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Sightsailing of Newport, RI is Hiring!!

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Sightsailing of Newport is the oldest, locally-owned company offering sailing cruises in Newport. We strive to give you a fun sailing experience and show you the best of Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay! For more information and to apply for Licensed Captain and Unlicensed Day Crew positions, click HERE.

Sightsailing of Newport is a 30 year old company located on Bowen’s Wharf in Newport, Rhode Island. We offer public sails and private charters aboard three boats ranging from Starlight, an O’Day 34 which sails with 2-6 guests, Sightsailer, a custom one off which sails with up to 13 guests and Aquidneck, an 80′ schooner which can sail with a whopping total of 49. All boats offer sails ranging from 1 1/2 hour to 2 hours 4-5 times a day. 
Come sail Newport, Rhode Island and Narragansett Bay, where you’ll find some of the finest sailing in the world. We offer daily scheduled public sailing cruises, sunset sails and private sailing charters aboard three beautiful vessels. You’ll see stately seaside estates, world famous yachts and America’s Cup racers all against the stunning backdrop of a historic colonial town and picturesque, rocky shoreline.  Sailing in Newport is fantastic.

2018 Trofeo Ciutat de Palma Optimist Regatta Report & Results

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With only one American registered out of over 400 entries in the Optimist, Europe Dinghy, 420, and Laser 4.7 classes, the 68th Trofeo Palma was most decidedly a European event. The list of competitors was nonetheless very impressive; our countries lone entry was 2018 Optimist World Team member Tommy Sitzmann, who made the trek to this beautiful Mediterranean island to compete and meet up again with some friends he’s made in the Optimist class. Initial reports coming in from Mallorca are very positive; this was a very competitive event run by a great race committee, with an incredibly friendly and gracious host club. Best of all the host club was wonderfully accommodating, the kids also very friendly, and the venue, well, beautiful. If you ever get a chance, put this one on your calendar! Regatta report below courtesy of the Royal Nautical Club of Palma:

The Majorcan regatta sailor María Perelló (Club Nàutic S’Arenal) added a new title to her list by winning the 68th Ciutat de Palma Bufete Frau Trophy, the “mundialito” held these days under the organization of the Royal Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP) with the presence of several of the best international sailors of the Optimist class. The women’s Top Girl in 2017 and 2018 remained on the lookout for the lead in the first two days and finally assaulted it today, in the third, with strong west wind and strong waves.With almost 280 Optimists, the fleet was divided into three groups. After 2 days of qualifying racing (4 races per fleet), the wind blew generously from the west in the Balearic capital from early in the morning on the final day, which began to record gusts of more than 20 knots. All classes were able to finish three races and return to port before 3:00 p.m. Manu Fraga, sports director of RCNP, said he was very satisfied with the development of the competition, especially on the last day. “The dates of the Ciutat de Palma,” he said, “are very good because they coincide with a bridge, but the weather in December is always an unknown. This year we have been lucky: we had a day with a moderate wind, another weak day and today strong, so no one can say that he has not found the conditions that are better. “
Favorites of the Optimist fleet did not fail in almost any condition. They are the best in the world for good reason. Maria Perelló, the winner, chained partial results (2+ [6] + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2) and ended up taking an advantage of  eight points to second place, the American Thomas Sitzmann (1 + 5 + 1 + 1 + [9] + 4 + 5), fifth in the world and leader on the penultimate day, and third, the Maltese Richard Schultheis, fourth in the last World Cup and seeded of the trophy, which ended up earning the bronze, or third place overall. For complete results, visit the RESULTS SHEET.

In Laser 4.7 there were no surprises and Isidro Codoñer (RCN Valencia) was comfortable with the victory (2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + [59] +1) to be able to discard a black flag in the penultimate race. The silver went to Justo Martinez (CN Arenal), who was five points behind the champion. Robert Keal (CN El Balis), with a disadvantage of 34 points with respect to the head, was awarded the bronze medal. The winner in the female category was Gemma Llamas (RCNP), seventh in the overall general classification.

The Europa class, which was returning to the Ciutat de Palma Trophy after several years of absence as a scoring event of its national ranking, offered a great show and proved its validity as a single vessel. Marc Tello Pons (CN El Balis) was the absolute winner with a counter of 1 + 3 + 4 + [11] + 2 + 3 + 5 and an advantage of only two points over the runner-up, Alejandro Pareja (RCN Torrevieja), and six with respect to the third classified, Oriol Piña (CN Estartit).
Laura Homar and Mar Fuster (CNA – RCNP) met the predictions and remained at the forefront of class 420. The Mallorquins, in three days of competition, and with eight contested events, totaled 12 net points with a partial of 2 + 2 + 1 + 3 + 13 [UFD] + 1 + 1 + 2. The second position went to Marina Lladó and Ángela Serra (CN Sa Ràpita – CNA), with 17 points, while the third place went to Lucía Ruiz and María Munar (RCNP), with 24 points.

The Ciutat de Palma Trophy concluded with the awards ceremony held in the regatta village with the presence of the Deputy Mayor for Sports, Susanna Moll; the president of RCNP, Javier Sanz; its commodore, Juan Besalduch, and José Carlos Frau, CEO of Bufete Frau, sponsor of the event. María Perelló raised the silver caravel on whose base her name will be inscribed and which she credits as the absolute winner of the Ciutat de Palma Trophy Bufete Frau, one of the few Optimist regattas that she had left to win.

Palm Beach Sailing Club is Hiring!!

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Palm Beach Sailing Club is a not-for-profit private club in West Palm Beach, FL. The club is located on the Intracoastal Waterway with a short sail to ocean access. PBSC teaches sailing to youth ages 7-17 through a variety of programs including a year-round recreational program, Opti and 420 race teams as well as weekly summer camps from June to August. Exciting news: he Club is searching for a full-time Youth Sailing Director! For more information on this position and to apply, please visit the job ad HERE.

Here at Palm Beach Sailing Club, we feel that sailing has many benefits. Not only does sailing keep you physically active, it builds character and teaches independence, self-confidence, honesty, self-reliance, discipline, perseverance and respect for yourself, others, and your environment. Sailing is unique as it is a sport that you can continue at any age.

Mission
The objective of the club shall be to develop, encourage and stimulate interest in sailing in the Palm Beach County area, to promote fellowship and camaraderie among local and visiting sailors, and to offer sailing education and training to members and others.

Our History
The Palm Beach Sailing Club was founded in 1966 by sailors who wished to promote the sport in West Palm Beach. As the oldest club in the area, the PBSC offers its members many sailing related services and an active social calendar. The clubhouse is a waterfront residence built in the 1920s and offers a panoramic view of the Intracoastal Waterway and neighboring Palm Beach.

International Regattas: Experience, Friendships and Team Work

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By Airwaves writer Bernat Gali
I’ve recently come back from Pwllheli, Wales, after coaching one of the USA Summer International Teams which participated at the Volvo Gill Open Optimist British Nationals. This is so far my 4th International Regatta with Team USA, and considering I’ve barely been 3 years coaching in the US and just a year and a half leading an Opti Program, I’m quite happy with the amount of the Regattas coached and the coaches I’ve had the pleasure to work with during each of them.

But I’m not here to talk about me (just giving some background before I throw out my opinion about something), this time I’d like to give my two cents about the USODA International Teams and in my humble and personal opinion, what it takes to smoothly run one of these Teams and have a successful event (at all levels, from results to logistics).

The particular way USODA runs these Teams (the Selection Process is fantastic and pretty fair) requires parents to confirm and pay in advance any coaching fees, boat charters, entry fees…basically anything which could become an expense it’s covered by a Team Budget, so, since the beginning, it’s easy to have everything pre-booked and confirm it right away after the Team is complete.

Why do I mention this? Simple, by booking straight away parents only have to book their own personal logistics (flights, hotels, car rental) and the hustle is way less. Then Coaches step up and start organizing everything sailing related. Here’s where I find communication is key and specially if it’s a large Team (3 Coaches needed) it is essential selected Coaches get together before anything goes out. Each Coach is different and it’s important to set up guidelines in between the Coaching Team before we communicate with our customers at the start, parents.

I’ve noticed how important it is set up expectations and to inform everyone about everything they might be questioning themselves: venue, food, transport, equipment, gear…not only to the Team Leader but anyone who asks. Any question is important as a confident and well informed parent is a better prepared and trustful sailor at the event. The more Coaches spend preparing the Team the easier it is to lead all sailors and parents at the venue.

Two of the most difficult aspects of managing 15 to 20 sailors, in my opinion, are the following:

  1. Sailors and sailing experience
  2. Parents, personalities and expectations
  3. Coaches style

Starting with sailors, usually you don’t know more than a half of the sailors, maybe more, as you’ve never coached them before or never really noticed them sailing. Traveling a few days earlier to the venue provides Coaches with a great chance to get to know each of the sailors and start figuring out what kind of approach will better help them achieve their goals at the event. Every sailor’s got a different, personality, style, experience and goals, and Coaches need to speed up the process so the first day we are ready to help them 100%. We talk, we study, we take notes, but the expedited process means a higher chance of mistakes. We live with it and do our best.

About parents, well what can I say that I haven’t said before? They are our first costumers as they are the main and only sponsors for sailors and Coaches to attend this kind of events, and I’d like to think each family needs time with the Coach alone at least once, as many things they want to share or talk about are to be kept between Coach/sailor/parent. Something I find particularly hard to deny is the fact that Coaches bond better with other Parents, and honestly it doesn’t mean we only like John or Mike, but we have a similar personality and we try to have fun as well. I personally try hard in splitting my coaching time even between all sailors, as they all deserve my attention no matter what.

Finally, same way a Coach bonds better with a particular parent, Coaches find it easier to work with some sailors. Please do not misunderstand me, I’m not saying this particular Coach only likes to coach Sarah or Phil…but again, I believe the sailor is more used to an approach that only one of the 3 Coaches at the event brings, and he feels more comfortable with him/her.

To bring an end to this opinion, I believe it is all about perception and communication. The exchange of information keeps everyone in the loop (with the Team Leader, with parents onshore, with sailors offshore) and prevents steps back that might affect the sailors performance at the venue, really what matters and the reason parents sign up sailors for the Teams and Coaches are selected: to place the best they can, to gain experience internationally and to really create memories everyone will carry forever.

Bernat Gali Bou
Lakewood Yacht Club Head Opti Coach
USNT Opti Coach
S1D Airwaves Writer

Sachem’s Head Yacht Club is Hiring!

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Sachem’s Head Yacht Club is located on the Connecticut shore of Long Island Sound, in Guilford, Connecticut. Sachem’s Head’s Junior Sailing Program is a successful sailing program with 75 sailors from ages 6 to 16. The program’s strengths are in fostering a love of sailing and respect for the water; teaching sailing, seamanship, and basic racing; and inspiring kids through fun, learning, confidence, and growth. We offer racing options and recreational sailing options for all sages. SHYC is hiring! SHYC is also offering on-site housing in the club house for sailing coaches!! For more information and application directions CLICK HERE!

Our classes include sea-squirts, beginner sailing, adventure sailing, intermediate sailing, and Opti and 420 racing. Our fleets include 30 Optis (privately owned), 6 Club-420s (plus additional privately owned 420s), 4 RS FEVAS, 6 OpenBICs, paddleboards, and a strong adult racing fleet of Lasers and Sonars. Our Junior Sailing team is comprised of six paid instructors/coaches and five club-member, volunteer “junior instructors”. STEM/REACH modules are integrated into all of our classes. Our safety coaching motorboat fleet includes two new RIBs, 13’ Whalers, and more.

Our program runs for 8 weeks, from late-June to mid-August. We offer housing on site in our club house for up to 4 instructors each summer. Pay is competitive and based on experience and years of instruction.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SACHEMS HEAD YACHT CLUB

Whenever two sailboats meet , there is always a race , even if it is only in one of the cockpits. Such was the case in those formative years in the late 1800’s. The Club was founded in 1896, and the flag was designed in1897. The SHYC Corporation was founded in 1898 in order to fund and build the Clubhouse. Building activity went on with additions till 1901. In 1902 a windmill and ‘water tower’ were added. Various races ,regattas, and cruises were held from Rhode Island to New York. The breakwater was started in 1908 , “and the rock sunk into the mud as fast as it was dropped overboard”. The Hurricane of 1938 took off the top floor of the Clubhouse , and gave us the structure we basically have today. There have been any number of classes raced at the SHYC. There were the ‘Sachem Headers’ , a gaff rigged boat. There have been Zips , Stars , Eastern Interclubs , Lightnings , and the many classes racing today. The Sachems Head Yacht club prides itself on being a sailing club with a great ‘junior program’ to continue this tradition.

2018 Optimist Midwinter Championship Report & Results

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24 November 2018, New Orleans, LA – They say that back in the early 70’s,  Times-Picayune columnist Betty Guillard coined the term “Big Easy” to contrast life in New Orleans to life in the “Big Apple”, New York City. What a fitting term for this great city, and also one for the 2018 USODA Optimist Midwinter Championship.
With Event Chair Duff Friend’s steady and experienced hand at the wheel, the regatta went off without a hitch, despite some light & fickle wind and a massive dock/bulkhead construction project underway at Southern Yacht Club. Club members and race administrators were cool, organized, friendly, accommodating,  and, well, just plain nice. Hospitality? Heck yes! Competitors arrived on Friday morning to find the Cafe du Monde Beignet Bus on station to deliver their hot coffee and world-famous Beignets to an adoring crowd…. gratis! We also had a marvelous Thanksgiving dinner in the palatial club dining room on the third floor Thursday evening, the Saints won (I believe our third place overall finisher, and Saints fan, was at the game..?), and Sail1Design is here to report that all is well in New Orleans at the Southern Yacht Club. They made a very Big regatta… look very Easy. Pass a good time!
The RC PRO Todd Fedyszyn was able to eek out five races in the first two days of sailing to complete a qualifying round, not an easy task when one considers one race actually means three races.* Conditions on both days found a wavering easterly shifting a bunch, with normal Lake Ponchartrain chop. The 2018 Opti Midwinters also served as the USODA Spring Team Qualifier, which added interest, competition, and nervousness, so the racing was very competitive and tight.
After the preliminary results were in, complete with a drop, the fleet headed into the final day hoping to hold on, or move up in the standings. As it is in sailing, and life, sometimes you have great wind and luck, sometimes not. A NW wind brought in some moist air on Saturday morning, and also heavy fog that was so thick at times, it would have made Jean Lafitte smile. While this former Maine resident felt right at home, it was not a great forum for Optimist

There are 234 Optimists in this photo!

Sailing. Eventually the skies cleared and the wind stayed…. long enough for one Gold race. The other fleets were not so lucky. They started, but never completed their race, and the RC wisely abandoned racing for the day and allowed all to head in. That last Gold race provided lots of nervous excitement, and shuffled the Gold fleet a bit. When the results were finalized, Tommy Sitzmann emerged at the finish with a 6th, good enough to claim the title of 2018 Midwinter Champion. He was followed by Lauderdale Yacht Club teammates Jack Redmond in second, and Saints fan Gil Hackel in third.
Southern Yacht Club and USODA, thank you! Go Saints!

*USODA normally splits large fleets (in this case 234 competitors) into divisions. Division splits change from day 1 to 2 to allow different sailor combinations in the fleets. Each division (in this case 3 divisions of 78 boats) then must have 5 races each to allow for a discard, and then a final fleet division into Gold (championship), Silver, and Bronze fleets. So, 5 races in the qualifying round actually means 15 races total.

TOP 10 OVERALL:
1. Tommy Sitzmann, Lauderdale YC

Regatta winner Tommy Sitzmann

2. Jack Redmond, Lauderdale YC
3. Gil Hackel, Lauderdale YC
4. Griggs Diemar, Coral Reef YC
5. Jonathan Siegel, Coral Reef YC
6. Sebastian Spinelli-Sax, CERT
7. Katharine Doble, California YC
8. Samara Walshe, Edgartown  YC, LISOT
9. Freddie Parkin, Coral Reef YC
10. Johnny Ciffolillo, Key Biscayne YC, RIOT
Final Gold Results

Final Silver/Bronze Results

TOP GIRL
– Katharine Doble, California YC

Katharine Doble

BLUE FLEET WINNER
-Gil Hackel

WHITE FLEET WINNER
-James Pine, Lakewood YC

Norfolk Yacht & Country Club is Hiring!

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Exciting news!!  Norfolk Yacht and Country Club is looking to hire a Head Coach starting in 2019. This position is a year-round, full-time, salaried position reporting to the Waterfront Director. To learn more and apply please visit our job ad HERE.
NYCC is in a major growth phase and is looking for the right applicant with a proven record of strong coaching and communication skills to enhance all adult waterfront programs and propel our Jr Sailing Program to the next level with Opti sailors ranging from Green Fleet beginners to those competing regularly in national USODA regattas.
The Head Coach will provide high-quality year round coaching to junior sailors, Opti racers and club members, maintain sail and powerboats and work with the Waterfront Director on day-to-day operations.

We are very proud of our history and our rich traditions here at the Club. We have a diverse membership with a variety of family, social and recreational activities, dining, tennis, fitness, and fun aquatic and youth programs. We pride ourselves on the camaraderie amongst one another and our strong ties for our Club.
Our Club is uniquely located on the Lafayette River on Hampton Boulevard between Old Dominion University and the Norfolk Naval Station.
The NYCC’s Junior Sailing Program is the oldest running summer program at the club; with a rich history, spanning over 65 years, the junior program boasts an array of alumni and coaches that range from CBYRA champions, to College All-Americans and even an Olympic Gold Medalist!
NYCC sailing programs offer a variety of classes to meet the needs of different skilled sailors. We are now running year-around sailing! The main focus of our instruction is summer; however we are now offering an avenue for Opti racers and Laser racers to keep continuing to sail and race during the non-summer months. Give your child the unique opportunity to make new friends, learn to sail and gain confidence and independence on the water. Each year we have over 100 young sailors participate in our summer programs. Sailing is a sport for life!

Sailing Club Profile: Columbia Sailing Club (& they’re hiring!!)

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The Columbia Sailing Club, located on Lake Murray, is organized as a nonprofit corporation under the laws of the State of South Carolina, and is committed to providing educational and training programs to the community on all aspects of sail boating. The Club is also hiring a Head Instructor, Summer Instructors, and an Optimist/Open Bic Coach! To learn more CLICK HERE

Club activities include sailboat races, regattas, race management training, youth sail camps, boating safety, first aid and a host of other activities that promote the sport of sail boating.

Lake Murray is a man-made lake of 78 square miles with 520 miles of shoreline, a length of 41 miles and an advertised width of 14 miles The lake is contained by a large earthen dam which was the largest in North America at the time it was built in the1920s.

The Club’s facilities include a well-protected marina, 4 launching ramps, a gin pole, and other sailing-related amenities. The marina, shown below, has 100 berths for sailboats from 22 to 33 feet in length. Land parking slips accommodate an additional 100 boats.
People have great things to say about this program, and there are wonderful instructors returning for 2019!!!

Parents Testimonial:
Finding fun, safe, outdoor activities for our child has been one of the top priorities for us as a family and sailing is a sport you and your family can easily participate in 365 days a year.   When she is on the water, our child is out of the house, off all electronic devices and can now move a sailboat across the lake with her friends with confidence.  We can’t wait to see what this summer brings!!
Thank you Columbia Sailing Club for giving our child the opportunity to try a new sport and make new friends on the way!

Returning Instructor Bio: Brooke Hagler 
I grew up on the ocean and upon coming to college, I realized just how far inland University of South Carolina was located. I came across Gamecock Sailing Club during a student organization fair and joined even though I had never been on a sail boat. Through teammates and coaching at Columbia Sailing Club I learned the ropes of sailing and then racing. During my third year of school I became certified as a Level 1 US Sailing Instructor. Over the past two years I have used this to further my knowledge and love of the sport, while also instilling the passion of sailing in other people. I love getting to teach kids because they absorb the information. The smiles that come across their faces while being able to sail by themselves or with their friends pushes me to be the best instructor I can be. It’s never to late to learn something new and discover a new passion.

Club History:  The first sailing club on Lake Murray was established in the 1930’s, but dissolved when the winds of war blew across the world; however, two of its commodores would later become founding members of the Columbia Sailing Club, George Sumner and Jim Haltiwanger. Sumner also led a Sea Scout troop and among his students was Crawford Clarkson, father of 2016 commodore Andrew Clarkson. Jim Haltiwanger, father of 2011 commodore Will Haltiwanger, wooed his bride Sallie with moonlight sails on his B Scow “Spray”.

Sumner’s lake home was aptly named “Hickory Dock” and two doors away lived another sailing enthusiast, Robert H. “Bob” Webster. Other sailors, including Ben Knowlton, moored their sailboats in the Sumner/Webster cove, which became a focal point for Lake Murray sailing activities.

The founding of the Columbia Sailing Club on July 17, 1957, occurred on the back porch of Martin Jones’ home at 630 Pickens Street and Bob Webster was elected chairman. Charlie Craig offered his lake home as headquarters for the club’s first major regatta on Labor Day weekend and twenty-five boats participated in what became a laborious drifter. For that reason, CSC’s annual regatta was shifted to May in hopes of more favorable breezes. Some 19 members paid dues of $5 per quarter and there were no initiation fees. Zan Heyward, Jr., chairman of the 1958 regatta, arranged with Alex Crosswell to use his cottage and ramp for the event. While only four out of town sailors participated in the 1957 races, word of CSC’s hospitality began to spread.

The Crosswell home, two points up the lake from the present CSC site, stood duty again as regatta headquarters in May 1959; however, the single ramp proved insufficient to meet the demands of the crowd, as skippers showed up from Savannah, Charleston and Augusta. One day of rainy weather, with red clay mud tracked on the Crosswell carpet, somewhat marred the weekend, but media coverage was superb and the Columbia Record printed a two-page spread. Sailboat racing had arrived at Lake Murray.

Meanwhile, Bob Webster and his daughter, Sally, happened one day to sail by a piece of land near the dam that appeared to be an island. Bob inquired into the property at SCE&G and found it did not exist on their maps. It had been intended as fill for the construction of the dam, but was left when workers ran into hefty boulders. Webster paid the power company one dollar for a lease to CSC for the “erection of a temporary judging shelter for sailboat races.” It was on this tenuous lease that the club functioned until the spring of 1977.

With great optimism—especially since the lease contained a provision through which SCE&G could call for its land back, in original condition, upon 30 day notice—CSC put in a crude road, cleared land and built a small clubhouse, designed by Reid Hearn, fabricated by a Savannah firm and arriving on a flatbed truck. A construction loan was personally secured by the flag officers because the bank was uncertain about lending money to an entity called a “sailing club.” It was generally understood that the lease would one day have to be replaced with a more business-like arrangement and, in April 1977, each member was assessed $100, 20 life memberships were sold for $1,200 each and CSC purchased the “non-existent” land from SCE&G.

The Columbia Sailing Club Ladies Auxiliary was organized in October 1967 and raised money for the construction of the covered patio and grill on the west end of the building and for construction of the bathhouse. The Auxiliary was organized to “aid Columbia Sailing Club in their projects,” and has proven to be an invaluable partner in the growth of CSC. Other gifts have included VHF communications; an ice maker, refrigerator; chairs and other furniture; the CSC burgee which flies from the yardarm; and other equipment. The Auxiliary also plays a major role in the social activities of the club and is regularly responsible for planning parties, regatta registrations and lunches and a Co-Ed Sailing Clinic. In 2001, the Auxiliary established its own Outstanding Service Award, named after Jessie Helms in honor of her years of service and Rebecca Dotterer was its first recipient. In November 2007, in an effort to be more inclusive of current and potential membership, the Auxiliary officially changed its name to the Columbia Sailing Club Auxiliary.

CSC has always been recognized as a club capable of hosting top-flight competition and has displayed outstanding teamwork in hosting some of yachting’s most distinguished events. The first Midlands Regatta was held in May 1960 and has occurred every year since. We were the hosts of the South Atlantic Yacht Racing Association (SAYRA) Championships in 1962 and 1972. For many years E-Scows from all over the country were hauled to Lake Murray for the Easter Regatta. In 1987 this event officially became the J-24 Easter Regatta, with more than 30 boats participating from as far away as Canada. In addition, we regularly host regattas for Lasers, Y-Flyers, Lightnings and provide equipment and facilities to support LMYRA events and regattas. Modern day sailing at CSC is a far cry from the first regatta with its handful of Sailfish, Lightnings, Y-Flyers, Hamptons and many other boats of forgotten classification.

Webster struck the deal in the autumn of ’58, if I recall correctly.   These photos were probably taken in December ’58 or January of ’59.”

~ John Wrisley 11 Feb. 2009

CSC race committee work is legendary among sailors, as acknowledged by the World Jollyboat Association which asked Jack Helms to run its world championships at Nag’s Head, NC. Jack and his CSC committee of John Wrisley, Bob Armstrong and Martin Jones ran a perfect five-race series without a protest. SAYRA named its Outstanding Service Award after Willard Davis. Staton Peele served on the USYRU Championship Committee—the pinnacle of men’s sailing in the U.S. Yacht Racing Union — and, in his honor and memory, the USYRU Sportsmanship Award (USYRU is now USSA) has been established for the Mallory Cup Finals.

When the back cove mooring facilities were developed they were expected to be sufficient for many years, but by 1983 it was time to expand. Members approved a plan to increase capacity to 94 slips and the construction took place in 1984/85. Although they were forced to moor elsewhere, boat owners continued to pay their slip rentals to help finance construction. In 1985, members approved spending $35,800 for the acquisition of 3.58 acres of adjacent land to provide additional land parking and in 1988, the entire dock system was replaced at a cost of $107,000—a sum of money that would have staggered the imaginations of the Lake Murray sailors of more than 30 years ago.

Although he was not a sailor, Fred Fetner’s devotion to the club far exceeded his job as caretaker and a huge void was left when Fred and Ruth retired in 1988. In October 1991, our need for a Resident Manager was filled and our CSC family grew with the addition of James and Betty Dedmon. James (more affectionately know as “Judge”), a retired magistrate judge, came to us from Allendale. That same year, our facilities continued to grow with construction of the Resident Manager’s 1050 square-foot home with the “million dollar view”.

With the 1996 Summer Olympics just down the road in Atlanta (and the sailing venue located in Savannah), Columbia was targeted as a prime training site by several countries in many sports. During 1993, 1994, and 1995, Columbia Sailing Club played host to the Russian Olympic Sailing Team with Joe Waters serving as one of the coaches for the Russian team and John and Rebecca Dotterer and Bill Freeman serving on the Olympics Race Committee.

In 1996 and 1997, extensive research was conducted regarding the long-range plans of every aspect of the club and a subsequent capital improvement plan was developed and set into motion. The Long Range Plan was ratified by the membership in 2000, with a financial strategy that will support major improvements, including new docks and ultimately, a new clubhouse.

1998 can be best described as the “Year of the Youth” with great emphasis given to our younger sailors. New emphasis was being given to our younger sailors, several Opti’s were purchased, and the CSC Youth Program was revitalized. CSC’s Youth can now be found on the scratch sheet of many out-of-town regattas. As the new millenium approached, we looked back at our 40+ year history and recognized the need to honor our past before moving forward. With that in mind, the Lifetime Service Award was established and its first recipient is Mrs. Jessie Helms.

In 2000, the major point of business off the water was the ratification of the long-range plan with a financial strategy through the year 2008 that will support major improvements at the club including new docks and ultimately, a new clubhouse. On the water, while big boat racing remained strong, dingy racing made a resurgence with the introduction of MC Scows and the formation of Fleet 65 chartered by Robert Key, Craig Milling, and Frank Pierce.

In 2002, SCE&G began lowering the lake level to elevation 345 MSL for work on the dam. Permits were obtained and a 45 boat “temporary” mooring field was installed in front of the club. Remaining boats were stored on land and the back cove docks were removed. Since the lake level remained at 345 MSL for the entirety of 2003, we took advantage of the situation and installed a new Number One Ramp with a width of 30 feet and a length of 200 feet.

In 2004, we broke ground on a youth clubhouse and began improvement of the back cove and installation of a new dock system. The north slope of the basin was steepened and rip rapped to remedy erosion problems and create more fairway in the basin. A professionally designed, commercial dock system was then installed to the delight of the patient members who had spent the last two years on moorings or jack stands. Of course, the big challenge in the project was working with Mother Nature as the lake level had to reach 351 MSL before the docks could be attached to the pilings. After a couple of months of rain dances, the southeast was served up four hurricanes that supplied sufficient rain to fill the pond to the required level. The ribbon was officially cut on the new docks on Sunday December 19, 2004.

In 2005, our first female Commodore, Sarah Weiss, took the helm and re-focused CSC on youth programs. With a financial commitment from CSC, 14 Optimists were bought by the club and parents, with an agreement to make the Optis available for five years at the summer camps. The momentum was rolling and our youth traveled to many regattas over several states. Six of our active youth won awards at the 2006 SAYRA meeting, and our youth sailing team continues to grow. The Wallace Wilkins Youth Clubhouse was finished in November 2005 in time for the Midlands Regatta. The Junior Sportsmanship Award was created with Windy Key as the first recipient.

In 2006, a land use plan and preliminary floor plan for a new clubhouse was presented and the membership authorized the officers to borrow up to $800,000 for construction of the building. Our 50th anniversary in 2007 marked the end of one era and the beginning of another. On June 26, our beloved clubhouse was demolished to make way for a new 4700 square foot club house with an additional 2700 square foot covered porch. Construction was also completed on the new 400 square foot bath house located on the north side of the back cove.

In 2008, we held the official “Commissioning” of the new clubhouse. Our Fleet Surgeon, Dr. Ed Schlaefer, in attendance for the commissioning, was also at the 1961 dedication of our first clubhouse by Commodore Ed Bailey and South Carolina Governor E.F. “Fritz” Hollings. Our bylaws were revised to re-affirm our commitment to “further interest and activities in sailing in Central South Carolina” and to further provide public access to educational events each year on such topics as sailing, weather, hurricane preparedness, protection against lightning and other natural disasters, navigation, rules of the sea and training for DNR boater licensing.

In 2009, following several years of construction, the Club resumed its normal atmosphere and everyone settled into having fun and enjoying the camaraderie. It was a pleasure to have the focus of the club return to sailing. With heavy hearts, we mourned the loss of our Fleet Surgeon, Dr. Ed Schlaefer, and our longtime Resident Manager, James Dedmon. We were so blessed to have these two fine gentlemen with us for so long.

In 2010, Mike Lambert, joined the CSC family as Resident Manager. Dinghy racing returned in 2011 with a renewed interest in Sunfish with an average of 20 boats on the starting line for the Summer Series. New front docks were installed in 2012, just in time for two major national regattas held in 2013, the US Sailing Championship of Champions and the San Juan 21 North Americans. In 2014, we added Ultimate 20’s to the Easter Regatta, and an agreement with the Gamecock Sailing Club to use CSC boats and facilities.

In 2015, CSC was host to the U.S. Junior Women’s Doublehanded Championship, the Ida Lewis Trophy, which featured 78 young women from around the country competing in 420’s. Club members provided housing and transportation for all of the competitors. J70’s were included in the Easter Regatta for the first time.

The history of Columbia Sailing Club appears to be measured primarily in events and construction. The substance of CSC, however, has always been its members.

Boston College Wins ICSA Match Race National Championship

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NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF. (November 19, 2018) – The Intercollegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) Match Race National Championship for the Cornelius Shields, Sr. Trophy was completed yesterday after three days of racing. Boston College came away the winner for the second year in a row.

The event began on Friday, November 16, hosted by Stanford University at the Balboa Yacht Club and racing took place on the south side of the Newport Beach pier in Governor’s Cup 22 class keelboats. PRO Ryan Davidson led racing.

Ten college sailing teams qualified to compete in the championship having advanced from their own conference qualifiers. Each team had four crew members one of which was required to be female.

The match-racing format is one boat pitted against another boat and a team of umpires supervises each race. The regatta isa set of five stages and racing took place on a Windward/Leeward course with mark rounding’s to starboard. Races in the first stages of the regatta are meant to take 15 to 17 minutes to complete and in the Semi-Final and Final rounds 18 to 20 minutes to complete.

In stage one all ten teams competed in a single round robin. This stage began around 11:30 am in a light southerly wind and lasted the entirety of the day. By 4 p.m. seven of the nine flights had been completed.

SUNY Maritime College led after the first day of racing with a record of 6-0. They showed strong boat handling in the Governor Cup 22s. Stanford University followed closely in second with a 5-1 record and there was a tie for third place between Boston College and Dartmouth College both with a record of 4-2.

The second day consisted of completing the first round of racing and the Repechage Round between teams in 7th-10th place was scheduled. Day two of racing saw light winds and large swell waves. The first round was completed around 1 p.m. and due to time constraints with the conditions the Repechage round was eliminated. Racing continued with the Quarterfinals round, which was adjusted to a first to 2 points format.

The 9th and 10th place teams sailed off for final positioning and the University of Washington beat the Texas A&M University at Galveston with a 2-0 record. In the Quarterfinal round, the 1 through 3 seeds won their respective finals. SUNY Maritime, Boston College, and Stanford moved onto the Semi-Finals. The University of Pennsylvania in fifth beat Dartmouth, who was in 4th, with a 2-1 record to move onto the next round.

The first matches of the Semifinal round were completed before the end of the day. In the first race of the first-to-2 series, University of Pennsylvania beat SUNY Maritime, and Boston College beat Stanford.

Yesterday, the third and final day of the regatta, saw similar conditions to the previous two days of racing, but with better winds. Racing began around 11 a.m. with a light westerly breeze on the course, which was set north of the Newport Beach pier.

The final races of the Semi-Final round were completed with the University of Pennsylvania beating SUNY Maritime and Boston College beating Stanford in their races, which moved them into the Finals. SUNY Maritime and Stanford then had to compete for third place.

In the first round of the 5th – 8th Semi-Series, College of Charleston and Jacksonville University moved onto the 5th place – 6th place knockout race after their respective races against Dartmouth and University of Wisconsin. Charleston won the single race, ending up 5th overall, and Jacksonville finished in 6th. Dartmouth beat Wisconsin to take 7th place and Wisconsin finished in 8th.

Stanford won the first race in their semi-final, after being penalized during the pre-start and completing the penalty on their second upwind. SUNY Maritime won the second race, tying up the series 1-1. In the third race, SUNY Maritime was over early, allowing Stanford to carry an early lead up the racecourse and securing a podium position with a win.

The Finals also carried excitement with University of Pennsylvania and Boston College each taking a win in the first races. In race 4, it looked like Boston College would take the win with an extended lead up the first beat, but an incorrect mark rounding allowed UPenn to take another win in the series. During the final race, Boston College and UPenn split off the line and battled their way up the course. Boston College led from the top mark for the rest of the race, and crossed the finish line to claim their ICSA Match Race National Championship for the second year in a row.

Final Results
1. Boston College
Wade Waddell ’19
Tara Ferraris ’19
Peter Lynn ’19
Jack DeNatale ’22

2. University of Pennsylvania
Porter Killian ’22
Nicholas Floyd ’19
Tanner Probst ’21
Kelly Hanlon ’21

3. Stanford University
Jack Parkin ’21
Mathew Hogan ’21
Victoria Thompson ’21
Wiley Rogers ’22

4. SUNY Maritime College
Kyle Comerford ’19
John Lawless ’19
Christian Neuman ’21
Kaitlin Brzostek ’22

5. College of Charleston
Alfonso Garcia Bringas ’20
William Curtiss ’20
Robert Porter ’19
Laura Masterson ’20

6. Jacksonville University
Alfonso Garcia Bringas ’20
Ana Carrasco ’21
Andre Guaragna ’20
Telmo Basterra ’21

7. Dartmouth College
Cole Harris ’22
Noah Simmons ’20
Timothy Greenhouse ’21
Aisling Sullivan ’22

8. University of Wisconsin
Douglas Wake ’22
Samuel Bartel ’22
Maggie Houtz ’19
Cailin Considine ’19

9. University of Washington
Connor Hughes ’19
Karl Skeel ’20
Rachel Cohen ’19
Avery Wolf ’21

10. Texas A&M University at Galveston
Jonathan Sager ’20
Alex Schwinn ’19
Ava Cares ’20
Wes Sholders ’21

Regatta photos: Tom Walker Photography

Regatta results: https://www.matchracingresults.com/2018/icsa-national-championship/

Lake Minnetonka Sailing School is Hiring!

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In Deephaven, sailing has been in style for over a century: Founders established the Minnetonka Yacht Club (MYC) in 1899 before Deephaven was even incorporated as a village.

Lake Minnetonka Sailing School (LMSS) started in the 1920s when MYC members were interested in organized sailing education for their children. For about twenty years, a volunteer group of parents ran private lessons out of the Minnetonka Yacht Club. The informal sailing school operated with a policy of BYOB- Bring Your Own Boat. Don Zinn, Brad Van Ness and Brad Robinson officiated LMSS from a function of the MYC Board of Directors into a separate non-profit organization in 1972. To this day, both MYC and LMSS call Lighthouse Island home.

Today, Lake Minnetonka Sailing School is one of the largest sailing schools in the nation with over 700 students enrolling each summer. Senior Coach Gordy Bowers won three Olympic medals during his years as Head Coach of the US Sailing Team.
The Lake Minnetonka Sailing School (LMSS) is seeking a full-time Race Team Director. This position will report to the Executive Director and they will collaboratively lead the Sailing School, events, programs, race teams and regattas.

The Race Team Director will be involved in all aspects of the sailing school and will have a spirit of continuous improvement and growth. This will include classroom curriculum, coaching high school sailing teams, and setting the groundwork for a year-round race team.

ICSA News: Conference Championships!

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Photo: © 2018 Rob Migliaccio, All Rights Reserved

News Flash: S1D will present a Webcast of our College Sailing 101 Seminar at 5pm on Saturday 03 November! SIGN UP HERE and we will send you the link!! Learn more about S1D College Sailing Consultants!!

By Chris Klevan– There are moments, small and large, that cumulatively define a college sailor’s experience. It is hard to predict when these moments will materialize as something more than a single race or regatta. But if one had to guess, regattas like the War, Schell and Urn tend to hold their own place in the minds of college sailors past and present.

#1 Brown University won the Victorian Coffee Urn Trophy hosted by Bowdoin University. The Brown Bears edged #8 Boston College in the protest room after all other teams had left thinking Boston College won in a tie breaker.  The Urn was an event that featured 11 of the top 20 ranked women’s team in the nation.

In the final race of the regatta, Boston College’s A-Division boat, Sophia Reineke ‘21 and Tara Ferraris ‘19 were attempting to protect a 3 points lead against Brown. Brown’s A-Division boat, Hannah Steadman ‘20 with Maxine De Havenon ‘19, Annabelle Hutchinson ‘21 and Emily Ito ‘19 had been sailing extremely well, stringing together all top-3s from race 2 to race 10. However, the tandem had stumbled a bit in the latter stages of the event opening the door for BC to hold a slim lead going into the last set.

BC’s Reineke and Ferraris knew to beat Brown they had to put up a good score. Unfortunately, however, Reineke and Ferraris had to tack in the zone at the top mark to stay in position to hold off Steadman and Brown. They fouled with many witnesses present. After the DSQ in race 14A, BC found themselves 15 boats back from the regatta win.

Though the regatta ended in a protest, Brown’s win came largely due to a 12 point victory in B-Division by Sophie Hibben ‘19, Emma Montgomery ‘22 and Megha Malpani ‘19.

“Our B-division of Sophie Hibben ’19 and crews Emma Montgomery ’22 and Megs Malpani ’19 have been steadily improving all fall and they really executed well at the Urn,” said Brown Coach John Mollicone, “Their starts were conservative but really good for most of the event and their speed and decision making was at the top of the fleet.” Mr. Mollicone continued to say:

“Winning both divisions was a plus, Hannah Steadman ’20 has won her division three weekends in a row (Showcase at Brown and Yale Women’s as well) so she has been really locked in as of late. Great starts and execution as well. She has a great group of crews that she sails with: Maxine de Havenon ’19, Emily Ito ’19, and Annabelle Hutchinson ’21.”

“Right now we have a lot of women’s depth, our other strong women’s boat sailed B-division at the Schell. We are happy about how we have been doing but still lots of room for improvement, particularly in lighter breeze like we saw at Nationals last spring.”

“The entire group really dealt well with the cold, wet, and at times miserable conditions at the Urn. It was total group effort and they were mentally prepared for it and kept a positive attitude at all times.”

Brown seems to be the top women’s team in the nation as their typical A-Division starter, Ragna Agerup ‘20 and Abigayle Konys ‘19 sailed B-Division for Brown at the NEISA Coed Championship.

#2 Yale finished 3rd with 149 points.

#3 Hobart and William Smith won the War Memorial at Navy. HWS finished the full, 36 race regatta with 170 points, 11 better than #2 Georgetown. “The course was the right length at full 20 minute plus races and the top boats had time to sail to the front of the pack,” said HWS coach Scott Ikle. “It was shifty but not crazy shifty and the top 3 teams had a boat speed edge and did a better job playing the shifts.”

“The conditions were great, beautiful wind, everyone got to sail,” continued Ikle. “It was a great event and Navy did a great job running it. One race could have shuffled the top 3 teams.”

Both HWS boats, Hector Guzman ‘20 with Chase Carraway ‘22 and Maya Weber ‘20 in A-Division  and Charles Miller ‘19 with Lindsey Kloc ‘19 and Kyle Easton ‘20 in B finished second, including a 1,2,1 finish by Guzman and Weber to close out the regatta. Miller, Kloc and Easton finished with only 2 races outside the top-8 and Guzman, Carraway and Weber had 3. The B division boat had 9 finishes inside the top 3 while the A division boat scored 7.

The recent emergence of Charles Miller has been a game changer for the HWS team. The third skipper from last year’s team stepped into the starting role as Marlow College Sailor of the year finalist, Greiner Hobbs graduated. Miller, sailing primarily with Lindsey Kloc, has been one of the best in B-Division all year, displayed by a second place finish at the Showcase Finals last weekend. Ms. Kloc is one of the best crews in the nation this year and in their performance this is a team poised to challenge Yale in the spring. Miller and Kloc deserve a lot of credit for how HWS has finished the fall season and will be a major factor as they make a run at the National Championship in the Spring.

#2 Georgetown finished second with 181 points behind a B-Division win by Andy Reiter ‘19 sailing with Calire Mohun ‘19, Caroline Teare ‘21 and Haley Shea ‘19. Reiter, Mohun, Teare and Shea finished the regatta with 10 straight races inside the top-4. It was the effort of the B-Division boat that prevented HWS from pulling away.

#10 Navy finished 3rd with 198 points. Like Georgetown, it was the sailing of freshman Joseph Hermus with Kent Mathes ‘20 and Ana Mier ‘19 that kept the midshipmen in the hunt. Hermus, Mathes and Mier finished the regatta with 10 top-5s in the final 12 races sailed in B-Division.

“I was very impressed with Navy,” said Ikle. “I’m always impressed with Georgetown.”

The #1 Yale Bulldogs won the 78th Professor Schell Trophy held at Dartmouth College in a wintry mix. Patchy 0 to 10 knot breezes from various directions dictated the New England Championship as Lake Mascoma rewarded only sailors with refined boat handling and focus. Variable conditions coupled with extreme cold caused racing to develop slowly as races 8A and B were finished in absolute darkness with judge boats with running lights marked the finish line.

After Saturday’s racing it was #6 Harvard that held the lead as Henry Burnes ‘21 and Catherine Tang ‘19 had the day’s low score, finishing with three bullets in the 8 races sailed with and 6 of the 8 races were finished inside the top-3. “They couldn’t make a bad call.” said Harvard coach Bern Noack.

Despite the impressive sailing by Harvard, both Yale and #13 Dartmouth were within striking distance after Saturday at 12 and 6 point back respectively. Dartmouth hung around the entire event as Chris Williford ‘19 and Rebecca McElvain finished with only two races outside the top-7 en route to a second place finish in A-Division. Such consistency was especially impressive due to the instability of the conditions.

The conditions seemed to be getting the best of Nicholas Baird ‘19 and Sonia Lingos-Utley ‘21 as they scored three double digit finishes in the first 6 races sailed, a score-line uncharacteristic for Baird, a serious candidate for this year’s Marlow Coed College Sailor of the year, and Lingos-Utley, one of the best young crews in the game today. However, Baird and Lingos-Utley clearly figured it out after 6A, streaking 7 straight top-3 finishes, helping to spark Yale’s comeback.

“Graceann went in with Nic B for races 7&8A to end the day on a high note in the Z420’s,” said Yale Coach Bill Healy. “On Sunday with Sonia it was just focusing on the course; wind angle, wind location, fleet behavior, things like that. They had a good understanding of how to get off the line without being immediately at risk of missing the angle and puff that would take a group out of reach of the other group. That’s what hurt them on Saturday.”

If it was Baird and Lingos-Utley catching fire that spurred Yale’s come-from-behind victory, it was the efforts of Nick Hernandez ‘19 and Catherine Webb ‘22 in B-Division that kept Yale in position to win. Hernandez and Webb won B-Division with 70 points in 14 races and nothing outside the top-11. While they only won one race, they managed to finish inside the top 5 in ten of the 14 races sailed, clearly posting the most consistent scoreline at the event.

“Nick H and Catherine were just Steady Eddies’s,” said Healy. “Nothing flashy.  They took very little risk and didn’t  try and earn something that wasn’t there.  Good starts and a VERY GOOD understanding of how to work the shifts and velocity changes on the beats. They were fantastic. That was their strong suit.”

Hernandez is having a sneaky good season in winning his division at the NEISA Conference Champs and the Showcase Finals along with 3 other top-4 finishes in A-Division at interconference events this fall.

Mr. Healy continued, “It was cold and wet and making sure we had the right gear on helped.  It was hard for crews to stay warm and I think our crews did a little better than most in that respect.  This helped them stay engaged on all races mentally and physically.  Dartmouth is a tough place to be consistent against such strong competition.  Instead of getting down after a tough race, it was ‘What did we learn from that last race to help in the future’?”

Connor Harding ‘19 and Jen Agell ‘19 of #9 Roger Williams University won A-Division in impressive fashion. Harding and Agell went on a run early in the regatta where they posted firsts in 4 of 5 straight races. Both sailors embody the spirit of college sailing as they’ve proven throughout this fall season that with hard work and a commitment to the sport you can beat anyone regardless of junior sailing resume.

Dartmouth finished second with 165 points, 18 points behind Yale. Harvard finished third with 180.

News Flash: S1D will present a Webcast of our College Sailing 101 Seminar at 5pm on Saturday 03 November! SIGN UP HERE and we will send you the link!! Learn more about S1D College Sailing Consultants!!

College of Charleston won both the SAISA Women’s and the SAISA Coed Championship last weekend. The perennial team to beat in SAISA maintained their impressive record against their conference. The Women’s event took place on Saturday alone and the Coed regatta was started Saturday and sailed primarily on Sunday.

Alie Toppa ‘20 and Annabel Carrington ‘19 won A-Division at the Women’s event handily, winning 6 of the 10 races sailed. The other 4 races were finished with seconds.. Toppa and Carrington have been one of the best women’s boats throughout the fall season. Liza Toppa ‘20 with Caroline Bracken ‘19 won B-Division capping another dominant in-conference regatta for Charleston.

#11 Charleston finished with 39 points in 20 races. Jacksonville finished second with 57 and USF finished 3rd with 62.

#10 Charleston won the SAISA Fall Coed Champs, also winning both divisions. Jack Brown ‘21 and Caroline Bracken won A-Division and Alie Toppa ‘20 and Annabel Carrington ‘19 won B. Brown and Bracken finishing inside the top-2 in 7 of the 9 races sailed and toppa and Carringot sailed with all top-4 finishes.

Eckerd finished second with 80, 36 points behind Charleston’s 44 and USF finished 3rd with 80 as well.

UC Santa Barbara won the PCCSC Fall Women’s Champs with 143 points after 17 races in each division. The Gauchos finished first and second in the combined division event behind the low score by Kerri Luttrell ‘21 and Olivia Beers ‘21, finishing with 65 points. Finishing second was Madeline Kraud ‘20 and Mary Toomey ‘21.

University of Southern California finished second with 211 and University of California at Los Angeles finished 3rd with 263.

While last weekend capped off competition in dinghy sailing. The Men’s and Women’s singlehanded national championship is set to take place next weekend and the ICSA Match Racing Championship will be sailed in two weekends.

Yale’s Nick Baird ‘19 will sail the Men’s Singlehanded championship despite finishing 5th, one spot outside of qualification at the NEISA Men’s Singlehanded Championship. The change occured because Boston University’s Javier De Urdanibia Panos ‘21 is in the hospital. We wish Javier a speedy recovery.

All information on the Intercollegiate Sailing Association can be found at collegesailing.org. All scores can be found at scores.collegesailing.org. Thank you for your support!

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