The third and final ranking regatta, the qualifier for the upcoming Northwest District Interscholastic Sailing Association’s District Championship, was held at Orcas Island Saturday, April 13 and Sunday, April 14, and saw varsity-caliber sailors from Bainbridge High School compete in collegiate-style fleet racing for a berth.

The championship event will be held on May 4 and 5 in Anacortes.

An approaching weather system caused squally winds on Saturday, officials said, challenging all the competitors to stay alert to shifts and sudden puffs.

There were several capsizes during the racing and rain showers added to the general wetness of the day. One last big shift that would have required a complete reset of the course caused the race committee to stop Saturday’s racing earlier than customary.

At that point, Bainbridge held third place.

Sunday was reportedly pleasantly sunny — but cold. The winds remained shifty, but were moderate in velocity. Racing continued until deadline was reached, and in all, 12 races were completed.

In the end, a protest ousted Gig Harbor from first place to second, Orcas won by two points, and Olympia and Bainbridge were third and fourth respectively.

Good sailing in this ranking regatta has moved Bainbridge up into the top three schools in NWISA, officials said, ranked under only Gig Harbor and Olympia.

The sailing squad is excited to see that their efforts in practice have made them a team improving in skills and maturity and making them a team to beat at the upcoming fleet and team racing NWISA championships and invite all to come check out the team racing championship at Eagle Harbor on Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28.

A good viewing spot is Pritchard Park, on the south side of Eagle Harbor.