Ulli Steiner - Sailing Resume

I am looking forward to my 5th Pacific Cup this summer!

While living in the beautiful Bay Area for a good many years I took advantage of all the opportunities for sailing, doing races and chartering boats on and around the bay as often as time permitted. But nothing beats the long-distance offshore experience. Over time I sailed the Pacific Coast up and down from Canada to Mexico, sailed the Atlantic, as well as North Sea and Baltic Sea. Mostly on fully crewed vessels, but also doublehanded.

The Pacific Cup races were always the highlights: I did the first one in 1998 on the 66' three mast schooner Millennium Falcon, the next ones in 2000, 2004, 2006 all on Cirrus. So this one in 2008 will be my 4th on Cirrus; I am beginning to feel like being part of the rigging...

In 2000 we made 3rd place in our division, securing it literally in the last minutes of the race, and only because my computer told me that we will be in deep trouble if we didn't hurry up. It almost worked again in 2004. Not satisfied with "almost", and having had to go back to my home country Germany, where the opportunities for real sailing were much reduced, I spent much time in "cyber-sailing", improving the program Cirrugator to a point, where it led Cirrus to 1st place in the Transpac 2007 race. (Unfortunately I couldn't participate due to a birth defect, which was acting up really badly that year - I have the wrong gender!). The program is internet based, you can study it here: www.cirrugator.com and also use it during the race to watch us and the competition.

If I had a wish free, I would ask for a really weird weather situation, which nobody could understand except my program Cirrugator. It could happen!

Aloha, Ulli

Tina Crabtree Sailing Information

I love being at sea. There is just something magical about a long passage despite the hard work. Life is so simple and focused. When I turned 50, I decided to get sailing back into my life. I grew up sailing to Catalina on a wooden Folkboat. I took a bunch of ASA courses, joined a SF Bay sailing club and began seeking out opportunities for passage making. In May 2006, I went on the Mahina from Acapulco to Panama. In March 2007, I helped deliver Barking Spider from Puerto Vallarta to San Diego. In July 2007, I joined the all women crew of the Alaska Eagle for the Oahu to Tahiti Leg. Altogether, I’ve stood watches for 5000 blue water miles in the last 2 years.

My dear husband of 30 years does not share my interest in sailing. He did give it an honest try and was aboard the Barking Spider for the Baja Bash. But he just doesn’t get-it. Neither do our two adult children. So I’m kind alone with this dream of cruising the world and must find ways to sail on other people’s boats.

I do not have a specific area of expertise. I am a fast learner and capable crewmember. I am confident that I can get along with anyone and handle the challenges of a delivery from Hawaii to San Francisco. My heavy weather experience is limited to tropical squalls. Every boat is different and I respect the skipper’s decisions and follow orders to the best of my ability. Ideally, I do best when I know the why of something, not just the what. After all, life is one grand learning experience.

Sailing Resume - Larry Wright

He was introduced to sailing by his grandfather at the age of 2. He has owned 5 sailboats starting with a 19’ Lightning at the age of 14. He has continually owned and raced these boats since that time.

His current boat is an Express 37 which is a well known racer/cruiser with an active One Design Fleet in the San Francisco Bay area. The Express 37 has a PHRF rating of 72 and sails well to that rating in both Bay and Ocean Handicap Racing. He purchased a 3.5 year old Express 37 in December of 1988 and named it Spindrift V (Spindrift being the name of his Grandfather’s sailboat).

Dates and Events:

1989-1999
EX 37 One Design racing on SF Bay. 12 to 15 races per year in winds usually up to 30+ knots. Occasional spectacular spinnaker wipeouts the penalty for a moments inattention. The class addition of the new elliptical rudder design in 2000 has improved this situation. Runner up to the season champion in 3 of these years.
Moved to Tahoe in 2000 which made participation in the One Design racing schedule impractical except for special events.

1989-1995
At the same time as racing one design series on SF Bay also participated in the ocean series (OYRA) 6-9 Ocean races per year. To make room for other activities in our life limited Ocean Series after 1995 to selected races to allow time to participate and support the One Design Bay races.

1989-2007
Annual Vallejo Race with the Express 37 fleet

2004
Clipper cup race SF to Monterey – Double handed with George N.

2006
Clipper cup SF to Monterey - Crewed

1989-2007
Labor day weekend race to Santa Cruz – “Windjammer” – Only missed one year due to daughter’s wedding.

2000-2007
Double handed Farallones races with George Neill – weather permitting

2000-2007
Double handed Lightship races with George Neill – weather permitting

1996 -2007
3 Delta Ditch runs to Stockton in this time - the last one in 2007.

1995
Stockton South Tower race (200 miles within the bay)

1990-2007
St Francis Big boat Series in September. Since 1990 the Express 37 fleet has been invited to participate in this 4 day high profile series. Best finish – 2nd. Participated in all races except one.

1989 - 2007
Either sail the Golden Gate or Corinthian Mid Winter series.
Additional 2005 Cruised from Zihuatanejo to Puerta Vallarta on a 40’ ketch

Sailing Strengths
1. Experienced downwind spinnaker helmsman in light air to maximize velocity made good to the mark during day or night. I have the ability to concentrate for long periods of time. (For reference I just completed a 7,500 mile solo auto trip to the East Coast and back to visit my children and in one 2,000 mile stretch I completed it in 3 days)
2. Experienced downwind spinnaker helmsman in heavy air keeping the boat under the spinnaker while keeping the boat headed for the mark day or night. My helmsmanship has been described by those below trying to eat or sleep in these conditions as “smooth”. My miles at sea and finishing all San Francisco Ocean races under spinnaker through the Golden Gate wind funnel has sharpened these skills. Even double handed George Neill and I have developed the double handed spinnaker jibing technique for successful jibes in 30 knots of wind often experienced at the South Tower.
3. Judgment – In some conditions of high winds and confused seas it is more prudent to wing out a jib than to try and control an uncontrollable spinnaker. I have used this technique to put miles on my competition. The decision as to when to put the spinnaker back up is also important
4. Experienced up wind helmsman in all wind ranges
5. Sail trim
6. Tactical experience in steady as well as changing conditions.
7. Back up navigation if required or desired.

George Neill Sailing Experience Summary

He has raced sailboats aggressively about 3 weekends a month since 1970 on the East Coast, Great Lakes, and West Coast; mostly as skipper on an Albacore 15, Cal 29, and Express 37 (BLITZ). In 7 years racing BLITZ, his Express 37, on the ocean in Northern California, never finished worse than second place for the season. Season Champion in 1988 and 1990.

• As a distance race skipper:
First in class several times, San Francisco to Catalina Island or Santa Barbara, 1988-96,
First in class in the Newport to Ensenada International Race, Mexico (1983),
First to finish, first in class, and first overall in Channel Islands to King Harbor Race (1981, Class F),
Second in class in the 14th Annual Marina del Rey to San Diego Race (1981),
Season champion several times in Scripps Ocean Series in the Channel Islands (1976-1984),
Several trophies in the San Francisco to Santa Cruz Windjammer Races (1985-1996).

• As distance race helmsman (sometimes as watch captain):
San Francisco to Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, Pacific Cup Race (1998 3rd, 2000, 2004, 2006 1st, 2008 1st)
Long Beach to Honolulu, Hawaii, TransPac Race (1997 3rd, 1999)
Long Beach to Cabo San Lucas International Race, Mexico (1991).
Port Huron to Mackinac Race, Michigan (1972-1976).

• Has won hundreds of sailing trophies in one design, handicap, lake, bay, ocean, and coastal races.

• Spends many non-race weekend days in his Reinell 2200 RXL stern drive on the Delta.
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• Commodore of Anacapa Yacht Club in the Channel Islands Harbor in 1980.

• Commodore of the Association of Santa Barbara Channel Yachts Clubs in 1981.

• Served on the Board of Directors of the Southern California Yachting Association from 1981 to 1983. Secretary in 1983.

• Served on the Board of Directors of Recreational Boaters of California as a Southern delegate from 1981 to 1983 when moved to Northern California.
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• Commodore of Richmond Yacht Club on the San Francisco Bay in 1989.

• Commodore of Pacific Handicap Racing on the Ocean in 1992 and 1993.

• Vice President of the Ocean Yacht Racing Association in 1993.

• Served on San Francisco Sailing Foundation Board of Directors, 1995 to 1997.

• Served on Pacific Inter-Club Yachting Association Board of Directors, 1992 to 1997, 2001-2002.
Commodore in 1996 (the centennial year), & 2001, unprecedented non-contiguous second term.

• Pacific Inter-Club Yachting Association “Yachtsman of the Year” in 1996, previously unprecedented for a sitting Commodore.

• Served as Advisor on the California Coastal Commission Boating Clean & Green Campaign, 1997

• Served on the Recreational Boaters Of California Board of Directors as a Northern delegate, 1992 to 1998, and is the only person to have represented both the South and North on RBOC.
Vice President North in 1995 and 1996, President in 1997.

• National Boating Advisory Council in 1997.

Great to be back

Hi Bill,

 

Thanks again for the opportunity to sail with you and Cirrus and the gang. I've been honing my rigging skills by replacing the furling mainsail on my boat. We went sailing in 22 knots on Sunday and the 7-year-old sail exploded when we got hit by a gust while gybing. Fortunately, I had a brand new main at home and, with some help from our local rigger, got it squared away yesterday. Unfortunately, our celebratory shakedown was significantly less windy, so I'm looking forward to more wind this weekend. See you soon.

 

Fair winds,
Chris Doutre