Local sailor, Matt Himler, 16, who lives in Manhasset and is in his second year at The Hotchkiss School, has won the prestigious Clinton M. Bell Trophy for the second year in a row. He received the award on Saturday evening at the Beachpoint YC in Mammoreneck at the JSA of LIS (Junior Sailing Association of Long Island Sound) Annual Awards Ceremony. Matt, who sails with the Manhasset Bay Yacht Club, achieved the highest winning percentage in the Laser, Radial or 420 Classes in qualifying events last summer on the Long Island Sound. Previous winners from our area include: John Bollinger, Port Washington Yacht Club (1951), James Sykes, Manhasset Bay Yacht Club (1957), Elliott Oldak, Knickerbocker Yacht Club (1961), Stephen W. Moore, Manhasset Bay Yacht Club (1960, 1962, 1963, 1964), and Chuck Karo, Knickerbocker Yacht Club (1970). Dave Perry, Pequot Yacht Club, won the Bell Award in 1971. The Mission of the Junior Sailing Association of Long Island Sound is to support junior sailors at member programs and to encourage them to experience the joy of sailing and learn about and appreciate the complexities of the marine environment. The JSA promotes ethical behavior among its sailors and encourages the teaching of life-long lessons, which seek to build character, foster teamwork and strengthen respect for self and others. Through its programs and policies, the JSA seeks to support both serious competitors and recreational sailors at all levels of skill and to encourage their sailing in local waters and beyond. Two local women sailors are members of the Executive Committee of the JSA of LIS: Joan MacInnes, from Port Washington YC (Class of 2004) and Stephanie Baas, from Manhasset Bay YC (Class of 2005).

The Rolex Miami OCR, now in its 14th year, attracted 526 athletes representing 34 countries to participate in the regatta from Wednesday Jan. 29 to Saturday, Feb. 1. The regatta has not seen a turnout like this since the two years leading up to the 1996 Savannah Olympic Regatta, when foreign sailors targeted the event for testing themselves on U.S. waters. The final day of the Rolex Miami OCR - where the athletes competed in 11 Olympic and Paralympic classes - was warm sunshine and fresh breezes on Biscayne Bay. The regatta winners, most with goals of competing in the 2004 Olympic games in Athens, will certainly be defined by their performance here against the world's best. Over half of the 328 boats sailing were foreign entries, and the fleet was flush with world champions, Olympic medallists, and America's Cup sailors. Erin Maxwell/Jen Morgan from Stonington, CT came in second in the 470 Women's division. Amanda Clark and Sarah Mergenthaler, from Shelter Island came in third in the same division. Many junior sailors, locally and from the Sound have benefited from Erin Maxwell and Jen Morgan's expertise as they have given sailing seminars to LISRT (Long Island Sound Racing Team) for a group of advanced Optimist sailors. Amanda Clark was at Manhasset Bay YC last summer conducting a three-day seminar for some junior sailors, and she also taught adults in the Ideal 18 during an open clinic and racing event the previous summer (2001) to all sailors on the Bay. To view the official regatta notice board and complete results, visit www.ussailing.org/Olympics/RolexMiamiOCR/ Rolex Miami OCR.

The Star boats, which were built in Port Washington, and have launched many a career of world-class sailors, are back in the news again. Star Class champion Mark Reynolds was inducted a sailor into the San Diego Hall of Champions - the first sailor so honored in 18 years. Reynolds was the Star Class World champion in both 1995 and 2000 and has won two Olympic Gold Medals (2000 and 1992) and a Silver (1988). Reynolds joins fellow San Diego yachtsmen Lowell North, Gerry Driscoll, Dennis Connor, and Malin Burnham on the roster of Hall of Fame members.

For those of us who love the sea and the salt air brushing our cheeks as we sail to harbors near and far, the winter months force many to dream of the upcoming season, and count the days until the first sail in spring. Even frostbiters have been denied the pleasures of our sport as Manhasset Bay is still frozen, relegating this hardy group to finding alternative activities. But there is hope! North U. is offering courses that will keep your skills and mind sharp. As Bill Gladstone, North U. director, says, "It's the next best thing to being on the water." He continues, "Whether you race or cruise, North U. can improve your sailing skills, performance and confidence." Upcoming courses on Long Island: Trim (covers sail trim, boat speed, and boat handling) is offered on Long Island on Saturday-Sunday February 22-23. The North U. seminar on Cruising and Seamanship - written by Bill Gladstone and John Rousmaniere - cover safety, heavy-weather and emergency procedures, navigation, anchoring, wind shifts, current and night sailing and is offered on Long Island on Saturday April 5. For locations and time, call North U. at 800-347-2457 or go online at: www.northu.com.

America's Cup racing begins on Valentine's Day - which is February 15 in Auckland. The racing will be covered live on ESPN2, and the network has also scheduled a bunch of other sailing programs to set the stage. Here's their schedule: Feb. 10, 7 p.m. (ET): America's Cup Jubilee (ESPN Classic); Feb. 11, 2 a.m. (ET): America's Cup Jubilee (ESPN Classic); Feb. 13, 11 p.m. (ET): America's Cup Preview (ESPN2); Feb. 14, 5 p.m. (ET): America's Cup Preview re-air (ESPN Classic); Feb. 14, 7 p.m. (ET): Race #1 (ESPN2); Feb. 15, 7 p.m. (ET): Race #2 (ESPN2); Feb. 17, 7 p.m. (ET): Race #3 (ESPN2).