TELL TALES (Feb. 24, 2010)

· HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Nick Hernandez, a Green Fleet skipper, who turns 12 today. His parents are throwing a party at the Pram Shed on Saturday, starting at 12:30. All VYBA folks are welcome.

· SCHEDULE: (* means key regatta; no sailing in Venice)

Feb. 27 – Spring Series, race 2 (hs, SP6. Jensen Beach) and boat load.

Mar. 6 – Spring Series, race 3 (Allison Jolly Regatta, for females only, St. Petersburg)

Mar. 13 – Spring Series, race 4 (hs. SP7, Sarasota; 13-14, Spring Opti Fest, Jensen Beach)

Mar. 20 – Leukemia Cup*, Isles Yacht Club, Punta Gorda

Mar. 27 – Sailfest*, Sarasota Sailing Squadron, Sarasota

· SERIES STANDINGS: (Last Saturday was first of the Spring Series)

1. Ernest Green Fleet: 1, Truett Whitehead; 2, Garver Whitehead; 3, Nick Hernandez; 4, Brianna Trecartin; 5, Justin Frow; 6, Courtney Purcell; 7, Alexi Jenkins; 8, Sara Frajerman; 9, Jake Hinshaw; 10 (tie) Nick Etz, John Light and Bogan Whitehead; 14, Evan Dietrich.

2. Red, White and Blue Fleet: 1, Lucas Galarza; 2, Garrett Lawlor; 3, Stephan VerHulst; 4, Stefan Johnson; 5, Samantha Wood; 6, Scott Trecartin; 7, Alex Soodak.

3. Portsmouth Division: 1, Chloe Dietrich; 2, Andrew Sosa; 3 (eight tied with four points).

· PORTSMOUTH PROBLEMS:

1. On Jan. 30, Chloe Dietrich, Paul Kreider and Andrew Sosa stayed on the water, but five (you know who you are) decided to come in early before the practice session was over. Coach  Blake Waldron and Jabbo Gordon gave them a DNS (did not start) for the races they missed and it affected the final winter series standings in that one person missed out on a trophy.

2. Last Saturday, five people came to sailing and rigged their boats, but chose not to sail. Coach Alex Whalen and Jabbo Gordon gave them excused absences. Chloe and Andrew sailed.

3. Don’t misunderstand, it is their right not to sail, but in both instances it limits even more our limited practice time. The first time, the excuse was that it was too much wind; the second time, the reason was not enough wind. All our sailors need practice in both conditions.

4.  Here is a suggestion. Don’t come to sailing and rig unless you are going to sail. If you want to lay out by the pool, that is your business, but don’t get in the way of those who want to sail. From now on, those who rig but don’t go out or those who come in early without the coach’s permission or those who think of something else equally disruptive, will not be allowed to be sailing counselors this summer. You can earn your community service hours elsewhere. Our last resort is to disqualify deserters for the entire Spring Series.

· MISCELLANEOUS

1. Nick Etz won the Knights of Columbus spelling Bee last Sunday. He advances to the state championship which will be in Kissimmee on Mar. 6. He placed second at state last year.

2. The Venice Sailing Squadron has a regatta on the first Saturday of each month and a few skippers are looking for crew. We will give regatta points to any sailors who want to crew.

3. Bob Piel, Venice Yacht Club rear commodore, will present the Winter Series trophies at the Pram Shed on Saturday, Mar. 13, beginning at 12:30. Hopefully his wife Beth will join him.

4. Alex Soodak has been earning community service hours at the Pram Shed making repairs.

5. Lost and Found items include a pair of sailing boots, a head light and a lunch bag.