Financial Aid to Junior Sailors

Did you know that aid is available to assist junior sailors compete at the chamionship level?

Recently announced by US SAILING is a new financial aid program, named Sailorships, aimed at providing financial assistance to junior sailors between the ages of 13 and 19 who are interested in competing in US SAILING Championships and/or clinics. The goal of the program is to assist young sailors with the development of their sailing careers regardless of their financial resources. The program, made possible by a generous donation from two US SAILING members, offers travel funds to youth sailors traveling to US SAILING Championships and/or clinics. Read More

Locally, for over twenty years the Oyster Bay Sailing Foundation has provided individual support for juniors and former junior sailors, as well as sponsorship for the Advanced Racing Clinic that is now held in conjunction with the JSA. It helps sailors get where they might not be able to get on their own, with coaching, clinics, and funding. Donations may be mailed to the Oyster Bay Sailing Foundation, P.O. Box 720, Oyster Bay, NY 11771-0720. Gary Knapp is the contact.

Organized five years ago, the Southport Sailing Foundation is in a fund raising mode to establish a website for youth and young adult sailors for obtaining information on conducting campaigns, locating regattas, finding coaches and fundraising. Donations may be mailed to The Southport Sailing Foundation, P.O. Box 946, Southport, CT 06890. Mary von Conta is the contact.

Optimist International Events During Easter Vacation

The Junior Sailing Association of Long Island Sound (JSA) again has a large group of sailors heading off to represent TEAM USA in international events this Easter vacation.

There are three international Optimist regattas - The International Optimist Dinghy Assocation South American Championship is in Paracas, Peru, from March 13 to 23, while the 23rd Magic Marine Holland Easter Regatta is in Braassemermeer, Netherlands from March 21 to 24. Concurrent with the Magic Marine Easter Regatta is the Lake Garda International Optimist Meeting, March 20 to 23 in Riva del Garda, Italy.

These US Teams were selected last October at the United States Optimist Dinghy Association (USODA) Atlantic Coast Championships, in Norfolk, VA. Andrew Mollerus (Larchmont YC) and Colin Murphy (Shelter Island YC) are part of the 15 member South American Team while Olivia Crane (Noroton YC), Max Simmons (Norwalk YC), William Greer (Indian Harbor YC), Matthew Mollerus (Larchmont YC), Ian Storck (Centerport YC) and Reinier Eeenkema van Dijk (Larchmont YC) are members of the 20 sailor Holland Easter Regatta team. Veteran optimist sailors Markus Edegran (Larchmont YC) and Declan Whitmyer (Noroton YC) are members of the 10 sailor Lake Garda Team USA.

These events can all be followed on event websites at:
IODA South American Championship - http://www.sudopti2008.com
Magic Marine Holland Easter Regatta - http://www.braassemermeer.nl
Lake Garda International Optimist Meeting - http://lakegardameeting.fragliavelariva.it/