A Rainbow Coalition of Sailors in Cleveland Having Fun- Ready to Race New J/111!
(Newport, RI)- The "Best Around the Buoys" Competition is SAIL's grass-roots initiative to reward PHRF sailors for their team's performance at the local racing level and encourage racers to set a goal of sailing on the national level at events like Key West Race Week.
The catalyst of the idea was rooted in a discussion with Nicholas Hayes, renowned for his "Saving Sailing" book that was published recently. In it, Nick's call to action to all those involved in sailing-- whether they may be individuals, organizations, communities, boat builders, internet newsletters, websites, forums or publishers and NGOs-- to recognize that all organizations need a constant assessment and re-thinking of their model that contributes to the development of the recreation and sport of sailing. For those involved at the "main street" level, this means considering things like shared fleets designed for inter-generational use (7 to 70), schedules that can fit into a family’s complicated schedule and a social network so parents can start developing colleagues and support networks and understand that they’re not the only ones out there (e.g. mentoring). See the recent article by SAIL Interviews with Nicholas Hayes on Saving Sailing- or just get Nick's book to begin to appreciate the challenges we all face as sailors to both maintain and grow the activity we love.
Answering
this call, the team at SAIL led by Josh Adams created the SAIL Best
Around the Buoys program designed to encourage "community-level" local
and regional sailors to compete for a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity
to jump aboard a hot race boat and show the world they can be
competitive and have fun with a good "club team" at an event like Key
West Race Week. The Best Around the Buoys Highlights for that one lucky
team are as follows:
* The winning team earns regatta entry, housing, dockage and entry in Key West Race Week
* A new J/111 speedster, well-equipped by industry partners, as their rocketship around the cans
* A new suit of North Sails racing sails to turbo-charge the 111.
* A go-fast bottom job supplied by Pettit Marine paints
* Hardware and sailing gear by Harken Yacht Equipment
The 70+ entries came from across literally every corner of America. Name it and you can come close to having an entry from that mud puddle, bay, lake or famous sailing harbor somewhere near you- desert, mountain, ocean or elsewhere. The stories crossed the spectrum of human experience (and tragedy), many were heart-warming and emotional, some both extraordinary and unbelievable, others mind-blowing, some saddening but inspirational. In all, it would be hard to say there were really any losers, because in the eyes of those who've lived similar experiences, they were all winners in both life and in the game of sailing.
In the end, the most difficult part was up to SAIL's selection panel which was comprised of experienced, knowledgeable sailors, each with at least 25+ years of sailing/ racing experience. However, one team seemed to epitomize the essence of what the competition was all about- team spirit, having fun with family and friends, engaging local sailors to join them and learn about sailing, including kids and women in all facets of their sailing program to enjoy sailing in their community. Plus, it helped that a strong track record (despite sailing with a cast of thousands) ensured the "rainbow coalition" of sailors on TEAM IT, Jim Sminchak and crew, were the ultimate winners sailing on the waters of Lake Erie off Cleveland, Ohio. Congratulations to Jim and his team! More SAIL Best Around Buoys information here.
(Newport, RI)- The "Best Around the Buoys" Competition is SAIL's grass-roots initiative to reward PHRF sailors for their team's performance at the local racing level and encourage racers to set a goal of sailing on the national level at events like Key West Race Week.
The catalyst of the idea was rooted in a discussion with Nicholas Hayes, renowned for his "Saving Sailing" book that was published recently. In it, Nick's call to action to all those involved in sailing-- whether they may be individuals, organizations, communities, boat builders, internet newsletters, websites, forums or publishers and NGOs-- to recognize that all organizations need a constant assessment and re-thinking of their model that contributes to the development of the recreation and sport of sailing. For those involved at the "main street" level, this means considering things like shared fleets designed for inter-generational use (7 to 70), schedules that can fit into a family’s complicated schedule and a social network so parents can start developing colleagues and support networks and understand that they’re not the only ones out there (e.g. mentoring). See the recent article by SAIL Interviews with Nicholas Hayes on Saving Sailing- or just get Nick's book to begin to appreciate the challenges we all face as sailors to both maintain and grow the activity we love.
Answering
this call, the team at SAIL led by Josh Adams created the SAIL Best
Around the Buoys program designed to encourage "community-level" local
and regional sailors to compete for a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity
to jump aboard a hot race boat and show the world they can be
competitive and have fun with a good "club team" at an event like Key
West Race Week. The Best Around the Buoys Highlights for that one lucky
team are as follows:* The winning team earns regatta entry, housing, dockage and entry in Key West Race Week
* A new J/111 speedster, well-equipped by industry partners, as their rocketship around the cans
* A new suit of North Sails racing sails to turbo-charge the 111.
* A go-fast bottom job supplied by Pettit Marine paints
* Hardware and sailing gear by Harken Yacht Equipment
The 70+ entries came from across literally every corner of America. Name it and you can come close to having an entry from that mud puddle, bay, lake or famous sailing harbor somewhere near you- desert, mountain, ocean or elsewhere. The stories crossed the spectrum of human experience (and tragedy), many were heart-warming and emotional, some both extraordinary and unbelievable, others mind-blowing, some saddening but inspirational. In all, it would be hard to say there were really any losers, because in the eyes of those who've lived similar experiences, they were all winners in both life and in the game of sailing.
In the end, the most difficult part was up to SAIL's selection panel which was comprised of experienced, knowledgeable sailors, each with at least 25+ years of sailing/ racing experience. However, one team seemed to epitomize the essence of what the competition was all about- team spirit, having fun with family and friends, engaging local sailors to join them and learn about sailing, including kids and women in all facets of their sailing program to enjoy sailing in their community. Plus, it helped that a strong track record (despite sailing with a cast of thousands) ensured the "rainbow coalition" of sailors on TEAM IT, Jim Sminchak and crew, were the ultimate winners sailing on the waters of Lake Erie off Cleveland, Ohio. Congratulations to Jim and his team! More SAIL Best Around Buoys information here.