TELL TALES (Dec. 30, 2009)

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all. Any good resolutions out there that you care to share?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Sara Frajerman, a Green Fleet skipper, who will turn 11 next Monday. We admire Sami Tornese’s dedication because she came to sailing on her 16th birthday although she chose not to enter the series races that day. Of course there are some of us who think it would a great birthday present to get to go sailing. After all, what better way is there to celebrate?

SCHEDULE:

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

Feb. 6 – Winter Series, race 8

SAILING COUNSELORS

The results from this past summer’s sailing counselor hours are finally in. Evan Langer logged the most sessions with 47. Each session consisted of three hours. Others in order of their participation were: 2, Garrett Lawlor, 30; 3, Stefan Johnson, 23; 4, Samantha Wood, 19; 5, Cara Patete, 15; 6,  Stephan VerHulst, 13; 7, Carla Johnson, 12; 8, Lu cas Galarza, 11; 9, Shaun Gallagher, 9; 10, Scott Trecartin, 8; 11 (tie) Sami Tornese, Blake Erquiaga and Chloe Dietrich, 7; 14, Alex Soodak, 6; 15 (tie) Paul Kreider, Toussaint Thomas, Tyler Thorpe, 3 each; 18, Alicia Muscato, 2. Sailors who would like community service hours signed, please bring them by.

SERVICE HOURS: Tyler Thorpe worked several community service hours and Alex Soodak is doing the same thing. Courtney Purcell has volunteered and will be “employed” soon. Others are invited to join in the work parties. We have many projects that need attention.

MISCELLANEOUS

1.      Michelle Thomas has been chosen most valuable sailor for the University of Florida sailing team for 2009. Not bad for a freshman. Congratulations. You go, Gator Girl.

2.      When the sailors raced to Higel Park for lunch at the Jim Pique Memorial Regatta, one skipper asked one of the Bitter Ends (who had prepared the meal) to take his bow line at the dock. She did and he climbed out of his boat and walked off. No thank you, no securing his boat, no nothing. That is rude, crude and socially unacceptable. No more of that, please.

3.      Speaking of regattas, here or there, do not go too far from the race committee boat, especially downwind and/or in light air. If you are down by the leeward mark when a starting sequence begins, you may have trouble reaching the line in time. If you arrive at the course before the RC boat at the start of a day, wait for it to arrive and anchor.

4.      And speaking of good sportsmanship, Louisa Nordstrom evidently fouled someone during a series race Nov. 21 and did her turns without a 45-minute discussion. We like to see that.

5.      If you are going to miss sailing for whatever reason, call 468-1719. Please do not call the Venice Yacht Club. If you forget that number, go our website, not the yacht club’s.

6.      And finally, we are pleased to announce that Shaun Gallagher has a new Laser and will be sailing in the Portsmouth Division. Since he turned 15 on Oct. 25, he has aged out of Optis.