The JSA Blog

Another One Bites the Dust

Another great video from the 'Crash and Burn' series. This one highlights the chillier side of sailing; showing great dives into the very very cold water. Enjoy and check out more crash and burn videos at Scuttlebutt.com. 

A Bermudian Point of View

     Bermuda raised sailor, Katrina Williams, describes to the local Bermuda Sun online paper what it is like getting involved in the sport of sailing from the age of eleven. Now on the Old Dominion University sailing team, Katrina switches gears into collegiate style, but still loves the sport more than ever. To read more go to Bermudasu.bm.main for the full interview and great ideas for going further in your sailing careers!

 
 

Student Athletes on a Service Trip

 What do you get when you mix sailors, ball players, runners, fencers, soccer players, lax players, and golfers...?

 That recipe above gets all mixed together to create one awesome service trip! The student athletes at Boston College came together on a 6 day service trip in Louisiana and Mississippi. The kids come from all different states to begin with, but they also each play different sports at BC. These athletes have difficult schedules due to practices and competition days, so there isn't much room left for extracurriculars. The athletic department at BC decided to give the athletes a chance to participate in community service, as something outside their sports agenda. The first service trip debut last Christmas break with a group of athletes participating in Habitat for Humanity in Stamford Connecticut. The group chosen this year had the amazing opportunity to help non-profit organizations in Popularville, Mississippi during the last week in the school's Christmas break, Jan 12-17th. 

The student athletes got right to work cleaning, painting, and even lighting things on fire! Safely of course. The groups each took turns working in the office to help sort files of families hurt by Hurricane Katrina and also getting hands-on experience with the aftermath of it all. The families that were helped were so happy to see progress finally being made after all these years. It touched all the athletes to see how much even just a nice coat of paint can be to someone who had lost everything. 

As a member of the BC sailing team, I received the opportunity to experience such a great expedition. I really didn't know what to expect going down there, but I knew what we were going to see wouldn't be the happiest things in the world. The houses were being slowly rebuilt everywhere we went. Towns, even though looked new, were new by fault, not by want. It was sad hearing the stories of others who had lived through the traumatic experience, but uplifting to know that they still wanted to rebuild their lives. 

Four members of my sailing team went down there, each of us not knowing how it would look. A few of my teammates had even sailed in the Youth Champs that was held at Southern Yacht Club just some months after the storm. They were younger then and didn't really understand how much of an impact the Gulf coast had suffered. They didn't realize that sailing at Youth Champs was to represent how life still goes on. They told me how glad they were to come back and help in the place they had seen so devastated. It was definitely an eye opener for most who experienced the Gulf coast and we can only say it opened our eyes for the better.  

They Make it Look So Easy...

Freeport, Grand Bahamas. The host site of the 29er and 49er World Championships, held within the past couple of days, January 4-9. The warm water, cool air, and great breeze made for a photographers paradise. Here is a photo to warm you up from those cold winter days!

Check out Scuttlebutt for more great photos and a full regatta report!

 

Crash and Burn Series

You might think twice about trapping after this video!

    If you like watching some pretty bad wipe outs in sailing, then your going to love the Crash and Burn Series of videos posted on Scuttlebutt by t2p.tv. Each video gives highlights of the worst, but best mishaps caught on tape. Here's a good one I think you'll enjoy! To check out the archive go to Scuttlebutt.com/t2p.tv

LIS Sailors Do Orange Bowl '09

Lots of LIS sailors were seen making big gains this past week at the Orange Bowl! 

  It's been quite chilly here in the Northeast and it's no wonder the folks around here seemed to have flown South for the... Orange Bowl! Quite a few Long Island Sound sailors were found down at Coral Reef Yacht Club. Optis, Lasers, and Club 420s all saw the likes of our familiar sailors.

  One fleet in particular gained many of our former Club 420 sailors: the I-420. This mainly European design allows for more physical sailing while still enjoying the benefits of 420 sailing. Many familiar names dominate the I-420 results, and many other fleets too.

  To check out results, go to CoralReefYachtClub.org. To check out fun photos and video clips of all the action, cruise the pages of Sailgroove. 

 
                                 
 

Orange Bowl Comes to a Close

Just like the end of the year, the 2009 Orange Bowl has come to a close after today's final races. 

-For great pictures, results, and a great write up check out SAIL-World's Connie Bischoff's article entitled, "The 2009 Orange Bowl International Youth Regatta Crosses the Finish Line."  

 

Home Videos While Out to Sea!

Jessica Watson keeps not only a blog, but also some really cool video diaries to give everyone on dry land, the best seat in the house for her journey!

Sailing into the New Year

Ever dreamt of sailing around the world? 

       A lot of buzz has been going on about the Australian native Jessica Watson. The 16-year old girl is attempting to circumnavigate the world, ALONE! If she completes the task she will be declared the youngest sailor to complete the journey, non-stop and unassisted. Her first attempt to set out in September was cut short due to a collision during the night between her yacht, "Ella's Pink Lady," and a cargo ship. Damages were repaired and Jessica set out once again. Jessica has been recording her progression on her blog, giving up to date details on the experience and conditions. Her website also offers a tracking device to give viewers a map of her current position. Jessica is currently in the South Pacific and is doing fine. To check out updates, and to read her story go to JessicaWatson.com

Tis the Season!

It's that time of the year again! 

Welcome to the 2009
Orange Bowl International Youth Regatta!

    The presents get unwrapped, the kids pack up their gear bags while mom and dad attach the trailer to the back of the car. Yes that's right, it's Orange Bowl time! Every year for 33 years in a row, the Orange Bowl Regatta takes place in sunny Florida. The Orange Bowl Regatta has gained fame throughout the years as being a 'must do' on the JO-Junior Olympic circuit. The impressive turnout boasts over 700 sailors! The youngsters come from all over the US, and 20 different countries to compete. The four days of competition starting on December 27, is sailed on Biscayne Bay hosted by Biscayne Bay Yacht Club, and in collaboration with Lauderale Yacht Club, Coral Reef Yacht Club, and the US Sailing Center in Miami Fl. Competitors will race fleet races in classes such as Opti's, Club/Int'l 420s, Laser, Radial, and 4.7. To Read more, and for up to date results check out US Sailing-OrangeBowl.