Erik Hou of NHYC wins INSA Sabot II Invitational

LONG BEACH – Erik Hou of Newport Harbor Yacht Club won the 2014 International Naples Sabot Association (INSA) Sabot II Invitational regatta against 25 other 6 to 11 year old junior sailors from Southern California yacht clubs. In the regatta hosted by Long Beach YC, Hou dominated the races held in Long Beach’s Alamitos Bay Turning Basin winning four of the five scheduled races. Bahia Corinthian YC’s Jake Mayol shadowed Hou around the course throughout the day and was able to get his first win of the day in the fifth race giving him a solid second place in the regatta. Even though the Harbor Master’s Office had a small craft warning flag flying just yards away from the racing venue the wind never built to more than 10 knots, giving the young sailors good breeze without overpowering the sturdy 8-foot One-Design dingy sailboats. Third place in the regatta was San Diego YC’s Piper Holthus who was consistent enough to hold off fourth place finisher Gray Hemans from Balboa YC. “This platform for 11 year olds and younger,” said Long Beach YC’s Sailing Director Jess Gerry, who was also the regatta administrator, “is designed to glean the best sailors in that age bracket.” The first Naples...