Commodore’s Column

By Ron Roberts

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Did I say Happy? For those of you who weren’t at the club for New Year’s Eve I want you to know that it was exciting, exotic, stunning, delicious, and just about as wonderful as anyone could want. The hors d'oeuvres were so outstanding that they were almost worth the price of admission alone! The food was beautifully cooked and served. The band was great. The decorations were like a movie set. The club entry was transformed into a “China-Town Speak-Easy” and the ballroom was the Roaring 20’s with ten-foot bubbling art deco fountains on each side of the stage. Thanks to the Entertainment Committee, many volunteers, and Torild Roberts, a fabulous time was had by all!

Now it’s OFF TO THE RACES! The Corinthian Mid-Winters are going strong! Come on down, even if not racing, and have a good time. The next races are February 15th & 16th. Remember, even if you’ve never sailed before, come on down to the office and ask for a “I want to Crew” sticker to put on your coat, and get out on a boat! Skippers always need more crew, even if it’s just someone to work as rail meat on the boat. For those of you who are new to sailing, that means that you hang around and move back and forth and listen to the skipper yell or make a fool of him or herself and have a heck of a good time!

Don’t forget the Commodore’s Cruise this summer to the Mediterranean, aboard the Windsurf. She is a 535 ft. sailing ship with a 55 ft. beam, 16.52 ft. draft, and 5 masts that carry 26,881 square feet of sail. She has 31 suites and 123 staterooms, all with ocean views. It carries up to 308 passengers with a crew of 185. It has e-mail, fax, and telephone. The first week, June 8th, is Malta, Sicily, La Goulette (Tunisia), Lipari, Sorrento, Capri, and Rome. The second week, June 15th, is Rome, Portoferraio, Portofino, Monte Carlo, Marseille, Port Vendres, and Barcelona. It has a spa with therapeutic and exercise facilities, two restaurants, library, casino, elevators and 24-hour room service. There are fabulous day trips available at each port of call. Please join Torild and me for one or both weeks of cruising. I know the trip is expensive, but I believe this is a wonderful opportunity. Pricing starts at just over $2,300 per person including meals. Please come along, there will be a group discount equally shared by all. Neither I, nor anyone associated with this trip gets any extra discount.

See their web site at www.windstarsailing.com and look up the Wind Surf. Come along for a once-in-a-lifetime experience!