Don’t want to miss this edition of Wooden Boat Wednesday at the Northwest Maritime Center. From the Port Townsend Leader.
Linda changing head sails on a solo sailing adventure
Ten Japanese sailors and one American woman, Linda Weber-Rettie (now Newland) sailed non-stop from San Francisco to Kobe, Japan in June, 1981. Linda finished sixth out of eleven in this boat for boat, non-handicapped race and still holds the record, 52 days, for a woman’s transpacific crossing
Competitors could use no electronic steering devices but relied on wind vanes. No electronic navigation devices were allowed, so celestial navigation was required. Also, all competitors had to communicate to the race committee daily on ham radio, which forced Linda to qualify for her novice license 30 days before the race began.
Linda is a retired public education administrator, a maritime attorney, sailing instructor and is Staff Commodore and life time member of Island Yacht Club in Alameda, CA, to name just a few of her positions.
Please join us for Linda’s presentation about the events leading up to the race, photos taken on-board during the race and the events around Japan that Linda attended, on behalf of her sponsor, once she arrived.
Wooden Boat Wednesdays are free, but they do require a reservation because space is limited. Call the registrar at 360.385.3628 x 104.