The beautiful waters outside the windows of Isla Del Sol Yacht Club provided the perfect background for the FWSA's Annual Meeting on May 16, 2024. Sailors were greeted at the registration table by members of the host club, The Rhumb Runners. After registration, they mingled and chatted until Captain Joy Sheets called the meeting to order at 10:00 am. Captain Joy gave a big welcome to all members and a special welcome to the Windward Women of Halifax Sailing Association, who were attending their 2nd FWSA meeting. The officers, committee chairs, and club representatives gave year-end reports. Co-chairs Lynn Randall and Anne Chotkowski presented the Long-Range Plan for 2024-2029. Carol Hanson of the Broad Reachers and Salty Sisters appeared on Zoom from Italy to receive the Lilly Kaighin Award, a round of applause and a standing ovation by all FWSA members and guests. Fran Mericle approached the podium next to introduce her committee and the Young Women Sailor of the Year Award. This year's recipient nominated by the Salty Sisters was Dorothy Mendenblatt of St Petersburg High School. Captain Joy then presented the slate of FWSA officers for the 2024-2025 season. Captain Jennifer Anderson of the Salty Sisters, Vice Captain Pam Miller of the Bitter Ends, Secretary Rosemary McMullen of the Luffing Lassies, and Treasurer Carol Hanson of the Broad Reachers. Voting was held, and the slate was approved. Captain Joy recognized her officers and committee chairs with a gift of a wine glass celebrating the 50th anniversary of the FWSA. Vice Captain Jennifer Anderson thanked Captain Joy for a great year as Captain, and she was given a Gill sailing jacket embroidered with her name, the president's charm, and two bottles of red wine. The annual meeting was adjourned and a beautiful lunch was served as the FWSA's 50th anniversary Sail-a-bration year came to a close. Author, Marge Whiteman, Bitter Ends Lilly Kaighin Award Winner In October of 1999, Lilly Kaighin’s family executed a Deed of Gift and Trust Agreement providing a perpetual trophy in the memory of Lilly Kaighin, a past president of FWSA. This trophy is to be awarded to a member (deserving of recognition) for exemplifying any of the following qualities: leadership, motivation, organization, involvement, good sportsmanship, or contributing to the social aspect of sailing for either the FWSA or a member club. ​ How do you describe the value of Carol to every organization of which she has been a part?  For the Salty Sisters and Broad Reachers who have been around her and have collaborated with her, Carol is The Indispensable, Irreplaceable Woman.  Who do we call when we need to get a job done?  It is Carol.  What would we do without her?   Thank goodness we have not had to answer that question. Carol has served as a member of the Board, Treasurer, Co-Captain, and Captain of both the Salty Sisters, where she was Captain in 2014-15, and Broad Reachers, where she was Captain in 2016-17 and served again in 2022-2023. She also, both before and after serving in the highest leadership position in each club, continues to serve as a tireless worker, chairing committees, devoting countless hours to mentoring and helping with the education of newer sailors, producing photographs, and writing monthly articles on the clubs’ activities for the St. Pete Yacht Club’s magazine, and pitching in wherever help is needed. For the past seven years, Carol has chaired and co-chaired the annual St. Pete Yacht Club Christmas Boutique, corralling vendors, volunteers, and participants to grow an event that has raised tens of thousands of dollars to fund summer sailing camp scholarships for hundreds of kids from the local YMCA.  Carol’s work on behalf of the community extends beyond her support for kids’ sailing.  For years, she has served on the Board and as Treasurer of the nonprofit Music Sweet Music, which provides music therapists to support individuals ranging from kids with autism and cancer to veterans and other adults with traumatic brain injuries and PTSD.  Carol’s list of activities is too long to include here, but one of her special interests should bring a smile to the lips of all who love the sea. Year after year, she sponsors the protection of sea turtle nests, and in 2022 alone helped ensure that 197 “grandchildren” made it into the world! Carol, for many years, has chaired and organized one of the opening regattas of the FWSA sailing season: the annual Commodore Lucas Cup Regatta, hosted each October by the Broad Reachers in Pass-A-Grille.  Carol has served as second and first delegates to FWSA from both the Salties and Broad Reachers, and she served FWSA directly as Member-At-Large (2013-14), Budget Chair (2013-14), Treasurer (2017-20 and2022-2024) and President (2020-21). Beyond Carol’s record of accomplishments and the offices she holds, she brings a special dimension to every organization she touches.  One FWSA officer described Carol as follows: “She is a task master working behind the scenes and always willing to help.  She has a winning personality.  She has the ability to avoid background noise and bring people together to accomplish the mission.”  And Carol always makes sure we have fun along the way.  When Salty Sailing activities shut down every summer, Carol runs the hilarious “Summer Olympics” in the yacht club’s Tiki Deck pool.  When COVID ended most in-person gatherings over late spring, summer, and fall of 2020, Carol invented “Salty Bingo,” producing a fill-in-the-Bingo-card activity list with her assistant, Alexa, randomly picking each day’s activities.  Her template was used by the Dinghy Dames to create their own version of “Dingo.” For each club, it served as an online gathering place for members to stay in touch and share experiences throughout a difficult period of separation.  Carol currently serves as the official Salty Sisters Humor Queen, producing belly laugh-inducing jokes to close out our Wednesday lunch meetings. The Salty Sisters have two separate awards, considered the highest awards that can be given to any Salty.  One is the Salty Sisters Spirit Trophy, given annually to the Salty who deserves recognition for “exemplifying the following qualities:  contribution to the social aspect of sailing, good sportsmanship, leadership, organization, motivation, involvement, and attendance.” Carol was awarded this honor in 2012.  The other is the Optimist Memorial Trophy, given to the Salty, who best exemplifies the spirit of eternal optimism in “achieving or attempting to achieve personal goals through exceptional character, as demonstrated on the water and in her life in the context of being a Salty Sister.”  Carol was awarded this honor in 2017. Finally, while the sheer love of sailing is not a criterion for the Lilly Kaighin or other awards mentioned above, it is an essential part of Carol’s makeup — whether in a pram, Sunfish, 420, Ideal 18, or Sonar.  Carol is always up for sailing, even though she often plays hurt and bloody!   She is at the dock when the first boat is launched, and she is there until the last boat is put away.  On the water, she is her own special mix of competitiveness, enthusiasm, and patience when helping newer sailors — and there are many who have benefited from her support. For these reasons, the Salty Sisters and Broad Reachers are proud to nominate Carol Hansen for the 2024 Lilly Kaighin Award. Valerie Massingill, Captain, Salty Sisters, Audrey Orgo, Salty Sisters 1st Delegate, Juliet Clark, Sailing Captain, Broad Reachers and Katie Rodgers, Broad Reachers, 1st Delegate. Today, at the annual meeting, FWSA recognized an Outstanding Female Sailor. The Young Women Sailor of the Year Award winner is Dorothy Mendelblatt. Nominated by the Salty Sisters Tampa, FL: Florida Women’s Sailing Association on the west coast of Florida has promoted women in sailing since 1973. One of the most significant ways they promote women in sailing is through their annual Young Woman Sailor of the Year Award. This prestigious award signifies accomplishment within the sport of sailing as well as a monetary award that helps the sailor continue their sailing career. This year’s award is given to Dorothy Mendelblatt of St Petersburg, FL, for her impressive abilities on the water. Dorothy grew up in the St Petersburg sailing community.  She first sailed an Opti as a Pre-kindergartener. As her sailing skills advanced, Dorothy moved from the Opti to a Laser and then to the Nacra 15.  She has sailed all over the country and the world. Dorothy grew up in a sailing family, and her father, uncle, and grandfather are all accomplished competitive sailors.  She has distinguished herself in the competitive sport of sailing.  Beginning in 2018, Dorothy has competed in Volvo British Nationals 2018, the Magic Marine Easter Regatta in the Netherlands 2018, IODA North American Championship 2019, USODA National Team 2019-2020, ILCA 4 National Championship 2021 7th Place, ILCA 6 Cressy Qualifier 2021 6th place, Nacra 15 US Sailing Youth Championship 2021 3rd place, Nacra 15 US Open 2022 1st place, Nacra 15 Youth Worlds 2022, 9th place, ILCA 6 Cressy Qualifiers 2023 2nd place, 2023 ILCA 6 Cressy Nationals 7th place.  Dorothy has also been Captain of the St Petersburg High School sailing team for the past 2 years. Dorothy is a graduating senior at St Petersburg High School in the International Baccalaureate Program with a 4.5 GPA. According to her mother Amy, Dorothy is “driven and will always take the challenging route over the easy one”. Her parents support her sailing dreams but it has always been Dorothy’s choice to compete at National and International levels. Dorothy volunteered at the St Petersburg Sailing Center until she was 16 when she became a US Certified Sailing Coach.  She has helped kids in the SPYC sailing classes each summer.  Dorothy states that winning this award will encourage her to do more impressive sailing in the future such as winning the College National Sailing Championships.  Her ultimate goal is to become an All-American Skipper.  Dorothy will be attending Yale University in the fall and sailing on their team. The Award Committee, Fran Mericle, Luffing Lassie and Co-Chair Ann Carroll, Bitter Ends, Carroll McClain, Mainsheet Mama, Nancy Vildibill Salty Sister, Chansi Harrow, Dinghy Dames. About FWSA: Founded in 1973 to promote and encourage the growth of women's sailing groups along the West coast of Florida, the FWSA functions to: Encourage the sport of women's interclub yacht racing. Foster and encourage social fellowships pertaining to all things nautical between member clubs and similar associations. Improve communication between clubs. Forward and advance sailing in all its phases through education and sailing clinics. Promote and coordinate interclub, match team racing, and other sailing events for and between its members under uniform rules. Currently, there are eleven member clubs with more than four hundred women racing once a week in their respective sailing clubs on both Florida’s West and East Coasts.  Membership is open, and FWSA welcomes additional sailing clubs.  www.fwsa.net

By Rosemary McMullen It was a beautiful day on Sarasota Bay. A bright sky showed Flamingos their way. Sailors dressed in pink rigged their boats not to sink. Winds 14, gusts to 20....rescue boats were seen in plenty. 24 Sailors on the course, there to defy the winds of force. 3 American 18's, 3 420s, and 18 Sunfish boats all managed to stay afloat. Race Committee was compelled, so 4 fun filled races were held. Upon returning to the shore amusing festivities there galore. Pink Flamingos everywhere....lots of sailors had pink hair! Scrumptious food in large amounts but the Sangria made us bounce! Awards given to the winners, games were played without spinners. Flamingo Fling Hole and Flamingo Fong Beer were games we played without fear! This my friends is the Lassies Ode to the Flamingo Fling!! Photo 1: Fabulous Flamingo Fling Chair: Ashley Lippincott Photo 2: Sunfish Overall Winners: Rebecca Hermann 3rd, Lisa Brown Ehrhart 1st and Kellee Johnson 2nd (L-R) Photo 3: Salt Winner - Janettte McCoid, Supersalt Winner -Katrina West and Luffer Winner-Irene Schaller (L-R) Photo 4: Flamingo Fling Prize Table of Pink Champagne Photo 5: 420 Winners, Marge Whiteman and Ann Carroll 3rd, Jennifer Means and Barbara Sylvester (missing) 1st, Penny Durham and Brenda Scanlon (missing) 2nd Photo 6: American 18s Winners: Fran Mericle and Jaki Becker,3rd, Ursula Olson and Linda Schwartz 1st, Susie Baumann and Sandi Szmania 2nd (L-R)

On April 4, 2023, Rainbow Regatta sailors floated out from the St. Petersburg shore to the race course with wind speeds topping at 4 mph while the Salty Sisters asked the wind gods for more wind. Their pleas did not seem to be answered as sailors paddled back to shore, not being able to finish race 1 within time limits. On April 10, 2024, the winds gods answered their pleas, giving the Luffing Lassies and Rainbow Regatta sailors 18-20 mph winds with heavy gusts as they looked out at Sarasota Bay. The Sunfish sailors tightened their rigging and reefed their sails as wind speeds increased throughout the morning. Opti and Pram Sailors optimistically unloaded their boats in a protected area of the boatyard. The Competitor’s meeting started at 11:30 AM Sailing was postponed for 45 minutes and ultimately canceled for the day at 1:00 P.M. Rainbow Regatta Chairs, Luffing Lassies Linda Tiffin, and Penny Durham and Bitter End Janet Molen planned well for this possibility. First bagpipe player Bill Sanderson took the stage, playing several tunes as champagne and ice cream were served. It was planned that Mr.Sanderson would play as the sailors launched, and champagne would greet them on their return to shore in celebration of the FWSA’s 50th Anniversary. This was quickly followed by an hour of sailing education featuring several local experts, MaryEllen Ingham and Linda Leader. At 4:00 P.M., Luffing Lassies Publicity Chair Kelee Johnson arranged a Zoom interview with Lara Dallman-Weiss, who will be competing in the mixed 470 class at the 2024 Olympics representing the United States. The bar was then opened, cold and hot appetizers were served, the Bitter Ends performed a skit, Dinghy Dames Lynn Randall was crowned “Rainbow Queen” and the Sarasota High School Sailing Team had high wind practice out on the bay, providing many sailors with entertainment as they screamed downwind, battled upwind, and frequently capsized in their 420 sailboats. The band Grouper Cheeks, took the stage while sailors danced, and a fabulous dinner was served. This dinner was catered by Sarasota Sailing Squadron members, Chef Roy Case, Sous Chef Delia Ingham, Luffing Lassie, and assistant Susan St. John, Luffing Lassie of. You would think that was enough food -but then came the dessert table. OH MY!! Sailors left the Sarasota Sailing Squadron into darkening skies, full, tired and happy but wisihng they could have sailed. They all knew that the next day was a Red Alert weather day with very high gusty winds and small craft warnings. Thursday morning dawned with a Competitor’s Meeting at 9:00 A.M., where sailing was officially canceled for the day. The regift table stayed open, raising over $700 for the Young Sailor of the Year Award. The Sunfish, Opti, and Pram quilted bags made by Bitter End Jill Joss and the small sailbag wristlets made by Luffing Lassies Monique Mustard were raffled off with many happy winners. Thank Yous, Recognitions and small gifts were given to the many Rainbow Regatta Volunteers. Lunch provided by the Bitter Ends and catered by Croissant & Co of Venice, FL, was served early. All sailors agreed that this was one of the best “no sailing” sailing regattas. Congratulations to the Luffing Lassies and the Bitter Ends for hosting a fabulous event. We will see what the weather gods will deliver to the Broad Reachers for the 2025 Rainbow Regatta. My fingers are crossed!! Marge Whiteman, Bitter Ends FWSA Publicity Chair

The Sailors at the Broad Reachers Interclub on Friday, 2/23/2024 had quite the exciting day on the water! It's impressive how dedicated and resilient the pram sailors can be, especially when facing challenges like gusts of wind upwards of 20 mph and the thought of capsizing. Keeping an eye on gusts was crucial for navigating safely. If you're looking to find out more about the competitor who capsized, you won’t find out unless you reach out to members of the safety boat crew.   The good news is that all sailors happily and safely made it the after-sail party. It was fantastic to see such supportive and engaged spectators! Cheering on the sailors and capturing the excitement through photographs added to the energy and good times all were having at the regatta. Their consideration for staying clear of the racing activities showing a good understanding of safety protocols and their enthusiasm provided an extra boost to the sailors as they navigated through the challenging conditions. The regatta volunteers were a well-oiled machine! Launching and loading 14 prams in a timely manner for the competitors is no small feat, but it's great to hear that they managed to do so smoothly and efficiently. Their positive attitude and ability to make the tasks enjoyable demonstrate a true dedication to the event and to the competitors. Volunteers like these play such a crucial role in making regattas run smoothly and ensuring everyone has a great experience.  We give them much applaud and respect. The safety boat and its crew played a vital role in ensuring the safety of the sailors during the regatta. Their vigilance in keeping a close eye on the sailors and being prepared to assist at a moment's notice is commendable. Being able to follow the fleet while staying clear demonstrates their skill and awareness of the surrounding conditions. Their quick response to assist a capsized boat shows their readiness and commitment to ensuring the well-being of all participants. Having a reliable safety team like this adds an extra layer of confidence for everyone involved in the regatta.  We are so grateful for their dedication to safety. Regattas can be full of excitement and challenges, and sometimes unexpected things happen. These "Oh No's" included some equipment failures, navigational errors, and unfavorable weather conditions. Despite the setbacks, our regatta participants demonstrated resilience and adaptability, turning these moments into opportunities for learning and growth. It's all part of the learning and growing nature of competitive sailing! Selga Sakks, Author

The Luffing Lassies hosted FWSA sailors for the second Educational Symposium of the 2023-2024 Sailing Season. The event was chaired and organized by FWSA Education Chairs Lee Parks of the Luffing Lassies and Pam Treloar of the Dinghy Dames. The first Educational Symposium offered in November 2023 and hosted by the Dinghy Dames was so popular that sailors have been looking forward to this second educational symposium. The event began at 12:30 pm on January 25, 2024, at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron in Sarasota, Florida. The Sailing Squadron and Lassies offered a delicious lunch of chicken pot pie accompanied by various salads, desserts, and beverages. Sailors socialized over lunch with the educational program beginning promptly at 1:15 pm. Mary Ellen Brown of the Luffing Lassies started off the afternoon with a 20-minute program on How to Read Tell Tales.  Mary Ellen offered plenty of insight on how to get those telltales flowing and how a sailor could get where she wanted to go in the most efficient manner.  Sailors now have some great information, and all that is needed is practice, practice, practice, and to develop a routine to constantly stay in check of how the boat is sailing. Following this presentation, a short synopsis of the remaining nine courses was offered, along with their location within the Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Sailors could choose which courses to attend from the following list.  Each course would last 45 minutes with a 15-minute break. ·         Pre-race Checks & Starting Tactics by Mike Ingham ·         Running Races: Race Committee Basics by Linda Tiffan ·         Wind, Weather and More by Emily Wagner ·         Mark Rounding’s: Windward, Leeward, Gates, and More by Mary Ellen Brown ·         How to Rig a Sunfish Including Gust Adjust Jens Rig by Linda Schwartz ·         Pram/Opti Sailing: Rigging and Getting Boats To Go Fast by Carrie Greene ·         Upwind, Speed and Tactics by Lisa Brown Ehrhart ·         How to Maintain Your Sunfish, Including Hardware Replacements by Linda Schwartz ·         Racing Rules 101 by Carrie Greene At 5:00 pm, sailors gathered for the final program on Sailing Terminology offered by Gail Heausler.  The Symposium was concluded, and sailors said goodbye to new and old friends as they headed home.  This was another great Educational Day offered by the FWSA.  This sailor is looking forward to more of FWSA’s educational programs in the 2024-2025 sailing season! Marge Whiteman, Bitter Ends Author and photographer

The FWSA celebrated its 50th anniversary at The Meadows Country Club in Sarasota, FL, on January 17, 2024. The celebration and general meeting were hosted by the Luffing Lassies and coordinated by Luffing Lassie and party planner extraordinaire Rosemary McMullen. A festive atmosphere of beautiful gold and white 50th-anniversary decorations greeted arriving members. Harpist and Luffing Lassie Joelle Hudson de Tarnowsky played a collection of contemporary and Celtic music while sailors mingled and socialized in their nautically themed attire. There were plenty of blue and white striped shirts and sailing hats, while a few creative jackets and dresses were added to the mix. Luffing Lassie Lee Parks looked stylish in her fancy nautical jacket, while Melissa Rutland, the granddaughter of past president Salty Sister and FWSA founder Ardith Rutland looked picture-perfect in her nautical flag skirt , blue and white coat, and scarf. Bitter Ends Pam Miller breezed through her job as FWSA secretary in a sailor dress with anchor pockets and a big red bow. FWSA President Joy Sheets started the celebration with a big welcome to all members. A special welcome was given to five Windward Women from the Halifax Sailing Association of Daytona Beach, FL, attending their first FWSA meeting and event. Halifax Sailing Association Commodore Lisa Herbster and Wind Ward Captain Kathy Sinnett led them. We also offered a goodbye and toast to the Bitter Ends lifetime social chair Sylvia Turner who passed away in December. Following the general meeting, Dinghy Dame Lynn Randall and Bitter End Anne Chotkowski led a long-range planning discussion table discussing one of eight themes the Long Range Planning Committee brought forward. Lunch was served, and the Anniversary program followed with the story of the founding of the FWSA. All FWSA Past Presidents were recognized with a red rose, and a champagne toast was offered in honor of 50 years of sailing sisterhood. The celebration continued with line dancing to burn off the calories from the delicious 50th-anniversary chocolate cupcakes served for dessert. Many members began dancing, but only six hardy sailors danced until the celebration was concluded at 2:00 pm. Congratulations, FWSA, for 50 beautiful years of promoting women in sailing! Marge Whiteman, FWSA Publicity Chair and Bitter Ends member Harpist, Joelle Hudson de Tarnowsky, Luffing Lassie Melissa Rutland is the granddaughter of Ardith Rutland, FWSA founder, past president, and Salty Sister. Pam Miller, Bitter Ends, and FWSA Secretary Lee Parks, Luffing Lassie, and FWSA Education Co-Chair The Windward Women from the Halifax Sailing Association in Daytona Beach, FL. FWSA Past Presidents present for the 50th-anniversary celebration. The Windlasses from Dunedin The Luffing Lassies are hosts of the FWSA 50th Anniversary and General Meeting. We are celebrating on the dance floor with some line dancing.

For all the photos that Rita took, click here. After wind was a no show in last spring’s Rainbow Regatta in St. Petersburg and the Salty Sisters’ Interclub last December with hope no doubt motivated 33 sailors who launched from the St. Petersburg Sailing Center on Tuesday, December 5th in one and a half knots of wind to compete in the Salty Sisters’ 2023 Holiday Regatta. They were rewarded with a beautiful day, with enough building breeze to race and PRO Gloria Davis was able to get a couple of races in within the allotted time. There were 68 participants including 10 Sunfish sailors, 22 teammates consisting of skippers and crew out on 8 Ideal 18’s along with 12 spectators. There were 7 on race committee and 17 enthusiastic volunteers. The top sunfish sailors were Salty Sister Dee Gill taking 3rd, Windlasses Joy Sheets in 2nd and finishing 1st Windlasses Chris Kelly. The Ideal 18 winners were the Independent team in 3rd place consisting of JP Summerville, JoAnn Simmons (Broad Reacher) Trisha Birkenstock (Salty Sisters), in 2nd place was the team from the Mainsheet Mamas; sailing for their team was Jennifer Holmberg and Julie Sargent, and in 1st place was the Salty Sisters team skipper Els W, Jennifer Anderson and Pat Burrows. The day ended with lunch at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club where the club was decorated for the holidays, and everyone had an opportunity to wander in the club looking at all the decorations.

On the day before the Dinghy Dames were to put on their Friendsgiving interclub and sailors may be wanting to drop their boats off early anyway, they hosted over 100 FWSA members at the first Education Symposium, orchestrated by Education Chairs Lee Parks, LL, and Pam Treloar, DD. The day began with registration and socializing. The Dinghy Dames' Hospitality Committee members, chaired by Margaret Dufeny, really rolled out the red carpet with both sweet and savory breakfast foods along with the all-important coffee. Once all were registered, the first session was run by Emily Wagner, DD, giving all attendees a wonderful lesson on wind and weather on the water. She began with sharing with us all the tools and websites she uses before a race. She began with the macro view of weather patterns and continued to the very specific macro view of her particular location for that race. It was a very interesting presentation! The next three sessions gave attendees options as there were three speakers during each session so choices had to be made. Linda Schwartz, LL, put on three sessions on how to rig, care for, and maintain a Sunfish. She discussed products that were best and those that were no-noes along with different parts that need to be checked often. It was a lot to absorb! Thankfully, she had a handout with all info detailed there. Other speakers included Gail Heausler, DD, Pre-Race Checklist and Starting Tactics; Donna Sue Marks, , Race Committee Basics; Tom Turton, Mark Roundings; Margo Curry, WL, Basic Rules: How to stay our of trouble; Lisa Brown Ehrhart, LL, Upwind and Downwind Speed and Tactics; Linda Schwartz, LL, Boat Cleaning, Polishing, and Maintenance; Carrie Greene, DD, Protests: Tips & Prep; and the final presentation for all attendees Margo Curry, WL, and Carrie Greene, DD: Mock Protest with Gail Heausler and Emily Wagner. There was a break for lunch before the last two sessions. Most everyone left around 3:00 with a lot of extra knowledge and likely a new friend or two. The Luffing Lassies will host a similar symposium in January and I'm sure that, after the word gets out about how great this one was, will be even more heavily attended! This blog editor can't wait!

Regatta winners (L to R): Carrie Greene, Gail Heausler, Lisa Brown Ehrhart, Amanda Huss, PJ Summerville, and Sherry Swan Sail-a-brate Good Times, Come On! To commemorate FWSA’s 50 Years of Sail-a-brating, the Dinghy Dames hosted the first FWSA Educational Sailing Symposium and the Interclub Friendsgiving Regatta, Nov. 13-14, 2023. On Monday, the FWSA Educational Sailing Symposium was attended by 90 sailors to rave reviews. The symposium covered a range of topics on racing tactics and boat maintenance. Thanks to presenters Carrie Greene, Emily Wagner, Gail Heausler, Linda Schwartz, Lisa Brown Ehrhart, and Tom Turton. Afterward, the ladies were welcomed for a Happy Hour at the home of Dinghy Dames Colleen Jones, where everyone shared food and conversation with new friends and old. While thinking about the Regatta on the next day, people were a little nervous about the upcoming weather, as there had been a week of forecasts for heavy winds and rain. When Tuesday finally dawned, the day was a bit gray, with winds averaging 11 - 13 knots and flat seas: it started out as a perfect day for racing! Our bustling group of women rigged their sails, excited to get out on the water to race. Props to the Social Committee for a bracing breakfast for a racing day! With 42 Sunfish, 9 Prams, and 3 Capris registered from the Bitter Ends, Dinghy Dames, Luffing Lassies, Mainsheet Mamas, Rhumb Runners, Windlasses, and Salty Sisters, plus a few Independents, the Race Committee was set to have their hands full. By race time, though, with the forecast continuing to show increasing and very gusty winds, the Capri fleet elected not to go out and several of those crews decided to race Prams or Sunfish. About half the fleet of Sunfish decided that the forecast was going to be too much to handle, so they elected to enjoy the race from the terrific spectator deck of the DIYC Clubhouse, sitting in comfortable chairs sipping our signature cocktail, the Autumn Apple Mimosa. With a steady northeasterly breeze of 11+ and expecting to rise, the Race Committee set up the windward/leeward course just outside the seaplane basin, and deployed their four support boats (special thanks to Tampa Yacht Club for sending a crack crew and boat over to help out!) to ensure the safety of the fleets. In Race #1, Amanda Hus smoked the Sunfish fleet with a first-place finish well in front of every other sailor, but with the rain squalls coming in for Races 2 and 3, places among the two fleets changed with every mark rounding. At the end of the day, the top three Sunfish finishers were only separated by 5 points: Gail Heausler took first place, Lisa Ehrhart finished second, and Amanda finished third, out of 20 sailors competing. For the 11 Prams, in the first race Carrie Greene sailed so fast that she finished among the Sunfishes! She held on to the lead for all three races. PJ Summerville and Sherry Swan tied overall, with PJ winning the tiebreaker for second, and Sherry for third. In a tribute to good boat handling, all the racers managed the wind and changing conditions without mishap -although we did have one capsize (but that sailor was up and back in the race so quickly, we hardly knew she had gotten wet!). The starts were without recalls, and there were some nail-biting finishes, so the sailors enjoyed some great competitive sailing. Afterward, everyone enjoyed the buffet lunch of Autumn Soup and salad. On each table, guests found leaves to write what they were thankful for and hung them from our Friendsgiving Tree. Our Pram and Sunfish winners each chose a unique silk scarf brought back from Paris. A big shout out to the Dames who volunteered to serve on Race Committee: Debbie Dietrick, Kaki King, Susan Cintron, Susie Colunio and, Viola Smith. And, as usual, the Dinghy Dudes offered excellent support: Bob Griffin, Charlie Cushing, James Takacs, Joe Blouin, Paul Leonard, and Tom Turton. Thanks also to volunteers Antolin Rivera, BG Holmberg and Joel Barry. They are a crackerjack crew, and we couldn’t have done it without them! Thanks to the Social Committee, who organized and decorated the clubhouse. Special thanks to Missy Weiner as official photographer. Respectfully submitted, Karol Pichon, Principal Race Officer Chansi Harrow, DD Interclub Chair

By Marge Whiteman Photos by Rita Root Sailors representing five different FWSA clubs competed for The Bankston Trophy at the 2023-2024 FWSA Championship Regatta on November 6, 2023. This year, the regatta was hosted by the Windlasses and held at the Dunedin Boat Club, with 420 sailboats being provided by Dunedin Youth Boating. A random boat drawing was held at 8:00 am to determine which boat each team would sail. Brand new sails were provided by the Windlasses. The FWSA Championship Regatta has been held annually since 1976 in either a 3-person or 2-person one-design sailboat. Nine boats competed for the trophy, representing the FWSA clubs of the Bitter Ends, Dinghy Dames, Luffing Lassies, Salty Sisters, and Windlasses. Several veteran teams represented their clubs along with newer teams, and one rookie team with Captain Joy Sheets and Crew Suzy Ballantine representing the Windlasses. The PRO was past FWSA president and Windlass Margo Curry, who declared herself as “unbiased and representing the FWSA,” sporting her FWSA shirt. A ROWDY spectator boat loaded with Luffing Lassies and Windlasses had a grand time loudly cheering the teams at the leeward mark. All boats were rigged and ready to sail prior to the Competitors Meeting at 9:30 am. Unfortunately, winds remained calm after the meeting, but sailors were optimistic that the wind gods would provide a breeze soon. PRO Margo Curry and her crew headed out towards the course, hoisted the postponement flag, and started measuring wind speed. Around 10:00 a.m., a slight breeze started to develop, and the sailors on shore were getting restless. Slowly, sailors pushed their boats away from the shallow shore and started floating towards the course. After seven of the nine boats had decided to launch, the winds began to increase, and the remaining two boats left shore to quickly join the rest. We had a regatta!! The course to be sailed was a Windward/Offset with a Leeward gate twice around with a three-minute start. On Race 1, the Bitter Ends team with Captain Ann Carroll and Crew Marge Whiteman had decided that the right side of the course was favored. However, after the start they could not tack due to the Dinghy Dames team of Captain Beth Owens and Crew Del Palmer being close behind on their starboard side. By the time they were able to tack, the winds had shifted, which gave them a lift to the Windward mark, where they developed and kept a substantial lead over the rest of the boats. Other teams bunched up around the Windward offset, but two Luffing Lassies teams of Captain Penny Durham and Crew Brenda Scanlon, and Captain Lorrie Kaighin and Crew Kimberly Duplissey were able to separate from the group finishing 2 nd and 3 rd while the Salty Sisters team with Captain Marti Cochran and Jennifer Anderson finished 4th. At the start of Race 2, there was a collision between two of the Luffing Lassies boats and the one Bitter Ends boat near the Race Committee Boat. Luffing Lassie Captain Lorrie Kaighin called foul as the Leeward boat. The Bitter Ends boat and the Luffing Lassies boat of Durham/Scanlon both did penalty turns, resulting in late starts. This gave the Luffing Lassie Team of Captain Jennifer Means and Crew Barbara Sylvester, a nice start up the left side of the course as Kaighin/Duplissey sailed the right side of the course with Carroll/Whiteman attempting to catch up from behind. Finishing 1 st were the Luffing Lassies team of Kaighin/Duplissey, 2nd place went to the Luffing Lassies team of Means/Sylvester, 3rd to the Bitter Ends team of Carroll/Whiteman and 4th place to the Salty Sisters team of Cochran/Anderson. The winds continued to increase for Race 3 with numerous wind shifts. The Luffing Lassie team of Means/Sylvester were the first to round the Windward mark followed closely by the Luffing Lassie team of Kaighin/Duplissey, the Bitter Ends team of Carroll/Whiteman and the Luffing Lassie Team of Durham/Scanlon jockeying for position. The race ended with the Luffing Lassie team of Means/Sylvester in 1 st place, The Luffing Lassie Team of Kaighin/Duplissey was in 2nd place, the Bitter Ends Team of Carroll/Whiteman in 3 rd place, and the Luffing Lassie Team of Durham/Scanlon in 4th place. The Regatta was called, and teams returned to shore to clean up, de-rig, and head to lunch and awards. The Windlasses provided a fabulous lunch catered by Lonnie’s of Dunedin as sailors relaxed and shared stories. Awards followed with the Luffing Lassie team of Kaighin/Duplissey winning 1st place with 6 points and receiving the Bankston Trophy. The Bitter Ends team of Carroll/Whiteman finished in 2nd place with 7 points, and the Luffing Lassie Team of Means/Sylvester finished in 3rd place with 11 points. Sailors with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishes received a prize of an FWSA commemorative beach towel to take home. The Luffing Lassie Team of Durham/Scanlon were 4th with 12 points, and the Rookie Windlass Team of Sheets/Ballantyne had 21 points. A Big Thank You to the Windlasses for hosting this event, supplying many members as land crew to help pull, rig, launch, recover, de-rig and wash the boats and as party crew to provide a fun night before party at Clear Sky Draught House in Dunedin, breakfast, lunch and decorations. The Florida Women’s Sailing Association was founded in 1973 and has Ten clubs competing in Prams, Optis, Sunfish, 420s, and Ideal 18s once a week in their respective club. Information about the FWSA can be found at www.fwsa.net.

The Venice Women’s Sailing Squadron kicked off the Florida Women’s Sailing Association (FWSA) yearlong celebration of their 50th anniversary by hosting a Fun, Sun, and Sail-a-Brate interclub regatta in late October on Roberts Bay featuring Sunfish sailboats. A picture-perfect day with challenging winds provided excitement for those observing from the spectator boats and work for those manning the safety boats. Competitors from the Sarasota Luffing Lassies, Dunedin Windlasses and Davis Island Dinghy Dames, along with the Venice Bitter Ends, rounded out a field of eleven sailors. During the rigging process, winds were moderate, and sailors were confident a good day of racing was ahead of them. By the 9:30 a.m. Competitor’s Meeting, the flag at Higel Park was flapping and the sailors knew they were going to be in for gusts, along with heavier winds. Winds were out of the northeast which allowed the Race Committee of Kim Whiteman, Miriam Staveley, Jennifer Ikeda, and Principal Race Officer (PRO) Ann Carroll to set a long Modified Olympic course. While the racecourse was being set, the sailors launching from the Higel Park ramp had to work hard by continuously tacking to get out of the narrow area between the Venice Yacht Club boats and the Higel dock. The winds during the first two races were in the 12-14 mph range with higher gusts. The racers quickly learned to pay close attention to the gusts as the sailors needed to hike out of the boats to keep them upright and flat for speed. During the first race, sailor Chris Kelly from Dunedin capsized while doing a penalty turn, and the time required to right her boat resulted in her dropping out of the race with a Did Not Finish score. This was unfortunate as Ms. Kelly finished 2nd and 1st in the next two races but her DNF put her out of the running to place in the top three. By the third race, wind speed increased to the 15-18 mph range and the gusts were in the low 20 range. In between the races, many of the sailors adjusted the gooseneck setting on the lower spar to allow for the heavier winds. During the first leg of the last race, Lynne Randall from Davis Island experienced a capsize when her hiking strap broke. This was unfortunate for Lynne since going into the last race her score had her in second place. The wind continued to build as the sailors lined up for the fourth race of the morning. PRO Ann Carroll decided to take another wind reading. After getting readings in the 28-mph range, a decision was made to announce racing was completed. Heading back to shore, all the sailors were glad another race hadn’t started since white caps started to appear on the water and the gusts were more frequent. Sailor Marge Whiteman from Venice commented that she felt like she was surfing back to the Higel ramp. Getting back into the Higel ramp proved to be more of a challenge than getting out due to the increased winds. Since the wind was out of the east and directly behind the sail, sailors could only approach the dock one at a time and once close had to do a 180 degree turn while sailors from the Bitter Ends caught their boat and loaded it onto a dolly to pull out of the water. This process required other sailors to do circles in the small space by the Higel ramp. As rookie sailor Jennifer Walker from Sarasota passed the mooring field in Roberts Bay, she capsized, and her boat became turtled. The safety boat manned by Ed and Tina Haase quickly came to her rescue. After multiple attempts to right the boat, Bitter Ends sailor Ms. Haase jumped in the water to assist Ms. Walker in righting the boat. Shortly after this capsize, sailor Marge Whiteman from Venice capsized a short distance away from the Higel ramp. She said she was calmly sitting in the Higel area watching another sailor go in and “bam, out of nowhere, a gust took me over and into the water”. Ms. Whiteman had a huge thank you for the safety boat crew of Tom Schriewer and Tom Leonard for assisting in her rescue. Her boats upper spar was stuck in the mud so all Ms. Whiteman could do was pivot the boat in a circle and no amount of force was budging the boat into an upright position. Safety boat Captain Tom Schriewer exhibited perfect boating skills and maneuvered close to Ms. Whiteman’s boat, aptly named Wild Thing, so crew Tom Leonard could loosen the spar from the mud. Once the safety boat had the spar free, they left to assist with the other capsize rescue still in progress. Ms. Whiteman was able to right her boat, but it went right back over. This time her boat had drifted close enough to the dock that she could swim with the boat and keep it clear of the Venice Yacht Club big boats. Once in shallow water, Ms. Whiteman was able to flip Wild Thing upright, and was glad to hand off the boat to the land crew of Sandy Vaughan and Cathy Hill who ably took the boat out of the water. Once all the sailors were safely back on land, the real fun began. To help celebrate the FWSA’s 50th Anniversary, a costume contest was held with the theme of “Anything GOLD Goes”. The sailors, spectators and volunteers went out of their way using gold lettering and material to create fun and entertaining costumes. Golden hats and shoes were the order of the day. Prior to the costume parade, a delicious luncheon, catered by Croissant & Co., was held at the Higel Park Pavilion. Interclub chair, Mary Littel, outdid herself with decorating white tablecloths with sailboats surrounded by gold ribbon and confetti. The winning sailors and costume winners were thrilled with the beautiful, quilted bags and clutches made by Bitter Ends sailor Jill Joos. Her bags have become coveted awards within the FWSA organization. At the end of the day’s luncheon, FWSA Vice President Jennifer Anderson, thanked the Bitter Ends for kicking off the interclub schedule for the 50th year anniversary with a bang. The Florida Women’s Sailing Association was founded in 1973 and the Bitter Ends, along with nine other member clubs, compete in Sunfish, Optis, Club 420’s and Ideal 18’s racing once a week at their respective clubs. The Bitter Ends sail out of Higel Park and the facilities of the Venice Youth Boating Association at Venice Yacht Club. They race on Wednesday mornings September through May. Membership is open to the public for women who have experience in sailing. Information about club requirements can be found at www.bitterendsvenice.com. Regatta Race Results: Lisa Earhart, 1st, Luffing Lassies of Sarasota; Susan St. John, 2nd, Luffing Lassies of Sarasota; Jill Joos, 3rd, Bitter Ends of Venice; Yvonne Watson, Rookie, Bitter Ends of Venice. Costume Winners: The Golden Girls of Marge Whiteman, Jill Joos, Lisa Meacock and Jane Gallagher, 1st, Bitter Ends of Venice; Golden Disco Queen Rosemary McMullen, 2nd, Luffing Lassies of Sarasota; Gold Olympian Pam Miller, 3rd, Bitter Ends of Venice; Golden Goddess Lisa Earhart, runner-up, Luffing Lassies of Sarasota.

The 51st Annual Commodore Lucas was held at St. Petersburg Yacht Club at Pass-A-Grill, hosted by the Broad Reachers. This year’s event was a great success, with 14 sailors from eight different FWSA Clubs. Broad Reacher Captain Goria Davis, our PRO, along with her Race Committee, successfully ran three of five races. The PAG winds were not cooperative, as usual. There was a total of 35 folks that day, including spectators, Safety Boat drivers, other volunteers, and our very helpful “Boat Handlers.” First place with to Luffing Lassie, Lisa Brown-Ehrhart, Bow Chaser, Cathy McNally took second place, and third place went to Mainsheet Mama, PJ Summerville. Our Rookie Award was won by Salty Sister Mik Severini. Carol Hansen, Event Organizer Broad Reachers