Our local frostbiters were shut out of another day of sailing last weekend, as high winds were predicted for Sunday, Dec. 14. The sailors will try again to sail on Sunday, Dec. 21 if the weather permits, but there will be no sailing the following Sunday, Dec. 28.

As promised last week, listed below are the YRA of LIS One Design Awards and the PERF Awards that were awarded at the YRA of LIS Annual Meeting on Sunday, Dec. 7. Sonar Fleet #11: 1. Housemartin, Beth and Greg Danilek, 2. Ping, Sue Miller/John Browning, and 3. Puff, Ralf Steitz. The MBO fleet winners: 1. Blue Chip, Allen/Haukland, and 2. Miss B Haven, Allen/Heinzerling. Outside our bay, awards were given to Etchells Fleet #1 and #9, IOD, Herreshoff S, and Shields Fleet #1. Greg and Beth Danilek won the Russell Nall Trophy for best percentage of any one design fleet on the Sound. While several of the trophy winners in the 2002 -2003 Spring and Fall Series for Handicap Yachts are from our bay, all winners are included as the skippers and boats are familiar to our readers. First place in the YRA Spring PHRF ( 72 (Gitana/Windigo): Quintessence, Roger Widmar, New York YC. Winners in the same division for the Fall Series: 1. Wanderer, William Cushman, 2. Charlie V, Norman Schulman, Seawanhaka Corinthian YC, and 3. Gold Digger, Jim Bishop, American YC. Winners in the Spring PHRF 72-117 (Sappho/Sagola): 1. Anie "O," George Schimenti, Indian Harbor YC, 2. Morning Glory, Carl Olsson, Larchmont YC, 3. Kincsen, Joerg Esdorn, American YC, and 4. Andiamo, Paul Strauch, Manhasset Bay YC. Winners in the Fall Series in the same division: 1. Hustler, A. Esposito, 2. Andiamo, and 3. Kincsen. The YRA Spring PHRF ( 117 (Competitors'): 1. Amethyst, Doug Davies, South Bay Cr., and 2. Zephyr, Ray Sherman, Lloyd Harbor YC. Winners in the Fall series in the same division: 1. Dreadlocks, Jeffrey Hammer, Lloyd Harbor YC, 2. Happy Daze II, Thomas Egan, Port Washington YC, and 3. Amethyst. Season Trophies for the Handicap Yachts were also awarded at the Annual Meeting. For more information, go to www.yralis.org.

Scott Ikle, from Geneva, NY, but who grew up in Manhasset, was recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee and US SAILING as sailing's National Coach of the Year for his contributions at both the collegiate and international level. Ikle is head coach of the Hobart and William Smith Sailing Team, a position he has held for 10 years. In 2003, Ikle coached the team to the spring college national championships and five of his sailors were named to the 2003 ICSA/Ronstan All American Team. Two other coaches were honored in addition to Ikle. Rob Hallawell, from Marblehead, MA/Coronado, CA, was recognized as the Developmental Coach of the Year for his work as head coach for the Point Loma High School Sailing Team. Under his leadership the team won the Mallory Championship (in boat A and B divisions by an unprecedented 86 points) and the Baker Team Race Championship, where they were undefeated in the finals. Park McRitchie, from Port Clinton, Ohio, was recognized as the sport's first Volunteer Coach of the Year. He has been a volunteer coach at Port Clinton YC for about eight years and is the education and training director for the Inter-Lake Yachting Association. Widely known for his ability to communicate with young sailors, his number one priority is safety, with fun being a close second.

Anyone who is involved with organizing or operating a sailing program of any kind is invited to attend the US SAILING's Annual National Sailing Program Symposium. This year it will be held from Jan. 28 - Feb. 1 at the Oakland Marriott City Center in Oakland, CA. Though this is a distance to travel, local sailors who attended the 2003 Symposium in Annapolis, MD will attest to the wealth of knowledge acquired, the great networking opportunities, and the fun they all had in Annapolis. The symposium has something of interest for everyone, and is for those involved with junior sailing, Junior Olympics, community sailing, yacht clubs, windsurfing schools, camps, Boy Scout, Girl Scout and Sea Scout Programs, college and high school programs, all sailing coaches, adult programs, adaptive programs, parks and recreation, and any YMCA or YWCA programs. This symposium is for all levels of involvement whether you are a first year organizer, a veteran program director, a volunteer, a staff person, an instructor, a board member or a parent. Topics will cover the full spectrum from the nuts and bolts of starting a new program to the intricacies of keeping a successful program running smoothly. Of interest to readers may be the small boat instructor course, powerboat instructor certification course, youth module, and/or the high school coaching module. If you want to find, develop, and discuss new ideas for your program, the National Sailing Programs Symposium is the place to get it done. More information, go to www.USSAILING.org.

The Community Sailing Council is looking for nominations for its highest honor. The Marty Luray Award is given annually to an individual or organization that has made a notable contribution to promote public access sailing. It will be presented at the US SAILING National Sailing Programs Symposium. In addition to the "Marty," the Community Sailing Council is accepting nominations for the following honors: Outstanding Director of a New Program, Outstanding Director of a Year-Round Program, Outstanding Director of a Seasonal Program, Outstanding Organizational Support, Outstanding Director of Sail Education Program, Outstanding Contributions to the Development of Community Sailing, Outstanding Outreach & Inclusion, Excellence in Instruction, More than 10 Years of Hallmark Performance, Creative Innovation in Sailing Programming, Outstanding Year-Round Program, Outstanding Seasonal Program, Outstanding New Program, Outstanding Program for Disabled Sailors, and Outstanding Leadership.

Nominations may be submitted by anyone and should be sent to Pam Benjamin at US Sailing by Dec. 20, 2003. Nominees are eligible for activities between Nov. 1, 2002 and Nov. 1, 2003. Please submit the following: Nominee's name, address, phone number, e-mail address, program affiliation, position, and the award for which the person is being nominated. If a program is being nominated, please include specific program information and why the nomination has been tendered. Include your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, program affiliation, and position. To submit a nomination, please fax 401-683-0840, or e-mail NSPS@ussailing.org.