Sailing in the New York Harbor School Regatta
Last August, I gave a blog tour of the wonderful Hudson River Park, and mentioned that I joined the board of directors of Friends of Hudson River Park. Because of that, I have become very interested in The Urban Assembly New York Harbor School, a wonderful small public high school located on Governors Island, founded by Murray Fisher. The school partners with New York City’s maritime community and uses New York Harbor’s marine resources to create an extraordinary public high school experience that instills in its students the skills and ethic of environmental stewardship. Harbor School’s mission is to graduate students prepared for success in college and who have earned a technical credential in one of the six marine fields: Aquaculture, Marine Biology Research, Marine Systems Technology, Ocean Engineering, Professional SCUBA diving, and Vessel Operations.
Last Thursday I had the thrilling opportunity of sailing in the second annual Harbor School Regatta to benefit the Harbor School. Hannah Swett, one of my Godchildren, who comes from a very famous sailing family, invited me to sail with her and her mother, Ellie Burgess, upon the historic America’s Cup 12-meter boat, Intrepid. I first met Ellie many years ago when were neighbors in New York City. I had many exciting sails with her and her family and learned what I know about sailing from them. Hannah’s sailing credentials include Collegiate all American, multiple world and national champion, Rolex Yachts Woman of the Year, America's Cup Sailor, and was nominated for Rolex World Sailor of the Year. Please enjoy these photos of the Regatta taken by photographer Lori Hawkins.
1 This is a group of students from the Harbor School preparing to race in the second annual Harbor School Regatta. All photos credit: Lori Hawkins.
2 Here I am with Hannah Swett - Regatta Chair and Murray Fisher - NY Harbor School Founder and Program Director on board the 12-meter boat, Intrepid.
3 MSNBC's Willie Geist speaking at the Skippers Meeting along with a US coast Guard Representative and Murray Fisher
4 Here we are having the all important before sail crew meeting (from L to R) Ellie Burgess, Hannah Swett, Gary Van Dis, Melissa Purdy (hidden), Suzy Leech, Tom Cagnina, Dawn Riley, Joan Porter, me, and an Intrepid representative.
5 This is the chart of the race course.
6 As part of the crew, I was assigned trimming the jib.
7 Dawn Riley, at the helm, steered us to victory.
8 Joan Porter was discussing tactics with me.
9 Some of the other 12-meter and J/24 boats in the regatta sailing by the skyline of lower Manhattan with the new Freedom Tower under construction
10 The race took us from the North Cove Marina, past the Statue of Liberty, and around Governors Island.
11 It's so thrilling to see the skyline from the water.
12 This regatta is wonderful because the Harbor School students participate alongside expert sailors from the Olympics, various racing teams, and maritime academies and industries.
13 Ellie Burgess also trimmed the jib - The students are put in close and meaningful contact with these individuals who have reached the peak in subjects the students are studying about at the Harbor School.
14 Gary Van Dis holding the boom - The regatta brings nearly 600 people out to Governors Island, where they can get a personalized tour of the Harbor School by the students.
15 We sailed past the 12-meter boat American Eagle, our competition during the race.
16 American Eagle is, of course, most famous for her fabulous history as an ocean racer when Ted Turner owned and sailed her from 1969 to 1976.
17 The Intrepid, is one of the most famous racing yachts of all time, designed by the legendary American yacht designer, Olin Stephens.
18 Intrepid was constructed of double-planked mahogany upon white oak frames and featured some important design changes above and below the waterline.
19 Intrepid won the America's Cup in 1967 and 1970. In 1974, she came within one race of becoming the only three-time America's Cup defender in history.
20 It was wonderful learning all about the New York Harbor School and spending time with so many great sailors.
21 It was also very exciting, although somewhat uncomfortable, sailing on one of the great bare-bones racing yachts.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
You sure looked as if you were having a great time!
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | October 3rd, 2012 at 12:54 am
Looking good out there Martha!
Posted by: Sherey | October 3rd, 2012 at 1:10 am
These photos are stunning. The city back drop at the water level is not often seen! That Regatta shirt is a great addition to anyone's closet.
Posted by: Susan | October 3rd, 2012 at 1:17 am
Great pictures!! Miss your show!! Looked forward every year to the Halloween Special and the costumes. What were they thinking!!! So hoping you will return to daytime tv., you are a great teacher and entertainer. Also miss Mad Hungary, The baking show as well. What a loss to your viewers!!!!!
Posted by: Dalene A. Parker | October 3rd, 2012 at 1:22 am
Martha, that looked like a lot of fun sorry it was a bit uncomfortable.Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | October 3rd, 2012 at 1:45 am
Looks like a great time. Sailboating is a wonderful hobby and sport. I remember sailing with family friends, out of Pearl Harbor, when I was growing up there. Then when I moved to San Diego, I crewed for my boss on his little sailboat called "Ad Lib." Great times. Pulling out of Pearl Harbor into the Pacific Ocean and riding those waves while on the bow of the boat was a thrill of a life time. And, then winning those races in San Diego Bay was way fun too. Thank you for sharing the pictures.
Posted by: Gretchen Carroll | October 3rd, 2012 at 6:48 am
The views of New York's skyline from the water is spectacular, especially picture #9. The new Freedom Tower is coming along nicely, I hope to see it in person one day. Martha, you look very natural at the helm of the Intrepid, and I'm not sure what trimming the jib is but you looked like you were doing a fantastic job! Thanks for sharing your adventure in sailing the Intrepid and introducing us to your friend Ellie, your goddaughter Hannah and the wonderful New York Harbor School!
Posted by: Cindy F | October 3rd, 2012 at 7:15 am
I used to enjoy boating but most of our friends have sold their boats and then there was the time I got sea sick while deep sea fishing which put a damper on my enthusiasm. I wasn't alone though, most everyone got sick that day except my son who was around 10 at the time. He also caught a fish and the captain took great care of him while I lay unable to move on a bench! Looks like your sailing adventure was a lot of fun and it’s nice to know you are on the board of directors of Friends of Hudson River Park. I have only good things to say about marine schools. My son went to one and learned so much. A picture of him cleaning the barnacles off the bottom of a boat made the Palm Beach Post. Thanks for another interesting blog today - I am amazed at all the things you do!
~
I wish I could attend the American Made event in New York which is open to the public on October 17 and 18 - it would be nice to see you again. Congratulations to the winner – there were so many talented people who entered the contest and I had fun voting. Trish
Posted by: Trish | October 3rd, 2012 at 10:20 am
Hi Martha, I certainly enjoyed hearing you and 2 friends on Sirius XM 110 yesterday on Martha's Table talking about the great New York Harbor Park! Afterward, I looked up the blog I recalled that you presented on August 27th about the Hudson River Park and that one was so great with fabulous photos and comments! What a terrific new blog this newest one is about you sailing in the second annual Harbor School Regatta to benefit the Harbor School! Your photos and information about this sailing event are fantastic! You look so great in these photos and it's easy to see how much fun you were having! The people who enjoy all parts of the Hudson River Park certainly must enjoy it all! Having the Harbor School sure is wonderful for all of those high school kids and the ones you showed looked so happy! What an inspiring thing the Harbor River Park is and I sure would love to visit it some day! Thanks so much for sharing this-I love it! Hope you have another great day! Off to see The Daily Wag where Sharkey is "Exploring a Very Special Tree!" Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | October 3rd, 2012 at 10:28 am
Uncomfortable or not.... You look so happy and relaxed on the water!!!
Posted by: Barbara | October 3rd, 2012 at 11:25 am
The high school sounds terrific. The pictures were great but I didn't see anyone wearing life jackets!
Posted by: Kandy Maharas | October 3rd, 2012 at 1:00 pm
That's my son (second from the right) who was thrilled to be sailing for the second time in the regatta. He is a junior at the Harbor school studying Vessel Operations. He loves it and would not have these opportunities if not for the school. We have been so impressed with every aspect of his school experience. We are very grateful for the support of donors like you. We are glad that you were able to enjoy the race as well! Hope to see you next year.
Posted by: Christine Hall | October 4th, 2012 at 5:46 pm
I grew up on Long Island Sound and sailing at the American Yaucht Club in Rye NY. My father spent many years with Olin Stephens sharing stories and sailing. It became my Dad's and my ritual to venture to Newport, RI for the America's cup. I had friends and family aboard sailing American Eagle in 1964 before Ted Turner bought her. This brought back many many wonderful memories. Thank you!
Posted by: Mary Farrand | October 17th, 2012 at 10:07 am
So glad you had an opportunity to connect with the New York Harbor School. It's one of the most innovative school models and missions in the city (or anywhere, really). My sister, Susie, is a teacher there, and we're so proud of her, the school staff and students--especially when they transitioned from Bushwick, Brooklyn, to their amazing spot on Governors Island. This is a community working to make real changes in the city's waterways and the environment.
Posted by: laura house | October 17th, 2012 at 11:07 am
Thanks for telling us about another interesting educational institution! One of America's great strengths is the diversity of our educational experiences. I hope we never become a nation with one standardized curriculum and one standardized set of expectations to meet. I see that in my expat travels and it makes me appreciate the American way. It's so lovely to see how this school has made the most of its setting. I agree that the skyline is fabulous from the water, especially with these classic vessels in the picture as well.
Posted by: Karen | October 20th, 2012 at 10:43 pm