St. Patrick plans to continue dominance at State Sailing Championships

St. Patrick has won the Mississippi High School Sailing Championship every year since the event began five years ago.

The Fighting Irish go for their sixth straight crown on Nov. 14-15 at the Bay-Waveland Yacht Club. The event starts at 11 a.m. each day. Gulfport, St. Stanislaus, Long Beach, Pass Christian and Ocean Springs are the only other teams that have sailing teams.

Samson Vasquez, who coaches both St. Patrick and Gulfport teams, thinks the streak could end this year.

"There's the possibility we won't win it because we had to rebuild the team," Vasquez said.

But the Gulfport Yacht Club sailing Director has enjoyed St. Patrick's championship reign.

"It's been a nice run," Vasquez said. "It's nice to see the smaller teams come up and build quality sailing teams."

Vasquez, a lifelong sailor, appreciates the opportunity a sailing team provides.

"Sailing gives kids a chance to compete in an athletic event," Vasquez said. "I wish I had the opportunity to be part of a sailing team when I was in high school."

Vasquez hopes to see sailing grow statewide.

"We've trying to push Sailing in Jackson," Vasquez said. "We'd like to see sailing stretch across the state of Mississippi."

The Fall prep Sailing season opened Sept. 9 and concludes on Dec. 9. Southern Yacht Club in New Orleans is hosting a Great Oaks Event (Nov. 21-22) and the Sugar Bowl Regatta (Dec. 5-6).

This story was originally published November 12, 2015 at 1:06 PM with the headline "St. Patrick plans to continue dominance at State Sailing Championships ."