Ensure safety, integrity and quality for all participants in the sport of sailboat racing
Give back to the sport of sailing by volunteering and becoming a race official. You’ll run races, make umpire calls on the water, hear protests and redress requests in the jury room, and classify sailors to compete in disabled sailing events.
What are Race Officials?
Race Officials represent US Sailing on and off the race course. They are trained, certified and supported by US Sailing, and they have the resources of the organization at their disposal.
The primary responsibility of race officials is to ensure the safety, integrity and quality of racing.
Race Officials are sailors like you who volunteer their time because they enjoy the work and because they believe in the importance of giving back to the sport.
Race Officials In The Spotlight
Meet Edith Collins
Edith Collins is one of those people who is the first to jump in and help where needed. For all she does for the sailing world she was honored as the recipient of the H. Willard Davis Service Award from the South Atlantic Yacht Racing Association (SAYRA) this past winter. In January of 1986, SAYRA established this award and dedicated it to Dr. H. Willard Davis to honor individuals who make significant and outstanding contributions in service to the South Atlantic Yacht Racing Association and their fellow yachtsmen. Edith, humble as ever, said, “needless to say I have no idea why I got it.” Read more about Edith
Meet Team Iowa
What’s better than an experienced Race Official? A TEAM of experienced award-winning Race Officials!
“Team Iowa,” as they are known, consists of Dean Drevlow, Dick Leaders, Craig Johnson, and Fields Gunsett. These guys are not only very active in their own club, Saylorville Yacht Club near Des Moines, IA, but are regularly called on to run regattas far out of their venue. Read more about Team Iowa
Meet Mary-Lawrence Bickford
According to Essex Yacht Club Vice Commodore Bill Gunther, “Mary-Lawrence has always been a willing volunteer, and her endless energy is an inspiration to us all. In 2019, she received the James Orne Willets Trophy for her many contributions to Essex Yacht Club. It is awarded for the purpose of promoting the true Corinthian spirit, and recognized Mary-Lawrence’s continuous exemplary display of the highest ideals of amateur yachting.”
Read more about Mary-Lawrence
Meet Donna Sue Marks
“Donna Sue is exactly the sort of person we are looking for in a Regional Race Official,” said Mary Ellen DeFrias, member of the US Sailing Race Management Committee and a principal race officer at the Buzzards Bay Regatta in Massachusetts, where Donna Sue has run the kite circle for several years. “Her positivity and patience working with other volunteers motivates her team to excel, and she is the kind of race official who can come in and work with a new club and leave behind more confident volunteers.”
Read more about Donna Sue
Do you know a race officer whose work is exemplary and should be celebrated?
Please contact your Area Race Officer to nominate one or more officials.
Newly Appointed or Upgraded Race Officials
Name |
Certification |
Date of Certification |
Area |
ARO/RAJ |
| Ellen Pesch | Regional Race Officer | August 2024 | A | Susie Schneider |
| Pam Gallaher | Club Race Officer | August 2024 | J | Steve Kuritz |
| David Donnelly | Club Race Officer | August 2024 | L | Mary Ellen DeFrias |
| Anthony Pelletier | Club Judge | August 2024 | J | Steve Holmstrom |
| Tish Wold | Club Race Officer | August 2024 | D | Donna Sue Marks |
| Mary Cay Tylee | Club Judge | August 2024 | E | Nancy Zangerle |
| Stephen Corona | Club Judge | August 2024 | E | Nancy Zangerle |
| James Lee | Club Race Officer | August 2024 | J | Steve Kuritz |
| Keven Eiber | Club Judge | August 2024 | E | Nancy Zangerle |
| Michael Balay | Regional Judge | August 2024 | A | Mary Pierce |
| Peter Fanta | National Judge | August 2024 | C | Harry Foote |
| Bob Meagher | National Judge | August 2024 | D | Jerry Thompson |
| Warren Collier | National Judge | August 2024 | D | Jerry Thompson |
| Paul Murray | National Judge | August 2024 | J | Steve Holmstrom |
| Bobby Matthews Jr | Club Race Officer | September 2024 | D | Donna Sue Marks |
| Michael Chammout | Club Judge | September 2024 | G | Don Wieneke |
| Eric Everitt | Club Race Officer | September 2024 | B | Sue Reilly |
| Patrick Byrnes | Club Race Officer | September 2024 | F | Jack Yoes |
| Ricky Richardson | Club Race Officer | September 2024 | F | Jack Yoes |
| Sandra Svoboda | Club Race Officer | September 2024 | E | Jamie Jones |
| Michael Chapell | Club Judge | September 2024 | B | Bruce Cook |
| Nelson Pemberton | Regional Race Officer | September 2024 | C | Sharon Hadsell |
| Patrick Lambert | Regional Race Officer | September 2024 | D | Donna Sue Marks |
| Jeff Progelhof | Regional Race Officer | September 2024 | F | Jack Yoes |
| Raymond Groble | National Umpire | September 2024 | K | Steve Schupak |
| Sandra Svoboda | Club Judge | September 2024 | E | Nancy Zangerle |
| Tyler Phillips | Club Judge | October 2024 | C | Harry Foote |
| Nancy Rogachenko | Club Judge | October 2024 | C | Harry Foote |
| Michael Hamilton | Club Race Officer | October 2024 | L | Mary Ellen DeFrias |
| Mark Dailey | Club Race Officer | November 2024 | B | Sue Reilly |
