There’s been a volcanic eruption near Tonga, and the Pacific coast is largely under a tsunami advisory for about the next 40 minutes. This includes the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Kurt grew up racing and cruising in the Midwest, and has raced Lasers since the late 1970s. Currently he is a broker at Swiftsure Yachts. He has been Assistant Editor at Sailing Magazine and a short stint as Editor of Northwest Yachting. Through Meadow Point Publishing he handles various marketing duties for smaller local companies. He currently is partners on a C&C 36 which he cruises throughout the Northwest. He’s married to the amazing Abby and is father to Ian and Gabe.
Bill Symes of Portlland, Oregon, once again claimed a championship at the world championships just completed in Barcelona, Spain. (ILCA is of course the class formerly known as the Laser, and there was an entertaining mix of Laser and ILCA logos in the sails!) Symes did it with 10 firsts and a third. He opted out of the last race, which gave fellow Oregonian Rob Hodson a chance to win the final race. Results here.
The ever humble Symes was interviewed early in the event, where he cited “a lot of good breaks” for some wins. Well, 10/11 firsts is a bit more than good breaks.
Other notable US finishers included “Legend” Peter Seidenberg, who again won the Legends class (aged 75+, Seidenberg is in his 80s), Robert Hallowell who won the ILCA 7 Grand Masters class, and Ernesto Rodriguez, who won the ILCA 7 Masters Class. For more information, and plenty of pictures of older ILCA sailors still sailing at a very high level, check out the web site.
Kurt grew up racing and cruising in the Midwest, and has raced Lasers since the late 1970s. Currently he is a broker at Swiftsure Yachts. He has been Assistant Editor at Sailing Magazine and a short stint as Editor of Northwest Yachting. Through Meadow Point Publishing he handles various marketing duties for smaller local companies. He currently is partners on a C&C 36 which he cruises throughout the Northwest. He’s married to the amazing Abby and is father to Ian and Gabe.
One of the eye opening things about being a broker with Swiftsure Yachts is getting to know these aluminum Allures yachts built in France. Allures has figured out how to make aluminum a really good option to fiberglass. They’re tough, shapely and can be every bit as nicely finished as a fiberglass boat. And they’re centerboarders! This 51.9’s vinyl wrap even gives it a colorful topsides. See for yourself in this Yachting World review.
Kurt grew up racing and cruising in the Midwest, and has raced Lasers since the late 1970s. Currently he is a broker at Swiftsure Yachts. He has been Assistant Editor at Sailing Magazine and a short stint as Editor of Northwest Yachting. Through Meadow Point Publishing he handles various marketing duties for smaller local companies. He currently is partners on a C&C 36 which he cruises throughout the Northwest. He’s married to the amazing Abby and is father to Ian and Gabe.
This is a particularly fun press release to run. My friends (and sponsor) at West Coast Sailing now has a parent company, plus siblings! The most important takeaway here is that several different high quality brands will be under the same leadership and that there will be continuity in their respective leaderships. George Yioulos has already established a formula of building up fleets from the grass roots, and serving those sailors as they move through them. From The Starting Line website: “The goal is always the same, and very simple. Promote the sport of sailing — not by selling more stuff and being a big company. But by helping anyone realize — yes, you too, you, can be on the water with us. You don’t need to buy anything from us, but we’re here for you — and hope you give sailing a try.“There’s a lot more to this move, I’m sure, and I’ll get to talk to George directly about it in the coming days. -KH
Starting Line Sailing, Inc. Acquires Zim Sailing and Dwyer Mast & Rigging
Zim Sailing – the Bristol, Rhode Island-based marine equipment manufacturer, has been acquired by Starting Line Sailing, Inc. The purchase transaction also includes Dwyer Mast and Rigging, the long time aluminum spar manufacturer. As part of this acquisition, Zim Sailing and Dwyer Mast and Rigging will join West Coast Sailing as subsidiaries of Starting Line Sailing, a newly formed holding company led by CEO George Yioulos.
The sailing industry continues to evolve, and Starting Line Sailing was formed to play a key role in that evolution. The goal is simple – to grow the sport by making it more accessible for everyone. Backed by decades of industry experience, an ownership group of passionate sailors aims to fulfill this vision by building on the strengths of each business, investing in and providing career pathways, and providing greater support to the sailing community. Over the next several years, sailors can expect faster and more efficient systems that make it easier to find the parts and support you need, expanded access to new products and services, and the creation of better opportunities to work in the industry. Behind this multi-year roadmap is a commitment to helping more people discover their own passion for sailing.
Whether you are a new sailor or long time racer, coach or parent, club program or class association manager, the collective team of 40+ staff across West Coast Sailing, Zim Sailing, and Dwyer Mast and Rigging is here to help you make the most of your time on the water.
Zim Sailing, founded by Steve Perry in 2008, provides one-design sailboats, parts, accessories, and services to the North American market. They manufacture popular dinghies such as the Club 420, Flying Junior, and Optimist, and engage in grassroots youth development of yacht club junior sailing programs, community sailing programs, and high school and collegiate sailing programs. Zim Sailing can be found at regattas around the country, providing support with charter boats and onsite sales and service. Dwyer Aluminum Masts, was founded in 1963 to more fully integrate the manufacturing of spars, rigging, and hardware with sailboat production. The two companies share production facilities in Bristol, Rhode Island.
West Coast Sailing, founded in 2005 in Portland, Oregon by George Yioulos, is one of North America’s leading marine retailers, focusing on the dinghy racing and small keelboat market with an emphasis on e-commerce fulfillment and providing industry leading customer service. Longtime Zim dealers, they also distribute for trusted brands such as RS, Hobie, Gill, Rooster, Dynamic Dollies, Harken, Ronstan, Ovington, Zhik, Marlow, and more. In the past year they launched a full service rig shop to offer one design and custom rigging and have a long history of community support and sponsorship.
Day to day operations at all the companies will continue independently and without interruption following this acquisition. Steve Perry will stay as President of Zim Sailing and Dwyer Mast and Rigging. Chris Brown will continue his role as President of West Coast Sailing. All staff members carry on in their existing roles. Existing dealer, vendor, and class association relationships continue unchanged. Zim Sailing, West Coast Sailing and Dwyer Mast & Rigging are open for business and committed to providing high quality products and outstanding service for you, your team, your club, or your organization.
Starting Line Sailing is excited to establish this portfolio of brands in a shared commitment to growing the sport and making it more accessible for everyone. The future of the sport is bright!
Kurt grew up racing and cruising in the Midwest, and has raced Lasers since the late 1970s. Currently he is a broker at Swiftsure Yachts. He has been Assistant Editor at Sailing Magazine and a short stint as Editor of Northwest Yachting. Through Meadow Point Publishing he handles various marketing duties for smaller local companies. He currently is partners on a C&C 36 which he cruises throughout the Northwest. He’s married to the amazing Abby and is father to Ian and Gabe.
The scary situation that developed Fri-Mon with the Zim Kingston losing approximately 40 containers overboard (reportedly two with hazardous waste), then on fire just outside Victoria, is apparently quiet for now with the fire having been extinguished.
#CCGLive – A Coast Guard overflight of the #ZimKingston at 11:30 today shows smoldering but no visible flames in the containers. However, firefighters may find some active fire in the containers once they are able to board the ship. pic.twitter.com/PHjfjf6Fg7
Many questions remain; when and where will the containers be retrieved? Where will the ship dock? And, importantly, is the fire well and truly out altogether. Joseph Conrad’s Youth comes to mind. Regardless, congratulations for the personnel who were able to contain the fire and the Canadian Coast Guard.
Kurt grew up racing and cruising in the Midwest, and has raced Lasers since the late 1970s. Currently he is a broker at Swiftsure Yachts. He has been Assistant Editor at Sailing Magazine and a short stint as Editor of Northwest Yachting. Through Meadow Point Publishing he handles various marketing duties for smaller local companies. He currently is partners on a C&C 36 which he cruises throughout the Northwest. He’s married to the amazing Abby and is father to Ian and Gabe.
The Buchan legacy extends. Carl won the International Masters regatta, put on by the San Diego Yacht Club this past weekend. The picture of the happy crew includes some very familiar faces, including Carol Buchan. Carl was just inducted into the Sailing Hall of Fame, joining his father Bill. That those two exemplify sailing at its best is no news to us, but it’s sure nice the folks on other other coast recognize it!
This post tells the story of the regatta. Carl won it with a race to spare, then handed his boat over to a competitor with equipment issues on another boat and sat out the last race. Yes, sailing at its best.
Kurt grew up racing and cruising in the Midwest, and has raced Lasers since the late 1970s. Currently he is a broker at Swiftsure Yachts. He has been Assistant Editor at Sailing Magazine and a short stint as Editor of Northwest Yachting. Through Meadow Point Publishing he handles various marketing duties for smaller local companies. He currently is partners on a C&C 36 which he cruises throughout the Northwest. He’s married to the amazing Abby and is father to Ian and Gabe.
The Zim Kingston, the same ship that lost approximately 40 containers off the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca on Friday, is now burning at anchor off Victoria, BC. Ten of the crew have been evacuated while the captain and a handful of other crew remained on board.
This is a serious situation as the ship may sink, and any floating or partially submerged containers pose a threat to navigation. Details are still emerging, and we’re piecing this together with incomplete information. It’s advised to stay away from the burning ship and be on the lookout for containers. Wind is now over 30 knots at Race Rocks according to the Canadian Weather Service.
Kurt grew up racing and cruising in the Midwest, and has raced Lasers since the late 1970s. Currently he is a broker at Swiftsure Yachts. He has been Assistant Editor at Sailing Magazine and a short stint as Editor of Northwest Yachting. Through Meadow Point Publishing he handles various marketing duties for smaller local companies. He currently is partners on a C&C 36 which he cruises throughout the Northwest. He’s married to the amazing Abby and is father to Ian and Gabe.
When it comes to setting up or sailing a boat, few can compete with Bruce Schwab. A renaissance man, Schwab has raced singlehandedly around the world twice, rebuilt the 30 square meter Rumbleseat in magnificent fashion (and won 1996 Singlehanded Transpac in it), and founded Oceanplanet Energy, a very forward-looking company with energy solutions for life afloat,.
And when it comes to legendary boats, few can complete with Improbable. Designed by Gary Mull and built of Kauri, Improbable was a completely different take on the then-new IOR measurement handicapping system. Relatively skinny and light, Improbable raced successfully in many places around the world including England and Australia. She eventually came to the Pacific Northwest where Bruce’s father (and Bruce) sailed her.
It’s best to let Bruce tell the story, but many of us old salts have it in the backs of their minds to do the same thing with some iconic racer.
Kurt grew up racing and cruising in the Midwest, and has raced Lasers since the late 1970s. Currently he is a broker at Swiftsure Yachts. He has been Assistant Editor at Sailing Magazine and a short stint as Editor of Northwest Yachting. Through Meadow Point Publishing he handles various marketing duties for smaller local companies. He currently is partners on a C&C 36 which he cruises throughout the Northwest. He’s married to the amazing Abby and is father to Ian and Gabe.
Keith Whittemore has certainly made his mark in the J/24 world, winning the Worlds et. al. He’s a regular at the Italian National Championships.
His renown in that country’s J/24 world leapt a few more notches in the past couple of weeks when he gave his friend Fabrizio the winning J/24 Furio. This is how to bring the world of sailing together. Thanks, Keith, for showing the best side of our sailing community to the world. Here’s the video – KH
Kurt grew up racing and cruising in the Midwest, and has raced Lasers since the late 1970s. Currently he is a broker at Swiftsure Yachts. He has been Assistant Editor at Sailing Magazine and a short stint as Editor of Northwest Yachting. Through Meadow Point Publishing he handles various marketing duties for smaller local companies. He currently is partners on a C&C 36 which he cruises throughout the Northwest. He’s married to the amazing Abby and is father to Ian and Gabe.
Isn’t it great when PNW sailors get out there in front? KH
September 26, 2021. Annapolis, MD. — Eight teams representing their respective US Sailing Areas from regions around the country vied for the Lloyd Phoenix Trophy this week in Annapolis, at the 2021 U.S. Offshore Sailing Championship. Skipper Steve Travis, from Corinthian Yacht Club of Seattle, and his crew came out on top after two days of racing, scoring 10.5 points overall after three distance races and one buoy race.
“It was a fun race and a fun event…. Good people, a great venue — an interesting venue — and it’s one of the best events that is run,” says Travis.
Close behind Travis was Bob Fleck and his crew from Fishing Bay YC with 10.75 points, followed by the Navy Offshore Sailing Team, skippered by Ensign Don Poirier, with 12.25 points.
The regatta, which was slated to run Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, was hosted by the U.S. Naval Academy Sailing Squadron and sailed aboard Navy 44 MK II Sloops. To kick off the weekend, on Friday the fleet completed one bouy and one distance race, with Fleck and his crew winning both and in the lead at the end of day one, followed by Poirier, then Travis.
“The finish of race two was held right off the Robert Crown Sailing Center seawall providing a great spectacle for those ashore,” said Jahn Tihanksy, Director and Head Coach of the U.S. Naval Academy Offshore Sailing Team, and also chairman for this event. “[Fleck] extended to a commanding lead to take the bullet while Poirier and his Navy crew held second.”
Racing was interrupted on Saturday due to a lack of wind. However, competitors came out ready to race on Sunday and in a freshening breeze completed two distance races. It was in the final race that Travis and his crew were able to take the lead, overtaking Poirier and the US Navy Sailing Team midway through the race to secure their overall win.
“We had a decent start, and thought we had a good shift, and it turned out to be not such a great shift,” says Travis of the final race. “We rounded the mark in third, and the boat in front of us [Navy] took his kite down and put a jib up, which ended up being not the right thing to do. And then the lead boat jibed away, and when he came back, he was behind us. From there, it was just a reach to the weather mark. Then it was shifty, inside the harbor with 30 degree shifts…it was stressful to hang on… but we did it.”
The Notice of Race requires competing teams to have a certain amount of consistency in their crew arrangements — A minimum of five competitors on each team must have raced together (including the designated skipper) in a minimum of five regattas in IRC, ORC, ORR, PHRF, Offshore One Design, Offshore Level Class Racing or Portsmouth Numbers rating systems in the past 36 months. They are also required to sail with a U.S. Naval Academy Midshipman from the varsity offshore sailing team aboard. The overall winners of the Championship had Midshipman Keegan Steele aboard, and the second-place finishers, skippered by Fleck, were joined by Midshipman Cade Gelhar.
“They sailed a great race and are great competitors, and are a lot of fun to be around and they represent the US Navy very well,” says Travis of the US Naval Academy sailors who partook in the events of the weekend. “Our Midshipman was very good, and helpful to us in beating his buddies on the Navy boat.”
The U.S. Offshore Sailing Championship is a biennial event. The winner of the Championship is awarded the Lloyd Phoenix Trophy, named for a US Naval Academy Graduate who served in the Civil War. After resigning and going into business he became a yachting enthusiast and Rear Commodore of the New York Yacht Club. The Trophy is on display in the Robert Crown Center at the United States Naval Academy.
Kurt grew up racing and cruising in the Midwest, and has raced Lasers since the late 1970s. Currently he is a broker at Swiftsure Yachts. He has been Assistant Editor at Sailing Magazine and a short stint as Editor of Northwest Yachting. Through Meadow Point Publishing he handles various marketing duties for smaller local companies. He currently is partners on a C&C 36 which he cruises throughout the Northwest. He’s married to the amazing Abby and is father to Ian and Gabe.
