Sail Magazine

by Meredith Laitos

Meredith Laitos is SAIL’s Senior Editor. She sails in and around Boston and specializes in charter destinations.

New kids in town

by Meredith Laitos, Posted February 1, 2009

It’s official. Strictly Sail Chicago has adopted a new child and things are going well. The Midwest College Sailing Association held its Annual Midwinters Conference above the action at Navy Pier and the conjunction of the two events was more of a success than either party planned for. On Friday 150 college sailors from around the region poured into the Chicago area and schmoozed with

Strictly Sail teams up with MSCA Midwinters

by Meredith Laitos, Posted January 29, 2009

After years of wanting to join forces, the Midwest College Sailing Association (MCSA) is excited to hold its annual Midwinters Conference in conjunction with Strictly Sail Chicago. The collaboration came together with help from Harken representative Bill Goggins who acted as the liaison, working with Navy Pier and Sail America to make the weekend a reality. Members of the MCSA are especially

A Girl Against the Odds

by Meredith Laitos, Posted January 29, 2009

The Mount Everest of Sailing. The most grueling race a sailor can enter. An outrageous challenge and an epic adventure. The Vendee Globe race is all of these. Saying it’s a tough race to win is hyperbole; it’s a tough race to merely compete in. Every year, world-class sailors in state-of-the-art boats are forced to abandon the race for a variety of reasons. In 1992, British sailor Nigel

Will Obama bring about smooth sailing?

by Meredith Laitos, Posted January 20, 2009

In today’s historic inauguration, president-elect Barack Obama shed the latter half of his title and became our nation’s 44th president. He enters office during an uncertain time both domestically and globally, as economies fizzle and international tensions swell. Citizens from Kenya to Calcutta will watch with anticipation as Obama’s presidency unfolds with a hefty agenda. No matter what their

Ashby becomes six-time A-Cat World Champ

by Meredith Laitos, Posted January 13, 2009

Glenn Ashby, 31, didn't even need the ninth -- and final -- race to seal his title as the six-time A-Cat World Champion in Belmont, Australia. With six first-place finishes, the Australian secured his victory on Lake Macquarie before any other boats could threaten him. Ashby sailed against 85 boats and, save for an uncharacteristic third-place finish in Race 1, remained consistently at the top of

US Sailing Introduces New Rules for 2009-2012

by Meredith Laitos, Posted January 8, 2009

The start of a new year often brings about big changes: a new diet, a new destination, and a new attitude. But for US Sailing, 2009 means the start of a new edition of The Racing Rules of Sailing, the legislating guidebook that gets a facelift every four years. The new edition for 2009-2012 includes some major amendments that will have sailors rethinking their race strategy. Dave Perry,

2008 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Winners Announced

by Meredith Laitos, Posted January 8, 2009

Every early winter, as boats sit nestled in the cradles and snow drums down on their tarps, attention turns to US Sailing's coveted Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year awards, an award that focuses both on peak performances in a given year, as well as career-achievement recognition. This year, 26-year-old Anne Tunnicliffe and 40-year-old Terry Hutchinson were named as 2008's winners on