Photo by Tod Klingler

Saturday 27th April was a very special day at Sequoia. We hosted Ben Ainslie for a discussion on his sailing career, his Olympic sailing experience (5 Gold medals!), his achievements on the AC45 with BAR racing (his own team)  and his work with Team Oracle in the Americas Cup this year. The club was packed with well over 70 people there.

After his opening remarks I had prepared some questions just in case. I need not have worried - a host of hands shot up and we had non stop questions for the next hour followed by a whole gamut of autograph signing and photo shots of the members with him. And what great questions from our members - there was interaction, humor and some tough ones. Ben handled every one of these like he had been doing this his whole life. He was gracious with his time and with all the interaction with our members.

I know he enjoyed the day, our excitement and interest and the genuine sailor to sailor discussion. I think he was  pleased and surprised with our gesture of honorary membership at Sequoia YC plus a club burgee and hat and the invitation to come back and sail with us any time.

Ben started his sailing career as a boy in a small village in Cornwall, England  at a club very much like ours. It was great to see some kids in the audience who no doubt are now inspired to try and do the same thing. He was fortunate to have some local coaches in those early days who gave him the opportunity to build his skills and compete at the highest level in this sport.

We learnt a huge amount about the challenges of sailing the AC72 and what to expect this Summer. This will be really exciting and suddenly a much more personal experience having met one of the very talented people who make it happen.

He also talked about his next ambition which is to win the Americas Cup with his own team in the future. Looking at this young man and what he has achieved - I, for one, think he can do it...

The club was busy long afterwards with many people just hanging around, enjoying the moment and also the marvelous food that Steve Higgs had once again done such a great job on preparing - thank you Steve.

It was a very proud moment for all of us to have this fantastic sailor, sportsman and gentlemen at our Club.

Peter - your Commodore.

There will be no deck sanding this weekend as previously planned. We are doing some additional analysis and establishing a longer term plan. Thanks to those who volunteered to help sand this weekend. We will keep you posted.

Winston Bumpus - Vice Commodore

Racing Crew Class - 2013, starts May 6, 2013.

Includes: 4 classroom sessions, 4 on the water sessions, and course materials.

This is a wonderful opportunity to introduce prospective members to the sport of sailboat racing. Classes will be taught Monday nights by David Elliot,  Stan Phillips, and Micky Alm. As part of the class fee, students will receive a copy of U.S. Sailing Basic Keelboat. Students taking the class will be taught basic racing sailboat knowledge in an effort to turn them in to competent racing crew.

On-the-water sessions will consist of placing students as pick-up crew on regular Wednesday-night race boats. That means class size will be necessarily limited to the number of students we can place on boats.

Skippers should sign up to take crew class students and will be awarded points for Beer Can Races based on the number of students they pick up.

See the crew training page http://sequoiayc.org/crewtraining for more information and registration.

Download the flyer to spread the news.

The Sequoia Yacht Club 2013 Summer Series begins next Saturday, May 11 with Race #2.

This is a five-race series with one throw-out race. The start line for the Summer Series is at 3 - 4 and the start time is 12:30. All skippers should attend the skipper's meeting at 10:30 on the day of the race. Non-Sequoia members, unless you signed up & paid for the entire year, you should get their entry forms and fees to the club before the first race. For those boats coming down from CPYC, you can call me at 650-576-3990 after 10:45 for race instructions and then check-in at the start area. Plan on racing rain or shine.

If you haven't yet filled out a Skipper's Entry Form for 2013, please download it and fill it out before the race. Members of the crew are also required to fill out a 2013 Crew Registration Form. If you or your crew completed these forms for the Winter Series, new forms are not required. There are blank forms at the Club if you aren't able to download copies before Saturday.

Come on out for some of the best sailing of the year. I'll look for you at the start line.

Regards,
Richard Butts
Large Sailboat Fleet Captain
Sequoia Yacht Club
www.sequoiayc.org/racing

Mark your calendars for this year's South Bay Opening Day. If you are interested in helping or putting your boat in the parade and blessing of the fleet, contact our Rear Commodore Dan Lockwood. For more information please visit www.southbayopeningday.org. Also see the recently issued press release by the Port regarding South Bay Opening Day.