Oakcliff All American Offshore Grads Grab a Volvo Ride

Winning

January 31, 2014

It has been another hit the ground running kind of year. I raced in Key West where there was overwhelming support for what we have done at Oakcliff. The Chicago Boat Show was more of the same. I was originally scheduled to speak at 3 seminars and that quickly morphed into 9 and the excitement was palatable about what we are doing here.

Four years ago we identified that there was a lack of American leadership in sailing and a weak to nonexistent path for young Americans to get to the top; to the America's Cup, the Volvo, the Vendee. Jump ahead to January 2014. Last summer we had SapGrads Solomon Krevans race in the Red Bull Youth America's Cup and Jeff MacFarlane ranked as the number one Mini Sailor in the world. The Mini is the proving ground for the Vendee. Then this week we got the amazing news that the core of the Oakcliff All American Offshore Team had been named as the leaders of the Alvimedica Volvo team. Holy crap - we are doing it.

In This Issue

Hobie on Ice

Offshore Team 2011 = Volvo Team = Offshore Team 2015

NEW - Mark Boat Opperator Course

Art Show Returns - Save the Date

The French Connection

Acorns Killian and Sean Duclay choose their new Oakcliff Too Good ... to be true" shirts for an at home CRP First Aid lesson. We are positive that their sisters will become Acorns soon.

You might ask why we are so confident. First of all this great family has been very supportive and active and as mentioned before a little bit crazy. They are the ones out frostbiting on Hobie Cats. Here is a link to a video that they put together. It gets cold at about minute two and a half.

Youtube video of Cold Cat Sailing

Offshore Team to Sail Again in 2015

Three years ago we struggled along with Ralf Stietz of the USMMA-SF to find funding to send a team including Charlie Enright and Mark Towill to sail in the Trans Atlantic Series. They were essentially our beta Saplings and this week they announced that they are doing the Volvo! Can you say return on investment?

Last year we had a team of full-fledged Saplings who did 100% of the work to get themselves to the Farr 40 Worlds. This class, currently led by Dan Flanigan and Hobie Pointing are taking all lessons learned and are fundraising on their own to do the Trans-Atlantic Series for 2015.

As mentioned in this release, I always say set your goals very high, anything less is just a to-do list. Well these kids are knocking it out of the park!

For more information on how to support this group of ambitious and talented sailors email me.

As I mentioned in the opening block, we are hitting the floor running and I will be running out the door to San Diego next week. I'll be speaking at the US Sailing Leadership Forum. Incredibly I think we are going to have 600 participants. The shear mass will be energizing but also it is wonderful to see so many people stepping up, buying a plane ticket and traveling to participate. We will be exchanging ideas and learning from each other. If you are in the area let me know as I will probably get thirsty with all of that talking.

Have a Spectacular Weekend,

Dawn Riley
& The Oakcliff Sailing Teams

Get Your Smarts On!

Dave Perry's "How to Get Your Team up to Speed" March 9 will use match racing and is excellent cross-training for your fleet racing team.

Step it up by studying to become an Umpire Bruce Cook will be here February 8 to lead the seminar and give the test. Don't like tests? You don't have to take it to learn. Just come and expand your mind.

North U - Trim

March 16th the venerable North U organization will be here to help you get a little trim.

Finally and New!!!!!Tips and Tricks for Mark Boat Operators

Jay Kehoe is down in Miami at the ISAF World Cup as the pin boat. He already had a wealth of knowledge that he will share at this brand new seminar but now he has more. At this seminar he will also be joined by some of our extraordinary volunteer mark boat operators. They will share their top tips. So sign up and join this very special group.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO SIGN UP BY CLICKING ON THE LINKS IN THE ARTICLES - THANKS :-)

SAVE THE DATE

Art Show and Champagne Brunch

Saturday March 1st

Last year's Art Show and Brunch was absolutely lovely and this year we will hold what is now our second annual show at our Event Space
2 South.

You will receive a formal invitation soon but for now clear your calendar and we hope to see you there.