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 |
| Ralph Kinder | Club Judge | March 2022 | A | Mary Pierce |
| Frank Selph | Club Judge | March 2022 | D | Edith Collins |
| Russ Sobotta | National Race Officer | March 2022 | K | Jeff Johnson |
| George Isdale | Club Race Officer | March 2022 | A | Susie Schneider |
| Barbara Vosbury | Club Race Officer | March 2022 | C | Sharon Hadsell |
| Martine Zurinskas | Club Race Officer | March 2022 | D | JD Rosser |
| Patrice Rachlin | Regional Race Officer | March 2022 | B | Greg Gilmartin |
| Keven Eiber | Regional Race Officer | March 2022 | E | Jamie Jones |
| Theodore Thomas | Club Judge | April 2022 | E | Nancy Zangerle |
| Kirstin Naase | Club Race Officer | April 2022 | B | Greg Gilmartin |
| Valerie Massingill | Club Race Officer | April 2022 | D | JD Rosser |
| Geoff Pedrick | Regional Judge | April 2022 | K | John Porter |
| Russ Sobotta | Regional Judge | April 2022 | K | John Porter |
| Tony Weiner | Regional Judge | April 2022 | B | Bruce Cook |
| Britt Hall | National Judge | April 2022 | B | Bruce Cook |
| Adam Riley | Club Race Officer | April 2022 | A | Susie Schneider |
| Mark Connell | Club Race Officer | April 2022 | C | Sharon Hadsell |
| Peter Craig | Club Race Officer | May 2022 | A | Susie Schneider |
| George Constable | Club Judge | May 2022 | B | Bruce Cook |
| David Morrow | Club Race Officer | May 2022 | E | Jamie Jones |
| Karol Pichon | Club Race Officer | May 2022 | D | JD Rosser |
| James O'Dell | Club Judge | June 2022 | D | Edith Collins |
