I haven’t posted anything since June, but that does not mean that this past summer was not chock-full of sailing. In fact I think that is actually the reason I haven’t posted. Now that I am up in the mountains reflecting on an amazing “season” of sailing and racing, I thought I would share about what my amazing team accomplished this season. You have read about them before, but this year everyone stepped up their game and we were on fire beyond my wildest dreams!

When forming Team Cassiopeia in 2018, I had one mission: to foster an environment of learning and support. I was adamant that here would be no yelling, no egos, and no unkind criticism. This wasn’t too hard with a group of women, but I was dead serious about it, and the ladies supported my mission. The skill level on our team ranged from our tactician, who is a life long racer (and all around badass), to me, an experienced sailor with little buoy racing experience, to experienced race crew, to relatively new sailors with no racing experience. We all showed up honestly with our strengths and our areas that needed nurturing and growth.

Our first season in the 2018 Sunset Series was a steady upward trajectory of learning and honing our flow as a team. Every single member of the team consistently gave their all, and put their egos aside to absorb whatever new skills or information would make them a better sailor and crew. There was something new to learn on every race. This includes me, for I did not have any experience at the helm in races like this before last year, and I had a lot to learn.

As we entered our second season of the Sunset Series, we were becoming a well-oiled machine. As such, we were able to push ourselves harder and improve individually and as a team. Every woman brought her all from day one, through every race. The seamless blend of tenacity and humility of each of these women, is what earned us a first place in our class in the 2019 Sunset Series, and 2nd place overall (of both cruising A and B). I am so grateful to each woman on our team, and to our mentors and fellow racers who pushed us to always reach higher. Experiencing this extraordinary group of women grow into the competitive team we are today has been one of the greatest joys and sources of pride in my life. These women are my soul sisters and my confidantes. We are so blessed to not only sail and race together, but to share our lives and hearts! Love reigns supreme aboard Cassiopeia, and I sincerely believe that that is our recipe for success!

A special shout out goes to our tactician, Carrie Linskey Peters, without whom we would not have achieved all that we have in the past 2 years. Her expertise and unique coaching methods are the driving force behind our success on the racecourse. She calls tactics like nobody’s business and coaches the entire team with love, encouragement, and just the right amount of ass kicking!. I know that I am a much better helmswoman and racer because of her. I would sail anywhere with her.

A little history on this team (have I mentioned how much I love them all????!!!!)…..

Tactician:

Carrie Linskey Peters grew up racing dinghies in Marina Del Rey at Cal Yacht Club. She also had the opportunity to race side by side with her Dad, Jim Linskey, a well known rigger and experienced racer, on many larger race boats. Her mad skills come from all of her dinghy experience, and also from absorbing knowledge from her dad and other racing legends around Marina Del Rey. She went on to race at UC Irvine. Though she took a hiatus from sailing to raise her kiddos, she has not skipped a beat! Sailing and racing is in her veins! There is no-one like Carrie…she just knows things in her bones, and as she directs us, we all absorb this innate knowledge and are able to grow exponetially as sailors and racers.

Lara Jacques was our original tactician, and we miss her dearly. She is a badass and has so much knowledge about sailing and racing. Together we conquered our fears about stepping up our game as we launched team Cassiopeia in 2018. I am forever grateful to her and cherish her beyond words!

Genoa Trimmers:

Monica Viera jumped into sailing by buying a boat. I met her at 5 years ago at the inspection of her lovely vessel (a Hunter 31 named Ixchel). Since then, Monica has pushed herself and has become a very capable skipper and an extraordinary crew aboard Cassiopeia. Her strength is unmatched, and she can trim in my huge Genny like nobody’s business!! Watching her grow as a sailor has been a great honor and pleasure.

Paula Paige is relatively new to sailing, but you would never know that, because it seems to be something that was in her all along. She understands and executes the nuances of sail trim with the skill of someone who has done it for years. Paula will be a boat owner soon, and I have no doubt will be singlehanding all over before we know it!

Main:

Gabriella Dorsen has been called the swiss army knife of our boat. She and I have sailed and cruised many miles together, and I would sail with her anywhere. She has a knack for fixing things, and can adapt to any role on the boat with ease. She has become quite a main trimmer, and an integral part of our crew. We always feel her absence when she cannot race with us.

Foredeck:

Debbi Juster came to us with racing experience on other boats. She is the oldest member of our crew, but you would never know it, becasue she is stronger than most of us and moves around like a woman half her age. She has a wonderful attitude, and always has a joke and lots of love to share.

Jana Davis was finally able to join our team permanently this past season! We are so glad. She keeps us focused and brings lots of foredeck experience and all around racing knowledge. She offers a fresh and thoughtful perspective that helps me see a bigger picture.

Roamer and Tactician assistant:

Robin Mohilner brings joy and lightness to our crew. Her infectious laugh and enthusiasm lifts us all up. She has been asked to fill many roles, and always does so with joy and willingness to learn.