UCI sailing regatta begins today Forty-five...

UCI sailing regatta begins today

Forty-five high school sailing teams from around the state will

converge on Newport Harbor today for the annual Anteater Regatta.

The race, hosted by UC Irvine, consists of 16 races over Saturday

and Sunday -- weather permitting. It is one of the five qualifying

events for the Pacific Coast Interscholastic Sailing Championship

held each May.

Two Newport-Mesa schools -- Corona del Mar and Newport Harbor high

schools -- will participate.

Corona del Mar will field a varsity team and two junior varsity

teams. The teams practice twice a week out of the Balboa Yacht Club.

Some of the students on the teams have competed in national

competitions, said parent Paul Stemler, whose son Phil is on the

varsity team.

Because the regatta features a lot of short courses, tactical

ability and experience in large fleets with lots of traffic will come

in handy, Stemler said.

-- Deirdre Newman