The Schoonmaker Cup is the first reggatta of the District 20 Star Class sailing season.  Saturday we had light conditions that made for difficult sailing.  Sunday we sailed in perfect sailing conditions and northeast breeze of 10 to 15 knots.  We had two solid races posting a 6 and 8.  I was pleased with our starts and first upwind legs we were top five to the weather mark in both races.  Downwind we were much faster then we had been at the North Americans.  I think lengthing the partners and steering more agressively downwind contributed to the improvment.  In general I need to be more confident in our boat speed.  Too often on the 2nd and 3rd beat I would not be sailing in the same water as our closest competitors and give up places because the wind shift didnt go our way.  Competition was good at the reggatta with one gold star, one etchells world champion and a member of the US national team in attendence but the racing was very tight and no one was dominating in there results.  There is a lot of work to do and the level of competition is only going to get better as the winter progresses.  Next up is the Commadors Cup in December. 

-Jack