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Sailing provides the potential for great reward balanced with high risk for those of all ages. We were harshly reminded of the inherit danger of our sport when a junior sailor capsized a 420 and drowned yesterday in the waters off Annapolis. This terrible accident has shaken our community and more questions loom than answers at this point. We will move past the confusion and positive actions will lead our way.
The Junior Sailing Program director and leadership at SSA have addressed their membership directly and are providing grief counseling along with a forum for parents to express their concerns. Other junior program organizers are preparing for inquiries and clubs are continuing with planned events all over the Bay. During the summer, junior program organizers and coaches will evaluate their best practices when it comes to safety to see where improvements can be made. CBYRA will facilitate the sharing of findings.
Most importantly, this tragedy will not be forgotten as efforts are taken to memorialize this young sailor in the days to come and well into the future. We must also remember to take the necessary precautions no matter our age, experience level, conditions or boat type because accidents happen. CBYRA would like to remind you to be responsible when boating, offer assistance to those in need and continue to tilt the scale.
Karin Drexel Masci
CBYRA President
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I have consulted with other CBYRA board members on possible changes to the summer Junior Racing schedule. We have concluded that with the busy summer and the committed volunteers we need to keep to the schedule as it was planned in the winter months. We comend the junior programs who are all increasing their awareness, drills and training to insure that other young sailors are not harmed. With this in mind the VA Commonwealth Champs, MD State Champs and the JOs will continue as scheduled with safety as a top priority.
We look forward to helping keep safety first with all sailors on the Chesapeake Bay and elsewhere in the world. Our hearts and prayers go out to the family and all the clubs on the Bay working through this tragic news.
With Care,
Fredrik Salvesen
CBYRA Junior Division Representative
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