TELL TALES (June 3, 2009)

·         HAPPY BIRTHDAY:  Today is Alex Soodak’s 14th birthday.

·         SCHEDULE:  Summer sailing hours on Saturdays are 1 to 5 p.m. until further notice. 

June 6 – Summer Series race 1 and Big Blast

June 13 – Summer Series race 2

June 20 – Hibiscus Cup Regatta, Punta Gorda

June 27 – Summer Series race 3

·         TAMPA REGATTA: Davis Island Yacht Club officials have posted the official results of their School’s Out Regatta in Tampa. Alicia Muscato came in 15th out of 20 Red Fleet skippers and was 29th out of 45 overall.  Unfortunately, there were only two races because of light winds and Alicia did not finish before the time limit in the second race.

·         BIG BLAST: Alicia and Shaun Gallagher will participate in the Big Blast celebration, sponsored by Big Brothers and Big Sisters, at North Port’s Dallas White Park on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Alicia will demonstrate how to sail her Opti while Shaun hands out literature on our summer learn to sail program. We appreciate their efforts in bringing more people into our program.

·         REGATTA DEADLINE: Saturday is the deadline for signing up for the Hibiscus Regatta which will be in Punta Gorda on June 20. Alicia, Scott Trecartin and Samantha Wood are the only ones to sign up so far. We need at least four to send a trailer and coach and we need a volunteer to pull the boat trailer. This is a key regatta and there will be no sailing here that day.

·         SERIES STANDINGS: These are the final results for all three fleets. Portsmouth results are new.

Green Fleet: 1, Lucas Galarza, 11; 2. Carla Johnson, 11.8; 3, Samantha Wood, 13.5 4, Scott Trecartin, 20 ; 5, Shaun Gallagher, 28; 6, Alex Soodak, 32; 7, Mariah Miller, 41; 8, Blake Erquiaga, 42; 9, T.C. Liming, 47; 10, Tousssaint Thomas, 51.

RWB Fleet: 1, Cara Patete, 13.2; 2, Stephan VerHulst, 14; 3. Garrett Lawlor, 18; 4, Evan Langer, 26; 5, Stefan Johnson, 27; 6, Aubrey Khachetoorian, 31,  7, Alicia Muscato, 40.1.

Portsmouth Division: 1, Michelle Thomas, 11.3; 2, Paul Kreider, 12; 3, Sami Tornese, 16;  4, Andrew Sosa, 18; 5, Tyler Thorpe, 30; 6, Chloe Dietrich, 30.2; 7, Bryan White, 38.

·         PARENTS RACE: Only four brave souls entered VYBA’s annual Parents Race last Saturday. The winning skipper was Debbie Wood (Samantha’s mother). Willie Galarza (Lucas’ father) placed second while Susan Gallagher (that would be Shaun’s Mom) took third. Allan Soodak (Alex’s Dad) finished fourth. Congratulations to all who braved the elements and had a good time.

·         SHOE POLICY: Just because school is out, sailor can’t go barefooted around the Pram Shed. VYBA policy is to wear close-toed shoes when you are on the premises. Just ask Evan Langer, our poster person for wearing shoes. If you can’t abide by the rules, don’t bother coming.

·         MISCELLANEOUS

1.       Thanks go to Ellen Lawlor for providing baked goodies in the morning and lunch last Saturday when we had boat re-assignments and be kind to your boat day.

2.       Appreciation also goes to Kevin Whiteside, a former VYBA sailor, who volunteered to ride in an Optimist for the Venice Yacht Club’s annual Blessing of the Fleet on May 24.

3.       This is a little far away, but there is a Junior Olympic Sailing Festival in Pensacola on July 3-5. Racing classes will include Optimists (Green, Red, White and Blue), Lasers, as well as 420’s.