PARK CITY, UTAH – Two young sailors from Pinedale – Sam Robbins and Landee Biffle – represented the Wind River Sailing School at the Fall Regatta hosted by the Park City Sailing Association on Sept. 23-24.

Robbins captured gold in the Pram division following two days of competition at scenic Jordanelle State Park. Biffle snagged fourth place in the Pram division.

Robbins and Biffle were the only participants from Wyoming and went head to head with sailers from Utah, Nevada, Idaho and Colorado.

“This was a big coup,” said Ev Diehl, lead instructor at Wind River Sailing School. “Sam and Landee proved that Pinedale can compete down in Utah with the big boys.”

Sailers competed in a total of six races over the course of the regatta and were scored for each race, with the lowest-scored athlete winning their division. At any given time during the event, Jordenelle Reservoir filled with between 60 and 80 sailboats, said Diehl.

“It was fun to watch the different races going on at the same time and the boats converging,” Diehl added. “There were lots of kids down there, and we are proud of Landee and Sam for competing.”

Diehl is a USA Sailing-certified instructor who has logged thousands of miles sailing around the globe, from the South Pacific to Port Townsend, Washington. He began offering weekly sailing classes in June, July and August to young people ages 8-12 in 2020. Diehl is assisted by instructors Arnie Brokling and Tiffany Biffle.

Diehl thanked Lakeside Lodge for donating space for the Wind River Sailing School to conduct classes and for the lodge’s support of the program.

The Wind River Sailing School is a nonprofit organization with volunteer instructors. Students participate at no charge. The school is looking to expand the program and upgrade to larger, Laser-class sailing craft. Folks interested in the program can contact Diehl at 307-250-3487.