BAINBRIDGE – Ferry riders to Bainbridge Island were treated recently to the sight of 32 small sailboats racing in the outer part of Eagle Harbor as the Bainbridge High School sailing team hosted the two-day Northwest District Interscholastic Sailing Association Kitsap Regatta.

The varsity team scores will count for up to 10 percent of each team’s district championship, explained BHS Head Coach Susan Kaseler, which will be completed toward the end of the season.

“This is the second competition of our spring season and a qualifier for participation in the district championship regatta later this season,” she said.

Weather conditions during the racing varied greatly, from rain and moderate to heavy winds on Saturday to more moderate winds and sunshine on Sunday, giving the well-rounded competitors the edge.

During the peak of the high winds, many boats in both fleets capsized, and a couple washed toward the Pritchard Park beach, making interesting work for the safety boat crew. The JV sailors were eventually sent to shore, while varsity sailors representing 18 schools continued to race.

Orcas High dominated the racing, finishing with 68 points to second place Bainbridge’s 101. Charles Wright School was third, with 103.

JV racing continued on Day Two, and Orcas won in that division, as well, with 27 points, but the Bainbridge sailors were second with only one point difference in their scores, at 28 points. Third place was earned by Nathan Hale with 61 points.

A second Bainbridge team competing in the 15-team JV fleet placed ninth.

Kaseler said she’s excited by the teamwork and the “team-first attitude” among the sailors, as it fosters the development of all at an accelerated rate and is more fun for everyone.