Greetings!This past week Jeffrey MacFarlane brought home another double-handed 1st place trophy, Mike "Koko" Komar coached a winning team at the ICSA big boat regatta, and Dawn supported Gary Jobson and the Leukemia Cup Fantasy Regatta. Next week Dawn will be in Newport talking to the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, Oakcliff will host a grade 5 match race, and our Melges 24's will finish up at the Manhasset Fall Series. Meanwhile, the Oakcliff team will break out their black ties for some swanky parties in NYC.
-Nico |
| Koko's Coaching Brings Success |  On Friday Mike Komar coached the University of Southern California sailing team in preparation for the Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta, run by Larchmont Yacht Club and the Storm Trisail Club. The team competed in the 14 boat J105 division. Much of the team was new to the J105, and a few had never even sailed a boat with an asymmetrical spinnaker. Koko helped the young team apply their college racing experience to the larger J105. USC won the regatta with bullets in two of three races. Congrats to USC and coach Koko! |
Melges take off at Manhasset Bay Fall Series
|  We decided to try something a little different at the Manhasset Fall Series this year - we brought our fleet of Melges 24's instead of our IRC boats. We are hoping this trend will catch on and the small boat circle will be come a regular event at Manhasset. Saturday saw gusts over 30 and a south westerly wind direction, for these reasons racing was canceled on Saturday, however a few boats still went out for a wild practice. On Sunday winds gusted to the mid 20's with lots of shifts and puffs. The course, about 1/2 mile long, was challenging for the quick, planing Melges 24's. Chute up, gybe, douse - no time to breathe and no margin for error. Conrats to Vlad, Jeremy, Ashley, Dan and Jurrie who took first place in every race on Sunday. With that much wind there was plenty of action including a collision in race 2 between Mark DiSanti and Koko. Currently Mark Disanti and Jacon Mayer are tied for second with 10 points going into next weekend. Needless to say, everyone had a blast and is looking forward to Saturday and Sunday. Good luck to all this weekend!
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Oakcliff Open - Grade 5 this Saturday
|  There is still time to sign up for this weekends Oakcliff Open Grade 5 on Saturday. Make your own team or sign up 'solo' and we will put together a pick up team. Our PRO, Bill, can also use help as on Race Committee, so let us know if you can help out.
Including this coming weekend, there are only 3 more grade 5 match races left in 2011. Sign up now for November 5th and November 12th. |
Halloween Invitational - Overbooked
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Teams are traveling from all over to compete in the Oakcliff Halloween Invitational. Two from Canada, one from US Virgin Islands, another from Marblehead, one from Peaqot YC, and yet another from Colgate College. Additionally, a few local teams including Mike Quaglio and Mike Komar will be vying for the podium. The competition will undoubtedly be thick.
We are still looking for housing for a few of the teams, so if you have a spare bedroom or two drop a note to Bill Simon. Many of the people who housed teams from the Oakcliff International and Knickerbocker Cup made friends for life, so don't miss this opportunity to meet visiting sailors, umpires and race committees. Practice starts Friday November 4th with racing to follow on Saturday and Sunday. |
With Fall Comes Fundraising Season
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Fundraising season is upon us, especially here in New York City.
Last weekend Dawn trailered a RIB down to New Jersey to support the Lukemia and Lymphoma Society Fantasy Regatta. Individuals from around the country who raised over 10,000 were invited to participate. Many had been touched by the disease and many were benefiting from the drugs that have been developed in just the last few years. Gary Jobson, a blood disease survivor, came out to support the event (picture). Probably the most unique and creative team of fundraisers was a group of three kids. They convinced their school administrators to allow the students to wear 'normal clothes' instead of uniforms in exchange for a donation. Their idea became hugely popular and they raised over ten thousand dollars!
Last night, Mystic's America and the Sea awards dinner was held in Manhattan. Hunt and Betsy hosted a table of Oakcliff Acorns, Saplings and Supporters. The group enjoyed a lovely evening celebrating and supporting Mystic and all it's work. The honoree this year was John Lehman, former secretary of the navy, and described by Dr. Henry Kissinger as 'the most insubordinate subordinate he ever had the pleasure of working with'. John gave a moving speech about the value of preserving the past in order to secure the future. When he was done speaking, everyone in the room was siting up a little bit taller. Thank you Hunt and Betsy for letting us share in this special evening with you.
As you already know, Oakcliff is a 501(c)(3) foundation. If you haven't already made your tax deductible donation to Oakcliff this year, why wait till December? Oakcliff needs your support now. Big things are happening here and every penny counts. Contact us today to help us pursue our mission of Raising the level of sailors and sailing in the US. Call today: (516) 802 3272.
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It sure doesn't feel like it, but leaves are starting to change, so it must me fall. Get out on the water and have some fun before everything freezes.
Sincerely,
Oakcliff Sailing Center |
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Sagamore YC Awards
On November 5th Sagamore Yacht Club will host it's annual awards dinner. If you competed in the Friends of the Bay Regatta or any of the Sagamore Wednesday night series races you won't want to miss out on this. There will be a moderately priced buffet and cash bar. Please RSVP here.
Hearts Across AmericaOakcliff supporters John D'Esposito and Amy Stuart Downs are hosting a local party as part of Vet Aide. For a $15 dollar donation you can join them for a free buffet and special drink deals at Finley's in Huntington on November 11 th. Entertainment will be provided by Chip off The Record and The Urge starting at 5pm. |
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