The Schreiber High School Sailing Program got off to a good start on Tuesday, April 29 with a chalk talk at the high school moderated by local sailor Jerry Morea. This first session was planned to be an "on-the-water" lesson, but because of inclement weather, the 16 students remained on land and learned about navigation. The students were given the opportunity to plot cross bearings taken of the Empire State Building and the Wakefield Water Tower from a location in Port Washington. Using a nautical chart of lower Manhattan and New York Harbor out to western Long Island Sound, the students were able to pinpoint the exact location from which the bearings were taken. The presentation was spiced with "real live" stories and experiences, which impressed upon the students the importance of the need to sail in these waters with a chart. Unfortunately, Bill Brakman and his crew of volunteers who were waiting on the dock at the Manhasset Bay YC could not give these sailors their first "hands on" spring sailing experience. But with many days planned for sailing on Manhasset Bay before the end of school in June, these students can rest assured that they will have ample opportunity to sail on our bay. Many thanks are due to Peter Blasucci, owner of Deluxe Taxi, who generously offered to transport the students and teachers from Schreiber HS to the waterfront and back each week during the spring season. The High School Sailing Program is supported by the Manhasset Bay Sailing Foundation, whose mission is to support and encourage interest in local high school sailing teams, assist in coaching, teaching and training, provide high school sailing teams with launching, docking and other facilities for organized practice sessions, provide sponsorship in the Mid Atlantic Scholastic Sailing Association (MASSA) for local high school sailing clubs. The Foundation has established a scholarship fund that will eventually award a monetary grant to local individuals, starting college, who have participated in local MASSA programs and who demonstrate sailing ability, sportsmanship, maturity and promise.

Ginger Marshall Martus, who grew up in Port Washington and now lives in New Jersey, is a member of the Port Washington Public Library's Nautical Center. Last fall Ginger proposed an idea to the Nautical Center about forming a committee to explore the idea of having an exhibit to recognize individuals, events or businesses, both past and present, who made outstanding contributions to the history, heritage and legacy of Manhasset Bay and its unique waterfront. Progress has brought together an Exhibit Committee, which came up with the theme "Our Bay," which will encompass three major exhibits: The Star of Manhasset Bay where the International Star class originated; Flying Boats from early Pan American Clipper flights to Gold Cup races, and the Purdy Boat Company, it history and famous boats. "Our Bay" will be exhibited at the Port Washington Public Library from September 1-30.

Sue Mikulski, a woman sailor of some repute, thought the Rolex International Women's Keelboat Championship was out of her reach, but friends encouraged her to "go for it." She raced weeknights and weekends to prepare for the big race, and by 1995 she was ready. She encourages other women to follow in her footpath, but cautions, "you don't need to do what I did, but other women need to know that this event is in their reach." Mikulski is organizing clinic programs around this regatta. If women can get together a group of J/22s in their region, Rolex and Mikulski can find them a local coach to get them ready for the big event. This year's Rolex championship takes place in Annapolis, September 27 - October 3. Mikulski also coordinates the Next Step clinic for high school-age women who some day hope to sail the Rolex. In 2001, a group of high school sailors, including Laura Browning from Plandome Heights, arrived on a Friday, practiced racing amongst themselves on Saturday, and sailed a Santa Cruz 70, Donnybrook, owned by former US SAILING President Jim Muldoon on Sunday. To the delight of the young women, Betsy Alison jumped into their practice race, and the girls had a chance to talk to Betsy during the day. Said Mikulski, "I like making a difference in people's lives." Any women interested in either preparing for the Rolex Women's Keelboat Championship or the Next Step Program, can obtain information on the US SAILING website: www.ussailing.org.

It's not too soon to start thinking of the 20th Storm Trysail Block Island Race Week, June 22-27. For 39 years the biennial Block Island Race Week has provide first class race management to world class sailors. This year the event is expecting over 200 entries in four fleets racing in One Design, IMS and PHRF formats. Three race circles will feature windward leeward courses and the fourth fleet will race on courses around government marks. There is a rumor, not yet confirmed, that there will be a one design class of 12 meters, and there may be more than one "Round the Island " race day for the navigator/Double-handed class boats which should add excitement to the racers and the landlubbers watching from shore. Peter Reggio, the Principal Race Officer (PRO) for the Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Series in Auckland, NZ (and who has been the PRO for the Knickerbocker Cup in past years), will be running the on-the-water activities. Reggio promises that the event is worthwhile not only for the on-the-water activities but also for the post racing stuff as well. He should know, because he has not missed a Block Island Race Week since 1973. The Storm Trysail Club is very excited that this year's Race Week will be based at The Oar, the site of the original BIRW back in 1965. Sailors are referred to www.blockislandraceweek.com for updates, schedules, crew, a ride, etc.