This Week in Sailing - January 12, 2007
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When you are a sailor in New York City and it is starting to be winter, you feel an urge to be witty, smart, inspiring. But instead, I'll just report about two exciting things sailors in New York City will be doing this winter.
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First is De Caribbean Regatta. This is the annual week of fun, sun and sailing. This year, we are going to the British Virgin Islands, the "best cruising grounds in the world." Beginning on January 20, ten boats of New Yorkers will sail from island to island. It will be warm and sunny. The winds will be fresh. The company will be entertaining. Every day a new island. Every evening another social gathering.
The screen door will slam the first night at the Loose Mongoose. Then to North Sound, Anegada, Jost Van Dyke and finally Willie T's. While most of you will not be able to attend for one reason or other (none really good enough), you can still live a little by looking at pictures from past regattas. Go to http://myc.org/Caribbean/past.htm and check 2004 & 2005 when we were in the BVIs last.
Now there are still 2 spots left for this regatta, but only 2. Who will be the lucky friends who head off for some much needed vacation? If the chill has you rethinking your winter plans, just say "Why not?" You are a few mouse clicks away from the vacation of a lifetime. Don't hold back. Dream bigger. You deserve a week of sailing in the Caribbean and this is your ticket. http://myc.org/Caribbean/BVIs%202007.htm
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The second thing this winter is the Primo Cup at Yacht Club de Monaco. There is only one place on earth where New Yorkers would rather be than New York City. That is Monaco.
New Yorkers are fortunate that the glamorous Yacht Club de Monaco is inviting them to compete in their annual Primo Cup. It will be February 9-11 (when they have the best wind in Monaco). The "Director General" of Yacht Club de Monaco is Bernard d'Alessandri. He has grown the club to world-wide fame. So far, 30 NYC sailors have signed up to fly over. In addition to the 2 Race Teams, there is a Social Team. The duty of the Social Team is to sleep till noon every day, then watch the races and stay up all night dancing with all the other sailors (and hopefully keeping them from their beds). It's all part of the general effort to spread international goodwill. Details on the Primo Cup are at www.myc.org/Racing/primo%20cup/Primo%20Cup.htm. You can read about the event, see who is going and generally think that if you wanted to be part of an experience like this, sailing is your answer. Champagne is always cold in Monaco.
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A few weeks ago, she slipped quietly into harbor and began turning heads. She is the new flagship of the Manhattan Sailing Club. Hopefully she will become one of our city's flagships as well. She is a yacht of great grandeur and America's Cup history. She is the 12 Meter "America II." If you've been lucky enough to walk by Dennis Conner's North Cove recently, you would have seen her on Dock F on the south side. America II is departing again tomorrow for the boat yard and some winter restoration. Then she returns in the spring and will be available for corporate charters and public sails. The great American history of the America's Cup is coming back to New York City. And in case you did not know, this harbor is where the first America's Cup Races were held.
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When you are not able to sail during the winter, you should get educated! Towards this goal, the sailing club organizes a series of free winter seminars. They are scheduled on Monday evenings and held at the GateHouse Restaurant on South End Eve in Battery Park City. Below is a list of the upcoming seminars (more seminars may be added and this schedule may change).
Always check the latest on-line information at
http://myc.org/Education/winter_ed.htm
Jan 29 How to Become a Sailing Instructor & the Financial Rewards by Kelly Wilson and other instructors
Feb 5 Racing 101 (part B to Chris Land's seminar) by Richard Amerling
Feb 12 Would you Like to Sail the French & Italian Riviera? by Thierry Lassalle
Feb 19 Tales from the Caribbean by Tim Eakins
Feb 26 Learning Racing Rules - DVD Presentation by Patrick Davis
Apr 16 Standing for your Skipper Rating Ted Wallace and Stephen Yip
These seminars are free events run by members for other members. If you are not yet a member of the sailing club and wish to attend a specific seminar, then okay, just come along and improve your education. Seminars are free but you should buy a burger & beer to support the venue.
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Do you know where a show of Manhattan skyline paintings could be hosted in Lower Manhattan? Every year, the Downtown Arts Club encourages artists to record and interpret the skyline. Lots of great art was created last summer. Now the arts club needs a location to show the work. If you have any ideas, please send an email to mike@DowntownArtsClub.com
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It's not too soon to start thinking about the 12th Annual Sailors Ball. And the NY Harbor Sailing Foundation has begun to build the Benefit Committee. If you are a sailing enthusiast who also likes a great party, then maybe you should join the committee? Details are at www.nyharborsailing.com/Sailors%20Ball/default.htm
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Employment opportunity - Maintenance professional to care for the MSC fleet of 28 J/24 sailboats. www.myc.org/Employment/Apply_Maintenance_Staff.htm
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- Michael W. Fortenbaugh
Commodore
212-786-3323
www.myc.org
www.sailmanhattan.com
www.TheNorthCove.com
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