Ian and Collin at
the 70th Anniversary Regatta in Skaneateles, NY
Collin
at the North American Championship
Grant boat being weighed at the
NAs
My experience with the Boat Grant Program was
amazing. I have met so many awesome people and have learned so much
I couldn't have on my own. The experience that I gained from
campaigning my own boat has been incredible and has definitely
helped improve my racing.
I got the chance to travel to many regattas as well
as participate in my weekly local fleet races. At the regattas
everybody there was so willing to help out with whatever I needed
and offer all the advice they could. Although I can't name everybody
that helped me, I will name some people that really had a positive
impact on successfully campaigning the boat. Greg Fisher helped me
tune the boat at the 70th and gave me a lot of helpful advice for
the light air racing. Without his help tuning I wouldn't have been
able to do as well there as I did finishing 11th in the white fleet.
Bill Fastiggi also helped me at the 70th offering up tips and advice
as we sailed up to the course on the first day about boat heel and
sail trim and pole height, that really helped out. He was also there
for anything I needed at anytime throughout the course of my time
with the boat and in sending me sails. I also learned a lot and was
helped out a lot by Allan Terhune. From offering advice, and hooking
me up with sails and hiking straps before I went up to Juniors, he
was always there when I had any questions. And of course my mentors
Pat McGee and Nabeel Alsalam for teaching me everything and
mentoring me. It was very cool to get help from all of these guys
and others that I really look up to and respect as sailors.
From this experience I also learned how awesome the
Lightning Class is and how it's just like a big family. Jan and
Steve were so supportive and helpful in sending me Measurment
Certificates and helping me with everything I needed. And of course
John Faus and all of the others involved in the program. At Juniors
my crew and I were housed by the Baum's who were so supportive and
happy to house us and even made us lunch. They really made my stay
in Newport an awesome time.
I have such a great time with the boat and learned so
many things, like the importance of having the right tuning at
Juniors and improving my starts and confidence skippering in a large
fleet and heavy air. I am very grateful for having the opportunity
to do this and will always be a member of the Lightning Class.
(Collin has purchased the boat he used and will
continue sailing with Fleet 50)
