This was first published in the April 2010 Newsletter. It’s time to get something off my chest. We sail each year in hopes of winning something called the Nick Nichols trophy let’s call it ‘The Cup.’ ‘The Cup’ represents our season championship, and is awarded each year to the boat with the lowest aggregate…
This was first published in the April 2010 Newsletter. by Jerry Blouin I’ve been bombarded with questions asking more or less, “So Jerry, what’s up with certificates?” Well, the intention is to measure boats for certificates before the mast goes in this spring. There are a few loose ends at the Technical Committee that need…
This was first published in the April 2010 Newsletter. by Charlie Pendleton Racing starts before you’re on the water. And sailing, like most sports, favors repetition. With repetition, things become second nature. You’re less prone to make a mistake or forget something critical and you’re more likely to make good decisions faster. With that in…
This was first published in the March 2010 Newsletter. Two years ago, Tom Despres and the Fleet 5 leadership made the inspired move of selecting BJ Mansfield as the winner of the 2008 Outstanding Crew Award. Their choice was motivated by her staunch and selfless support of her husband and skipper, Mike Carpenter, through their…
This was first published in the March 2010 Newsletter. Who Dat? Rumors that the Marblehead police had to be called in to contain the enthusiasm of a New Orleans woman after her Saints beat the Colts in the Super Bowl were greatly exaggerated. Neighbors of the West Shore Drive couple seemed to take it all…
This was first published in the March 2010 Newsletter. by Jerry Blouin I’m old enough to have been educated at institutions that stressed discipline over learning. Although I spent far too many hours in what my catholo-military captors called “Penance Hall” and “Penance Drill” (attendance depending upon the particular context of the violation), I remain…
This was first published in the March 2010 Newsletter. by Charlie Pendleton In the dead of winter, it’s easy to forget the warm summer and great racing that comes with it. In New England, we spend more months off the water than on, so there is no reason not to be prepared for the first…
This was first published in the January 2010 Newsletter. Happy New Year, and boy what a year it will be. But before we get to that, we have a few people to thank, starting with Judy Despres. As Kathleen Lane, Jennifer Uhl, Christina Pandapas, Barbara Hallawell, Katie Bloxham and countless others can attest, this fleet…
This was first published in the January 2010 Newsletter. Fleet 5 welcomes new member Joan Thayer and John Read. Joan comes to us from the Sonar fleet, and anyone who has spent any time around Marblehead sailing knows that she is the moving force behind the very successful annual Women’s Sailing Conference held each spring…
This was first published in the January 2010 Newsletter. by Christina Pandapas Watch out Fleet 5, there’s a new team in town and if the 2009 season was any indication, they are a boat to contend with this year. J.P. Zonnenberg and Bill Dalton formed their new partnership on the snow last year when the…