Linda Elias Memorial Women’s One Design (LEMWOD) Challenge

by Judy-Rae Karlsen on 16 Sep 2009
The West Coast’s top women sailors will return to the race course here October 17 and 18, to participate in the hotly contested Linda Elias Memorial Women’s One Design (LEMWOD) Challenge, which is hosted by Long Beach Yacht Club and sponsored by the Long Beach/Los Angeles Women’s Sailing Association.

In last year’s regatta, Newport Harbor Yacht Club marked their LEMWOD debut with a victory. In third place at the end Day One, NHYC pulled ahead of the pack on the final day of racing, scoring two bullets and a third for a final winning tally of 21 points. Said skipper Casey Hogan, 'It was a steep learning curve … we just sailed conservatively trying to improve every race.'

NHYC members have competed in the LEMWOD before, but 2008 signified their first club entry. This popular women’s sailing event has become a ‘yacht club challenge’ of sorts … with the racers competing not just for bragging rights, but a $1000 cash prize as well.

Already the Novias del Mar women’s racing team has signed on for this autumn classic. The team scrapped their way from fifth place at the end of Day One to a second place overall finish in 2008, and has kept their eyes on the prize ever since. Said skipper Karen Campbell, 'Consistency is our strong point: most of the crew have been together for LEMWOD for several years, with little turn over. Yes, we feel 2009 is Novias’ year!'

Campbell is also part of the Steering Committee of this popular event: now in its 18th year. Originally called the Women’s One Design Challenge, the regatta was rededicated to the memory of Linda Elias in 2003 after the passing of this much-loved Long Beach sailor.

LEMWOD is sailed in a matched fleet of custom designed Catalina 37s, and governed by the 2009-2012 Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) and the Catalina 37 Class Rules. Four windward/leeward races are slated for Saturday October 17, with three races Sunday the 18th. Races begin with an 11:55 warning inside the Long Beach breakwater adjacent Belmont Pier: parties, trophies, raffles and entertainment follow each day’s races at LBYC.

With entry and charter fees under $1000 per team; the cost per competitor is less than $100. (An optional practice day is offered Friday October 16 at the reduced rate of $250.) 'Where else can you have this much fun, and race against some of the best women's sailing teams on the Pacific Ocean?!' asked Regatta Waterfront Director Judy-Rae Karlsen. This year’s entrants include:

Balboa Yacht Club – Women’s Sailing Association
Cal Yacht Club
LB/LA Women’s Sailing Association/Navy Yacht Club
'Nauti Chicas' – Dana Point Yacht Club
Newport Harbor Yacht Club
'Novias del Mar' - - LB/LA Women's Sailing Assn/LSFYC/LAYC
Women’s Sailing Association – Santa Monica Bay

The entry deadline for the remaining available charter boats is October 2. LEMWOD is open to all-women teams with a minimum crew of seven; with no maximum or weight restriction. The skipper must be a member of a SCYA or USSA club. Further details are available at www.lemwod.com or contact Karlsen at shesails00(at)yahoo.com.

Who is Linda Elias?

Linda Elias, who would have been 59 this year, was a well-known sailor in both the offshore and buoy racing circles. She sailed in four Transpacs, one Pacific Cup, and numerous races to Mexico, on boats such as Joss, Ragtime and Baywolf; and was a three-time winner of the W.O.D. – in 1992, 1994 and 1996.

Elias is remembered as a talented skipper, sailor and helmsperson; and celebrated for an enduring sense of humor, yet serious commitment to excellent seamanship and the promotion of women’s sailing.'I doubt that there is a trophy case in any Southern California yacht club that sponsors women’s regattas, that does not have Linda’s name on their trophies,' said longtime friend Camille Daniels.

Since 2003 the LEMWOD has helped raise funds and awareness for the Linda Elias Sailing Scholarship Fund. Established by the Long Beach Sailing Foundation, a 501c(3), the scholarship supports individuals who actively demonstrate a willingness and desire to advance the sport of amateur sailing.

website: www.lemwod.com