Women's Sailing Committee Meeting
Thursday, October 18, 2001

Hilton Hotel
 St. Petersburg, FL

Minutes

Committee Members and Observers:
Jane Codman,
Louise Gleason,
Joan Thayer,
Susan Epstein,
Debbie Schoenherr,
Faye Bennet,
Pennie Hare,
Vicki Sodaro,
Melinda Berge,
Betsy Beddow,
Doris Colgate,
Diane Smith,
Elizabeth Carl,
Karen Barnes,
Stephanie McLennan,
Ernie Bain Jr.,
Jeff Borland,
Sandy Grosvenor

Called to order: by Susan Epstein at 2:00 p.m.

Fred Hagedorn spoke briefly on the weight limit of the Yngling. On agenda for Friday's meeting.

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the concept of bringing the National Women's Sailing Association (NWSA) actively into US SAILING; to meet the members of the Board of Directors of NWSA; and to answer any questions on the issue.

It was noted that some on the WSC had missed e-mails regarding the NWSA.

Susan introduced members of the NWSA Board: Doris Colgate, Founder; Diana Smith, President; Sue Corl, Member of Board of Directors.

Diana summarized what NWSA is, what it does, and how it would complement the Women's Sailing Committee. During the AGM, these women will represent NWSA in presentations to various councils and committees.

The committee was divided on pursuing the specific proposal Susan had presented last March.
A motion was made and seconded: that the concept be accepted that the Women's Sailing Committee and the National Women's Sailing Association become affiliated through US SAILING. The meeting ended without a vote. This will be continued at the Friday meeting.

Meeting was adjourned at 3:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Betsy Beddow
Secretary

Women's Sailing Committee Meeting
Friday, October 19, 2001

Minutes

CALLED TO ORDER: 2:00 p.m.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY

Minutes of March 2001 meeting approved as posted on website.

ROLL:
Susan Epstein, Chairman,
Betsy Beddow, Secretary,
Melinda Berge,
Jane Codman,
Denise MacGillivray,
Cory Sertl,
Joan Thayer,
Vicki Sodaro.

GUESTS:
Ernie Bain, Jr.,
Debbie Schoenherr,
Elizabeth Corl,
Diana Smith,
Janet Baxter,
Karen Smith,
Bobbi Campbell,
Jeff Borland,
Pennie Hare,
Nel Roberts,
Ron Ward,
Bill Sandberg,
Paige Railey,
Sandy Grosvenor

ISAF/OLYMPIC REPORT
Cory Sertl introduced discussion about the Yngling weight issue and noted that several countries have made submissions to ISAF relative to weight limits. The WSC has been asked to recommend a weight limit to the Olympic Sailing Committee. Included in discussion were the opinions of the U.S. women who are involved in Olympic Yngling Campaigns.

It was moved, seconded and voted unanimously [to recommend to the OSC] that the ISAF Delegation go with a suggested weight limit of 205 kilograms.

2001 CHAMPIONSHIPS WRAP-UP:

Nancy Leiter Clagett Trophy Vicki Sodaro reported the Jr. Women's Singlehanded Championship was held at Richmond Y.C. in sunshine and warm weather on San Francisco Bay…. belying its reputation as a cold and windy venue. Page Railey was the winner of the 44-boat fleet.

Ida Lewis Trophy held at Scituate, MA., was a great regatta, that even included a duck tour of Boston Harbor. The winner of the Jr. Women's Doublehanded Championship was the team of Molly Carapiet and Mallory McCollum. Molly also placed second at the Leiter Trophy.

Mrs. Charles Francis Adams Trophy scheduled for September 13, was not Standard Operating Procedure due to the events of September 11. Faye Bennet reported that some teams were not able to get to Texas. An event was held for those who made it, but the Adams Cup was not awarded. Future venues: 2002 - San Francisco; 2003 - North Carolina; 2004 -submission from Hawaii.

U.S. Match Racing Championship:
Karen Reisch reported that the regatta was canceled because of insufficient number of entries. One of five invited teams accepted and only four others requested invitations. In discussion, some commented the event should have been held because of the number of events that had been canceled this year. The Match Racing Championship is scheduled again at Southern Y.C. in 2002.

Susan Epstein thanked Bill Sandberg of ROLEX for its support. Bill had suggestions for strengthening Women's Match Racing through clinics and also suggested we put extra effort into building stronger interest in the Adams Cup.

ROLEX International Women's Keelboat Championship, The Bengt Julin Trophy:
Denise MacGillivary reported that there were 63 teams registered from 17 states and 4 from outside of the country. Cory Sertl was the winner. For the first time, the event had an all-female International Jury. It was felt that the switch from J/24 to J/22, and a change in venue helped the event. Motion was made, seconded and approved to Congratulate Denise MacGillivary, Chairman, and Event Co-chairmen Sandy Grosvenor and Ann Harrington for a successful transfer of the Rolex International Women's Championship and increased boat participation in the event.

Bill Sandberg made note of the Next Step Program, held prior to the ROLEX event as a wonderful idea and a way to have young teams ready for 2003.

Bettina Bents Trophy:
Vicki Sodaro reported that 8 teams participated in Santana 20s in the Match Racing event.

NEW BUSINESS

 There was a general discussion on Women's Match Racing. Diana Smith from NWSA asked how to get into match racing and how to get information regarding it. Bill Sandberg said ROLEX would consider sponsoring clinics in various areas of the country. There will be a clinic with the regatta at Southern Y.C. in 2002. The Chairman appointed a committee to explore Women's Match Racing issues in the U.S., as well as the overall scheduling of women's events and clinics. The appointees are Vicki Sodaro, Charlie Arms, Debbie Schoenherr, Sandy Grosvenor, Jeff Borland, and Cory Sertl as advisor.

OLD BUSINESS

At Thursday's meeting a motion relative to the WSC initiative to bring NWSA on board with US SAILING was moved and seconded but not voted. As there was no further discussion on the motion, a vote was taken and the motion defeated. The following motion was then moved and seconded: To approve the concept that the Women's Sailing Committee and the NWSA partner to represent all women sailors and that together they recommend the women's representative to the Board of Directors of US SAILING. It was approved unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Betsy Beddow, Secretary
Susan Epstein, Chairman

** The following Actions were requested and approved by the Board, 21-OCT-01 :

1. The Board of Directors approves the concept that the Women's Sailing Committee and the National Women's Sailing Association partner to represent all women sailors in the US and that together they recommend to the US SAILING Nominating Committee their choice for the Women's Representative to the Board of Directors of US SAILING.

2. Create a new US SAILING Regulation 6.12 to read as follows:

"6.12 WOMEN'S SAILING COMMITTEE
The Women's Sailing Committee and the National Women's Sailing Association shall consult with each other and recommend to the US SAILING Nominating Committee one or more candidates for the position of Women's Representative to the Board of Directors."