Nauti Chicas

LEMWOD NAUTI GIRLS

2008-10-31T23:04:00.000-07:00

October 18-19, 2008

Linda Elias Memorial Women's One Design Regatta

Best looking team on the line was in Boat #5... the "Nauti Chicas" kept the competition on their toes and everyone had a great time sailing on the Catalina 37's.

The boat was packed with Regatta organizers... Camille Daniels, LBYC Facilities Director, Judy-Rae Karlsen, Regatta Director and Betsy Crowfoot, Press/Media Director.

Not Nauti Enough ...

2008-09-29T09:23:00.000-07:00

Nauti Chicas finished 3rd in the annual Long Beach Charity Regatta this weekend. The early (and dense!) fog finally melted away to a gorgeous day with est 13k breeze, fairly consistent, and pretty flat seas (until the last race...) 'A great tune-up for the LEMWOD Oct 18 & 19.
Pictures anyone?

Arrrrr!

2008-09-14T19:15:00.000-07:00

Is that "Slash" working in the rigging??? Arrrrr!!!
Sept. 19 is 'Talk like a pirate day'.
Say something nauti!

MAN OVERBOARD! ...Wait, that’s me!

2008-09-03T18:40:00.000-07:00

REPRINTED FROM YACHT-ITY YAK THE JOURNAL OF LONG BEACH YACHT CLUB September 2008 By Judy-Rae Karlsen, LBYCSF Boardmember --
Many of you “on-the-water types” heard the news of the
Rattle & Hum (Antrim 27) near-disaster with crew overboard
during the recent 2008 Santa Barbara-to-King Harbor Regatta.
Well, that seasoned sailor, rescued 22-miles offshore after sunset
was me.
How did it happen? I made a mistake that nearly cost me my
life. Here’s the story:
Our team entered the Santa Barbara-to-King Harbor race as a
practice for next year’s Transpac. The four of us sailing Rattle &
Hum are members of the "Nauti Chicas" Sailing Team and we all
are experienced offshore racers.
After a slow start, the winds picked up as expected and we
were having an awesome ride past Anacapa Island to King
Harbor (Redondo Beach) in 25- gusting to 31-kts of wind running
at 15+ kts boat speed. That Antrim flies in the wind and it
was an exhilarating downwind sail. For several hours, we were
flying off the tops of the waves we did not plow through, and the
green water over the deck finally encouraged me to put on my
foul weather pants to stay dry as I trimmed the main. Then it happened.
One powerful gust of wind and a violent roundup stopped
the boat, and launched me (main trimmer) and Sue Senescu (driver)
right over the low side of the boat and into the ocean. Two
of four crew members went overboard. The boat was pinned on
its side, with the spinnaker still full and dragging in the water, but
the boat continued sailing at 11-knots of boats speed!
Sue was able to grab the aft stanchion and held onto the boat,
but I got caught alongside the boat, trapped by the ankle and
dragged underwater. I knew that I had to get free or I would
drown. I managed to get myself untangled in time to find the surface
and breathe. It was then that I realized I was no longer
attached to the boat… it was sailing away.
For a moment, I was dazed and confused… still reeling from
the panic of almost drowning and a sore shoulder from the fall. I
took a quick inventory. I had no life support, no communication,
and no safety gear. Then it hit me. I was now completely alone in
the water, the sun was setting and I was 22-miles offshore in an
active shipping lane.
What was my costly mistake?….I had put on my foul weather
pants and ignored my life jacket and harness. Huge mistake.
I knew the girls would come back to look for me, but whether
they could see me became a major concern. Two racing sailboats
on a downwind course came within 100-yards of me and they
sailed right by. They never saw me and never heard my screams
for help.
Fifteen more minutes went by and I could see one more spinnaker
on the darkening horizon approaching me on a downwind
course. I learned later that the crew on Sidekick (J37) was already
looking for me in the water. The skipper Bill Webster, had just
turned on his radio and was monitoring Channel 16 when he
heard the location of an MOB on the race course. His crew was
on deck searching for me in the water. One crew member identified
me screaming and waving for help. The team executed their
man overboard drill and pulled me onboard. The rest is history. I
was reunited with my sailing team the “Nauti Chicas” in King
Harbor several hours later.
The point of sharing this experience is simple…my mistake
could have ended in disaster. I learned a valuable lesson…
“Safety First” means from now on in every offshore race and
when conditions require inside the harbor, I will “make the time”
to put on my harness and PFD. Sailing with my friends is an
absolute thrill… treading water alone in the ocean without safety
gear is not. I hope that by sharing my experience, it will encourage
you to practice “Safety First”and enjoy the rest of the summer.
Your family and friends will be glad you did.

Mixed Grill

2008-09-01T22:20:00.000-07:00

We had a coupla chicas, a coupla chicos ... all racing together on Rattle & Hummmm on the Long Beach to Dana Point race this weekend. 'Finished 2nd in class in the wishy-washy, fluky kinda, on-again, off-again race avec kelp escort. Fun in the sun with good friends -- oh yeah, and another pickle dish for the Senescus ;-D Hooray!

Blood on the deck

2008-08-15T16:48:00.001-07:00

So much for our motto:
"Bloodless & Amusing" ...

The Nauti Chicas go fishing and there's blood on the deck ... a veritable sushi-fest ;-)

Click here for more pix

Successful Rescue - Santa Barbara to King Harbor Race

2008-08-04T00:57:00.000-07:00

On August 1 Rattle & Hum, our Antrim 27, raced the Santa Barbara to King Harbor race. I was the skipper, with crew Judy Rae Karlsen, Betsy Crowfoot, and Valerie Navarro. All of these women are experienced offshore racers with 8 Transpacs and numerous Cabo and PV races between them. We have trusted each other with our lives many times, but this time we called in the card.

We were having an absolutely awesome ride past Anacapa Island to King Harbor (Redondo Beach) in 25 gusting to 31 kts of wind running at upto 16 kts boat speed when we had a violent roundup that tossed Judy and I overboard.
None of us were wearing our inflatable harnesses and tethers. We thought about it, as we were surfing like a spray ball of water, pumping and grinding. We had been burying the bow into the waves in front of us every 5th wave or so, taking on green water over the deck. We were mesmerized by that need for speed. The thrill is addicting . We had moved our bodies aft, but we didn’t take the time to get ourselves tethered. BIG mistake number one.

At the moment the accident occurred I was driving and Judy was on main, Betsy was on the weather aft stanchion (blessing number one as you will see) and Valerie was on the winch.

The boat was pinned, with our largest running spinnaker flailing in the wind. I was lucky enough to pop up and grab the aft stanchion, but Judy Rae was drifting away. I’ll never forget looking at her as she said “I’ll be OK”. Betsy and Valerie were then left to go into action. Betsy was at the windward aft stanchion where she deployed the MOM unit (which by the way did not deploy in the sideways position) then moved to the leeward stanchion, throwing the horseshoe ring to Judy then holding onto me while Valerie was trying to blow the spin halyard and right the boat. That wasn’t working and my strength was quickly waning, so Valerie came to pull me in as well. I could not get my self up on the boat that was still underway, albeit on its side. Flailing spinnakers do still sail, by the way. I told them I can’t hold on any longer. Betsy quickly came up with the big difference maker for my rescue, tying the bitter end of the running back line around my torso, and then Valerie and Betsy could pull me up. That all took about 5 minutes. Next we needed to call Mayday. I had earlier put the GPS and VHF into the chart table to protect them from the waves we were taking on. Big mistake number two. These things need to be in the cockpit immediately available. Valerie got them out, Betsy called the Mayday and I read the position from the GPS and pressed the MOB button. Valerie and Betsy cut the kite away and the boat righted and the MOM unit deployed, hah!

Val and Betsy pulled out the jib and headed back on reciprocal course to the site of our accident. We tried to explain to the coast guard our reciprocal course as well, since our coordinates were 5 minutes late. We also made a strenuous request that they deploy a helicopter immediately as the sun was setting and Judy Rae had no flotation (she was not able to capture the horseshoe buoy). At about that same time a racing trimaran was reported capsized in the same area. So now they had two incidents running. Then Sidekick called in that they had spotted Judy and were in the process of recovering her. The radio communications at that point was chaotic. The Helo pilot came on and was asking, basically, what do I have here, two incidents? How many MOB each, where? Etc. We heard transmission that Judy was aboard so we turned off our radio, since there was no room to talk on it with all the other communication; we were just stepping on everyone. We continued to sail looking for Judy or the boat that may be rescuing her. We sailed right to Sidekick, seeing that her sails were down we figured that was the boat. We sailed up to her, saw Judy Rae waving at us in the cockpit, and so we yelled “we love you” and bore away to King Harbor with our harnesses on. Under main and jib we were still going 12 kts. I was down below, wet clothes off, and in a sleeping bag to get rid of the shivers.

There were more racers than you would think with VHF 16 on at that time. Blessing two is they were listening, and blessing three is they reacted. Several boats including Ono, Juno, and French Kiss doused sails or prepared to douse sails and alter course to the position we gave over the radio. Sidekick was the one that was right on track to get to her, and skipper Dr. Bill Webster and crew were ready to handle the situation, recovering Judy and communicating with the CG. Thank you so much Sidekick, we can’t begin to tell you how special she is to us and how grateful we are to you. By the way, Judy was passed by two boats in less than 100 yard distance that could not hear her and did not see her. So, please, when you’re racing, in conditions like that, monitor 16, keep your eyes peeled, and when you see a round up pinned down for two minutes or more, assume it is a boat in distress with possible MOBs. Go by them if you can and check to see.

Judy Rae on Sidekick beat us to the harbor and she left me a message “Hey, I’m here at the YC, where are you? I’m going to go home to shower and nap, and I’ll be back to meet you later today as planned to sail the boat home”. What a crazy trooper.

My husband Barry and I are happily continuing on with the build of our Antrim Open Class 40 for Transpac ’09. You can bet it’s going to have all the features for safety and speed.

Sue Senescu

Next stop ...

2008-07-25T09:41:00.001-07:00

Santa Barbara to King Harbor Race - Aug. 1! Check here or here for details and results.

Nauti in oh so many ways ...

2008-07-08T11:28:00.001-07:00

A bevy of Nauti Chicas will be participating in this weekend's Oceanside Yacht Club Charity Regatta. Read more about this great event here. Betsy is being extra-nauti and racing elsewhere with skipper Sandy Hayes and crew in the Mayor's Cup. Results and details here.

Don't worry, be nauti!

2008-06-30T22:30:00.000-07:00

LBRW was another wet & wild regatta for the Nauti Chicas! See Su's pix from the regatta on Shutterfly.

Nauti again ...

2008-06-26T23:20:00.001-07:00

The Nauti Chicas invade Long Beach for a three-day regatta June 27, 28 & 29. We'll be racing LBRW as part of the Cat37 Nationals, competing against teams crewed with the likes of Annie Nelson, Camille Daniels, Ruth Schock ... oh yeah and some boys mixed in there as well (we even have two 'token males' aboard our 'cat-boat' :-D) Click HERE for details and results (under "Senescu")

Nauti Chicas win Caroline Starr trophy!!

2008-04-28T21:27:00.000-07:00

With a corrected time of 28:5:00 the Nauti Chicas won the Caroline Starr trophy for the best performance of an all-female crew in the 125-mile Newport to Ensenada yacht race! For more details, read the news reports in the San Diego Union Tribune and NOSA website.

Next stop: Ensenada!

2008-04-23T16:33:00.000-07:00

The Nauti Chicas will compete in the 61st annual Newport to Ensenada Race, this Friday April 25. The 125nm race is one of the largest and longest-running international yacht races, with over 400 boats entered.

Our team aboard the J/35 Predator includes owner/co-skipper Terri and navigator/co-skipper Sue, Barb, Jennifer, Su and Betsy. Pray for wind and check for race news HERE.

May 20 - Lin & Larry Pardey speak ...

2008-04-17T10:59:00.000-07:00

Uber-cruisers Lin & Larry Pardey are the guest speakers at the LB&LAWSA - aka SAILING CHICKS - meeting Tues. May 20 at Seal Beach YC. For tickets to see their talk on "The Compelling Power of Adventure" click HERE or contact our own Judy Rae.

DON'T WORRY, BE NAUTI

2008-04-11T21:00:00.001-07:00

All-gal team says ‘Nothing to worry about!’
in 800nm race to Cabo

OCEANSIDE, CA – The J/35 Predator, hailing from Oceanside and Dana Point Yacht Clubs, was erroneously reported as DNF in the Balboa Yacht Club Corona Del Mar to Cabo San Lucas Yacht Race.

BYC Cabo Race PRO Doug Campbell explained that Predator was inadvertently lumped in with three retired boats, instead of designated as "still racing" at press time. "Certainly Predator finished the race and I apologize to all the many Predator supporters and fans," said Campbell. "They are a helluva group!"

At one point during the race, Predator’s skipper/navigator Sue Senescu, a four-time Transpac veteran, wrote from the race course, “The weather and sea conditions were more than anticipated but our crew handled them perfectly. The most detrimental thing to our performance has been the complete shredding of our heaviest kite.” The team, known as the Nauti Chicas, had been clocking 10+ knots of boat speed in 25-30 knot winds and big seas until they blew up their heavy spinnaker in the early hours of March 30. Subsequently they tallied an average Speed Over Course of 6.11 knots for the race (reflecting the lack of a suitable spinnaker) while their D-class rivals logged 7 to 8.2 knots.

Responding to reports that the J/35 was ‘struggling’ and comments that other racers were ‘worried about them’ the crew laughed it off. “Although we are the last of the boats to sail into the finish line, our spirits our high!” said Senescu. “We’re disappointed with our results, but very proud of our team and our boat, the second smallest and second highest rater I believe in the fleet.” The Cabo Race was the inaugural long-distance offshore race for four of the six crew: yacht owner Terri Manok, Helena Cannady, Denise Eldredge and Judy Rae Karlsen.

Meanwhile three other race boats – Muneca, Aeolos, and Bad Pak – were forced to retire due to gear failures in the heavy seas and windy conditions.

Predator’s six-woman team finished Wednesday evening April 2, with an elapsed time of 127:07:16 -- well within the published cut-off time of noon April 4. “We had two full days of barbecues, swimming, snorkeling and working on our fantastic tans before celebrating with our friends at the trophy presentation Friday,” said crewmember and Transpac veteran Betsy Crowfoot.

Next on the agenda for the Nauti Chicas is the Newport to Ensenada Race, and all-women one-design regattas in Puerto Vallarta and Long Beach.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Cabo Pics

2008-04-07T23:28:00.000-07:00

A smattering of Cabo Race photos are available here on Shutterfly. Enjoy!

2008-04-04T08:53:00.001-07:00

Thank you everyone...

2008-04-04T08:45:00.000-07:00

Thanks John for keeping everyone posted while we are recovering poolside. Haha. We had a wonderful crowd to welcome us at the finish, all giving us huge cheers and serving great food and beverage dockside. Then we moved our operation to a set of casitas on the beach north of Cabo that belong the the Montage Corporation. Terri's Husand Tom is one of the a manager of a new resort they are building here and these houses are used for the management team. Aweseome semi private beach/cove, pool, maid service, just absolutely awesome and so relaxing after so much stress/excitement.Tonight we are going to a race party, then having dinner back here with close family and friends, and then tomorrow night is the Trophy Dinner. Sat we go home.
Thank you everyone for your enthusiasm and support. We are definitely doing this race next year. The feeling of taking the challenge and just the accomplishment is "something special" that we all will never forget.We plan to put together a slide show or something so share with everyone later.
Sue and the Chicas

Hello all from Tom Manok

2008-04-04T08:42:00.000-07:00

Hello all,

Here’s an update you may or may not have received from the Nauti-Chicas. Based on last evening, I must say the ladies recovered quite well from their adventure.

The amount of support from our friends, fellow racers…..and my employers has been overwhelming. It has been a challenge to get the boat ready and make sure the team had every advantage they could possibly have. I am happy to report the boat made it threw in flying colors and I have been gratified by the teams’ comments relative to Predator being up to what ever they threw at her.

The delivery crew has reconfigured the boat into delivery mode and should be leaving tonight or tomorrow morning depending on the weather window. Last night, the Chicas insisted on making “an appearance” at a lovely reception thrown by Balboa Yacht Club, pool side at the old Hacienda Hotel. While I shuttled them around, the delivery crew, John Henke, Les George and Rob Keith, assisted by Chica Chaser Barry Senescu cooked up a wonderful dinner for us. Yes, “some” cerveza, rum and taquilla was consumed too. Most of the ladies are still in bed catching up on some well deserved rest.

I want to acknowledge the folks I work with in Cabo, especially Vista Serena’s president, Erich Kaufman and his team who provided me with the opportunity to offer such a great “winding down” environment for the Nauti-Chicas. I’m not forgetting you guys in SD or Laguna either, you’re support and understanding relative to my moments of distraction over the last week are certainly appreciated as well.

See all of soon,
Tom

www.montagelagunabeach.com

The Nauti Chicas have finished !!!!

2008-04-03T09:52:00.000-07:00

While there is no official posting on the BYC website, I just received word a few moments ago that the Nauti Chicas have finished !!!!

The arrival host team was headed to the docks with 'bebidas' in hand. It's way early enough for lots of partying tonight. While the girls are probably exhausted, the adrenalin gets going once you've reached the finish and with a little encouragement the party will blast!

Here's to the Nauti Chicas, their perseverance, determination and Corinthian spirit!

Salud!

John Berry
"Official Chica Chaser"

Almost there

2008-04-02T09:24:00.000-07:00

As of this morning they are about 83 miles from the finish and doing 7.3 knots. Right now there’s little wind down here at the tip, it should pick up but, then lighten up around 10 tonight.
The delivery crew is here, we started provisioning last night will finish this morning and be on the dock when the gals get here. We’ll take the cooler and have rum cokes and margaritas waiting for them.

All is well.

2008-04-01T21:04:00.000-07:00

Although their spirits seem to remain high .... there were more issues for the Chicas on the water. They still have about 165 miles to go and at the pace they have been averaging should finish about 6PM tomorrow.

Message from Terri relayed through Tom, the #1 Chica Chaser.

John

"Official Chica Chaser"

Hi Babe!

All is well. This has been a fun and interesting journey. Miraculously the mast head light is back on as of last night. No idea why it crapped out or suddenly came on again. Couldn't see any issues re: wiring at all. Jib top pulled out of the foil and now has a crimp in the bolt rope which is not a concern for putting it up but could be a problem getting it down so we're on the #1. Far too much wind and nasty sea angle for the spins so it's slow going.

Thanks so much for your responses and your support! It's finally starting to warm up. Have lived in foulies for 4 days now! Looking forward to shorts and sandals! See you soon! I love you!

Cabo Race on TV

2008-04-01T15:17:00.001-07:00

For those of you who may be interested KDOC TV (channel 12 on Cox if you are in OC) will be showing highlights of the Cabo Race on the early morning show, OC Daybreak, 6 AM to 8 AM weekdays. They started the showing on Monday of this week.

John Berry

Wet & Wild

2008-03-31T17:15:00.000-07:00

We hope we improved last night. We continue to have wind in the 28 knot range and high seas. Avg speed made good through the night was 10kts. Not able to use the . 6 oz spinnakers we have on board as the wind is mostly abeam and the seas quartering. We tried each of them when true wind speed was under 20kts but those moments lasted short before back to 28 and jib top. We are having a super time. having our halfway party this afternoon. (actually crossed halfway a while ago but had to try to pick a time where everyone was rested enough and waiting for flatter seas just wasn't happening.
Helena says hi to the family.
Terri says, Tom please get a new mast head bulb for the return crew (we just love sailing out here without seeing the windex :-) and I can't wait to see you. Thanks for the SSB reminder.
All the crew sends love to family and especially friends that will be there for us at the dock.
Betsy says to Coco love you and miss you Buggy,very busy, wet, and wild.
Judy Rae says to Haylen Happy Bday. She says she's lost 25 lbs haha
Nauti Chicas

Let's cheer them on!

2008-03-30T13:46:00.000-07:00

As you will see from the second message below from the boat, the Chicas have been experiencing strong winds and big seas. It has had a toll on the sail inventory but they are still hanging in there. While the leader board is showing them currently in 6th Place, I am sure if they get the wind conditions that will allow them to get another spinnaker up they will improve that position. I am obviously assuming they are not flying a spinnaker currently due to heavy winds and the loss of their heaviest spinnaker.

If you have a note that you want to send to the girls, just send it to me and I will batch them and send on to the boat. Let's cheer them on!

John
for the Nauti Chicas

Going like gangbusters

2008-03-30T13:44:00.000-07:00

We have been going like gangbusters at lots of 10kts speed in 20 kts wind. But our computer got a little wet and flaky so we let it dry out for and it seems to be working, this is a test. We are all doing swell - haha - 10 foot crossing seasthis whole trip, as much as 70 miles off shore at on point. Hope you get this messageNauti Chica's

Spinnaker blow-out

2008-03-30T13:01:00.000-07:00

I guess they had an exciting night.
They are currently 6th in class and 23rd in fleet. They are 514 mi from the finish with a predicted finish time 4/2 22:38, about 40 behind 5th place. 5th place is 466 mi from finish.

I didn't like that North Sails spinnaker anyway.
Tom

Sunday morning update

2008-03-30T12:56:00.000-07:00

Well it's been a crazy day/night. If you saw our detailed track on iboat you mave noticed a big loop we did around midnight. It wasn't a manover board, or retrieving favorite hat, but we blew up to shreds ourstrongest spinaker in our inventory,while running deep in 25 kts . Of course some of it was our fault, as we were running quarterly swells invertigo-inducing pitch darkness and had just a couple of round ups which puts a lot of stress on the thing. So anyway, we got all 3 corners of the sail on deck, saved the gear, and let the kite go out for burial at sea. That and a new headsail up and a jibe all in less than an hour. You could imagine all hands on deck, tethers on, flashlights and knives at the ready. That was a first for any of us I think.

http://charthorizon.com/races/2008_corona_sanlucas/htdocs/

We are following the predicted weather and our planned course pretty much as expected, with more wind outside. We have not been able to copy the race committee ssb transitions of place in class and fleet, we are only able to receive their daily lat/long reports. We hope to get into better communications range with them soon.

Go girlfriends! ..... Go Girlfriends!

2008-03-29T21:18:00.000-07:00

Well the Nauti Chicas aboard Predator are off and running. They started the Cabo Race today at noon. While it is still very early on in the race, they look like they are moving well and are positioned very nicely in their class. Time will tell.

Wind conditions so far have been normal Southern California winds, strength wise but not direction. The wind has been out of the SW at about 8.5 knots. This has the girls on a Southerly course at about 4.3 kts. I am sure they are looking for the winds to clock towards the West so they can use their spinnaker.

They're off!

2008-03-28T17:50:00.001-07:00

The crew is ready...

2008-03-28T17:47:00.001-07:00

New member

2008-03-27T10:01:00.000-07:00

Hi from Su.

Go Nauti Chicas!

2008-03-26T11:22:00.001-07:00

A shot of J/35 PREDATOR from the Around-Catalina Race.

Nauti Chicas have their game faces on for Cabo

2008-03-20T09:58:00.000-07:00

REPRINTED FROM BYC WEBSITE:

CORONA DEL MAR, Calif.---The boat’s name---Predator---is intimidating enough, but wait till you see the crew lined up to sail it in Balboa Yacht Club's biennial race from Corona del Mar to Cabo San Lucas starting March 28 and 29.

Six determined members of the Nauti Chicas women’s sailing team are on an ambitious mission that will take them through seven events climaxing with next year’s Transpacific Yacht Race to Hawaii, and this is the first big step.

“We have a tremendous amount of experience on the boat,” says co-skipper Terri Manok, who owns the J/35 with her husband Tom. “Gender is not a factor. We probably have more experience than some of the other boats. It’s not anything we can’t handle.”

The smaller boats, including Predator in Class D, will start the 800-nautical mile race to the tip of Baja California, Mexico on Friday the 28th, the larger ones a day later. The starts will be at noon directly off the end of the Balboa Pier in front of the Original Ruby’s restaurant. Spectators are welcome.

Manok, vice commodore of Oceanside Yacht Club in Southern California, and co-skipper Sue Senescu, a staff (former) commodore of Dana Point YC, have selected their crew from the 18 Nauti Chicas members. The others are Denise Eldrige, Dana Point; Helena Cannady, San Francisco; Judy Rae Karlsen, Long Beach; and Betsy Crowfoot, Carpinteria.

These aren’t teeny boppers on a lark. Their ages run from 39 to 50 (;-D ), and among them they have completed seven Transpacs. Senescu and Crowfoot have raced on two and three all-woman Transpac teams, respectively, and Senescu has done two other Transpacs on coed crews. Otherwise, the crew’s collective résumés as sailing instructors and competitors are impressive but too long to list here.

“Let’s just say we’re mature in sailing years, as well,” Senescu said, dryly.

They’re approaching this race very seriously with new sails from VGM in Dana Point, new running rigging, a new boat bottom from the Villalva boat yard in Ensenada . . . and lots of practice.

Senescu said, “We’ve done some offshore practices in winds of 22 knots gusting to 33 . . . thunder and lightning and big black walls of squalls.”

Manok: “It was great experience. I’m totally confident we can handle anything at that level.”

Other events they plan to do are women’s one-design regattas at Puerto Vallarta in May and Long Beach in October, next month’s Newport-to-Ensenada race with two boats, Santa Barbara to King Harbor in August and Newport Beach to Cabo San Lucas next February.

“All of us have significant others who have been very supportive,” Manok said. “My husband has given up the boat for this year and most of next year.”

Their only problem is a shortage of sleeping berths on the J/35, the second smallest boat in the fleet, even rotating two to a bunk. An all-male crew would normally sail with five.

“We could sleep four un-comfortably,” Senescu said, “but I’ll probably just have to find someplace on the sails.”

The race is being conducted under PHRF, ORR and IRC handicap systems.Each boat will be tracked by iBoat, which has provided satellite positioning on the Internet for last year's Long Beach-to-Cabo race, the 2006 Pacific Cup from San Francisco to Hawaii and several East Coast races to Bermuda and elsewhere since 2005.

A sendoff party promising "Mexican buffet, cheap drinks and good company" is scheduled the evening of March 27 at Balboa YC. The Old Hacienda Hotel will host a poolside party late on the afternoon of Thursday, Aril 3, and trophies will be presented Friday, April, 4 at Tesoro Los Cabos. -- Rich Roberts

FOR MORE NEWS & TO TRACK THE RACE PLEASE GO TO THE BYC WEBSITE

We are livin' the dream!

2008-03-14T21:37:00.000-07:00

Be Nauti!

2008-03-11T09:55:00.001-07:00

Anyone can 'Be Nauti' with an authentic Nauti Chica or Chica Chaser team shirt! Long sleeve, white quick dry mesh chica chaser ($30) or periwinkle women's form-fitting v-neck ($25). Contact your favorite Nauti Chica or email me at crazeemermaid@gmail.com. Click on image for details.

Team Pix March 16

2008-03-08T20:12:00.000-08:00

We will be taking a team photo March 16, at the boat (Oceanside) at 10AM. Wear the periwinkle 'Nauti Chica' top and black shorts.

Nauti Chicas 'Shake it like a Martini Shaker'!

2008-02-13T09:40:00.000-08:00

Martini Queenie Jennifer - winner of the Nauti Chicas' Martini Shake-off at DPYC, with her "Weight-on-the-rail" chocolate (of course!) martini.
Our fundraiser was a huge success and will help us finance our Cabo Race entry fee, life raft servicing, and additional rating fees. Yay! Thanks to everyone who showed up and to our generous contributors. We hope you had a great time: we did!
Click on Jen's photo (compliments of Terri) for more photos.

Fundraiser & Party: Saturday Feb 9 @ DPYC

2008-02-06T23:18:00.000-08:00

The Nauti Chicas present their first ever Martini Shake-off and contest for the Martini Queenie, at Dana Point Yacht Club; Saturday Feb. 9 starting at 7:00 pm.
SEND A NAUTI CHICA TO MEXICO!

Women's Sailing Convention - Feb. 2

2007-12-29T12:04:00.000-08:00

The SCYA Women's Sailing Convention has both on-the-water instruction and classroom courses for novice and expert sailor girls - plus Capt. Linda 'Nauti' Newland as the keynote speaker. Saturday Feb. 2 at Del Rey Yacht Club -- click here for details.

The Night of 1,000 Squalls ...

2007-12-10T08:23:00.001-08:00

Before ... during ... & after.
See more on Shutterfly.
Comments?

Prepare to get wet!

2007-12-06T08:44:00.000-08:00

COASTAL WATERS FORECAST: NOAA NWS SAN DIEGO CA
749 AM PST THU DEC 6 2007
SAN MATEO PT TO THE MEXICAN BORDER OUT 60 NM

SAT Dec 8 
WIND W 10 TO 15 KT WITH GUSTS TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 FT OR
LESS. SWELL W 5 TO 7 FT. CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND SLIGHT CHANCE OF
TSTMS.

SAT NIGHT
WIND NW 10 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 2 FT OR LESS. SWELL
W 4 TO 6 FT. CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND SLIGHT CHANCE OF TSTMS.

SUN Dec 9
WIND SE 10 KT...BECOMING NE AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES
2 FT OR LESS. SWELL W 3 TO 6 FT. CHANCE OF SHOWERS IN THE
MORNING. SLIGHT CHANCE OF TSTMS.

Talk about a 'dreamboat' ...

2007-11-08T10:02:00.001-08:00

Nauti Chicas 2nd Place in the Linda Elias Memorial Women's One Design

2007-10-22T18:17:00.001-07:00

This year was an exciting women’s one design regatta for the Nauti Chicas. The net-net is we tied for first with a 2-2-2 but lost the tie breaker to CYC with a 4-1-1 and thus we were second place. But there is a lot more to the whole story. First off, we’ve been doing this for a few years now and we’ve evolved into a very experienced and specialized team. We have 12 gals in three departments as I call them, with the T&G (that’s trim and grind) being the core engine of the boat, and then we have the foredeck crew that does their salty magic, and the back of the boat that makes sure we’re going in the right direction with every shift, lift, and header. Managing such a large crew is at times like herding cats, but everyone really came together with the practices and it paid off.

On day one we had very light winds in the usual starting area of inside Long Beach harbor, so the RC led us out to Seal Beach pier, where there was more wind, but as the day went on the unprotected waters made it pretty rough. We had 3 races on day one. Two 2 lappers and a 3 lapper. On the first race we realized we had good speed and point against the others, and we made some smart moves to take advantage of shifts, particularly jibing soon after the weather mark. Our leeward gate roundings went very well and we had a lot of confidence building. On the second race we and the 1st place boat from San Diego YC were called over early, which in one design racing is usually a death toll, but we came back to 2nd place again thanks to our tactician Terri Manok, and again, the whole team. On the third race we were again over early stuck in a predicament of closing out a barging boat or digging a hole with a leeward boat. We kind of halfway did both and that didn’t work. So back we went again, and back we came again, another 2nd place!

After the first day of racing we had a little bit of fun. We dressed the boat up in a hula skirt with bow lei, had a birthday cake for Tami and Betsy, and then strategized for Sunday morning. We had some pretty detailed plans on our starts against Cal YC and San Diego YC. Forecasts were for strong Santa Ana winds below the canyons and passes gusting to 50kts. We were cognizant of that but had this feeling that it won’t be so bad in Long Beach. Wrong! The fleet went out in patchy winds and about 45 minutes before the start a sheet of wicked wind came on through. We hid behind the lee of an oil island for an hour or so, wind was clocking 38-40 according to the official wind meters of iwindsurf.com. It looked like a textbook Beaufort force 8 or whatever – spray off the top of the waves, plus sand off the Belmont shore beach. The RC called the race and we headed back in, but our engine couldn’t power through it and we needed a tow. This is a whole other story, I will just say thank you to Capt. Mike on Storm, who set up a bridle and took us in tow in really nasty conditions.

Sue Senescu

Nauti Chicas Make Internat'l Yachting News

2007-10-19T23:21:00.001-07:00

When the Nauti Chicas speak, the world listens!
Elaine Bunting mentions Sue & the NCs in her YACHTING WORLD blog.
'Guess there're no secrets any more ...

LEMWOD Update

2007-10-16T13:16:00.001-07:00

Crew shirts are 1) white (long-sleeved) and 2) periwinkle. Please have a pair of 1) navy-or-black, and 2) khaki shorts/pants to coordinate. I don't know which ones which day however please do not arrive bottomless. Wear one and be prepared to change.

Please be @ LBYC at 9 am Saturday. The Braintrust will go to the Skipper's meeting and the rest of us (Brawntrust?) will set up the boat so we can boogie* asap. (*technical sailing term)

Finally - if you haven't submitted your sailing resume to Sue, please do so asap -- otherwise I will fabricate a sailing resume on your behalf and it won't be pretty ... :-D
~ Starboard T&A Chica

Today's Practice

2007-10-13T09:28:00.000-07:00

The sun's just reappearing here and I'm guessing the rain that pounded us all yesterday afternoon and evening is down your way now.

In light of our canceled practice, I'll suggest we all do something individually today to help improve our team: go to the gym, run, read an article on sail trim, watch a sailing video ... anything to use this 'free time' productively. LEMWOD is next week!

STEP IT UP - WIKI-WIKI CHICAS!

2007-10-10T19:40:00.000-07:00

I like to think I’m really slow at kick-boarding because I have dainty feet. (Duke Kahanamoku was an Olympic medalist in both swimming and surfing presumably because he had massive feet – in addition to Incredible Hulk-like upper body strength)

I’ve been trying to ‘step up’ my workouts in preparation for SD to PV race (not just to be fit & strong – but also because the temps can tickle the 80s and I have this sexy sundress I want to wear when we collect our trophy). So the first thing I did was candidly review my weekly workout schedule, which it looks like this:

Daily –
Walk the dog repeatedly (barely increases my heart rate but is good upper body workout as we tug-of-war over who’s in charge: me or Rusty) -- although length of walk is random

Monday –
Half hour cardio, half hour upper body workout

Tuesday –
Half hour cardio, half hour abs and legs

Wednesday–
One hour aqua aerobics plus one-two hours beercan racing (varies in intensity!)

Thursday –
Half hour cardio with full hour weight lifting

Friday -
Off - unless I'm pathetic and don't have a date (which is often) and then I go to the gym at night

Saturday / Sunday -
Hour-long dog walks along the bluffs plus occasional visit to the gym depending on work sked, sailing sked, and lack of dates

Well gee, this looks kind of pathetic!

So I’ve been thinking about stepping it up, and these are a few ways …

1) Increase the time of existing workouts

a. kickboard or do laps 10-15 min following water aerobics

b. add 10-15 min of cardio after my weight training @ the gym

c. time the dog walks and establish a ‘minimum’

d. pump up the weights and/or reps on exercises

2) Schedule my workouts in my calendar

a. increase regularity of workouts so I’m doing something every day

b. treat my workouts as any other important appts that are ‘etched in stone’

c. have my workout bag and clothes clean, packed and ready to go

d. keep it varied so I’m exercising different muscle groups

And this all brings me to: Denise’ 8-Week-Wiki-Wiki*-Chica-Workout.

There’s a reason Denise has that teeny tiny waist and cutie bootie (which she showed the RC at the Charity Regatta … )! This is a real kick-butt workout that builds over a period of eight weeks. It’s a combo of strength training (M,W,F) and cardio (T,Th,Sat) alternating between a steady pace cardio workout (40 min) or intervals (28 min). It involves sprinting (call the waaaambulance!) or fast walking at an incline. Let me know if you want me to send you a copy: I’ll just send the first four-weeks so as not to scare anyone ;-)

I have a goal in mind for myself (Yeah. Be like the Amazing Kreskin and guess - ‘cause I’m sure as hell not going to publish my weight on the web) and – although we’re holding right now during the parental-unit visit and pending LEMWOD and birthday cockcake extravaganza – I am going to STEP IT UP starting Oct. 22.

I’ll keep you posted. Email me anything you want and I’ll post your input and/or use the comment function (below)

Aloha, Wiki-Wiki-Chicas!

* wiki-wiki = fast

Nauti Chicas Bio's for Women's One Design

2007-09-26T09:32:00.000-07:00

Nauti Chicas Sailing Team Bio’s for the LEMWOD ‘07

Sue Senescu, Co-skipper and Helm, is a member and Staff Commodore of Dana Point Yacht Club. She has been sailing for 18 years. She has been active in learning, teaching, and crewing in women’s sailing programs. Women’s races include: 5 Long Beach Women’s’ One Designs, 3 Regatta Las Marietas de Femenil Women’s One Designs in PV, and many other local women’s races. She was navigator and crew in 2 all-women Transpac teams, and 2 all-women Ensenada teams. She has raced in 4 Transpacs and 3 PV races. She and her husband own and race Rattle & Hum, an Antrim 27.

Denise Eldredge, Co-skipper and Trimmer, is a member of DPYC and has been racing for 13 years on the West Coast in numerous local and long distance races. She has competed in: 3 Adam's Cups, 4 Women's One Designs, 3 Regatta Las Marietas de Femenil in Puerto Vallarta, 1 Newport to Cabo San Lucas and too many Newport-Ensenada races to count. Her next goal is to compete in the 2009 Transpac. Denise currently owns Rhinestone Shades, a J-24. She has also taught DPYC and WORSA woman’s sailing classes.

Helena Cannady, Bow, has been racing for the last 30 years up and down the East and West Coasts; blue water cruising in various parts of the world, including a delivery from Hawaii to San Francisco. Helena has also taught sailing both on the San Francisco Bay and San Diego. As a member of the San Francisco Yacht Club since 1980 and many championship teams, Helena has raced in: 2 Rolex Intl Women's Keelboat Championships, 4 Adam's Cups, 4 Women's One Designs, among many others and has a goal to be part of a winning Transpac Team in 2009!

Lisa Lebold, Mast/Mid Bow, Lisa has been racing over 15 years on both coasts. Her primary boats include J/22, J/24 and Olson 30s. In these boats she has competed in Regionals, Nationals and North American Championships. Currently, Lisa is campaigning a full rig Laser on the Masters circuit and still keeps her hand in the Thistle fleet from time to time. Lisa also has delivered boats from Honolulu to Long Beach, Seattle to Long Beach and numerous deliveries from Ensenada to various ports along the Southern California coast. This is Lisa' second women's one design with the Nauti Chicas and her goals through 2009 are offshore races to Cabo, PV, a Pacific Cup, LA to Tahiti or the 2009 Transpac with the Chicas. Lisa is also in the process of securing a berth for Sydney-Hobart 2009.

Jennifer Payne, Mast/Mid Bow, began recreational sailing and cruising on the east coast on the Long Island Sound in 1982. In 1995 began west coast sailing out of Dana Point and other South coast harbors participating in PHRF Club racing as pick up on different crews. She spent a full season racing on a J 105 out of Oceanside Yacht Club; races included the Newport to Ensenada and the Little Ensenada. Boat deliveries include Block Island to the West Indies, and Ensenada to Oceanside. She was a team member of the 1996 Nauti Chicas. She currently lives and coastal cruises on a 50 ft. sail boat in and out of Oceanside Ca.

Yvonne Galvez, Pit, has been racing for the past 19 years, crewing for both the women’s/coed teams @ UCI. At the same time, she began sailing the International 14 skiff, which continues to this day, traveling to many overseas events over the years, as well as traveling the west coast. PHRF & other one design events have included Women’s One Design Regattas (‘93/’94), 2 Newport to Ensenada races, the Cabrillo to Dana Point Race, NOOD Regattas in both San Diego & Long Beach, Long Beach Race Week and many Leukemia Cup Charity Regattas. Yvonne is a member of ABYC, and was Proposer/Co Chair of the 2006 International 14 Worlds hosted by ABYC.

Judy Rae Karlsen, Main, has been racing for 15 years. She began her racing career on the Great Lakes, and has competed in the Chicago-Mackinac race, Chicago NOODS and after moving to Long Beach, CA has competed in five Newport- Ensenada races, 4 Woman’s One Designs and numerous local and long distance races. Judy is currently the Treasurer of the WOD Regatta and a LB/LA WSA Board member.

Valerie Navarro, Crew Capt, has been racing for 27 years mostly in Long Beach, Newport and Marina Del Rey. Valerie crewed on many boats in this time period, from a Merit 25 owned by her Dad, two boats owned by her and her husband, up to the 70 raters when these were popular in the 90’s. Her experience is not limited to any one position on the boat. Today Valerie is calling tactics and trimming on a Schock 35 in the Schock fleet and working bow on a Farr 40 in the Farr fleet. The race experience has not been limited to the buoys as she raced to Hawaii in 1997 and completed two PV races. Valerie is a past LEMWOD skipper, winning the regatta in 2000 and a past crew member for Linda Elias.

Betsy Crowfoot, Trim and Grind, has done three Transpacific Yacht Races from Los Angeles to Honolulu and serves on the TPYC Board of Directors. A sailor for 15 years, she’s sailed the Pacific coast from San Francisco to Zihuatanejo. A veteran of the WOD regatta since 1996 and past champion under skipper Linda Elias, and two-time participant in the Regatta Las Marietas de Femenil in Puerto Vallarta; Betsy writes about the marine environment for magazines such as Sailing and Dockside, newspapers, the web, and broadcast.

Myrna Welsh, Trim and Grind, has been sailing for 12 years. She began as a day sailor and cruiser, chartering boats through various sailing clubs in Southern Calif. Her love for the sport drew her to racing where she has competed in seven Newport-Ensenada races, 5 Women's One Designs and many local regattas’. Myrna is a member of WORSA and has volunteered as an instructor in Dana Point Yacht Club's women's sailing classes.

Tamara Tatich, Trim and Grind

Terri Manok, Tactician, is a member of Oceanside Yacht Club and US Sailing. She has been racing for 6 years in multiple PHRF and One Design regattas from San Diego to Oxnard as well as competing in Antigua Sailing Week in the Caribbean. Women’s races include WOD Regatta 2004 and 2004 Regatta Las Marietas de Feminil women’s one design in PV. She and her husband own and race Predator, a J/35.

NEWS

2007-09-10T10:51:00.000-07:00

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