Class Vice-President
As the current Vice-President and two-time past President of the FFCA, I would like to share my reflections regarding the Force 5 Class. Sure, this may be a bit drippy, but even sailors have feelings.
For the most part, I believe that the number one asset of the Force 5 Class is, and always has been, its camaraderie. Its members are its strength, and what keeps its traditions alive. The Force 5 sailors that show up at regattas are above all, friends. Some currently active sailors have actually known each other for nearly the entire thirty-five years since the boat was first produced. Recently, some regatta photographs captured my attention as I perused through some old WINDWARD LEG newsletters. There we were, some of the same sailors that attended this year’s regattas, just a bit thinner and with much darker hair. Time marches on, but the friendships endure…. this is the heart of the Force 5 Class.
I am also constantly amazed at what our Class Members are beneath their life-jacketed exteriors… professional bag-pipe players, symphony pianists and trombone players, school teachers and university professors, doctors, dentists, surgeons and chiropractors. Then there are those who have a variety of other interests like skiing, diving and beer making. There are those with a multitude of grandchildren and those who have maintained their sailing connections throughout divorces, retirements and illnesses. Others have moved away from active fleets, simply faded into other endeavors or have passed away… all leaving behind vivid memories. These include, but are not limited to Merritt Viscardi, Frank Pintz, Craig Swanson, Bob Bigham, Mills Kinghorn, Bob Condon, John Sherry, Steve Mehl, Mike Catalano, Dave Kahn, Guy Bagder, Dick Witt, Ken Eckhardt, Sarah Ridge, Steve Wakefield, Bill Warren, Read Beigel, Tom Pincura, Paul Pincura, Dick Tolmie, Chuck Perna, Don Siefert, Phil Trinter, John Potter, Derrick Fries, Guy McSweeney and Bill Hunter. These and many others, all had a positive impact and made vital contributions to the Class.
Speaking of that, debts of gratitude must be extended to some of the persons who helped form the Class… Steve Baker, Lee Parks, Walter Wohleking, Brian Weeks, Courtney Young, Bob Cullen and a multitude of others. It is today’s Class Officers and Regional Reps, like Chris Zofchak and John Barrere, who we owe our current thanks to for their efforts in helping the Class grow.
Today, those bonds between old and new members need to be nurtured. This Class is surviving because of the character of its members. Please join me in making an extra effort this year to attend as many regattas as possible, and to take the time to truly meet one-another… to share memories of the past and to make new ones for the future.
