TELL TALES (Dec. 23, 2009)

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, and yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. Ho, ho, ho.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: There is a published study that youngsters born in the first part of the calendar year do better in sports, such as baseball, hockey and soccer. For the record, 14 out of our 31 sailors – that’s 45 percent – were born January through April (a third of the year).

SCHEDULE:

Dec. 26 – Optional sailing (1000 to 1500)

Jan. 2 – Optional sailing (1000 to 1500)

Jan. 9 – Winter Series, race 4 (hs, SP4, St. Petersburg)

Jan. 16 – Winter Series, race 5 (hs, SP5, Coral Gables); 16-18 – Opti Team Midwinters, St. Pete

Jan. 23 – Winter Series, race 6

Jan. 30 – Winter Series, race 7

SERIES STANDINGS: (After three races for Optimists, two for Portsmouth)

Green Fleet: 1, Bogan Whitehead, 5; 2, Louisa Nordstrom, 7;  3, Nick Hernandez, 7; 4, Truett Whitehead, 13; 5, Alexis Jenkins, 14; 6, Brianna Trecartin, 21; 7, Garver Whitehead, 22; 8, John Light, 26; 9, Courtney Purcell, 26; 10, Justin Frow, 30; 11, Nick Etz, 34; 12, Sara Frajerman, 35;  13, Jacob Hinshaw, 36; 14, Evan Dietrich, 40.

Red, White and Blue Fleet: 1, Lucas Galarza, 6; 2, Garrett Lawlor, 7; 3, Stephan VerHulst, 7.5; 4, Stefan Johnson, 9; 5, Scott Trecartin, 15; 6, Samantha Wood, 17; 6, 7, Shaun Gallagher, 21; 8, Alex Soodak, 24.  

Portsmouth Division: 1, Chloe Dietrich, 5; 2, Andrew Sosa, 5; 3, Tyler Thorpe, 6; 4, Paul Kreider, 8; 5, Sami Tornese, 8; 6, Evan Langer 10; 7, Carla Johnson, 10; 8, Cara Patete, 10; 9, Blake Erquiaga, 13. 

MISCELLANEOUS

1.      A reminder that VYBA plans to enter at least one team in the Optimist Team Mid-Winter Regatta in St. Petersburg on Jan. 16-18. Coach John Thomas will hold practices during both of our optional sailing days and during the afternoon of our Jan. 9 regular session.

2.      Gear that is being left in the Pram Shed includes PFD’s, electronic devices such as cell phones and iPODs, gloves and glasses, in addition to the usual shirts, shorts and shoes.

3.      Many thanks go to the following folks who have been working with us:

a.      Blake Waldron who coached the Venice High team at Hollywood on Nov. 21.

b.      John Dexter who has been serving as race committee for the Green Fleet.

c.      Michelle Thomas who coached at the Thanksgiving Regatta on Nov. 28-29.

d.      Alex Whalen who has been coaching for Blake or John Thomas when they’re gone.

e.      Alex Soodak who is earning community service hours by doing chores at the shed.

4.      Portsmouth and Red, White and Blue skippers who have turned in updated Emergency MedicaI Information forms include Lucas Galarza, Shaun Gallagher, Evan Langer, Garrett Lawlor, Cara Patete, Alex Soodak, Andrew Sosa, Tyler Thorpe, Scott Trecartin and Stephan VerHulst. We need those forms from the other seven sailors soonest, please.

5.      In a previous Tell Tales, we said Stephan VerHulst finished 39th out of 92 overall at the Naples Cup. He also was 16th out of 43 Blue Fleet skippers.