Ledbetter Wins at Sailing Trials

San Diego’s Brian Ledbetter, the 1988 U.S. Olympic Finn class representative, scored his first victory on the fourth day of the U.S. sailing trials at Newport Beach Tuesday.

The result left Ledbetter only three-tenths of a point behind leader David Himmel of Miami.

In the 470 classes, Morgan Reeser of Miami, with crew Kevin Burnham, and J.J. Isler of San Diego, with crew Pam Healy, moved into strong positions. Reeser and Burnham have two firsts and two seconds to lead the next boat, 6 points to 35. World champions Isler and Healy won for the third time to lead Jackie Golison of Long Beach, with crew Jennifer Fisher, 5.7 to 21.7.

“We sail pretty fast in the windy conditions (up to 18 knots),” Isler said.