As the temperatures cool and the winds pick up, racing season at Fort Worth Boat Club is in full swing! Our juniors and adults are actively competing in regattas, making waves both locally and beyond. Whether you're an experienced racer or just getting your sea legs, FWBC offers plenty of opportunities to race, learn, and enjoy the thrill of sailing. Join us out on the water, or come cheer on the competitors from shore—there's something for everyone this fall at FWBC!
FWBC Junior Sailors Racing Hard into Fall
This past month has been an exciting time for our junior sailors, who have been working diligently with two regattas still on the horizon.
Kicking off the month, we participated in the Texas Youth Race Week at the Houston Yacht Club over Labor Day weekend. It was an exhilarating three days of racing, during which our sailors completed a total of 10 races. The competition was tough, but our FWBC sailors rose to the challenge! In the ILCA fleet, Isla Mrstik finished strong in 6th place, followed closely by Shiloh Mabry in 8th, Finn Messner in 13th, Alex Van Zanten in 14th, and Sarah Hyland in 18th. In addition, our Optimist sailors, Colby Cox, Evie Hyland, and Ashlyn Josephson, showcased their skills amid the fierce competition at the USODA Championships. Colby secured an impressive 4th place in Red fleet, Ashlyn claimed 8th in the Red fleet, and Evie finished 14th in the Blue fleet.
Next, the team competed in the Corinthian Sailing Club's Rock the Dock regatta on September 21-22. Our sailors continued to shine, with ICLA sailor Shiloh Mabry taking home 1st place and Isla Mrstik following closely in 2nd, Finn Messner finishing in 5th, and Sarah Hyland wrapped up the event in 8th. On the Opti line, Evie Hyland placed 3rd in the Blue fleet, while Ashlyn Josephson and Colby Cox also took to the water. A special shoutout goes to Emmett Tilley, who participated in all 18 races in his very first green fleet regatta—an impressive debut!
The success of the FWBC Junior Race Team would not be possible without the unwavering support of our parents. Thank you to all the junior parents for your encouragement and commitment to your sailors' journeys.
Overall, it has been a fantastic month of racing for our junior team, and we’re excited for the last two regattas this season, finishing up with our home regatta here at FWBC on November 16-17. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to sail towards success!
Upcoming Junior Regattas
Dates | Regatta | Location |
|---|---|---|
October 12-13 | TSA Pirates of the Corinthian | Dallas Corinthian Yacht Club |
November 16-17 | TSA Jr. Ol Man of the Seas | Fort Worth Boat Club |
Youth Learn to Sail Program
Join the FWBC Junior Learn to Sail Optimist Program! This exciting opportunity is open to children aged 8-13 who are eager to learn the fundamentals of sailing while having fun. Our program is designed for those with aspirations of joining the competitive junior racing team here at FWBC. Participants will receive hands-on instruction from experienced instructors, focusing on essential skills such as boat handling, sailing fundamentals, and racing basics. We will meet on Saturdays from 3-5pm, providing a supportive and engaging environment where young sailors can develop their passion for the sport. Don't miss out on this fantastic chance to set sail and make new friends!
Program Dates:
September 28
October 5
October 19
October 26
November 2
Contact Coach Val (coach@fwbc.com) for information or to sign up!
Club Regattas
Celebrating 50 Years of the Ol' Man of the Sea Regatta!
We are excited that the Fort Worth Boat Club (FWBC) will host the 50th Ol' Man of the Sea Regatta from October 11 to 13! This milestone event promises to be a thrilling celebration of sailing, camaraderie, and competition.
Registration is now open on Regatta Network. For detailed information about the event, including the Notice of Race (NOR) and registration details, please visit our FWBC Club Racing Page.
A huge thank you to Larry McCracken and his team for serving as the Principal Race Officer, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for all participants.
Mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable weekend on the water! We can't wait to see you there!
J/70 US National Championship- November 7-10
We are thrilled to announce that the 2024 J/70 US National Championship Regatta is just around the corner! With 17 boats registered across the country and 1 from Mexico, excitement is building, and we can’t wait to see more participants join us!
Event Highlights
Out-of-Town Guests: We’re excited to welcome race committee members, national and international judges, and J Boats representatives for this prestigious event.
Ideal Weather: Fort Worth usually enjoys mild to cool weather in November, with average highs around 68°F and lows near 49°F—perfect for sailing and outdoor festivities.
Regatta Celebration Dinner
Join us for the Regatta Celebration Dinner on Saturday night, November 9th. Enjoy delicious BBQ from Michael Winfrey’s American National Bank & Trust Pit Crew Barbecue Team—free for all competitors! The evening will feature great food, refreshing drinks, and live music by Dathan Martin. It’s a wonderful chance to connect with fellow sailors and celebrate our love for sailing.
Regatta Merchandise Store Now Open!
Get ready for the 2024 J/70 US National Championship Regatta with exclusive merchandise to celebrate this exciting event! Our store is officially OPEN, and we have a fantastic selection of gear just for you!
What’s Available:
Apparel: T-shirts, hoodies, hats, and more featuring our event logo
Accessories: Tote bags, water bottles, and gear bags
Collectibles: Limited-edition items that showcase your participation in the regatta
Event Schedule:
Wednesday, November 6: Registration
Thursday, November 7: Registration and Practice Race
Friday, November 9: Day One of Racing
Saturday, November 10: Day Two of Racing, followed by the Regatta Celebration Dinner
Sunday, November 11: Final Races and Awards Ceremony
Thank You to Our Sponsors & Volunteers!
We’d like to extend our gratitude to our sponsors & volunteers for their support in making this event possible. Your commitment to the sailing community is greatly appreciated!
Jr. Ol' Man of the Sea and USODA Mid-Americas Championships - November 16-17
Join us at Eagle Mountain Lake for the grand finale of the 2024 Youth TSA Circuit, the Jr. Ol' Man of the Sea Regatta! This year, we're excited to also host the prestigious USODA Mid-Americas Championship, bringing even more talented young sailors to our shores. Mark your calendars for November 16-17 and witness the thrill of competitive sailing as youth from across the region compete in this highly anticipated event.
Regatta Chair - Michael Younger
Other upcoming regattas
Texas Challenge Cup - October 5-6, 2024 @ Lakewood Yacht Club
The event will take place at Lakewood Yacht Club, featuring their fleet of RS21 sailboats. Representing the Fort Worth Boat Club will be Jonathan Witt, Marshall Werst, Jack Fitzsimons, and Rajan Murali. Join us in cheering on our sailors as they compete down in Houston!
2024 Race of Champions - Saturday, November 2
Details and invitations to follow.
Thank you to those organizing these regattas, we need volunteers to help make these a success. Reach out to the regatta chairs if you would like to volunteer or with any questions.
FWBC Sailing Team at NYYC Resolute Cup
The 2024 Resolute Cup, held from September 9 to 14 in Newport, R.I., was a spectacular event to follow in the world of amateur sailing. Yacht clubs from across the United States sent their finest amateur sailors to compete for national honors and a chance to participate in the prestigious Rolex Invitational Cup. Up to 28 top yacht clubs raced short courses in equally matched boats with identical sails, culminating in exciting medal races for the top 14 teams. Representing Fort Worth Boat Club were Conner Fullerton (skipper), Martin Peacey, Ben Robbins, and Kendra Robbins. Their enthusiasm and teamwork were commendable, making their club proud in this competitive field.
For more on the Resolute Cup follow the New York Yacht Club Regatta Association on social media and check out the video highlights on YouTube. Congratulations to all the participants, with a special commendation for FWBC's stand-out burgee design, an unofficial accolade our team proudly brought home. A heartfelt thank you to the Schutts, Schwinns, and Hardestys for their invaluable support of FWBC at the event.
To see the full Resolute Cup story spread, visit the October 2024 Newsletter.
Club Racing
Outside of the exciting regattas, there are numerous opportunities to come out to the club and compete in races throughout the season. We organize PHRF racing on the weekends, which provides a fantastic chance for sailors of all levels to showcase their skills and enjoy the thrill of competition. All PHRF-rated boats are strongly encouraged to participate in the PAKI Series, which kicked off on September 8th. Following the PAKI Series, we will start the Blue Moon Series which will run into December. This series promises to be an exhilarating experience with a welcoming community of fellow sailing enthusiasts. Join us for some friendly rivalry and unforgettable moments on the water!
Sunday PHRF Racing Series
PAKI Series dates and PRO
October
6th - Jim Mitchell
20th - David Thornton
Blue Moon Series dates and PRO
October
27th - Edwin Youngblood
November
3rd - Marc Nilsson
24th - Danny Bullard
December
1st - Ben Robbins
8th - Martin Peacey
See the Club Racing Page for registration and NOR.
J22 Racing Series
The season of J22 Racing at FWBC has come to an end! The final Fall series ended with some close racing and fun competition. Pulling out the win for the Fall Series was Ben Robbins and his crew of Jack Fitzsimons, Kendra Robbins, and of course little Abigail Robbins (team snack-tician and smack-talker)! Great job to everyone who raced and see you next season for the Spring J22 series.
Keep an eye on the Club Racing Page for next season's racing series.
To learn more about sailing at Fort Worth Boat Club or to submit content for the monthly sailing blog, contact our staff:
Val Herrscher - Camp Director/ Lead Coach - Coach@fwbc.com
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