Sarah Somes
I started racing when I joined Bayview Yacht Club’s Junior Sailing Summer Program at the age of twelve and have been sailing competitively ever since. I started off skippering FJs right away, and by the end of my second summe,r I was awarded Women’s Skipper of the Year by the Detroit River Yacht Racing Association . I transitioned into the Club 420 class as a crew and, thus, began my journey competing on both a national and international level. BYC junior sailing introduced me to the multitude of opportunities, which I explored. I spent many years match racing, sailed 5 Port Huron to Mackinac Races, and one Chicago to Mackinac Race on the J44 Sagitta. In the past eleven years I have gained experience competing in FJ, 420, Ultimate20, J22, Sonar, J44, J70, J120, Beneteau 36.7, Melges 24, Melges 20, Thistle, and Swedish Match 40. .
“This Boat Grant is my opportunity to brand myself as a skipper and begin my journey as a tough competitor on any racecourse. One of my goals is to become an avenue for success and inspiration to younger female sailors. I feel the experience and concentrated use of resources on my team through this grant is key to empower me to continue skippering and offering opportunities to women sailors beyond this summer and the grant.”
Sarah sailed collegiately at The College of Charleston, where she was team Captain in 2012 and 2013. She will sail her Lightning this Summer, based from The Crescent Sail Yacht Club in Detroit. Her crewmembers will be: Christy Listwan and Julie Howe. Their Lightning mentor is Kevin Morin.