TELLTALES 28 (May 14, 2008)

• Our thanks to Emily Rom, a certified instructor who is home from Florida State for the summer, for filling in for Coach Robert last Saturday. Coach Robert will be back this coming Saturday, but we will be calling on Emily to help us out some more, especially during the summer.

• As a result of last Saturday's series races, the spring standings have changed somewhat. Here are the rankings and points: RWB Ð 1, Alicia Muscato, 12; 2, Chloe Dietrich, 16; 3, Cara Patete, 20; 4, Evan Langer, 21; 5, Marissa Phillips, 23. Green Ð 1, Stephan VerHulst, 8; 2, Garrett Lawlor, 17; 3, Zack Jordan, 20; 4, Andrew Sosa, 25; 5, Jonathan James, 28; 6, Stefan Johnson, 28; 7, Sami Tornese, 29; 8, Aubrey Khachetoorian, 36; 9, Ashlyn Weed, 37. Portsmouth Ð 1, Tyler Thorpe, 6; 2, Kyle D'Arcangelis, 8; 3, Bryan White, 10; 4, Mallory Phillips, 11; 5, Samuel Dolby, 13; 6, Sarah Vogelsong, 16; 7, Jackie Sims, 20. There is a tie for fifth place in the Green Fleet between Jonathan and Stefan, but Jonathan won the tie-breaker. This Saturday will be the last of the spring series races and since we did not have a total of seven, there will be no throw out.

• The Venice Yacht Club will have an activity involving pony rides on the east side of the Pram Shed on Saturday from 1115 to 1230. Please do not try to put your boats in that area.

• After sailing Saturday, those going to the annual School's Out Regatta at Tampa's Davis Island Yacht Club will load their boats on the 12-boat trailer. Those who signed up include Stephan, Andrew, Ashlyn, Garrett, Zack, Alicia and Cara. And we need someone to pull the boat trailer.

• There will NO sailing in Venice on May 24 because our fleets will be in Tampa.

• On May 31, we have the first of the parent orientations scheduled for 0900, a sailing counselor training session at 1015, a pizza party to celebrate the graduation of our Green fleeter to RWB about 1200, a sail change-out and boat reassignment for the summer program at 1300 and a parents race at 1500, or sooner depending on how fast we can complete the necessary work.

• Those who have indicated they want to be sailing counselors this summer include: Ashlyn, Sami, Andrew, Alicia, Chloe, Stephan, Aubrey and Cara. If any others want to participate, you must tell Jabbo so he can add you to the list. And you must be on the list to participate this year.

• We have asked RWB skippers to tell us your future plans so we can reassign boats. If we do not hear from you by Wednesday, May 21, Jabbo will assign you the same boat that you have now. Green fleeters will be assigned newer boats on May 31, based on attendance and care of boats.

• Many thanks go to Bill Van Cott, past Venice Yacht Club commodore, who is donating his 13-foot Whaler to the VYBA. A VYC member for 32 years, he thought the boat should go to us. It is in great condition and will be used as a back-up to the three newer Whalers that we have.

• We welcome back Evan Dacey. He has a Laser Radial and will be joining our Portsmouth Division. Capt. John Thomas is working hard to rebuild our Laser fleet and hopefully, his daughter Michelle, will return to the fold officially as a competitor as well as being a certified instructor.

• Tentative plans are to have the VYBA annual dinner meeting at the VYC on Aug. 23 or Aug. 30.

• If someone is interested in buying an older Laser with a full rig, please call Pat Short at 923-6771.

• As of today, we have only 42 youngsters signed up for the summer sessions. Although two sessions are full, we need some prospective sailors for the other classes. Please talk it up.

• Jabbo will be back in Fort Myers this weekend, conducting a Level 1 instructor course.