Dave Perry Visits Northwestern

On Thursday, February 20th, I joined a number of local college and high school sailors, and local boat owners in a classroom at Northwestern University for a rules seminar hosted by Dave Perry, author of Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing. The seminar was sponsored by Hedlund Marine and Laser Performance, and focused specifically on changes to 2009-2012 Racing Rules of Sailing.

Sailors of all levels listened intently as Perry covered each of the significant changes in detail, answering questions and clarifying points along the way. After the lesson section of the seminar, Perry opened the floor up to more general questions about situations that may occur on the racecourse and how the new rules might affect their outcome in coming years. Perry brought a high-energy attitude to a subject that most might consider dull at best, and had the entire audience, certainly myself included, eager to get back out on the racecourse as soon as possible.

Justin McMath

Reynolds Recieves MCSA Student Leadership Award

Ever since I got my first ride on an E-scow at age 6 I knew that sailing was for me and when it came time to pick colleges I looked for one with a sailing team. I found everything I could have ever asked for at Northwestern- a group of highly motivated students who share my passion for sailing. I grew up watching my father organize the Junior Olympics and Special Olympics for sailing so taking a leadership role in the team was second nature. Over the next two years as captain I worked to grow the program and improve our racing team. Receiving this award is truly an honor because advancing college sailing in the Midwest has become one of my major goals. I hope to continue to provide leadership to my team and district in the coming year as I serve as the MCSA Commodore and Alumni/Friends chair to NUST.

Tod Reynolds

Costakis Named to 2008 All-District Team

Despite a challenging fall class schedule, I made a conscious decision to put forth a strong effort this sailing season. Sailing at Cary-Price intersectional, Laser qualifiers, Area West, and the Timme Angsten regatta, I was travelling almost every weekend. It was my last fall, and I didn’t want to miss out on the opportunity to sail. The season was very competitive. But despite a disappointing performance at Timme’s, I was really happy with my sailing. I finally qualified for Laser Nationals, and won Area West – the first regatta I ever won my division in.

The spring had been really fun as well – we traveled to USC for Semi-Final nationals, and sailed well at Team Race qualifiers. In total, I knew it had been a good year for me. But many other sailors had sailed really well in the past year, and the pool for All-Conference skipper was competitive. I didn’t expect to be named to the All-Conference team, but I really hoped I would be. By some stroke of luck, the selection committee decided I made the cut. I was surprised, and very happy. Congratulations to all the other MCSA All-Conference sailors!

Jimmy Costakis