailing.  Please contact Executive Director Chris Drake at chris.drake@ysfir.cor or 772-925-2521 if you would like to learn more about YSF’s free sailing programs