Nancy Writes::

Dear Greg,

Thanks for the update...still have a question...where are the lady Moth sailors...did you guys turn this into an all boys club? If so you are about to be invaded! Little by little pieces of Moth's are being rescued from various Patterson attics and garages. Look out...there are 6 Patterson ladies (age 11 to not telling) who are all sailors. Only 2 old enough to have been old Moth sailors but the young Laser sailors will love the Moth I'm sure. We may even have a classic Moth sailor that may be persuaded to come out of retirement that I didn't count in the 6. That's SEVEN...look out here we come!

Nancy

Greg Allen Answers:

Morning Nancy,

We do have a few Classic Lady Mothies. The list includes (but is not limited to):

Aleta Van Sant Spelmier---Gulfport FL-----(non-sailing supporter)
Millie Van Sant Williams---Charleston SC---(Vintage sailor)
Nancy Swan---------------Charleston SC
Sara Sass------------------Charleston SC
Susan Bousquet------------Charleston SC

At the Nationals, Susan Bousquet finished 3rd in the first heat, 13th overall At Carolina Nancy Swan finished 4th overall, Susan 9th and Sara Sass 10th At Brigantine Susan finished 5th overall At Sea Island SC Nancy took 4th overall

7 More! That's great!!! Will we see you in St. Pete?

Greg

Quick Correction From Joe Bousquet::
I need that from time to time!!! - Joe George & Walt Keep Me Straight

Greg:

Susan and I live in Norfolk, Virginia.

Joe B.

Wilson Wright Adds::

There was a lady who sailed at St. Pete in the first Regatta there.

Wilson

George Albaugh Facts and Detail::

Hello Nancy and Greg:

From the beinging, the Moth Boat has always attempted to attact women racers. However, as in many other co-ed sports, women are rather thin on the ground both historically and currently. In the past, as you remember, there were more women participating, but recall there were also more sailors overall.

Be that as it may, the Moth Boat favors women due to their light weight. The ideal weight range in Moth Boat racing is between about 140 and 150 lbs. Frankly, most of the boats are designed to displace no more than about 250 lbs. Since minimum hull weight for the classic division is 75 lbs (no limit for the modern division) and the all up weight with rig and blades is about 100 lbs, that allows the skipper to weight about 150 lbs . Roughly the same numbers apply to the Europe dinghy, the current women's single hander in the Olympics. This boat started life as the "Europa" Moth. Northern European racers formed a one-design class around this design after it was no longer competitive as a Moth Boat. If the skipper weighs more than that, the boat sinks below her designed lines--NOT FAST!!!

A second candid observation I will make is that VERY FEW of the current male Moth Boat racers come anywhere near this theorectically ideal weight ! A smart, strong, light woman (or junior sailor) in competitive boats could dominate all three divisions. Women have been overall world champions twice; Pat Daune in 1956, sailing a Cates-Florida design and Marie-Claude Fauroux in 1968 sailing a Duflos.

BTW, Susan and Joe Bousquet live in Norfolk, VA and NOT Chaleston, SC.

Smooth sailing

GPA

Scott Sandell Quips::

NancyNancyNancy!

Wait just a minute here! It is the Modern wing (no pun intended) that you will feel most comfortable in. We give trophys for the "Women's National Champion" in both juniors and senior division (senior is over 18). AND you will be in VERY good company! Here is a list of OUR modern fleet compeditiors who just happen to be women:

Hillary Clinton (she's always been a big moth fan!) Martha Stewart (just sold her beetle cat!)
Meg Ryan (watch your e-mail from Meg)
Tatum O'neil
Helen Frankenthaler (moth sailing inspires her)
Nancy Reagan (likes to give away moths)
Patty Hearst
Hedwig (well, we let her race in whatever division she wants to)
Tipper Gore (she sails really fast on port tack)
SoonYee Previn (Woody rides in his own crash boat)
Madonna (wait until you see her designer wetsuits!)
Queen Lativa
Barbara Rose
Rose Kennedy
Caroline Kennedy-Schlossberg (my neighbor)
Jennifer Bartlett
Dore Ashton
Barbara Lloyd
Viva
Christy Brinkley
Cindy Sherman

Just to name a few............................................

Cheers,

Scott Sandell