Hail to Bob Baranaskas, Leader of Youth Sailing

This area lost a great friend of youth sailing on April 5, 2009. Bob Baranaskas died when his World War II fighter plane crashed into the ocean off Fire Island’s Smith Point. Many Cow Harbor Sailing Team (CHST) and Northport Bay Sailing Association (NBSA) parents, sailors and coaches share their remembrances of a man who had an unbelievable impact on the lives of many people.
It was early this decade that CHST evolved into LISOT (Long Island Sound Optimist Team) under the leadership of John Hammel.
http://www.windcheckmagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=412:bob-baranaskas-leader-of-youth-sailing&catid=94:sound-people&Itemid=427

LISOT/FAST Joint Team Trials Practice

This weekend LISOT and FAST (Fort Adams Sailing Team) joined forces for two days of terrific team trials practice, hosted by Milford YC.

The weekend closely resembled a National Team practice, with 5 world-class coaches, aerobic workouts, long days on the water and indepth post-practice debriefs.

The weather couldn't have been better - warm temps and great breeze - especially on Saturday. We had five terrific coaches: Trevor, Isabelle Kinsolving, Annie Davidson, Fran and Spencer.

On Saturday 20 of the Opti's were equipped with individual GPS units - thanks to Spencer - which tracked their movement all day using www.kattack.com.

The data were then downloaded and the tracking analyzed and plotted on screen. The kids were able to see what they did, and how they sailed. This was combined with video shot on the water, all which resulted in a 90 minute debrief that the kids really liked.

After coming off the water close to 6pm on Saturday, Milford YC hosted both teams for an enjoyable dinner. The sailors went back to the Jr. room around after dinner for a continuation of the post-race debrief and video.

Sunday's breeze was a tad lighter, and the temps a tad cooler. But the joint group spent the day doing many practice starts and some racing.

Everyone had a great time and the weekend provided a wonderful opportunity for the two groups to get prepared for Team Trials.

International Event News - Lake Garda Optimist Meeting

Racing has concluded at all three 2009 spring Optimist events – the IODA South American Championship in Salinas, Ecuador, the Magic Marine Easter Regatta in Braassemermeer, Netherlands, and the Lake Garda Optimist Meeting in Riva del Garda, Italy.

Here are the results highlights for the Lake Garda Optimist Meeting (816 boats):

1^st Cecilia Zorzi – ITA – 48 pts
2^nd Paolucci Alessio – ITA – 50 pts
3^rd Tito Rodda – ITA – 85 pts

Congratulations USA finishers:

Gold Fleet

13^th Ian Stokes
32^nd Luke Muller
85^th Cally Tullo (LISOT)
119^th Alan Rochard
126^th Nic Muller
139^th Patrick Floyd

Silver Fleet

26^th Cameron Crawford
47^th Haley Fox
74^th Chase Quinn
95^th Granger Anderson

Bronze Fleet

2^nd Kathryn Booker
56^th William Romeo

Event website - http://lakegardameeting.fragliavelariva.it/

International Event News - Magic Marine Easter Regatta

Racing has concluded at all three 2009 spring Optimist events – the IODA South American Championship in Salinas, Ecuador, the Magic Marine Easter Regatta in Braassemermeer, Netherlands, and the Lake Garda Optimist Meeting in Riva del Garda, Italy.

Here are the results highlights for the Magic Marine Easter Regatta (212 boats, 4 days, 8 races):

1^st Pieter Goedhard – NED – 37 pts
2^nd Lars van Stekelenberg – NED – 40 pts
3^rd Pedro Rogue – POR – 44 pts

Full results click here and for pictures click here!

Congratulations USA finishers:

Gold Fleet
6^th Roger Dorr
8^th Brendan Shanahan
9^th Geoffrey Nelson
10^th Mason Mings
17^th Richard Schuurmans
18^th India Johnstone
21^st Cody Stansky
29^th Andrew Puopolo (LISOT)
34^th Reinier Eenkema van Dijk (LISOT)
36^th Lily Katz (LISOT)
39^th Jacob Rizika
42^nd Harrison Hawk
51^st Madison Gates
55^th Julian Moore
58^th Katie Kelley (LISOT)
67^th Megan Grapengeter-Rudnick (LISOT)
73^rd Maeve White

Silver Fleet
18^th Sammy Stagg
63^rd Adele Whitmyer
75^th Julia Lambert

USA was 2^nd in Team Standings to POR (Portugal)

Event website - www.braassemermeer.nl/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=0&Itemid=162

Team USA website - http://optiteamusaholland2009.googlepages.com/

International Team News - South Americans

Racing has concluded at all three 2009 spring Optimist events – the IODA South American Championship in Salinas, Ecuador, the Magic Marine Easter Regatta in Braassemermeer, Netherlands, and the Lake Garda Optimist Meeting in Riva del Garda, Italy.

Here are the results highlights for the IODA South Americans (191 boats – 12 races):
1^st Anthony Fortune – FRA – 29 pts
2^nd Alonso Collantes – PER – 29 pts
3^rd Mario Mazzaferro – BRA – 31 pts

Congratulations USA Finishers:
11^th M. Simmons
16^th D. Williford
19^th E. Caple
30^th F. Short
38^th A. Sly
42^nd C. Williford
47^th Holly Tullo (LISOT)
59^th A. Curtiss
60^th R. Legault
63^rd M. Lamphere
79^th B. Garber
92^nd M. Sly
106^th S. Schuurmans
107^th W. Livernois
120^th R. Parent

USA won the Nations Cup (Non-South American Country Team Racing)

Event website - www.sudopti2009.org/

Braassemermeer Update - Race Days 2 & 3

Team USA has been sailing very well at this years Easter Regatta, which continues to be sailed in very light, shifty and puffy conditions.

All 5 LISOT Team USA sailors qualified for the Gold Fleet:

22

Reinier Eenkema van Dijk, USA

57 -

9

3

(bfd)

6

29

10

32

Andrew Puopolo, USA

71 -

18

9

(53)

13

19

12

55

Katie Kelley, USA

92 -

35

4

21

16

(39)

16

58

Lily Katz, USA

95 -

4

27

20

20

(35)

24

66

Megan Grapengeter-Rudnick, USA

111 -

33

17

31

16

(41)

14

Brendan Shanahan (former LISOT sailor now living in Atlanta) is the top Team USA sailor in 5th overall!

Tomorrow the the final day of racing with the fleet broken down into Gold, Silver and Bronze fleets. Two races are scheduled.

Many pictures are online at Click here

Race Day 1 Update from Braassemermeer

LISOT's Reinier Eenkema van Dijk finished the first day of racing in 6th place in this 210 boat fleet.

The regatta got off to a glorious start. The weather was beautiful, tons of sun, warm temperatures near 70 and decent breeze from the SSE around 13-15knots.

While the sun and temperatures stayed consistent, the wind was anything but - very shifty and puffy, with the velocity fading as the day progressed.

The RC ran two 90+ minute races, many of which were started under black flag after multiple attempts without it.

LISOT's 5 sailors are currently in:

6th Reinier Eenkema van Dijk, USA 12pts - 9th, 3rd

29 Andrew Puopolo, USA 27 - 18, 9

38 Lily Katz, USA 31 - 4, 27

54 Katie Kelley, USA 39 - 35, 4

76 Megan Grapengeter-Rudnick, USA 50 - 33, 17

Update from Braassemermeer, Holland

Team USA (which includes LISOT sailors Reinier Eenkema Van Dijk, Megan Grapengeter-Rudnic, Lily Katz, Katie Kelley and Andrew Poupolo) have been training here since Sunday for the 24th Annual Magic Marine Easter Regatta, which begins tomorrow.

Conditions have generally been lighter than what the Dutch say is typical on the lake. Wind has been 8-12 with daytime temps in the upper 50s, or low 60s when the sun peaks out. Yesterday the team had a lay-day, which included a wonderful full-day private tour - including visits to a working windmill, cheese making, wooden shoe making, and a moving visit to the Anne Frank House - all expertly arranged by USA Team leader, and resident Dutchman Erik Eenkema Van Dijk.

Team USA coaches Amanda Clark and Peter Strong have been working with the 20-sailor US team, and the sailors are well prepared for regatta, which starts tomorrow (Good Friday) and concludes on Easter Monday.

Complete updates are being posted on the Team USA website, with pictures, and more frequent updates by following Team USA on twitter.

Exciting News From IODA South American Championship in Salinas, Ecuador

After two days and 5 races, American’s Duncan Williford (Lauderdale YC, FL) and Max Simmons (Norwalk YC, CT) stand 2^nd and 5^th , respectively, in the International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA) South American Championship. Anthony Fortune from France is leading with 17 pts while Williford has 18 pts and Mario Mazzaferro (Brazil) has 22 in 3^rd place.

 

Racing continues through April 12^th and can be followed at www.sudopti2009.org.

USA Optimists Teams Attending International Events

Easter is nearly here and that means that USA Optimist Teams are departing this week for the IODA South American Championship in Salinas, Ecuador, the Magic Marine Easter Regatta in Braassemermeer, Netherlands, and the Lake Garda Optimist Meeting in Riva del Garda, Italy.

LISOT wishes all Team USA members fair winds, warm temperatures, great competition and lifelong friends for these events!

Event Websites
IODA South American Championship, April 2-12 – http://www.sudopti2009.org/
Magic Marine Easter Regatta, April 10-13 – Event website , the Team USA Website and Twitter (race reports)
Lake Garda Optimist Meeting, April 9-12 - http://lakegardameeting.fragliavelariva.it/