Winning First Female at an ILCA Regatta on a Texas Lake Helps Build for the Future
Paloma Arrigo, first female and second overall in shifty lake conditions at Lake Hubbard, Texas, 2024 District 15 ILCA Championships
2024 ILCA District 15 Championships
When we decided to head to Dallas for the District 15 Championships on November 9th and 10th, 2024, I looked forward to gaining some lake sailing experience. We braved thunder and lightning storms and a flight diversion to Houston but arrived at Love Field, Dallas, looking forward to a new adventure.
Before we left, I did my homework. Lake Ray Hubbard spans 22,745 acres and has a maximum depth of 40 feet. Before the lake was created, locals used the basin as a recreational area called “The Bottom.” Lake Ray Hubbard is one of the largest lakes in North Texas and the largest in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Research Says Lake Sailing is Shifty, I Learned That is True
In preparing to do some lake sailing, I read, “winds may flow with the length of the lake, causing a parallel shore effect. This means the wind may be stronger on one shore than the other.” Sure enough, forecasts for Lake Ray Hubbard showed days of northerly and southerly breezes. I read, “In lighter wind, sail toward the pressure and stay in it.” Sage wisdom also suggested, “Have a crew member look for and call out the next puff or two up the course.” Well, that is definitely challenging when you’re a single-handed sailor.
Texas Lake Sailing Honed My Skills for the Future
This event's competitors came primarily from Rush Creek / Lake Hubbard, Fort Worth / Eagle Mountain Lake, Houston, and the Texas Gulf Coast in Corpus Christi.
The unpredictable sailing conditions at Lake Hubbard became evident as the regatta got underway. For example, in Race 1, my start was great, and after getting comfortable on the lake in the ILCA4 rig, I found a fantastic left shift, which kept me in the hunt for a win. In the end, I was second. In race 2, my start could have been better, but I recovered quickly by finding a huge right-hand shift and finishing in third.
This regatta was a fantastic experience because of the lake sailing conditions. It was great to take in the polite and collegial culture of the sailors from Texas. Rush Creek YC did a great job making everyone welcome, and a Texas-style barbeque dinner on Saturday night was also a highlight. Boat wash down was easier, too, after hauling my boat out of fresh water. I also found a great training partner for future events.
After the racing, I spent time in windless conditions practicing roll gybes, roll tacks, and propelling the boat forward using pumping to improve my boat handling skills. This will not manifest in executing a plan to violate Rule 42 in the future, but it is, as I learned from my coach, a method to learn how to move the boat in light conditions and build fitness and coordination.
I chose to sail the ILCA4 rig to continue preparing for the anticipated heavy air conditions at the Youth Europeans, which will be held in Puck, Poland, on the Baltic, and the Youth Worlds in “Hurricane Gulch” California. I have learned that the Europeans, particularly the girls, train in the “6” rig and drop to the “4” rig in heavy air conditions up to and including age 17. European fleets in the “4” rig exceed 100 boats. I love the ILCA6 rig and, in retrospect, felt I could also have been highly competitive in that fleet. Balance is always tricky, but I strive to refine it in life.
Focus, Balance, Outcome: Now and in the Future
I was pleased with my second overall and first girl for this regatta. Though I love double-handed sailing, for example, in the FJ, 420, and Snipe, and aspire to sail higher-performance boats, I continue to believe that if you’re strong in single-handed sailing, you can helm any boat in the future. My mentors in the Laser / ILCA and Finn classes have proven this true.
My near-term sailing event plans include St. Petersburg, Miami, and Long Beach events.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to my coach for his continued guidance and my steady improvement.
I returned home to resume water polo, sailing practice, and a steady homework load in my AP classes. Thank you to the faculty and staff at my high school for understanding my schedule and helping me achieve balance.
I remembered that Monday, November 11th, was Veterans Day. I thank my family members and others who have served.
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