A young sailing team representing Port Townsend High School upset 10 other teams to win its only regatta of the fall season.

“This bodes well for us for the more rigorous upcoming spring season,” reported coach Erik Coburn. “I think we were all surprised a bit. Consistency won us the regatta. These kids have been working hard and deserved the win.”

The regatta was hosted on Oct. 24 by Sail Sand Point on Lake Washington in Seattle. Six sailors represented the PT program – now in its third year – led by junior skipper Cooper Parish and freshman skipper Cody Kowalski. Sailing teammates were Olivia Gibbons, Mackenzie Ginther, Emily Bufford and Milo Stiemle.

In light winds under cloudy skies, the young sailors bested 10 teams from around the Pacific Northwest, including perennial powerhouses Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap. Only five points separated the top five schools.

The sailing team is a program of the Northwest Maritime Center sponsored by the Jefferson County YMCA and Port Townsend High School as well as many local businesses.

Many members of last year’s PTHS team graduated in June – with some now sailing at the collegiate level – so this season is considered a rebuilding year, noted Rob Sanderson, waterfront programs manager for the Northwest Maritime Center.