Tuson-Turner sailed against the best

Imagine 60 of the best women sailors in the country, ages 13 to 18, racing their small laser radials, wind billowing in the sails, across the choppy waters of Marina del Rey, Calif. Well, Orcas' Hannah Tuson-Turner doesn't have to imagine any of it, because she was there, right in the thick of it.

This talented, recently-turned 16 year-old spent July 30 to Aug. 5 in Marina del Rey, competing in the 2005 U.S. Junior Women's Sailing Championships.

Talented sailing enthusiast Tuson-Turner also took part in two intensive days of clinics run by US Youth World Team coach Mike Kalin. The clinics alone were instrumental for Tuson-Turner, who had the chance to sail in weather, waves and wind she isn't accustomed to. "I learned a lot about sailing in different conditions," she said. "On the island we don't get big waves or a lot of wind."

The water off of Marina del Rey offered some new and challenging conditions for Tuson-Turner. "There were huge rolling waves," she said of the surf, adding that the harbor was so big it took 45 minutes to sail into the ocean.

The last three days of her trip were dedicated to racing, with all 60 competitors vying for a place on the 2006 Youth World Team. "These were the best women under 18," Tuson-Turner said. "It was really good competition."

There were 10 races all together, with two of their lowest finishes dropped from the total score. In the end, Tuscon-Turner finished in 43rd place. "I think I could have done better than I did,' she said.

For the most part, however, Tuson-Turner was right in the thick of the competition, finishing many of her races in the mid-20s. "I got some pretty good finishes," she said.

But there were some things out of her control, like when, at the start of the 10th and final race, her mast snapped in two, ripping her sail and making it impossible for her to complete the race.

Despite the disappointing final race, Tuson-Turner hopes to compete in the same event next year, which will be held in Texas. She also believes more of her teammates from the Orcas Sailing Club will be there with her.

Tuson-Turner started sailing in fourth grade when she accompanied a friend to sailing lessons in Westsound. She's been hooked ever since, not to mention working hard to improve her skills.

Tuson-Turner has even given back to the sport she has learned to love, having spent three years giving sailing lessons to youngsters in Westsound. She wants others to find the joy she has found in a sport that will last a lifetime. "It's amazing to be out on the water with the wind," she said.

Not only that, but through the sailing regattas in which she has participated, she Tuson-Turner has made numerous friends. "It's such a great community," she said of her fellow sailors, "You run into people from all over."

The Orcas Sailing Club's next stop will be the Junior Olympics, which will be held in Seattle later this month.

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