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SCUTTLEBUTT 2953 - Monday, October 19, 2009 (www.sailingscuttlebutt.com)

* From Jane Pegel:
I followed with interest as the Rolex Women's International Keelboat regatta
was sailed off Rochester. When the photos became available, I scrolled through
them and was very pleased to find one of Helen Ingerson of Rochester YC
receiving recognition. This concept of this event was entirely Helen's when
she chaired the then USYRU Women's Sailing Committee. As a member of that
committee, I was focusing on dinghy racing for women, and I must confess that
I did not support Helen's vision of a keelboat championship. Well, that shows
what I knew. Helen had it right. The keelboat event has flourished.

A little bio on Helen. With her husband, Joe, Helen successfully raced a big
boat on Lake Ontario. Helen was at the helm. She also campaigned a Soling. She
tried Lasers at the Women's Singles/Doubles at Association Island but didn't
have the required physique. Nevertheless, she worked tirelessly to promote the
Singles/Doubles, convinced Rochester YC to chair the Worlds in 1979, and
chaired the protest committee several times. She earned her stripes as an
International Judge and was well respected in those circles. After the close
of the 1983 Women's Single/Doubles Worlds in Auckland, where Helen served on
the Jury and I managed the US team, we joined several of the team members in a
brief tour of the North Island. A lot of good fun.

This lady was one tough competitor and has contributed more than her share to
the sport of sailing.

=> Curmudgeon's Comment: In this video from T2P, Barbara Farquhar and Helen
Ingerson discuss the founding of the regatta, almost 25 years ago, recalling a
time when there were no regattas specifically for women. At 94, Helen was
honored during Saturday's prizegiving for her role in paving the way for
young(er) women sailors. In a very touching moment, winner Anna Tunnicliffe
and team stopped to hug and thank her on their way to the stage to collect the
trophy. The Helen piece starts at 02:27 (through 04:32). Grab a tissue or two
and enjoy: http://www.t2p.tv/guide/freeviewers/riwkc093b.php

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