IN THIS ISSUE ISCA News: - Class Builder Updates
- Class Rule Interpretations
USSCA Updates: - USSCA North Americans 2025
- USSCA Youth North Americans 2025
USSCA News: - USSCA Seminar - Staring by Conner Blouin
- USSCA Membership Sticker
- Welcome Mid-West Rep Doug Warren
Upcoming USSCA Major Championships: - Women's North American Championship, Sept. 5-7
- USSCA US Masters, September 26-28
Upcoming Regional Championships: - Southeast Regional II, July 12-13 Hobcaw YC, SC
- New England Regional II, July 19-20 Wequaquet Lake YC, MA
- Midwest Regional I, August 2-3, Milwaukee YC, WI
- West Regional, August 16-17, Mission Bay YC, CA
- New York Upstate Regional, August 16-17, Saratoga Lake SC, NY
Upcoming Long Distance Race: - Harkers Island YC, July 19
Windward Leg Editor Needed! Regatta Reports: - Family affair at NA's
- Mid-Atlantic Regional II at Brigantine YC
- Seabrook Summer Solstice
- Three Generations Sailing
Other news: - World Qualifier Championship
- USSCA Host Clubs Needed
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| SAVE THE DATE July Event Calendar August Event Calendar
July 12-13 - Southeast Regional Championship II at Hobcaw YC, SC July 19-20 - New England Regional Championship II at Wequaquet YC, MA Aug. 2-3 - Midwest Regional Championship I/Milwaukee YC One-Design Regatta Aug 16-17 West Regional Championship at Misson Bay YC Aug 16-17NY Upstate Regional Championship | Mega Bowl, Saratoga LSC Sept. 5-7 USSCA Women's North Americans | Wawasee YC, IN Sept. 6-7 Southwest Regional Championship | Lake Worth SC, TX Sept. 13-14 Midwest Regional Championship II | Devils Lake SC, MI Sept. 13-14 NY Downstate Regional Championship II | Menantic YC, NY Sept. 26-28 US Masters Championship | Lake Norman YC, NC Oct. 4-5 Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship III | Tom's River YC, NJ Oct. 18-19 Florida Regional Championship I | Florida YC, FL Nov. 1-2 Florida Regional Championship II | Clearwater SC, FL |
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For publication in the Windward Leg, submit articles and photos to news@sunfishclass.org Deadline for next issue July 25, 2025 |
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ISCA CLASS BUILDER UPDATES |
| The Zim Sailing ISCA® (International Sunfish Class Association™) Exclusively Manufactured and Distributed by Zim Sailing
FEATURES A PROVEN HULL CONSTRUCTION |
Built on Experience Zim's knowledge of building durable institutional boats translates directly to building the ISCA, serving the racing and recreational markets equally well.
Improved Durability & Construction Quality The foam blocks that originally provided structure and buoyancy have been upgraded and replaced with closed-cell foam technology that will not absorb water, while providing stiffness to construction.
Techniques That Deliver Zim is proud to continue the traditional hand-rolled open molding process keeping the boat at the same weight and performance characteristics as previous generations (of older Sunfish®) while using brand new tooling and equipment.
RESERVE YOURS TODAY |
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What is ISCA? The International Sunfish Class Association (ISCA) is the organization that governs the one-design class of sailboats which includes Sunfish® and the Zim-built ISCA boat. ISCA serves to maintain the one-design standards for the class and ensure that an ISCA you buy in 2024 is just as relevant as your vintage boat that has been lovingly cared for! Sunfish® is a registered trademark of VELUM LTD. |
ISCA CLASS RULES INTERPRETATIONS |
There were several questions after the Midwinters in 2025 about rigging blocks and a few others. These questions are reviewed by the Chief Measurer and Technical Committee. They have published these Official Interpretations #9 on May 2025. Items addressed: - Rule 3.1.1 - Mainsheet Block
- Rule 3.1.9 - Digital Compass
- Rule 3.5.3 - Boom Blocks
- Rule 3.5.7 - Tape
- Rule 3.7.5 - Outhaul Lines
- Rule 3.7.1 - Mainsheet Path
- Rule 3.7.1 a - Block on Bridle
If you have questions or other challenges, you can go to this page and look for the Interpretations for more details. CLICK HERE |
2025 USSCA NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP |
Thank you Fairhope Yacht Club! by Parker Nagle, US Virgin Islands I love attending major ISCA events like the ISCA North Americans because they give me the chance to compete against some of the best ISCA sailors in the world and experience big starting lines. I also really enjoy meeting new people and reconnecting with friends I've made at past events. Every event teaches me something new—whether it's lessons on the water or tips on land from more experienced sailors, I always feel like my sailing improves. I also appreciate the chance to sail in different conditions than I'm used to. For example, Fairhope, Alabama had a wide range of conditions, from light wind to strong breeze, chop, and changing tides. The toughest part of North Americans for me was the starts. It was challenging to find a clear spot on the line and avoid starting in bad air. But I know the best way to get better is to keep sailing and showing up to ISCA events! Unfortunately, I won’t be able to attend the Worlds in Ecuador this year due to a conflict, but I’m really excited to welcome ISCA sailors to St. Croix for the 2026 Worlds. I can’t wait to see you all here! |
First time at USSCA North Americans - TTO by Kelly Ann Arrindell, Trinidad and Tobago It has been a great experience representing Trinidad and Tobago in the ISCA class this year. While I’ve previously competed in international regattas in the Laser, this was my first year sailing the ISCA at larger events. The North Americans in Alabama marked my first international regatta in the class, and it was an incredibly enjoyable experience. The sailing conditions were good but challenging, with choppy water and hot weather. Competing in a 79-boat fleet brought its own difficulties, but after the first few races, I found my rhythm and eased back into big-fleet racing. The competition was strong, and it was valuable to measure myself against some of the more experienced sailors in the fleet. Everyone — both on and off the water — was welcoming and friendly. The race committee also did an excellent job running and managing the event, making the overall experience a very positive one. I’m looking forward to continuing my journey in this class and hope to take part in more high-level events in the coming months and years. |
2025 North American Champion - Simon Gomez Ortiz Simon Gomez Ortiz COL (1st - 20 pts) proudly holds the North American Perpetual Trophy with his coach and fellow teammate. |
L to R (Kelly-Ann Arrindell TTO 10th Top Female, Eugene Schmitt USA 9th, Christopher Alexander 8th USA, Mike Ingham Top Grand Master USA, David Hernendez GUA 6th, Diego Silvestre GUA 7th, Simon Gomez Ortiz COL 1st, Sebastian Medina PUR 3rd, Bernardo Fernandez ECU 5th Top Youth, Rod Favela VEN 4th, Steve Honour Top Great Grand Master, Conner Blouin USA 2nd. |
Photo 1: Crowded marks were the story of the day as boats would round in packs making for some interesting conversations. Robomarks were also 'new' for this class. Photo 2: Berardo Fernandez ECU Top Youth Photo 3: Beautiful Fairhope Yacht Club rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina. |
Photo 1: Awards Photo 2: Amanda Callahan Photo 3: Simon Gomez Ortiz master class of down wind speed Photo 4: Parker Nagle ISV (who also qualified for Youth Worlds in ILCA 6) |
Photo 1: Rod Favela VEN making moves downwind Photo 2: Clinton Edward Gulf Coast Regional Representative Photo 3: Kelly Ann Arrindell TTO (new to the boat) Photo 4: Peru sailors Tania Zimmerman and Jocelyn Montagne always smiling! |
USSCA Youth North Americans 2025 |
Javier Balladares (ECU) Youth North American Champion 2025 Hosted by the Austin Yacht Club, Texas by Annie Lancaster The 2025 Sunfish Youth North American Championship was held at Austin Yacht Club in Austin, Texas on Lake Travis on June 27-29. There was a group of 13 competitors from Ohio, Alabama, Mississippi, Ecuador and Rockport, Houston and Austin, Texas. The event was sponsored by Austin Yacht Club and the Austin Yacht Club Fund. With a lot of help and support from AYC members, we feel the event was a success. Best of all there was wind, albeit shifty, and sunshine. The PRO, Terry Schertz and her race committee ran a practice session on Friday night and ran 5 W/L2 races on Saturday and 5 W/L2 races on Sunday. There were 6 Sunfish loaned out along with various parts and sails. A Texas event would not be complete with breakfast tacos, a fajita dinner, nachos and quesadillas all con queso. Congratulations to the winners… 1st - Javier Balladares, Salinas Yacht Club, Ecuador 2nd – William Wise, Lakewood Yacht Club, Seabrook, Texas 3rd – Wyatt Romberg, Austin Yacht Club, Austin, Texas 4th – Calvin Brock, Austin Yacht Club, Austin, Texas 5th – Zachary Romberg, Austin Yacht Club, Austin Texas Links to on-the-water pictures from Saturday races taken by Marilyn Jackson. https://photos.app.goo.gl/PkQqhHsbPUpYFmS17
Links to on-the-water and trophy pictures from Sunday taken by Cheryl Pervier https://photos.app.goo.gl/vZci1u16Jtzssf2BA |
Thank you to all the Volunteers and Austin Yacht Club for their support of this event. Special shout out to Annie Lancaster for being the regatta chair! |
Results
| Sailors | Sail Number | Boat Name | Club/Org | Net | Total | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | R10 |
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1 | Javier Balladares | ECU 4908 | None | Salinas Yacht Club | 17 | 22 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | [5] | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | William Wise | USA 4822 | None | Lakewood YC | 29 | 43 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 1 | [NSC - 14] | 6 | 3 | Wyatt Romberg | USA 89981 | None | AYC | 37 | 51 | 2 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 6 | [NSC - 14] | 2 | 4 | Calvin Brock | USA 19 | None | Austin Yacht Club | 50 | 64 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 4 | [NSC - 14] | 3 | 5 | Zachary Romberg | USA 1941 | None | AYC | 50 | 62 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 6 | [12] | 6 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 6 | Jackson Brock | USA 4906 | None | Austin Yacht Club | 53 | 66 | 9 | 12 | 5 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 3 | [13] | 7 | Ramzi Matous | USA 8 | None | Austin Yacht Club | 54 | 66 | [12] | 4 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 8 | Fisher Key | USA 76062 | None | AYC | 57 | 68 | 7 | 8 | 3 | [11] | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 9 | Jackson Timberlake | USA 5387 | None | BWYC | 64 | 76 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 3 | [12] | 7 | 12 | 11 | 6 | 8 | 10 | Sonia Grogono | USA 4890 | Tortuga | Austin Yacht Club | 68 | 81 | 4 | 11 | 12 | [13] | 11 | 9 | 5 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 11 | Guy Lindig | USA 2455 | None | RYC | 86 | 99 | 10 | 7 | 11 | 7 | 10 | 10 | [13] | 10 | 9 | 12 | 12 | Tristan Logvinoff | USA 5141 | None | Rockport YC | 88 | 101 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 8 | [13] | 11 | 9 | 12 | 7 | 11 | 13 | Lauren Anderson | USA 640 | None | Hueston Sailing Association | 104 | 117 | [13] | 13 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 10 |
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Congratulations to the 2025 Youth North American Sailors! |
USSCA is pleased to announce the next seminar on Monday, July 14th at 7:00 pm EST. 2024 ISCA World Champion and College of Charleston Head Coach Conner Blouin will be doing a seminar on Starting Strategies. USSCA Members, please join us by CLICKING HERE and submit your questions. You must login to the website and be a current member to register. Thank you for your membership support. There is NO CHARGE for members to attend this seminar. Thank you Doug Kaukeinen for leading the educational team to find speakers -have a topic you want to hear about email Doug!
If you have questions, please contact the USSCA President Susan Mallows ussca.president@gmail.com or if you have trouble with login, please contact the Class Administrator sunfishoff@gmail.com. |
| 2025 USSCA Membership Sticker Show off your member sticker! Take a selfie with it and tag us at #usscamember on US Sunfish Class Facebook page! |
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| Welcome Midwest Regional Rep - Doug Warren Doug Warren first sailed a Sunfish off the beach in Southwestern Lake Michigan in the 1970’s as a teenager. After a 30-year break from small boat sailing, he resumed in 1998 after joining the Lake Bluff Yacht Club in Lake Bluff, Il. Since that time Doug has sailed regularly in club racing series, regional and national championship regattas throughout the Midwest and around the US. He has helped organize many regattas including the 2016 US Sailing Championship of Champions and the 2018 North American Sunfish Championships where he was Regatta Chairman. While his ISCA sailing activities keep him busy but he makes time to regularly crew on larger boats sailing in Lake Michigan and to date has completed almost 40 Chicago to Mackinac yacht races. In addition to the Lake Bluff Yacht Club, Doug is also a member of the Sarasota Sailing Squadron. His goals as Midwest Regional Representative are to increase fleet and regatta participation throughout the region and develop new centers for ISCA sailing. Thank you, Doug, welcome to the team! |
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USSCA MAJOR Championships |
Attention Women Sailors of the ISCA Class The Women’s North American Championship, September 5-7, will be here before you know it! This regatta is a great opportunity to come together with the amazing women of the Sunfish Class for some healthy competition and to share in a quintessential Midwest lake experience. In addition to excellent sailing on beautiful Lake Wawasee, IN, members of the Wawasee Yacht Club (WYC) are ready to welcome you into their homes, if you are interested in host housing. Also... - Loaner boats, charter boats and free lodging spots are available with some advance planning! Contact Brad Wagnon at (765) 749-8556 or b.wagnon46@gmail.com
- The top 2 finishers of this event automatically qualify for the 2026 ISCA World Championship to be sailed in the island paradise of St. Croix/USVI – Nov. 7-14, 2026.
- Gail Heusler, USSCA’s 2025 Member of the year and six-time champion of this event and will return to vie for the 2025 title and the Linda Tillman perpetual trophy.
- Get a preview of the sailing community at Lake Wawasee on Instagram (wawaseeyachtclub)
The Notice of Race is posted and Registration is Open: USSCA Women’s North American Championship |
These are fun photos from past years! Don't miss out - join us register today! |
| 2025 US Masters September 26-28 Located at Lake Norman Yacht Club, North west of Charlotte, North Carolina September 26-28 (3 days of racing). Plenty of camping and beautiful venue. Make it a week and come September 20-21 for the LNYC Board Bash and visit the area! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER |
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Upcoming Regional Championships |
CLICK on the graphics below to go directly to the event registration page! |
Upcoming Long Distance Races |
| Harkers Island Sailing Club Long Distance Race NC July 19th |
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Family Affair @ North American's Family's can sail together and have fun. Check out these family teams from North Americans. USSCA Has over 100 family members this year (and counting) get your spouse, kids or grandparents involved and go sailing! Thanks to Clinton NAs had a NEW trophy for lowest combined points for Generational Family team won by Robert and Stuart Adams. |
L-R (Clinton and son James Edwards, Stuart and son Robert Adams, Susan Mallows and Doug Brown married) |
L-R (Mike Ingham and Mary Ellen Ingham siblings, Mary and son Micky Kalich) |
Mid-Atlantic Regional #2 - Brigantine YC, NJ Submitted by S. Mallows Brigantine Yacht Club, in Brigantine, NJ, hosted the second Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship of the season June 7-8, 2025. The twenty-four sailors registered were met with challenging conditions on Saturday, with extremely light, shifting winds and intermittent storms forcing the race committee to abandon the day’s sailing by mid-afternoon. Sunday proved much more favorable, with steady breeze ranging from 8 to 15 knots. The race committee took full advantage of the improved conditions, managing 6 quality races in one day and therefore allowing for a throw out. Sailors from Lavallette Yacht Club, NJ, were well represented at the awards, winning 3 of the top 5 places. With three wins, Doug Brown of LYC captured the top spot, followed closely by BYC member Jason Augustine. Ken Zorovich and Betsy Davis, both from Lavallette, finished third and forth, respectively. Nicky Einthoven from Hunterdon Sailing Club rounded out the top 5. Five juniors competed in the event, with the top spot being won by Logan Augustine, who finished 8th overall. Off water festivities were highlighted by a barbecue dinner Saturday evening, as well as nearby Atlantic City's casinos and boardwalk. Thank you BYC for the hospitality, great food and challenging racing. We are looking forward to the next regatta you host! |
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| Sailors | Club/Org | Net | Total | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 |
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1 | Doug Brown | LYC | 7 | 13 | [6] | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Jason Augustine | BYC | 10 | 17 | 1 | [7] | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 | Ken Zorovich | LYC/MYC | 15 | 22 | 4 | 1 | [7] | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | Betsy Davis | Lavallette Yacht Club | 20 | 27 | [7] | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 5 | Nicky Einthoven | Hunterdon Sailing Club | 21 | 31 | 2 | 5 | 4 | [10] | 8 | 2 | 6 | Nancy Jaywork | Rehoboth Bay Sailing Association | 30 | 42 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 5 | [12] | 10 | 7 | Chris Krautheim | Metedeconk river yacht club | 35 | 43 | [8] | 8 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 8 | Logan Augustine | BYC | 45 | 57 | 5 | 11 | 11 | [12] | 6 | 12 | 9 | John Keating | Brigantine yacht club | 46 | 71 | 10 | 10 | 6 | [DNF - 25] | 7 | 13 | 10 | Joe Croasdale | Southold Yacht Club | 47 | 65 | 15 | 9 | [18] | 7 | 11 | 5 | 11 | Jim Knab | Rehoboth Bay SA | 47 | 63 | [16] | 15 | 5 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 12 | Richard Skeen | Deer Lake Club | 47 | 61 | 9 | 6 | 13 | 9 | 10 | [14] | 13 | John Barrere | Pinchot Sailing Club | 55 | 80 | [DNF - 25] | 13 | 10 | 8 | 13 | 11 | 14 | Sasha Scheib | BYC | 65 | 82 | 12 | [17] | 12 | 16 | 16 | 9 | 15 | Gavin Mangel | BYC | 69 | 88 | 11 | 14 | [19] | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | Susan Mallows | LYC | 69 | 94 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 13 | 14 | [DNS - 25] | 17 | Isaak Fonorow | Brigantine Yacht Club | 82 | 101 | [19] | 19 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 18 | Richard Long | Manhattan Yacht Club | 83 | 102 | 17 | 18 | 14 | 17 | [19] | 17 | 19 | Constance Miller | Lewes a yacht Club | 90 | 115 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 19 | [DNS - 25] | DNS - 25 | 20 | Tiffany Ludwig | Deer Lake Club | 92 | 112 | 18 | [20] | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | Constance Meeks | Cooper River Yacht Club | 116 | 141 | 20 | 21 | [DNF - 25] | DNS - 25 | DNS - 25 | DNS - 25 |
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Seabrook Summer Solstice Regatta The Summer Solstice Regatta was held at Seabrook SC 21-22 June. We had 16 boats and were the largest class in attendance. The Sunfish/ISCA Dinghy is experiencing a Renaissance here in Texas. Many people seem to be getting out of there more expensive and complex boats for the Sunfish. We had a total of 7 races, 5 Saturday, 2 on Sunday all with lots of breeze. Saturday began with 12 knots and was a steady 18 knots at the end. 3-4 foot rolling waves made for some amazing downwind legs. Sunday it blew harder, bigger waves, and we had 2 races before the thunderstorm arrived. It was a close series with only a few points between 1st and 2nd. |
The final results with 1 throw out were 1st, David Ryden, SSC, 2nd, Josh Rubin SSC and 3rd Mike Jones HYC. |
Summer camp is in full swing around the country! Augusta Sailing Club and Western Carolina Sailing Club in action! Send us your camp pictures at news@sunfishclass.org. |
Three-Generational "Dueling Sunfish®" Richard Staples (RI) picked up a few old boats on Facebook Marketplace and turned them into fun toys for the family! He thanks everyone for the wisdom shared on the Facebook page for "SUNFISH REPAIR" to help him get these boats back afloat Two boats is the key you always have a sailing buddy. Check out these inspirational photos - 3 generations in 2 boats going over 5 miles on the first sail! As Richard describes it MAGIC happened today! Three cheers to more inspirational stories like these - please share at news@sunfishclass.org. |
These smiles say it all! Great job Grandpa Staples! |
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