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Called to
order at 11:15 a.m. by the Chairman.
Present:
Chairman
Susan Epstein,
Faye Bennet,
Melinda Berge,
Elizabeth Corl,
Louise
Gleason,
Karen Reisch,
Diana Smith,
Vicki Sodaro
Joan Thayer.
Observers:
Pat Seidenspinner,
Barbara Farquhar,
Janet Baxter,
Doris Colgate,
Fred Hagedorn,
J.
Thayer acted as recording secretary.
WSA Integration
Chairman Epstein reported that the
Board of the National Women’s Sailing Association (NWSA) met on Thursday
with the Integration Task Force (ITF) in an all-day strategic planning session
facilitated by Linda Lindquist Bishop. The session was the follow-up to a WSC
resolution approved at the 2001 AGM. The chairman thanked Linda for her
assistance, and introduced Janet Baxter, chairman of the ITF.
Janet acknowledged the contribution of Steve and Doris
Colgate’s Offshore Sailing School and Doris for her leadership and vision
for NWSA for the past ten years. She noted that as of August 1, 2002, the NWSA’s
support from Offshore Sailing School will terminate.
The prior day’s meeting produced a proposed plan to move
NWSA’s office to the US SAILING office in Portsmouth, RI, and to negotiate a
fee-for-service arrangement that would include designated administrative
support and ancillary services to be provided by US SAILING, specifically, for
the administration of NWSA programs. Initially NWSA would remain a separate
organization. US SAILNG would access benefits including a new women’s
audience; established programs that do not currently exist in US SAILING; a
"brand" name, respected in the industry; and an existing
organization with committed board members. The missions of both organizations
complement each other. The ITF and the NWSA Board will work out the pertinent
details as quickly as possible.
For each NWSA program, Diana Smith, president of NWSA,
provided background and data with numbers of women brought into the sport. The
ultimate goal of these programs is to bring more women and girls into the
sport and to retain them.
Linda Lindquist answered questions and offered incite as to
what a combination of NWSA and WSC might accomplish. With NWSA’s programs at
boat shows and elsewhere and with the AdventureSail® programs, NWSA, in Linda’s
opinion, is creating opportunities for elite sailors to give back to the sport
and provide role models and a vision for girls and women.
Match Racing
Pat Seidenspinner and Barbara
Farquhar reported that the Rolex Osprey event in the fall of 2001 had only 7
participants due to the events of September 11th. They discussed
the new women’s match racing events that are grade 4 (grass roots) and have
the US Women’s Match Racing Championship and ISAF regattas as ultimate goals
for participants. ROLEX support for clinics at these events will depend on
good participation and positive feedback.
Olympics/Youth Development Regatta
Chairman
Epstein reported concerns voiced to her that collegiate women (skippers,
especially) are leaving the helm after graduation and need to be retained.
Louise Gleason concurred. Fred Hagedorn stated that in the Olympic classes
performance enhancement issues for women are being addressed; e.g., weighing
in the morning rather than in the evening. A youth development regatta for men
and women between 18 and 25 is being proposed…..more clinic and less regatta….,
with the hope that more young sailors will be encouraged to take up an Olympic
campaign
Adjourned at 12:00 pm
________________________________________________________
WOMEN’S SAILING COMMITTEE
MARCH 16, 2002
SATURDAY MINUTES
Called to Order at 11:15 a.m.
Present:
Chairman
Susan Epstein,
Faye Bennet, Melinda Berge, Elizabeth Corl, Louise Gleason,
Karen Reisch, Diana Smith, Vicki Sodaro, and Joan Thayer. Charlie Arms, Sandy
Grosvenor, Pat Seidenspinner, Barbara Farquhar, Janet Baxter, Stephanie
McLennan and several observers were also in attendance. J. Thayer acted as
recording secretary.
Minutes of fall 2001 meeting accepted as posted on
the web site.
ISAF
The ISAF Women’s World Match Racing
Championship Schedule was presented:
2002 April, Calpe, Spain in J-22s. Four US women’s
teams will probably attend: Liz Baylis (San Rafael, CA), Dawn Riley (Sausolito,
CA) , Sandy Grosvenor (Annapolis, MD), Betsy Alison (Newport, RI).
2003
June (?), Sundsvall, Sweden;
2004 Eastport Yacht Club, Annapolis, MD;
2005
Denmark (?)
Barbara Farquhar and Pat Seidenspinner discussed the Grade
4 events expected to bring new women into match racing.
Resolution to be presented to the Board: that the Women’s
Sailing Committee endorses and supports the initiative to ISAF to reinstate
the Nations Cup.
Melinda Berge (Annapolis, MD) will represent the US at the
ISAF Women’s Keelboat World Championship in France in June. The WSC would
like better communication regarding US participation in such events.
CHAMPIONSHIPS
Nancy Leiter Clagett (Jr. Women Singlehanded):
July 30 – August 4, 2002; Southern Yacht Club, LA
Stephanie McLennan reported that "helpful hints"
on running the regatta is available. As a Clagett granddaughter, Stephanie
exhibited a new logo incorporating the family burgees of Nancy Leiter Clagett.
Ida Lewis
(Jr. Women Doublehanded), July 5 – July
9th at Newport Harbor Y.C., CA.
Mertz Trophy
(U.S. Women’s Match Racing);
December 5 – 8, 2002; J-22s at Southern Yacht Club.
Invitations to the top five ISAF-ranked US women, the top
US women from the St. Petersburg Women’s Match Race, the Sundance Cup,
Newport Clinic & Match, BoatUS Santa Maria Cup, and a local entry. Resumes
for additional slots will be considered. Vicki Sodaro will follow up on
repair/replacement of the trophy.
The Bettina Bents Trophy, traditionally held in Newport
Harbor, CA in April, was proposed as a possible venue for the 2003 US Women’s
Match Racing Championship. Vicki will pursue this.
Adams Cup
(Women’s) October 5-9, 2002; J-24 (crew
of 4), San Francisco Y.C. Class rules apply. Small jibs.
ROLEX Women’s International Keelboat Championship Sept.
26-October 3, 2003; J-22s, Annapolis Y.C.
Working Party
The WSC accepted the recommendation of the match race
working party that the ISAF rankings of June 15, 2002 be used to determine the
women’s entry into the 2002 Sponsor "X" Match Racing Challenge.
Entry for the 2003 Sponsor "X" Match Racing Challenge will come from
the top US finishers at the 2002 Osprey Cup.
Charlie Arms reported that the competitors like the present
arrangement of match racing regattas in the US: four grade 3 or 4, and two
grade 1 events. Charlie noted that each event now has a competitor liaison.
New Business
The current Terms of Reference will
be distributed to the Committee for review, and any recommendations for
changes will be brought to the fall meeting.
WSC members are encouraged to serve on and contribute to
other US SAILING committees that interest them. US SAILING would be happy with
more representation by women on more of its committees.
A working party headed by Melinda Berge, with Joan Thayer,
Susan Epstein and Vicki Sodaro, will review the Adams Cup and at the Fall
Meeting will offer recommendations for revitalization of this championship.
By July 1 NWSA and WSC will determine and submit to
Chairman Epstein recommendations to the US SAILING Nominating Committee of the
candidate(s) for the position of Women's Representative to the Board of
Directors. (per Reg. 6.12)
Meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.
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