Newport Harbor Sailing Foundation: Sailor Stories

Marbella Marlo at the 2017 Ida Lewis

Event Website

Thank you so much for funding my crew, Riley Foster, and I for our trip to Annapolis, Maryland to compete at the US Junior Women’s Doublehanded Championship this July. The regatta consisted of five days of sailing, including two days of clinic and three days of racing. However, Riley and I flew to Maryland a week beforehand to participate in a clinic at Severn Sailing Association, a local sailing organization. As soon as we arrived in Maryland, we were welcomed by almost a thirty degree temperature increase from what we were accustomed to back in California. The clinic did not start until Monday, so we spent our first day touring the US Naval Academy and exploring downtown Annapolis. The next three days, we sailed out of Severn Sailing Association under the direction of some of the country’s greatest coaches: Ian Burman from the United States Naval Academy, John Vandemoer from Stanford University, and Bill Ward from St. Mary’s College of Maryland. During the clinic, we worked on boat speed and boat handling in very challenging conditions. Unlike anywhere I have sailed on the West Coast, the wind in Annapolis was extremely shifty and unpredictable. One minute the wind would be blowing around 18 knots, and before you can switch gears, the wind would die down to 2-3 knots. Although it was very frustrating at times, I quickly learned how to tune my boat for shifty conditions and was able to apply the knowledge I learned from the clinic to the following regatta. Because the weather is so unpredictable, we had to retire from sailing one morning due to lack of wind. However, the coaches used this opportunity to help us look at sailing from a different perspective. Split into groups, we analyzed video and boat rigging and discussed the benefits of the many different approaches to boat handling and boat set up.

We had one day between the clinic and the regatta, and we spent this day exploring more of the east coast, touring Georgetown University, the United States Capitol, and even going to Georgetown Cupcakes! However, we understood that this trip was dedicated to sailing, so we went to bed early to prepare for the next five days of sailing. The first two days were clinics held by more amazing sailors. Here, we worked on the fundamental skills in sailing club 420s, such as trapezing, flying spinnakers, tension, and sail shape. Having sailed in a 420 for a very short time, we used this time to ask as many questions as we could so we would be prepared for any conditions for the next three days of racing. The first day, however, there was very little wind due to the thunderstorm later that day. We only got in one race, and only half the fleet was scored because the second half did not finish in time. However, we made up the time we lost that day during the next two race days. Each day was concluded with a planned social activity, such as a scavenger hunt in downtown Annapolis, Chesapeake Bay trivia night, and a swim party (which was cancelled due to thunderstorms). These events not only strengthened my friendship with the girls I travelled to Annapolis with, but it also led me to meet new friends and future sailing partners from all over the country.

In conclusion, participating at the 2017 US Junior Women’s Doublehanded Championship has opened so many doors for me. I have made connections with coaches that I look forward to working with in the future and with sailors that I can stop calling my rivals and now call my friends. I have realized my sailing strengths and have discovered places where I can improve, and I can now say I have competed in a national championship! Thank you!

2017 US Junior Women’s Doublehanded Championship
Marbella Marlo | Riley Foster