A Love 4 Sailing

Skud hull number 022 was christened on May 20th.  With over fifty supporters looking on, the new “ALS” (A Love 4 Sailing) was hoisted in to the water for the first time.  With the help of Chuch Simmons, Jaime Malm, Mike Martin and Howard Hamlin the boat was ready to sail.  I took out Chuck for the first ride in 5 knots.  Everything worked great.  Two other Balboa Yacht Club members Clarence Yoshikane and Greg Newman also went for rides.  I ended the day taking my wife Mary Kate for a short harbor criuse.  It felt great to be out on the water again.  I look forward to my upcoming training sessions and regattas.

I was asked two common questions at the service. One was “Who is your crew”? and the other was “When is your first  regatta”?

My teammate is Maureen McKinnon-Tucker from Marblehead, Mass.

Maureen was the first woman to ever qualify for the US Disabled Sailing Team, and has qualified 5 more times since.  She decided to try the SKUD 18, attracted by the class effort to bring parity to women sailors in the disabled realm.
Maureen brings a year of SKUD 18 experience. She was sailing the first SKUDs delivered in the entire world and was part of the team which finished first at the 2006 US Pre-Trials. Her goal remains to be the first woman to sail the Paralympics for the USA.

The first regatta is set for Newport, RI where the Paralympic trials will be held.  Dates are July 13-15.  Boat leaves for east coast around July 1st.  Until then Maureen and I have two week long practice sessions and the rest of the time I will be sailing with able body friends.

Thanks to all my supporters and helpers.  I couldn’t do this without you.