TELL TALES (Jan. 28, 2009)

·         HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Congratulations go to Carla Johnson, a Green Fleeter, who will turn 15 next Wednesday. We are mentioning it a week early in case Joe the Computer becomes inoperative.

·         EDITOR’S ERROR: Last week, we mentioned Samantha Wood’s 13th birthday as being today, and that was incorrect. Her birthday will be Feb. 28. We misread the information on her registration.

·         SCHEDULE: 

Jan. 31 – Winter Series race 7

Feb. 7 – Winter Series race 8 (7-8 -- Valentine’s Day Regatta, St. Petersburg Sailing Center)

Feb. 14 – Winter Series race 9

Feb. 16 – Possible optional sailing since it is President’s Day and therefore a school holiday.

Feb. 21 – Winter Series race 10

Feb. 28 – Practice session or Sail Away (28-1 – High school regatta in St. Petersburg)

·         REGATTA COMMITTEE: Those attending the committee’s first meeting for our regatta in Englewood in April were Mike Muscato, Celeste Patete, Paul Thorpe, Tom Lawlor, Diana VerHulst, Tony and Leslie Langer. Others who want to help should contact Celeste.

·         NO REGATTA: We did not have enough sailors sign up for St. Petersburg’s Valentine’s Regatta and so, we will not be attending as an organization. But those who wish to go on their own, can.

·         OPTIONAL SAILING: Only one person has signed up for optional sailing on Monday, Feb. 16. We need at least six to bring in a coach. The hours will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 14 is the deadline.

·         OUR CONDOLENCES: VYBA’s sincerest sympathy goes to Mrs. Harriett Corrigan, former VYBA president, whose husband, Bill, died last Sunday, Jan. 25. He helped her a lot during the nine years that she was president. For example, he took pictures of all summer sailing youngsters.

·         REGATTA RESULTS: The official report is finally in. Venice Youth Boating took third in the United States Optimist Dinghy Association (USODA) Midwinter Team Race Championship that was held at Tampa’s Davis Island Yacht Club on Jan. 1-3. We were third in the Silver Fleet behind host Davis Island Yacht Club’s “A” team and St. Petersburg Yacht Club’s “B” team. Our sailors who competed were Lucas Galarza, Samantha Wood, Evan Langer and Cara Patete. Well done.

·         SERIES STANDINGS: Here are the Winter Series standings and points after six races.

1.       Green Fleet did not have a race because there was no enough wind. Thus, the standings are the same: 1, Samantha Wood, 11; 2, Lucas Galarza, 15; 3, Lizzie Karras, 23; 4, Carla Johnson, 24;  5, Scott Trecartin, 25; 6, Toussaint Thomas, 30; 7, Shaun Gallagher, 35; 8, Alex Soodak, 37; 9, Mariah Miller, 38; 10, T.C. Liming, 38; 11, Blake Erquiaga, 42; 12, Brad Arnold, 49.

2.       RWB Fleet had a race. Thus, the standing and updated points are: 1, Cara Patete, 7; 2, Alicia Muscato, 10; 3, Garrett Lawlor, 19.2; 4, Stefan Johnson, 27; 5, Evan Langer, 30; 6, Ashlyn Weed, 37; 7, Stephan VerHulst, 37; Aubrey Khachetoorian, 40.

3.       Portsmouth Division had another series race Saturday:  1, Michelle Thomas, 5; 2, Bryan White, 11; 3, Sami Tornese, 16; 4, Chloe Dietrich, 18; 5, Paul Kreider, 20; 6,  Andrew Sosa, 21; 7, Tyler Thorpe, 24; 8 (tie) Katie Paolillo and Sarah Vogelsong, 31; 10, Evan Dacey, 32.

·         LOST AND FOUND: There are some nice items, such as sweat shirts, jackets, gloves and shoes in our Lost and Found box. They are going to Goodwill on Feb. 12. We realize that our skippers shed outer layers as Saturday temperatures climb, but they forget to take those clothes home.