TELL TALES (Feb. 11, 2009)

·         BIRTHDAY ERROR: We are not doing very well in our birthday listings this year. We made a mistake on Samantha Wood and then made two mistakes on Carla Johnson. For the record, Samantha will turn 13 on Feb. 28 and Carla will be 15 on Mar. 4. Sorry about that. 

·         SCHEDULE: 

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)

Mar. 7 -- Spring Series race 1 (7-8 – Allison Jolly Regatta in St. Petersburg, females only)

·         VALENTINE’S REGATTA: Samantha Wood raced in the annual St. Petersburg event which drew sailors from as far away as California and the Caribbean, and came in 21st out of 44 Silver Fleet skippers. She was the ninth place girl, and officials were able to have only two races.

·         SIGN UPS: If you are going to participate, you and your parents need to let us know.

1.       Optional sailing is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. We have five and we need six to justify bringing in a coach. The deadline 5 p.m. on Saturday.

2.       Sail away to the Manatee River on Feb. 28. Again, five have signed up and we need 10.

3.       Allison Jolly Regatta for girls only on Mar. 7-8. This will be at St. Petersburg’s Sailing Center.

4.       Leukemia and Lymphoma Regatta on Mar. 21. This one-day event will be at Punta Gorda.

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

1.       Green Fleet (has had only seven races):1, Samantha Wood, 16.4; 2, Lucas Galarza, 18; 3, Carla Johnson, 27; 4, Lizzie Karras, 35; 5, Scott Trecartin, 35; 6, Toussaint Thomas, 45; 7, Alex Soodak, 45; 8, Shaun Gallagher, 50;  9, T.C. Liming, 51; 10, Mariah Miller, 53; 11, Blake Erquiaga, 55; 12, Brad Arnold, 63. Alex moved into a tie with Toussaint last Saturday.

2.       RWB Fleet: 1, Cara Patete, 9; 2, Alicia Muscato, 21; 3, Garrett Lawlor, 28; 4, Stefan Johnson, 37; 5, Stephan VerHulst, 42; 6, Evan Langer, 42.3; 7, Ashlyn Weed, 49; 8, Aubrey Khachetoorian, 53. Stephan climbed up another notch after Saturday’s races.

3.       Portsmouth Division (has had only six races):  1, Michelle Thomas, 7; 2, Bryan White, 20; 3, Paul Kreider, 24; 4, Sami Tornese, 24; 5, Chloe Dietrich, 28; 6,  Andrew Sosa, 32; 7, Tyler Thorpe, 39; 8 (tie) Katie Paolillo and Sarah Vogelsong, 46; 10, Evan Dacey, 47.

·         MISCELLANEOUS

1.       Sweat shirts were ordered for everyone. Those who went to the Tampa’s Thanksgiving Regatta received one free as an early Christmas present. The rest of them are $20 each.

2.       The junior women’s double handed sailing championships this year will be at the Hampton (Va.) Yacht Club on July 6-11. They will be racing Club 420’s.

3.       Scott Trecartin and Alex Soodak are the only two people who have expressed an interest in being sailing counselors this summer. Others should contact Jabbo Gordon soonest.

4.       Registration has opened for our summer program and our sailors and their parents are encouraged to pass the word to friends and neighbors and relatives. We want 99 in 09.

5.       If the “I” flag is not flying, you can dip the line at the start, but it is a tricky maneuver and you must be sure you don’t collide with anyone and that you go behind the line.