Local sailor completes fall campaign

Local junior sailor Alden Durrell of Rehoboth Beach wrapped up his 2022 fall sailing campaign with Annapolis Yacht Club’s Optimist Racing Team and Proteus Yatcht Club of Lewes. 

AYC recently recruited Arthur Blodgett, formerly of the Lauderdale Yatcht Club, to coach the AYC Optimist Racing Team. Blodgett is one of the top Optimist racing coaches in the world, having coached Optimist sailors to five consecutive U.S. Optimist Team Race national victories. In addition to Blodgett, PYC coach Bradley Adam continues to coach Proteus Opti Sailors and assists with coaching the AYC team. 

Durrell was invited to sail with the AYC Optimist Racing Team after a successful summer season. He competed in several fall regattas, including the USODA Atlantic Coast Championships hosted by the Toms River Yacht Club in New Jersey and the USODA Southeastern Championships hosted by the Norfolk Yacht and County Club in Virginia. Conditions for both everts yielded typical fall weather, including temperatures ranging from 37 degrees to the mid-50s, as well as both sunshine and cold, driving rain.

Durrell is now looking forward to transitioning to his winter campaign in southern Florida, including events in Miami, Key Largo, St. Petersburg, Fort Lauderdale and Jensen Beach. Durrell’s coaches encourage him to participate in multi-sport disciplines, and in addition to sailing, Durrell is an active skier and lacrosse player, playing for Atlantic Lacrosse.