A warm and sunny weekend greeted the racers for the Oktoberfest sailing regatta in Seattle on Sept. 29 and 30. More than 150 youths from Washington, Oregon and British Columbia competed in several boats and classes.

The lone representative from Orcas Island raced for both a victory at the regatta and the title of Northwest Youth Racing Circuit.

Maggie Toombs and her O’pen Bic had placed second and first in two previous regattas, which put her in prime position to win the circuit. However, the other more improved racers combined with the weather gave her a run for her money. Yet in the end, hard work, combined with months of intense training and a little luck paid off. And for the second year in a row, Toombs took the regatta and the circuit.

Only one event remains and that’s the World Open cup in Miami, Fla. Toombs will compete with Bic racers from more than 20 countries. The Toombs family says they are “humbled” by the community support in helping Maggie get to Florida. Donations for the “Maggie in Miami” fund are being accepted at Washington Federal or mailed to P.O. Box 803, Eastsound, 98245.