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The sailors arrived to very little wind this morning and sat in a wind delay until 2 p.m. The sea breeze filled in from the southwest at around 7-8 knots. The skies were partly cloudy and temperatures were in the mid-80s. Luckily the sea breeze held for the rest of the afternoon and allowed the sailors to combat the strong current.
As great as the ride has been, this year’s Gill Coach of the Year process, I must say, topped it all. Among so many more-than-worthy nominations, one stood out a little, then a little more, then a lot. Our winner this year received nine nomination letters, many of them well more than a page long, detailing eloquently, genuinely, and most thoughtfully, the the work and passion of Coach Bill Healy of Yale University. Perfect timing as well, as Bill has just recently helped Yale win the 2017 ICSA Championship, finish 2nd in Team Racing Nationals, and 2nd in the COED Dinghy Nationals!
However, we all know that great coaches not only possess these core qualities, but indeed they are also masters of the subtleties, rules, and technical chess moves of the sport they are involved in. Very often, great coaches are former players themselves, and often they are good, but not necessarily great players. In any event, it seems virtually certain that actually having been in the arena at some level, having been a true game player, is a necessary ingredient for a great coach.
If you’ve ever noticed, baseball coaches actually suit up for games even though they certainly won’t be playing. This historically comes from the old “player-coach” model, and perhaps, this connects them with the game and the player more intimately. Sailing offers the unique ability for all ages to compete at the highest levels of the sport, and great sailing coaches take advantage of this, “suiting up” themselves and making themselves better at coaching by sailing competitively.
Point Loma High School
Says Mark McNamara, president of KO Sailing, “KO sailing is a major supporter for competitive sailors between the ages of 8 and 18, helping them to compete at the highest level. To us, the High School Team of the year award is a perfect way to recognize those teams for their success and achievements in their respective elements. There is a great synergy between what KO Sailing is doing on the ground, and at events, in support of what these recipients have achieved. This program is just a great way for the country to recognize those sailors as they grow. Sail 1 Design, with their expertise and as the information resource for all things one design, is the only team to work with.”
The Houston Yacht Club hosted the J24 North American Championship this past weekend. 29 boats competed in the three-day event. Will Welles skippering Bogus won the regatta handily with a total of 22 points that included four 1st places in the ten races. Mike Ingham on Nautalytics finished 2nd with 31 points. Finishing one point behind Ingham was Travis Odenbach on Honeybadger for 3rd place.
2017 North American Champion Will Welles and his team Bogus
Eckerd College, and up-and-coming sailing school, is making waves in the ICSA. They just qualified for, and finished 9th overall, in the ICSA Team Race Nationals, and also are competing at the ICSA Fleet Race National Championship in Charleston, SC. Led by Coach Kevin Reali, the team continues to impress the college sailing world. You can visit their results this season 
An oasis of learning in a vibrant city
Our waterfront campus is nestled on 188 acres along Boca Ciega Bay at the tip of St. Petersburg, a dynamic city of arts, culture and outdoor activities. Swimming, boating and sunbathing on our white-sand beach are all just steps away from your dorm room.
Native plants and wildlife cover the campus. Most of our faculty offices open directly outside or in common areas to encourage interaction with students. The bay and other natural areas are living laboratories for research — even for freshmen.
Study in a hammock or on a blanket on the beach or head to our modern library overlooking Fox Pond. Get a workout at the fitness center or at ouroutdoor pool.
Our waterfront campus is nestled on 188 acres along Boca Ciega Bay at the tip of St. Petersburg, a dynamic city of arts, culture and outdoor activities. Swimming, boating and sunbathing on our white-sand beach are all just steps away from your dorm room.
Native plants and wildlife cover the campus. Most of our faculty offices open directly outside or in common areas to encourage interaction with students. The bay and other natural areas are living laboratories for research — even for freshmen.
Study in a hammock or on a blanket on the beach or head to our modern library overlooking Fox Pond. Get a workout at the fitness center or at ouroutdoor pool.
