TELL TALES (Mar. 18, 2009)

·         BIRTHDAYS: We have two birthdays to report. Alicia Muscato turned 13 last Saturday and Paul Kreider will be 15 this coming Saturday. Best wishes to both of you and many happy returns.

·         SCHEDULE: 

Mar. 21 – Leukemia and Lymphoma Cup Regatta, Isles Yacht Club, Punta Gorda

Mar. 28-29 – Sailfest. Sarasota Sailing Squadron, Sarasota

Apr. 4 – Spring Series race 3 and boat load

Apr. 6-10 – Scout Week

Apr. 11 – Jabbo Gordon Invitational Regatta, Englewood

Apr. 18 – Spring Series race 4 and State Optimist Championships at Coral Reef Yacht Club

·         ADD SCHEDULE

1.       Last Saturday was very busy with a regatta committee meeting, winter series trophy presentation (by John Thomas), the second in the spring series and a boat load.

2.       For those not going to Punta Gorda or Sarasota, there will be no sailing here Mar. 21 or 28.

3.       We have posted a sign-up sheet for the Jabbo Gordon Regatta, which will be in Englewood on Apr. 11. Again, there will be no sailing here that day. Our registration deadline is Mar. 28.

·         STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: Coral Reef Yacht will be hosting the State Optimist Championships on Apr. 18-19. Sailors interested in competing can register at www.coralreefyachtclub.org. 

·         SERIES STANDINGS (after two races):

Green Fleet: 1, Samantha Wood, 2; 2, Lucas Galarza, 3; 3, Scott Trecartin, 7; 4, Carla Johnson, 8; 5, Shaun Gallagher, 9; 6, Mariah Miller, 11; 7, Blake Erquiaga, 12; Alex Soodak, 13 and 3 with 17.

RWB Fleet: 1, Cara Patete, 2; 2, Garrett Lawlor, 4; 3, Stephan VerHulst, 5; 4, Evan Langer, 6; 5, Stefan Johnson, 9; 6, Alicia Muscato, 12; 7, Aubrey Khachetoorian, 13; 8, Ashlyn Weed, 16.

Portsmouth Division: 1, Michelle Thomas, 2; Sami Tornese, 4; 3, Andrew Sosa, 5; 4, Tyler Thorpe, 8; 5, Paul Kreider, 9; 6 (tie) Chloe Dietrich and Bryan White, 12.

·         SUMMER CLASSES: Two two-week sessions are scheduled in June for our sailors. A 420 class will run June 1-13 and a special Optimist class is slated from June 15-26. We need a minimum of four in each group to hold the classes. Times will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $100.

·         JACKIE SIMS will be teaching the special sessions and then will shift to the regular learn to sail program when Michelle Thomas heads to New Jersey. Born and reared in Venice, Jackie joined the VYBA in 2000 and competed for the Pine View sailing team before her graduation in May, 2008. She skippered and crewed on the University of Florida sailing team. Besides sailing, which has been a large part of her life, Jackie is involved with Habitat for Humanity and several finance clubs at UF where she is a freshman, majoring in accounting. Jackie was the Green Fleet national champion in 2002 Her hobbies include going to the beach and gym and watching Gator games.

·         WORDS TO LIVE BY: Don Marett, commodore of the Western Carolina Sailing Club, was quoted in “Southwinds” magazine this month as saying: I was told a long time ago that I would learn more about sailing by racing. In addition, learning on a small boat is usually better than a big boat. A small boat is closer to the water and less forgiving and therefore, sharpens your skills.

·         NO CHOW: During our normal sailing hours, we do not break for lunch. There’s no chow until after sailing. If you fear that you will absolutely starve to death, take a snack on your boat.