SAILING : Twist Beats the Field and a Protest

Jory Twist of Newport Harbor Yacht Club survived a protest hearing Tuesday night, finished seventh in the first of two races Wednesday, then won the second one to retain his lead in the Sears division of the USYRU/Rolex National Junior Sailing Championships off Newport Beach.

Twist, 17, sailing an Etchells 22 with crew Ben Benjamin, Rush Hambleton and Ryan Hamilton, leads Scott Elting of Houston, 16 1/4 points to 18 1/2, after six of 10 races scheduled through Friday.

Meg Gaillard of the American Yacht Club in Rye, N.Y., is also within reach of the lead with 19 3/4.

All of the sailors are ages 13-17.

Bill Hardesty, 15, and crew Paul Ware from the Mission Bay YC tightened their grip on first place in the Flying Junior fleet for the Bemis Trophy with a first and a second Wednesday.