2008 Lightning Youth worlds

The 2008 Lightning Youth World Championship was completed on Friday July 18 after 6 races over 4 days.  11 teams representing Brazil (2), Canada (5) and USA (4) competed for the title of Lightning Youth World Champion.  Check the ILCA Website http://www.lightningclass.org/index.asp for the final results but Taylor Lutz won followed by Ian Shillebeeckx and Matt Schon all from the USA.  4th and 5th teams were from Brazil.  For Photos check http://gallery.mac.com/shatkins#100154 or go to the link on the ILCA Website.  Briefly, the practice race on Monday ended when a storm front pushed through and one boat capsized breaking a mast.  The first day of racing was nearly prefect conditions but on the 1st windward leg a Port/Starboard collision took out two more boats so racing ended for the day.  Thanks to the dedicated group of organizers one boat was repaired and a 2nd spare was found.  Day 2 saw less wind and 2 races were completed.  A third race was attempted but one boat had a vang blow out before the start and then winds built above 20.  Day 3 saw even less wind but one race was completed.  The lay day was used inorder to get the full 6 race series in.   All in all it was a great regatta with a lot of very tight racing and the final outcome not decided until the finish gun of the 6th race was heard.