Featured

What is a boat?

Image credit Surf Gear Ltd http://www.cheapsurfgear.com/blogs/surf-news

“A boat, by God, its just a gleamin’ beautiful creation.
And when you pull the sail up on a boat, you’ve got a
little bit of really somethin’ God-given. Man, it goes
bleetin’ off like a bird wing, you know, and there’s
nothin’ else like it.”

Clark Mills, designer of the Optimist

The Legendary Figaro 2

One of the building blocks of the French offshore sailing scene is a 33-foot boat with a carbon mast, 2 rudders, and some water ballast, called the Figaro 2. Follow this link to an interview with naval architect Marc Lombard, who won the design competition that led to the Beneteau Figaro 2, an integral part of the success of “La Solitaire”.

Don’t know about La Solitaire? Yachting World calls it “The hardest sailing race on the planet where money means nothing”.

Great photo album of Figaro 2 sailing link here.

What Is The Great Northern Skiff Squad?

Who We Are
We are a bunch of sailors who love these tricky 29ers and we are lucky enough to be supported by parents and coaches who appreciate the difficulties and rewards the little skiffs offer. About 5 years ago a few sailors in the Massachusetts and Rhode Island area graduated from Optimists and decided to pursue 29ers as their next boat. Today there are about 30 29ers actively sailed between Annapolis and Maine. The idea of a “Skiff Squad” comes from the National Class Association. A squad is a local fleet.
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What We Do
We promote, teach, and celebrate athleticism and camaraderie. Some recent accomplishments: A number of our sailors have made gold fleet at the 29er open world championship the past 2 years. Charlie Hibben and Nicholas Hardy qualified for and raced the Youth Worlds in 29ers this year. Stephen Hardee has represented the US Virgin Islands at the Youth Worlds twice. I could go on…We train in 29ers every weekend from May 1 until school gets out. Then we train 5-6 days each week through Nationals. In the fall we train together every weekend from Labor Day until Halloween. We attend the Olympic Development Program’s racing clinic in Miami Friday – Sunday after Thanksgiving. We attend the winter regattas in Florida. Some sailors head to Florida more frequently and they practice with the 2Niner Skiff Squad, also about 5 years old.
Where/How Can I Get Involved?
Sailors, join us this fall at Fort Getty, Jamestown, where we will be working with the Conanicut Island Sailing Foundation’s new Nacra 15 program. You don’t need a boat at first, as there is a fleet-owned boat, and there are crews looking for skippers. Sign up here. More information here.  Would you like to help organize the schedule, communications, coaches? Thank you – we need the help. Reply to Richard with your interest.
What Will It Do For My Life?
The 29er is the best class for youth sailors interested in developing next-level boat handling skills, learning about apparent wind sailing, and to learn asymmetric spinnaker tactics. The camaraderie and sharing culture in the class is phenomenal! I usually recommend sailors mix their 29er sailing with some Laser or 420 sailing. 29er sailors graduate to success in foiling boats, kiteboards, catamarans, collegiate teams, and professional sailing…Because they chose a more complicated, more difficult boat – the wonderful 29er.
It has never been a better time to get involved with the 29er.

Youth Champs Regatta Report by Lauren Elder

Youth Championship 2018 29er Fleet Review
By Lauren Elder
The Youth Championship regatta hosted by the U.S sailing association is an amazing opportunity to compete with passionate, advanced group of sailors.  I have many positive things to say about my experience at this regatta starting with the venue.  Carolina Yacht Club is a beautiful facility right on the ocean where one can frequently rely on a warm sea breeze to fill in, which creates a fun and exciting day of racing.  Although day 3 did not have any wind due to storm fronts moving through the area, I still enjoyed myself by going to the beach with my teammates, directly in front of the yacht club.  The volunteers and hosts were always specifically kind and went out of their way to either give us a hand getting our boats up the ramp or just starting a conversation about the day.
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In addition to the venue, the sailors made my experience very unique.  I have only been sailing 29ers for less than a year, but I feel a strong connection between many of the sailors and coaches both on and off the water.  The one special aspect about the 29er fleet that I have found different than any other fleet is that everyone is acquainted with one another. There is so much motivation to not only improve ourselves but our teammates too.  During our team debriefs we spent time asking each other questions and sharing information, reflecting off of what works well, and what should be avoided as opposed to keeping to ourselves.  We all try to learn from each other so we can advance together.
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I’d like to mention Richard Feeny, the 29er fleet coach, for keeping track of many, many boats and still being available for giving advice, energy bars, and ice cold water.  And also, Phil Muller for being an amazing ODP (Olympic Development Program) coach.  All of his kids performed very well and kept great sportsmanship and humbleness throughout the event.  As a beginner in this fleet I can’t wait to see how my teammates and I progress throughout the years.  I think this regatta was an amazing example of how skilled everyone is, and how absolutely passionate they are about the sport.  Unfortunately we did see a few injuries on the first day when the wind was blowing.  It is upsetting to see a teammate break a mast, get injured in a capsize, or get trapped beneath a sail (they all swam out safely!), but at the end of the day those kids remained positive and continued to support their teammates on the coach boat, despite not being able to continue.
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Overall the Youth Championship Regatta was a lot of fun and had some really strong racing.  For most of us, this regatta was a confidence builder and an opportunity to race against the top U.S. boats. Another thanks to The Carolina Yacht Club for hosting such a successful event. Good luck to those of you who are going to Worlds, sail fast!
Charlie and Nick make a splash in HKG