Kathy's "Can-Do" Attitude Defines Sailing Leadership Award Winner The FWSA is thrilled to congratulate Kathy on receiving this prestigious award! Kathy Sinnett Windward Women , First Officer FWSA Recruiting Co-Chair

The Broad Reachers of St. Petersburg Yacht Club at Pass-A-Grille and the Rhumb Runners of Boca Ciega Yacht Club joined together to host FWSA's Rainbow Regatta 2025 this year. Since both clubs suffered severe damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton in the fall of 2024, the sailing venue was changed to the St Petersburg Sailing Center and scheduled for April 22, 2025. Many sailors took advantage of the opportunity to drop off their sailboats on April 21st from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. The hosting clubs arranged for a pre-regatta party at 3 Daughters Brewing. The host clubs provided appetizers and camaraderie while drinks and dinner were available to order. Members of the FWSA's sister clubs were happy to reconnect and socialize after a challenging sailing year. The Luffing Lassies arrived, each sporting a handbag created by Luffing Lassie Brenda Scanlon. These bags were creative and beautiful, and Brenda will receive several new custom orders soon. Per their recent tradition, the Luffing Lassies and Bitter Ends closed the party again after drinks and dinner. Sailors woke up early on Tuesday, April 22, to pretty skies, hot temperatures, and light winds. Volunteers arrived early to direct parking and traffic, register sailors, put out breakfast, organize bag lunches and set up the awards table as the Opti, Pram and Sunfish sailors rigged their boats. The PRO, Gloria Davis, discussed the course, which would be a triangle once around with separate windward marks for the Opti/Pram sailors and the Sunfish sailors at the 9 am competitor's meeting. Since winds were low and expected to die, the PRO was hopeful for "a few quick starts and a short and sweet course." Twenty seven Sunfish launched one by one from the single Sunfish floating dock while seven Optis and six Prams launched from the T dock heading towards the race course. The Sunfish were the first off the start line sailing in light winds and choppy water. Luffing Lassie, Rita Steele took the lead, heading towards the windward mark with fellow Luffing Lassies Lisa Brown Ehrhart, Ursala Olson and Jean Orr in close pursuit along with Windlasses Chris Kelly and Janet Kreutzer. After rounding the gybe mark and heading leeward, Lisa Brown Ehrhart was led with Windlasses Chris Kelly and Janet Kreutzer moving up to second and third place while Ursala Olson and Rita Steele battled for fourth place. Crossing the finish line were Lisa Brown Ehrhart in first place, Chris Kelly in 2nd place and Janet Kreutzer in third place. Meanwhile the Optis and Prams sailed across the start line heading to their windward mark. Unfortunately, several sailors headed towards the wrong mark for quite a distance before realizing the mistake and correcting their sailing course. Opti sailor and Windlasses Joanne Simmons quickly established a lead at the windward mark and never lost it. Opti sailors Susan Foote of the Windlasses and Mikhele Severini of the Salty Sisters competed for 2nd and 3rd place. It appeared that Mikhele Severini would place 2nd, but she lost her wind close to the finish line as Susan Foote breezed in slightly ahead of her. In the Pram fleet, Independent member PJ Summerville finished 1 st after correcting her course early in the race. Second place finisher was Els Wiemken of the Salty Sisters, while Victoria McWilliams of the Dinghy Dames finished third. The light winds dropped further as the last Opti and Pram sailors crossed the finish line. The PRO raised the AP over A flags, and there was no further racing for the day. Sailors headed to shore to clean up, de-rig and have lunch. In 2024, the FWSA's Rainbow Regatta, celebrating the 50th year of the FWSA and hosted by the Bitter Ends and Luffing Lassies at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron, could not be sailed due to extremely high winds. This year's awards, created by Bitter Ends Jill Joss for the 2024 Rainbow Regatta, were presented to the 2025 overall winners and the various divisions. The tired and happy sailors then finished cleaning up and headed home after a fun day on the water. A big thank you goes out to the Broad Reachers and Rhumb Runners for a memorable Rainbow Regatta. 2025 Rainbow Regatta Final Scoresheet Rita Steele, Chris Kelly, Lisa Brown Ehrhart first at the Windward Mark Sunfish Fleet rounding the Windward Mark Sunfish Leaders at the Gybe Mark Pram and Opti Start Pram sailor Katie Rogers of the Salty Sisters at the Windward Mark Sunfish Sailors heading in to St Pete Sailing Center Opti and Pram sailors heading in with low wind Vice President Pam Miller Announcing the day's winners. FWSA Rainbow Regatta Trophy Archive Rainbow Regatta Clearwater Pram Trophy Recipients Rainbow Regatta I.O.D./OPTI Trophy Recipients Rainbow Regatta Sunfish Trophy Recipients

Lady Luck finally smiled down on the Bitter Ends and their Interclub Chair, Pam Miller, on the fourth attempt for their Luck Be A Lady Sunfish Interclub. Rescheduled from October to November then to February and finally to March, fourteen competitors arrived at Higel Park in Venice, Florida, to cool temperatures, sunny blue skies and low winds. The sailors optimistically unloaded their trailers and rigged their Sunfish, anticipating a good morning out on the water. The Competitors' meeting was held at 9:30 am where PRO Jennifer Ikeda shared information on how to get out to the race course, wind and tide conditions, possible race courses, and signals and flags in case there was a need to either shorten the course or abandon a race. She then announced that, "Everyone is rigged and there is some wind, so we will sail." The Bitter Ends launch team assisted sailors out of the HIgel boat ramp while the Race Committee Boat set up a Windward/Leeward 2 course on Roberts Bay. Luffing Lassies rookie coach Lisa Brown Ehrhart also set out on her paddleboard. After all sailors had arrived at Roberts Bay a warning signal was given for the first race. Winds were low and shifty and from the spectator boat point of view the left side of the course appeared to be favored. As sailors established their starting position, Windlasses Chris Kelly and Janet Kruetzer along with Bitter End Amy Van der Velde took off at the horn up the left side of the course, while Bitter Ends Ann Carroll, Jill Joos and Luffing Lassie Jean Orr headed up the right side of the course. Windlasses Janet Kruetzer was first around the windward mark and established a strong lead on the first downwind leg of the race with four competitors in pursuit. As the group approached the windward mark for the second time they encountered Bitter Ends sailors Cindy Grant and Laurie Knudson who had been stuck at the windward mark from the first rounding in very low winds. Cindy Grant stated " we finally just had to laugh about it and talk to each other while we kept hoping for the wind to pick up a bit so we could get around the mark." Windlasses Janet Kruetzer and Chris Kelly finished in first and second place while Luffing Lassie Jean Orr finished in third place. Cindy Grant and Laurie Knudson were able to finish the race in time ,with a photo finish no less, with Cindy Grant finishing just ahead of Laurie Knudson by a nose. After a brief delay to reset the course, sailors were off for Race Two. Wind conditions remained low and shifty with some dead air spots on the course. The pin end of the start line appeared to be favored and Windlasses Chris Kelly and Janet Kruetzer, Dinghy Dame Lynne Randall and Bitter End Mary Littel quickly crossed the start line. Close behind the Race Committee Boat, a group of sailors were caught together with little wind to separate them making for a later start for this group. First out of the pack and across the line was Luffing Lassie Rookie Sandra Gerber closely followed by Bitter Ends Laurie Knudson and Jill Joos. Sailors navigated towards the windward mark finding puffs of wind but some ventured too far away from the windward mark. First around the first windward mark were leaders Windlasses Chris Kelly and Janet Kruetzer followed by Luffing Lassies Carey Seven and Jean Orr. By the second windward mark, the top three leaders remained the same with Bitter End Amy Van der Velde moving in to fourth place. Windlasses Chris Kelly finished first, Windlasses Janet Kruetzer finished second with Dinghy Dame Lynne Randall and Bitter Ends Amy Van der Velde finishing 3rd and 4th, Due to even lower winds, a decision was made to cancel a possible third race and sailors headed to the dock. After cleanup, everyone gathered at the Higel Park Pavillion for a delicious lunch provided by Croissant & Co of Venice, FL. Everyone was given a pack of 5 playing cards with their lunch to create a poker hand in hopes of winning a fabulous prize created by Bitter End Jill Joos. Up to three cards could be exchanged to make a best possible hand. Deuces were wild. Interclub Chair Pam Miller called out the best hands as winners came forward to claim the coveted prizes. Next up the Interclub Winners were announced. Winners received a beautiful tote bag created for this interclub by Jill Joos. There were two ties in the scores, one between first and second place with a total of 3 points and one between third and fourth place with a total of 9 points. The lowest finish on the second race determined the ranking. In first place was Windlasses Chris Kelly, in second place was Windlasses Janet Kruetzer, in third place was Dinghy Dame Lynne Randall and in fourth place was Bitter End Amy Van der Velde. The Rookie award went to Luffing Lassie Sandra Gerber. All in all a fun day on the water and in the sun for FWSA sailors, their supporters and the Bitter Ends hosts. It was so great to be together once again! Bitter Ends Interclub Chair Pam Miller and Bitter Ends Members Shirley Geoffrion and Tina Haase are prepared for sailors to complete check in. Sailors arrive at Roberts Bay in advance of the first race of the day. Luffing Lassies sailors Sandra Gerber (5050) and Jean Orr (5085) head to the windward mark on Race 1. Luffing Lassie rookie coach Lisa Brown Ehrhart looks on from her paddleboard while Bitter End Jill Joos (4045) checks her watch prior to the start of Race 2. Interclub chair Pam Miller begins to announce the race winners. Dinghy Dames Lynne Randall and Bitter Ends Amy Van der Velde tied with 9 points. Lynn Randall received 3rd place due to her higher finish on Race 2. Interclub Winners (L-R) Dinghy Dame Lynne Randall (3rd), Luffing Lassie Sandra Gerber (Rookie), Windlasses Janet Kruetzer (2nd) and Windlasses Chris Kelley (1st). Janet Kruetzer and Chris Kelly tied with 3 points each, Chris Kelley finished in first place since she had a higher score on Race 2.

Hurricane Helene making her way up the Florida Coast The FWSA enthusiastically kicked off the 2024-25 sailing season on October 1, 2024 at their general meeting hosted by the Salty Sisters of St Petersburg Yacht Club and between the impacts of two major hurricanes hitting the west coast of Florida. Hurricane Helene's path up the Florida coast was a major wind and flood event with 140 mph winds, storm surge, and torrential rain as it headed up to the Big Bend Region and continued on its path into Tennessee. Hurricane Milton arrived much closer to home, making landfall near Siesta Key with 120 mph winds and an almost six-foot storm surge. These back-to-back hurricanes wreaked havoc on our homes, communities, and sailing venues. Our southernmost club, the Bitter Ends of Venice, completed one sail before the arrival of Hurricane Helene. The double hurricanes caused significant damage to the Venice Youth Boating pram shed and boat yard, where they store their boats and equipment, the nearby Venice Yacht Club, and the Higel Park Marina where the club launches their Sunfish. The pram shed drywall, floors, and equipment were replaced during November while the city of Venice and the surrounding buildings began to clean up, repair, and replace their infrastructure. Both the north and south sides of the Venice Jetty received major damage. The North Jetty opened this month while the South Jetty may take years to repair. The jetties were built in the 1920s and the orginal pilings have been exposed and damaged. The Bitter Ends were finally able to set sail on December 15th in low winds, but they were cheered to get out on the water and finish one race. Their season continues to be impacted by cold weather, low winds, and red tide. They are hopeful that their now thrice-postponed Interclub will be a success and that maybe the fourth time will be a charm for this club. Their Sunfish interclub is now scheduled for March 12, 2025. The Bow Chasers of Clearwater Yacht Club sustained substantial damage to the lower level of their building. The rising surge came over the top of the shutters and the flood waters were actually held in by those shutters. The lower level of the Yacht Club, which had been renovated only one year prior, had to be gutted once again. Their prams were found scattered around the property and the neighboring property. Miraculously, they had no damage. The Bow Chasers are currently back on the water, sailing on Tuesday mornings. Their Pram Interclub is scheduled for April 1, 2025. The Broad Reachers of Pass-A-Grille had major water intrusion in their pram trailer. Many hours were spent cleaning out the trailer with the loss of numerous old photos, race archives and Race Committee equipment. They washed, bleached or replaced what they could and were able to enjoy one sail in November. That was their last sail of the fall season due to no available safety boat. They were able to successfully complete their Pram Interclub on February 21st. They will also be hosting the Rainbow Regatta at St Petersburg Yacht Club in April with the Salty Sisters. The Dinghy Dames of Davis Island had significant property damage and loss of land however the club house had no major damage. While still in the early phases of recovery, they in coordination with the Main Sheet Mamas of the Tampa Yacht and Country Club were able to host an FWSA education day on January 27th along with a practice race in the afternoon prior to their scheduled interclub the next day. Unfortunately, winds were low in the morning and racing was cancelled that day as sailors gathered for camaraderie and a fabulous lunch. The Luffing Lassies of the Sarasota Sailing Squadron were at the heart of Hurricane Milton and suffered extensive damage to their facilities along with the surrounding areas of Siesta Key and Longboat Key. There was major damage to both the clubhouse and docks. Drywall was damaged throughout the clubhouse along with all kitchen appliances, pipes and toilets in the restrooms. The Lassies are able to use the main sitting area and bar as renovations continue. The docks also received significant damage but all but two docks have been repaired and beach replenishment is scheduled to occur shortly. The Squadron and the Lassies are operational with club regattas taking place. The Lassies are now racing weekly. The Rhumb Runners of Boca Ciega Yacht Club had a disappointing Fall season but are optimistic for Winter/Spring of 2025. Gulfport experienced significant damage during Hurricanes Helen and Milton in addition to Hurricane Debby which arrived in August 2024. The South Basin by BCYC was totally destroyed. The beach area, where the Sunfish typically launch, is currently being used as a staging area for cleanup and is not available to launch Sunfish. The club is trying to launch Sunfish from alternative locations which can be very challenging. The BCYC now has three sailable Catalina Capri's from the original six. They look forward to a hopefully busy season however their FWSA interclub is cancelled for this year. The Salty Sisters of St Petersburg Yacht Club have sailed the most of all the FWSA west coast clubs. While the St Petersburg Yacht Club and the Salty Sisters recovered from flood damage and the personal loss of some of their homes, they were able to host the rescheduled Crewed Boat Interclub in December. The weather gods did not cooperate once again and brought high winds. A modified event took place with all sailors and spectators participating in a fun morning of games. They will be the site of the FWSA's Rainbow Regatta on April 21 and 22, 2025. The Windlasses of Dunedin lost their sailing location as it is closed by the city for recovery. There were significant losses along the Dunedin shoreline as Helene's floodwaters over ran the coast The city of Dunedin if working to restore/renovate/rebuild their waters and marina but it will take time. The Windlasses are working with the city to find alternative places to store and launch their boats and have been sailing off the Causeway. They successfully hosted the FWSA general meeting in January and look forward to getting on the water whenever and where ever they can. The sister sailors of the FWSA have survived the ups and downs of the 2024-2025 sailing season happy to get out on the water where ever they can sail and get together whenever they can celebrate another milestone forward. The FWSA's sailing sisterhood remains as strong as ever as they look forward to competing against each other at the 2025 Rainbow Regatta and celebrating together at the FWSA's May meeting in Venice, Fl hosted by the Bitter Ends.

By Pam Miller, FWSA VP   The FWSA’s interclub racing finally had it’s first start on Friday, February 21st, at Pass-a-Grille in St. Pete.  The day had a very chilly start with temps in the 40’s and wind chills in the 30’s – brrrr!  As sailors crossed the Sunshine Skyway bridge, they were greeted with High Wind advisory signs and white caps on the bay.  The sun shining brightly was the saving grace of the day. Eight brave sailors, including 3 rookies, dressed warmly and finished 3 races in 12-14 mph winds with higher gusts.  Clubs sailing included the Broad Reachers, Luffing Lassies, Salty Sisters, Windlasses and one independent member.  The PRO of the day, Gloria Davis, had the marks boat set a windward/leeward course which the sailors did twice around.  The starts were interesting to watch from the dock since timing was critical because gusts pushed the sailors closer to the line than sometimes intended.  Only one sailor was called over early while other sailors ducked the line or tacked before going over. Despite the clubhouse still being under renovations, the Broad Reachers hosted a delicious lunch catered by the St. Petersburg Yacht Club.  Luckily the lunch tables were protected from the north wind and the bright sun kept everyone toasty. It was so nice to have the interclub racing season’s official start underway.  Sailors have a chance to sail in two more interclubs this season at the Bitter Ends in Venice (March 12th) and the Bow Chasers in Clearwater (April 1st).  Sunfish and pram sailors let’s get out on the water! Luffing Lassie Lisa Brown Ehrhart works to rig her boat as the north winds came down the channel Independent member P.J. Summerville was the first off the dock to test the waters In the first race, rookie Karen Naulty, Luffing Lassie, is right at the front with second place winner, P.J. Summerville Due to the day's cold conditions, it was nice that no one capsized during the gusts Getting around the windward mark proved to be a challenge for many of the sailors. One of the rookies had a lot of difficulty at this mark and independent member P.J. Summerville worked with her on the last race to help her get around the course. During lunch, she provided additional pointers for future sailing days. The Race Committee of Beverly Smoak and Carol Hanson (standing) on flags, PRO Gloria Davis (middle) and Scorer, Selga Sakss, did a great job in windy conditions. As the races progressed, Gloria provided learning tips throughout the day. Winners: 1st place, Lisa Brown Ehrhart, Luffing Lassie (left); 2nd place, P.J. Summerville, independent member; 3rd place, Juliette Clark, Broad Reacher; Rookie, Karen Naulty, Luffing Lassie. The day's winners received jars filled with Starburst candy and other sailing goodies and a sailboat topped the jar.

By Missy Weiner January 28, 2025 With over 66 FWSA members gathering at Davis Island Yacht Club, no one doubted that a fun day was in store! There were 27 Sunfish sailors, 12 Pram sailors, 15 Spectators (from 8 different clubs!), and umpteen Volunteers ready to facilitate, participate in, and watch a competitive day on Hillsborough Bay. It wasn't too surprising that at the 9:15 Skippers' meeting, the PRO told us she just wanted to wait a bit to see if the wind would fill in as the flags were sadly drooping. With some yummy breakfast treats and friendships on which to catch up, all attendees were content to wait for the wind. As the morning continued, it was becoming less and less likely that would happen. At 10:50 a.m., the PRO sadly blew the horn to pronounce no racing for the day. Attendees were not deterred from enjoying themselves though as there was shopping to be done at the re-gifting sale! Fran Mericle, Chansi Harrow, and Carroll McLain were very happy to have received so many donations to the sale and had spent the morning pricing everything to GO! Ultimately, over $800 was raised to add to the Young Woman Sailor of the Year award! While all were disappointed there would be no competition on the water, especially the Dinghy Dames who had worked so hard to ensure a great interclub, all left DIYC grateful for all the FWSA does to support member clubs, the sport of sailing, and our friendships. NOTE: The Dames would like to thank pro photographer Amy Pezzicara for her willingness to go out on the water to capture sailors in action. Instead, we have wonderful pics of rigging in action and terrific group photos. Here's the link to all the pics Amy took that day:https://pezzphoto.pic-time.com/-20250128dinghydames125interclub/gallery

January 27, 2025 Davis Island Yacht Club You can always count on the Dinghy Dames to be great hosts, and they proved it again while hosting over 40 sailors for an FWSA education day on Monday, January 27, ahead of their interclub. The Sunfish Sailors brought their Sunfish for the next day’s regatta and were able to get their boats and setup early at the point. Lunch was served and catered by Inside the Box, a Tampa-based nonprofit affiliated with Metropolitan Ministries that serve people experiencing homelessness. Lisa Ehrhart presented a terrific chalk talk, explaining how she sets up ahead of each race and sails the course in a regatta. Pram sailors then departed for the Pram launch area, where Carrie Green demonstrated rigging a pram for different conditions. Sunfish sailors headed to the point where they rigged their boats with experts Lisa Ehrhart, Chris Kelly, Lynne Randall, and Emily Wagner providing invaluable advice, including, in Emily’s case, a demonstration on how to reef a sail for those 20-knot winds she loves! Those who wanted a practice sail got their wish when the wind picked up just enough for a few quick races out of the basin to “A” Mark and back. Throughout the afternoon and the following day, the Regifting table to benefit Young Woman Sailor of the Year was open in the clubhouse, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose among us. By donating to the YWSA, you can help a young woman reach her sailing career goals through financial assistance from the FWSA organization. Zelle the FWSA Treasurer at, Treas.fwsa@gmail.com Or Paypal

President Jennifer Anderson opened the general meeting hosted by the Windlasses and held at Island Way Grille in Clearwater by summarizing the tumultuous start of the 2024-2025 sailing season. Back to back Hurricanes Helene and Milton in September and October 2024 had devastating impacts to all sister clubs on the West Coast of Florida. Sailors from these clubs have focused on clean up and recovery throughout the fall. Days on the water have been few and sailors are anticipating a return to sailing and competition in 2025. Only the Salty Sisters were able to hold the rescheduled Crewed Boat Challenge on December 12th, 2024 . Unfortunately, the weather once again did not cooperate and there was no sailing that day. Attendees enjoyed a morning of fun games and then a fabulous lunch. Winter/Spring Interclubs and Regattas will continue based on the sailing conditions and restoration endeavors at each club. The Dinghy Dames will host the first interclub on January 28th with an education activity and a practice sail on January 27th. The Rainbow Regatta to be held at St Pete Yacht Club on April 21st and 22nd will be held. The FWSA successfully hosted two well attended Zoom seminars this season under the leadership of Marti Cochran, Education Chair. Kristen Berry presented "Sail Fast and Have a Blast" in Crewed Boats in October and Dave Perry held a presentation and discussion on racing rules changes for 2025 and important racing rules for all sailors in January. Both seminars were well attended. Chris Self representing the National Women's Sailing Association promoted membership with this group and their upcoming conference to be held in St. Petersburg in June 6-8, 2025. The local group, Women Who Sail Tampa Bay , was organized ten years ago. Their goal is to empower women to be confident and successful in sailing related activities. They work to accomplish this by providing education, shared knowledge and camaraderie. The National Women's Sailing Association is seeking the expertise of talented women instructors and presenters, like you to teach other women sailors who are eager to gain deeper knowledge and skill at their June 6-8, 2025 Conference. If this is you, go to https://womensailing.org/instruct-at-the-national-womens-sailing-association-conference/for  more information. The meeting's featured speakers were Claudia Noble and Stephanie English representing Sailability of Greater Tampa Bay. This organization was founded in 2001 and was the first in the United States. Their mission is to provide affordable, accessible sailing activities and education to children and adults of all abilities. Sailability hosts a yearly pirate camp for kids that are limb different in a variety of boats and watercraft. Funding assistance is provided by the Never Say Never Foundation with children attending from all over the world. Their camp motto is "Let's just figure this out." Sailability also offers on the water opportunities for anyone that has physical challenges in Hansa sailboats. These boats have a 4 ft daggerboard weighing 75 lbs that prevents the boat from capsizing. It uses a joystick for steering. Stephanie English presented on how Sailability has impacted her life going from homebound to competing in world racing. Sailability's program is about "Life, the challenges we face in life and getting around them." A great motto for the women sailors of the FWSA to embrace for 2025. You can make a donation to Sailability of Greater Tampa Bay . Contact Sailabilty for more information on how to get invovled. Stephanie English and Claudia Noble representing Sailability of Greater Tampa Bay

In a bittersweet turn of events, the sailing part of the 2024 Crewed Boat Regatta was weathered out. Plan B by hosts Salty Sisters, however, turned out terrifically. It was a belated, much-needed break from real-life issues to come together again and have fun. There was a ton of raucous laughter. To recap the situation: Regatta Chair Jenniffer O’Neill and her team spent months organizing this event, which was originally scheduled for Nov. 6 and 7. Then two hurricanes hit, leaving ongoing devastation at sailing facilities and at many members’ homes. When the event was rescheduled to Dec. 11 and 12, Jenn organized again, finding alternatives for volunteers, including herself, that could not attend on the new dates. Dee Gill was then added as co-chair. With so much sailing and personal upheaval, no one knew what to expect from attendance. FWSA has excellent sailors, but few regularly sail the boats they would charter for this regatta. (Sonars in the non-spin class and Ideal 18s with spinnakers.) Yet sailors organized, spectator boats filled to capacity and volunteers from several clubs stepped up for race day duties. The event was on! Unfortunately, Salty Sisters had to make the hard decisions every regatta organizer dreads. Wednesday’s practice was cancelled due to weather that was too bad to even rig boats. Thursday’s forecast called for continuing small craft warnings, with gusts in the 30s and temperatures in the 40s. Considering many sailors would be on unfamiliar boats without practice, PRO Jennifer Parramore called the race late Wednesday rather than hoping for a drastically different forecast at dawn. The competitors could not have been more supportive. Every team gamely stayed over or made the drive Thursday morning for games that the organizers kept secret but promised would be competitive. (Do not underestimate the pull of the word “competitive” with this crowd.) Spectators and RC volunteers came from several clubs, and Salties quickly assigned them to teams also. The indoor regatta ultimately had 47 competitors. Gutter races were the highlight of the day. Each team had to make a sailboat that would move using only wind that one appointed member could blow through a straw. (Each team got an alternate blower too…to prevent hyperventilation.) The race course consisted of two, two-lane, water-filled gutters that required tacking (or something) at the end to then blow the boat back to start. Anyone not blowing was assigned to RC. No one was allowed to touch the boats once in the water. With four boats competing at all times and some 65-plus cheering women, it was sort of like match racing gone wild. A candy cane grab and an indoor poker run completed the competition. Rules made these harder than you might imagine. Every team member had to have one hand on another at all times. Someone had to remember the new nonsensical meanings organizers assigned to course flags. Random tricks of coordination were demanded at various stations. At lunch, the prizes went deep, if not exactly appropriately. The winning gutter race team – it included Dinghy Dames and a Broad Reachers competitor – went home with the First Place Spinnaker glasses for the Crewed Boat Regatta. A lot of Poker Run entrants won engraved glasses from the no-wind 2023 Rainbow Regatta. The competitors rolled with it. A special thanks goes to the Salty Sister Rainy Day Crew for literally saving the day. Helle Getz, formidable race officer and former middle school PE teacher, offered the experience and equipment for the gutter races. Carol Hansen and Gina Bowden-Pierce, with plenty of entertaining and officiating experience between them, filled out the schedule and MC’d the games in Helle’s absence. In the end, we did not get the sort of traditional regatta we all wanted. But we did seem to get exactly what we needed. Jenniffer O’Neill, Regatta Chair, Salty Sister Dee Gill, Co-Chair, Salty Sister Cathy Lasky, Photographer, Salty Sister Gutter Blow Gina Kevin SC Team Bonding Lunch Boat making Gutter Winners Hands up!

Ardith RUTLAND Obituary RUTLAND, Ardith Clark 93, passed away on August 23, 2024 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Born in Clearwater, Florida and a graduate of Clearwater High School, Ardith lived a life full of family, philanthropy, business, and adventure. Ardith was preceded in death by her husband, Hubert "Bert" Rutland II. She was a loving mother to her four children, Hubert "Bud" Rutland III (deceased), Thomas Rutland, Ardith Richards (deceased), and Nancy Rutland, and was a cherished grandmother to seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Ardith is well-known for her love of volunteering and was honored with the 2009 Helen D. Roberts Philanthropy Award for her 50 -plus years of service with the Christmas Toy Shop, as well as volunteering with St. Anthony's Hospital, the Stuart Society, St. Petersburg Historical Society Guild, the Girl Scouts, and many other local organizations. She made headlines as 'Gator Grandma' when she went alligator hunting at age 71. Ardith's zest for life was apparent to all her knew her. She sailed with the Salty Sisters, traveled to Alaska and Montana for fly fishing and to Scotland for the Highland Games, worked alongside her late husband at the Rutland Ranch, Rutland Bank, and Rutland Department Store, and rarely missed her Friday 'lunch bunch' at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. Ardith will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 28 from 4-6 pm at Brett Funeral Home. A celebration of Ardith's life will be held Thursday, August 29 at 3 pm at First United Methodist. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Christmas Toy Shop or St. Anthony's Hospital Foundation. Guestbook at www.brettfuneralhome.net . Ardith's Legacy of the FWSA

Lisa Brown Ehrhart of the Luffing Lassies and Sarasota Sailing Squadron (front row left) has returned to her summer home in Maine from Norway where she represented the Northeast Harbor Fleet in the Hanko 2024 Worlds in June. This International One Design Fleet is a unique boat conceptualized by Cornelius Shields who was in search of a beautiful, affordable, one design International class. The orginal boats were build by Bjarne Aas of Norway and then shipped overseas in the 1930s. This International One Design Boat is a 33 foot open cockpit day sailor developed in 1936 for yacht racing. There are thirteen fleets in the world and this year the Hanko Yacht Club of Hanko Norway hosted the 2024 Worlds. The Northeast Harbor Fleet of Maine, boasting the largest fleet of IODs, was able to send three crews to compete this year as Tom Freemont Smith of NEH Fleet won the last IOD Worlds. The regular sailors of Team Freyja, who race in the waters of Mount Desert in July and August, with skipper/owner Mia Thompson at the helm, and crew members Andrew Kennedy, Allison Schafer and Lisa Brown Ehrhart felt fortunate to be able to compete at the Worlds this year. Team Freya with a predominately female crew and a female owner/skipper is unique to this particular sailing class. They were also fortunate to have the addition of Skye Ehrhart (Lisa's son) join them as a fifth crew member for the competition. Lisa Brown Ehrhart reported that the Hanko Yacht Club worked hard to create a spectacular week of racing and social events. They were excellent hosts going above and beyond to have 24 IODs in world racing shape for this epic event. Highly advanced captains and crews flew halfway around the world to compete and there were six prior world champions racing in this regatta. The weather blew very hard some days with huge seas keeping sailors on the docks. These rough weather conditions were often followed by lighter wind days making competition possible in the beautiful old borrowed boats. The sailing was spectacular, the courses were fair, the post-race switch to a different boat challenging and the competition fierce. Team Freyja, with the only female skipper and predominately female crew finished in 17th place out of the 20 boats on the line. The 2024 IOD words in Hanko Norway was an outstanding event that Lisa had the honor to compete in. Lisa Brown Ehhart Luffing Lassies and Sarasota Sailing Squadron Marge Whiteman FWSA Publicity Chair

Shirley Geoffrion, the oldest active Sunfish sailor of the FWSA, arrived at Higel Marine Park in Venice, FL at 8:00 am towing her Sunfish sailboat "Sea Shirl." She independently unloaded Sea Shirl from the trailer, rigged her, and pulled Sea Shirl on her dolly to the launch area. It was May 8, 2024 and Shirley's last race day racing with the Bitter Ends in her 90th year of life. Shirley completed four races with three 6th place finishes and one 4th place finish. As she enjoyed her return sail to the dock, she gave Sea Shirl an affectionate pat while taking in the sights of Roberts Bay. Shirley joined the Bitter Ends in 2009. For many years Shirley was a snowbird returning to her home in Maine for the summer. She was a regular competitor in FWSA's interclubs and The Rainbow Regatta. Her last interclub race was with the Rhumb Runners on March 11, 2024 where she finished in 10th place. Shirley grew up on the coast of Maine sailing in the deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean which made her a strong and fearless sailor. She attributes her long sailing career to daily weight workouts at the gym. Best known for calling "Hold Your Course" Shirley did so until her last finish of her last race with the Bitter Ends. We will all miss you on the water Sea Shirl!!