On the Water: November
Jr. Ol' Man of the Seas
Regatta Recap
The Junior Ol’ Man of the Sea Regatta returned to Eagle Mountain Lake this fall and also served as the USODA Mid-American Championship, bringing top Optimist sailors from across the region to Fort Worth Boat Club. We were excited to welcome so many visiting sailors, families, and coaches to FWBC for a weekend of competitive racing and fun both on and off the water. The event brought a great energy to the club as sailors took on the challenge of racing on Eagle Mountain Lake and competed alongside some of the best young sailors in the region.
Saturday morning started with light winds, giving sailors a slower start to the day while everyone waited for the breeze to fill in. As the morning progressed, the wind began to build and eventually developed into great sailing conditions, allowing the fleet to get out on the water and enjoy a full day of racing. With plenty of boats on the course, sailors had the opportunity to test their skills and make the most of the changing conditions throughout the day.
After racing, the fun continued back on shore with activities for sailors and families to enjoy. The club buzzed with energy as everyone took a break from the competition to enjoy an inflatable water slip-and-slide, a rock-climbing wall, and a visit from the KONA Ice truck. It was a great way to unwind after a busy day of racing and gave everyone a chance to spend time together and enjoy the FWBC hospitality.
Sunday brought another day of racing, with lighter winds again greeting the fleet in the morning. As the day progressed, the breeze filled in and provided some great conditions to finish out the championship. Sailors were able to get out on the water, put their skills to the test one final time, and wrap up a successful weekend of racing.
We are proud to have hosted the USODA Mid-American Championship and enjoyed welcoming sailors from across the region to Fort Worth Boat Club. Thank you to all of the sailors, families, coaches, volunteers, and staff who helped make the weekend such a success. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to Fort Worth Boat Club for another great event next year!
Regatta Chairs: Michael and Nettie Younger
Youth Sailing
FWBC Junior Race Team
Pirates of the Corinthian: Dallas Corinthian Yacht Club
FWBC sailors braved a rainy weekend on Lewisville Lake for the Pirates of the Corinthian Regatta at Dallas Corinthian Yacht Club at the beginning of October. Despite the wet conditions, the Junior Race Team had an outstanding weekend, earning multiple podium finishes across the fleets.
In the Opti RWB Fleet, Evie Hyland took 1st overall, followed by Sloane Schoellhorn in 2nd and Davis Montgomery in 3rd, giving FWBC a clean sweep of the podium. Nicolas Gras also had a strong showing, finishing 6th overall. In the Opti Green Fleet, Jordan Schoellhorn finished 2nd.
The ILCA 4 fleet was led by Colby Cox, who finished 1st overall with three bullets throughout the weekend. Ashlyn Josephson also had a strong performance, finishing 4th. In the ILCA 6 fleet, Isla Mrstik dominated the competition, winning all five races to finish 1st overall.
The FWBC Junior Race Team had a fantastic weekend of racing, with sailors bringing home podium finishes across every fleet.
Fall Dinghy Fest: Rush Creek Yacht Club
Some of Team FWBC traveled across the Metroplex to Lake Ray Hubbard for the Rush Creek Fall Dinghy Fest, joining a busy weekend of racing with plenty of boats on the water. The event featured a fleet of 17 Melges 15s, where FWBC sailors Parker Younger and Julie Dederer raced as part of Team Awesome Possum, finishing 15th overall and gaining valuable experience in a competitive fleet.
The Junior Race Team also had a great weekend of racing alongside the larger and faster dinghies. The Opti sailors took advantage of the opportunity to learn, race, and have fun on the water. Evie Hyland led the way with a 1st-place finish in the OPTI RWB Fleet, followed by Sloane Schoellhorn in 3rd and Davis Montgomery in 6th. Jordan Schoellhorn also had a strong showing while racing in her first RWB regatta.
It was a great weekend of racing and learning for sailors of all ages, with FWBC well represented across the fleets.
Jr. Ol' Man of the Seas & USODA Mid-American Championships:
Fort Worth Boat Club
The FWBC Junior Sailing Team had a fantastic weekend of racing here at home for the Jr. Ol’ Man of the Sea Regatta and USODA Mid-American Championship, with sailors competing across the Optimist, ILCA, and double-handed fleets. From podium finishes and championship titles to sailors gaining valuable racing experience, it was a great weekend for the team.
Optimist Racing
The Optimist fleet had a particularly exciting weekend, with sailors not only competing for the USODA Mid-American Championship, but also racing for qualification to the USODA Team Trials.
FWBC’s Evie Hyland had an outstanding weekend, finishing 1st overall in the Optimist RWB fleet and earning the title of Mid-American Champion. Evie was joined by fellow FWBC sailors Sloane Schollhorn and Davis Montgomery, who also qualified for the USODA Team Trials. Nicolas Gras also put together a strong performance, finishing 16th in a highly competitive fleet and gaining valuable experience racing against some of the top Optimist sailors in the region.
The Optimist Green Fleet sailors also had a great and fun weekend on the water. Jordan Schollhorn and Carson Johnson competed in all 10 races, gaining valuable experience throughout the weekend. With a full schedule of racing and changing wind conditions, both sailors had plenty of opportunities to practice their starts, boat handling, and race strategy while continuing to build confidence on the racecourse.
ILCA Racing
FWBC was also well represented in the ILCA fleets. In the ILCA 4 fleet, Ashlyn Josephson finished 3rd overall, putting together an especially strong Sunday with two 1st place finishes to secure her podium finish. Colby Cox also represented FWBC in the ILCA 4 fleet, gaining valuable racing experience throughout the weekend.
In the ILCA 6 fleet, Shiloh Mabry finished 2nd overall, with three 1st place finishes throughout the weekend. Finn Messer was right behind, finishing 4th overall and just off the podium. Both sailors put together strong performances in a competitive fleet and showed great consistency throughout the weekend.
Double Handed Racing
The Flying Junior (FJ) fleet was made up entirely of FWBC’s Teen Sailing sailors, giving our high school-aged sailors a great opportunity to compete in a larger regatta and put their developing skills to the test. Everett Bailey and Jonah Mosley led the FWBC sailors, finishing 1st overall, followed by Penelope Potter and Maddie Stover in 2nd.
The remainder of the fleet featured Scarlett Garcia sailing with her crew, Mia Velis-Sandoval, and Olivia Moore and Ethan Vega, two of our youngest FJ sailors rounding out the fleet. This group deserves a special shoutout, as all four sailors had only started sailing about two months ago. They completed all of the races throughout the weekend and showed just how much they have learned in a short amount of time. For newer sailors, getting out on the course, completing races, and gaining experience in a competitive fleet is a huge accomplishment and an important step in their sailing development.
Overall, it was an excellent weekend for the FWBC Junior Sailing Team. From winning a Mid-American Championship and qualifying sailors for USODA Team Trials to seeing newer sailors complete their first regatta, the weekend showcased the wide range of experience and development within the program. We are proud of all of our sailors for their hard work, sportsmanship, and willingness to challenge themselves on the racecourse.
Looking Ahead: Finishing the Fall Season Strong
The FWBC Junior Sailing Team is heading into the final stretch of the TSA Youth Sailing Season with one more circuit stop on the calendar. The team will travel to Rush Creek Yacht Club (RCYC) to wrap up the fall racing season with the Chocopalooza Regatta and give our sailors one more opportunity to compete against teams from across the state and see who will win the 2026 TSA Youth Circuit.
On December 5–6, FWBC will host ILCA Coach Ryan Minth for a performance clinic designed to fine-tune the team’s skills and prepare sailors for the ILCA District 15 Championships. If you have an ILCA sailor and want to participate in this clinic, reach out to FWBC's sailing director, Juan Carlos Romero.
We’re looking forward to finishing the season strong and giving our sailors one more opportunity to compete, learn, and continue developing their skills on the racecourse.
Upcoming Junior Race Team Events
Date | Regatta/Clinic | Location |
Nov. 14-15 | TSA Chocopalooza (RCYC) | Heath, TX |
Dec. 5-6 | ILCA Performance Clinic - Ryan Minth | Fort Worth, TX |
Dec. 19-20 | ILCA District 15 Championships (SSC) | Seabrook, TX |
Check out the Junior Race Team page to see the latest program info and calendar. Reach out to the coaches for more info.
Want to stay up to date with what the FWBC Junior Sailing Team is up to?
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Club Racing
Keelboat Racing Series hosted by FWBC
PHRF Weekend Racing
Blue Moon Series
The Blue Moon Series got underway October 18, bringing club sailors back to the racecourse for another round of fall racing at FWBC. The series is a great opportunity for sailors of all experience levels to get on the water, sharpen their racing skills, and enjoy some friendly competition with fellow club members.
As the fall racing season continues, the Blue Moon Series provides a relaxed but competitive environment for both regular racers and sailors looking to gain more experience. With multiple race days throughout the series, sailors have plenty of opportunities to improve their starts, tactics, boat handling, and overall race strategy while enjoying some great days on Eagle Mountain Lake.
Be sure to check the FWBC racing calendar for upcoming Blue Moon Series dates and join us on the starting line for the rest of the series!
Date | Race | PRO |
Nov. 1 | Blue Moon 1 | Philip Williamson |
Nov. 15 | Blue Moon 2 | Board of Governors |
Nov. 22 | Blue Moon 3 | Bryan Dyer |
Dec. 6 | Blue Moon 4 | Mike Schwinn |
Dec. 13 | Blue Moon 5 | Ben Robbins |
Plan ahead for a great season on the water by checking out the 2026 club racing calendar on the Club Racing Page. Save the dates and don’t miss a weekend of racing.
You'll also find series registration, the Notice of Race (NOR), and Sailing Instructions (SIs).
Club Regattas
Upcoming Regattas hosted by FWBC
Ol' Man of the Seas - November 7th & 8th
The Ol’ Man of the Sea Regatta is a longtime FWBC tradition and one of the highlights of the fall racing season. Each year, sailors come together on Eagle Mountain Lake for a weekend of competitive racing, good camaraderie, and plenty of fun both on and off the water. With a variety of keelboat fleets competing, the regatta brings together sailors for some of the best racing of the year.
The weekend is about more than just what happens on the racecourse. The Ol’ Man of the Sea is a great opportunity for club members, families, and visiting sailors to spend time together and enjoy the community that makes FWBC special. From close racing on the lake to the activities and social events back at the club, there is something for everyone throughout the weekend.
Whether you’re racing for a podium finish, joining friends on the water, or simply coming out to enjoy the atmosphere, the Ol’ Man of the Sea is a celebration of FWBC’s sailing community and the sport we all enjoy. It’s a tradition that continues to bring sailors together year after year and remains a favorite event on the FWBC racing calendar.
Regatta Chair: Mark W. Smith
Regatta of Champions - November 14th
The Regatta of Champions returns on November 14, bringing together the winners of FWBC’s club racing series for a day of J22 racing. With a year of competition behind them, our series champions will face off for the title of Champion of Champions. We look forward to an exciting day of racing and celebrating another successful year of club sailing!
FWBC Sailors Racing Abroad
Taking FWBC sailing beyond Eagle Mountain Lake
Resolute Cup: New York Yacht Club
Team FWBC traveled to Newport, Rhode Island, to compete in the Resolute Cup at New York Yacht Club, September 28–October 3. The Resolute Cup is a premier team racing event that brings together Corinthian sailors from yacht clubs across the country for competition in Sonars, with a long-standing tradition of showcasing some of the best amateur sailors in the country.
Representing FWBC were Chris Holmes, Joey Holmes, Sarah Francis, and Ben Robbins. After four days of racing in the waters off Newport, Team FWBC finished 19th overall in a competitive field. The event provided a great opportunity for the team to race at a high level, experience one of the country's most historic sailing venues, and proudly represent Fort Worth Boat Club on the national stage.
J/22 World Championship: Southern Yacht Club
FWBC sailors traveled to New Orleans to compete in the 2026 Allstate Sugar Bowl J/22 World Championship at Southern Yacht Club, one of the premier events on the J/22 international racing calendar.
Glenn Darden and his Baby Doll team captured the World Championship, earning Darden his long-awaited first J/22 World title. His crew included Willem van Waay, Jackson Benvenutti, and Min Min Kelly.
FWBC was also well represented by Alex Schwinn and the Tilt team, who put together an impressive performance to finish 4th overall. Schwinn sailed with Ben Robbins and Jon Larson. Both teams represented FWBC at the highest level of J/22 competition and brought home outstanding results from the World Championship.
J/105 North Americans: Corinthian Yacht Club of Seattle
FWBC sailor Matt Arno had a busy fall racing aboard Blue Flash, competing in two major J/105 events on the West Coast. The team began with the Rolex Big Boat Series at St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco, finishing 26th overall after 10 races in a highly competitive fleet.
The team then traveled north to Seattle for the 2026 J/105 North American Championship, held October 13–18 and hosted by Corinthian Yacht Club of Seattle and the Port of Seattle’s Shilshole Bay Marina. The championship brought 23 teams to Puget Sound for 11 races, with Blue Flash finishing an impressive 10th overall.
Arno sailed alongside Ken Dooley, Ken Davis, Jack Fitzsimons, Todd Hall, and Maxwell Miller, representing FWBC at two major events on the J/105 racing calendar.
J/24 World Championship: Sandringham Yacht Club
The Bad Moon J/24 team is taking their racing to the international stage, traveling to Melbourne, Australia to compete in the J/24 World Championship. Skipper Chris Holmes, along with FWBC sailors Joey Holmes and Sarah Francis, will be joined by David Hayslip of Grapevine Sailing Club and Luke Fricke of Dallas Corinthian Yacht Club for the upcoming championship.
Bad Moon is heading into the J/24 World Championship on a strong note, coming off a 1st-place overall finish at the HOOD Regatta and a podium finish at J/24 Circuit Stop #6, both at Houston Yacht Club. Next up, the team will take on a highly competitive international fleet and some of the world’s top J/24 sailors in Melbourne, Australia. We’re excited to see Bad Moon represent FWBC on the world stage and wish the team the best of luck at Worlds!
Warrior Sailing
FWBC Welcomes Back Warrior Sailing: November 3-5
This November, FWBC is proud to welcome Warrior Sailing back to Eagle Mountain Lake for a basic training camp. Warrior Sailing is a nonprofit organization dedicated to introducing veterans with disabilities to the sport of sailing and using sailing as a tool to build confidence, community, leadership, and personal growth. Through sailing instruction and competitive opportunities, the organization creates an environment where veterans can challenge themselves, learn new skills, and connect with others who share similar experiences.
Events like this provide an opportunity for veterans to experience sailing in a supportive and welcoming environment while becoming part of the broader sailing community. The benefits extend beyond learning how to sail; time on the water can help build teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and confidence, while creating meaningful connections and a sense of camaraderie.
We are excited to partner with Warrior Sailing and welcome veterans to FWBC for a week on the water. We look forward to sharing our club, our lake, and our love of sailing while supporting an organization that uses our sport to make a positive impact in the lives of veterans. We hope this event introduces new sailors to the sport and strengthens the connection between the veteran and sailing communities.
Visit their website to learn more about the organization and donate!
Photos from the 2025 FWBC Warrior Sailing Camp
Coaches’ Chalktalk
Learn more. Sail better. Race smarter.
Race Committee 101
Ever wondered what everyone on the race committee boat is doing during a regatta? The race committee is responsible for making sure races are run fairly, safely, and according to the Sailing Instructions. From setting the course to starting races and keeping track of finishes, there is a lot happening behind the scenes!
Setting the Course
Before a race begins, the race committee sets the course using marks such as buoys or inflatable marks. They use the wind direction and conditions to determine the best course for the fleet. If the wind shifts significantly, the race committee may move marks or change the course to keep the racing fair.
The Starting Sequence
One of the most important jobs of the race committee is starting the race. A typical starting sequence uses flags and sound signals:
5 minutes: Class flag goes up with a sound signal.
4 minutes: Preparatory flag goes up with a sound signal.
1 minute: Preparatory flag comes down with a sound signal.
Start: Class flag comes down with a sound signal.
Different regattas may use different starting procedures, so sailors should always check the Sailing Instructions!
What Are All Those Flags?
Race committee flags communicate important information to sailors.
Class Flag: Identifies the fleet that is starting.
P Flag: The standard preparatory signal. Other preparatory flags may be used to indicate additional rules for the start sequence.
X Flag: Individual recall - one or more boats may have started early.
First Substitute: General recall - the starting sequence will be restarted.
AP Flag: The race has been postponed. The race committee will provide additional information about when racing will resume.
S Flag: Shortened course - the race is being finished early.
Check out the Coaches' Chalk Talk from April to learn more about Racing Signal Flags.
During the Race
The race committee isn't just sitting around waiting for boats to finish! They are watching the course, monitoring wind conditions, recording finishes, and making decisions about whether racing should continue.
They may also:
Move marks when the wind shifts.
Change the length of the course.
Shorten a race.
Abandon a race if conditions become unsafe or unfair.
Record boats as they finish.
Communicate important information to sailors.
Finishing the Race
As boats approach the finish line, the race committee watches closely and records the order in which boats cross. The finish line is typically between the race committee boat and a nearby mark. Sailors should make sure they sail completely across the line and give the race committee a clear opportunity to see their sail number.
Once you finish, clear the finish area so boats behind you can finish safely. Avoid stopping in the middle of the line or sailing back through it unless instructed to do so.
The race committee will record finishing positions and use those results to score the race. If you think there is a mistake in your finish, check the results and follow the regatta's process for requesting a correction.
Why Does It Matter to Sailors?
Understanding race committee signals can make racing much less confusing. Instead of wondering “Why did they just blow the horn?”, you'll have a better idea of what is happening and what you need to do.
Most importantly, watch the flags! The race committee communicates primarily through visual signals, so sailors should make a habit of looking toward the race committee boat before and during every race.
And remember: the Sailing Instructions are the final word. Starting sequences, flags, courses, and procedures can vary from regatta to regatta.
Coaches’ Tip
Before your next regatta, spend a few minutes looking through the Sailing Instructions. Find the starting sequence, course diagram, and race committee signals. Knowing what to expect before you get on the water means you can spend less time figuring out what is happening and more time focusing on racing! Ask a coach or a member of race committee if you have any questions.
Want to learn more from FWBC coaches? Check out the past Coaches' Chalktalks on the FWBC website or schedule a private lesson!
The On the Water monthly update is produced by the sailing coaches at Fort Worth Boat Club. We love sharing the achievements, adventures, and community moments that make FWBC sailing special. Have a story to share, an accomplishment to celebrate, or a great photo from the water? Send it our way! Email your content and photos to Coach Val at coach@fwbc.com.
Missed last month's update? Check it out here.
FWBC Sailing Staff
Juan Carlos Romero - Sailing Director sailingdirector@fwbc.com
Val Herrscher - Head Coach
