O'pen Skiff North American Championship sets sail on Clarks Hill Lake

Clarks Hill, S.C. (WFXG) - The annual O'pen Skiff North American Championship is taking place on Clarks Hill Lake Friday through Sunday.

This is the first time it's happening in the CSRA. Currently, over 80 young sailors are competing, 15 of them local and all ages 8 to 18.

Many of the kids come from different areas around the world, from different states in the U.S. to countries as far as Thailand, Europe, and the Caribbean.

"The perfect wind for these guys is between 5mph and 15mph. They can sail with lighter wind or heavier wind, it doesn't matter. The only thing that pulls us off the water is lightning", explained Jeff Annis, Principal Race Officer. 

That was the case Friday morning—which led to a slight delay at the event.

"The storms impact, We will be on the water sailing if it is raining, but with kids, not if there is lightning. So if there is lightning on the water, we will pull the kids off the water until the storm passes" affirmed  Daniel Fodea of the Augusta Sailing Club 

As for how the kids adjust to changing wind direction and speed,

"They are really good at it; they always try to sail to get to point faster than their friends. So they learn over time how to adjust their sails and aim their boat to go faster than their best friend next to them."

And one competitor is taking the wind into her calculations.

"I've been preparing for high winds and calm winds, too, because right now there is not a lot of wind. And I've also been preparing to do my best," stated Lainey Putnam, Contestant.

The competition brings youth from all over—and various climates—like the Caribbean.
Meaning there's an adjustment to the weather and temperatures here in the CSRA.