FWSA Members Travel to SASS Regatta

FWSA Members Travel to SASS Regatta Eleven FWSA members (and one future member) from the Luffing Lassies and Windlasses travelled to St. Augustine over the August 5th weekend to support our newest member SASS (St. Augustine Sailing Sist

Luffing Lassies: Jennifer Means, Ali Claypoole, Penny Durham, Coco Claypoole (future FWSA member), Connie Randolph, and Sandi Szmania. Windlasses: Tina Bas=en, Deb Schnedler, Chris Kelly, Joy Sheets (Not pictured: Suki Mueller, Rita Root)

ers) and compete in their signature fundraising event, the Bikini Race. As a sidenote…bikinis were optional! SASS included a one-design fleet for the first time this year to encourage even more women at the helm. This growing annual sailing event and fundraiser benefits the Betty Griffin Center and St. Francis House & Port in the Storm. Representatives from both programs spoke at the award celebration about the services they provide to aid victims of domestic and sexual assault and homeless adults and youth. St. Augustine Mayor, Tracy Upchurch, was also there to present the sailing awards. Melissa Wissel, President of SASS, was an enthusiastic and gracious emcee for the weekend and reported that SASS collected over $18,000 in cash donations (with $$ still being collected) and $6500+ of in-kind products/services. There was genuine appreciation from all SASS members and the St. Augustine Yacht Club to every FWSA member who travelled to race in and support this event. The Youth Sailing Director, Marissa Burrier, welcomed us with open arms as we arrived and was ready with her campers to unload boats and bring them to the beach. The festivities kicked off Friday night when SASS reserved the en=re upper floor at Meehan’s Irish Pub & Seafood House for hors d’oeuvres and specialty drinks to welcome all the sailors and volunteers from both PHRF and one design fleets. The Race Committee for the one-design (Sunfish and 420s) outdid themselves. The courses were great with tricky shifting and gustiing winds at the windward mark. Storms crept in and the RC kept a close eye on the changing weather conditions and were able to get in 4 races in good wind before they called it for safety concerns. Many kudos to the RC for all their good decisions and attention to details. SASS is already anticipating and preparing for a larger one-design fleet for 2024 so be sure you don’t miss out on the fun next year. FWSA welcomes and thanks SASS for a fantastic weekend all around. We look forward to more events and camaraderie with SASS! --Chris Kelly and Joy Sheets