The Nautical Center of the Port Washington Public Library has been busy in the past few months. They presented Our Bay in History, an exhibit that pays tribute to the history of Manhasset Bay. The opening reception that drew a capacity crowd to the library on Sept. 8, highlighted the Star Class of boats that originated in Port Washington, Flying Boats, from the early Pan American Clipper flights to Gold Cup speedboat racing, and the Purdy Boat Company, with its rich history of famous boats. The exhibit was planned originally to end by October, but due to popular demand, the exhibit is still on display on the second floor of the library. At the Nautical Center annual Holiday Party in early December, Chairman Stretch Ryder showed the group a plaque that is part of the Nautical Center's Keel Project. This project was developed to raise awareness of the historical and successful life of the Star boat class. Back in 1910 "Pop" Corey, a member of the Manhasset Bay YC, raced a small 17-ft boat known as the Bug, which was a very wet and uncomfortable boat. William Gardner, who lived in Port Washington, thought he could improve on the design, and the result was the first Star boat. Corey owned Star boat No. 1 until he died in 1943. The first 22 boats were built by two local boat yards: the Isaac E. Smith boatyard built 22 boats in 1911 and the Purdy Boat Company built 32 more during the 1930s. The Star class was formally organized in 1922 and is considered one of the most successful sailing boats ever. To commemorate the Star class and to educate residents and visitors to Port Washington, the Nautical Center has restored a keel from an early Star boat, and has developed a plaque to accompany the keel. These two items will be "planted" in the promenade near the location of the old Fearon Marina in Port Washington North this winter. The official ceremony will wait until milder weather, most likely in the spring. The bronze plaque reads: "Star Class Keel - At this location the first 22 Star Class boats were built by Ike Smith in the winter of 1910 to 1911. The plans were drafted by Francis Sweisguth from the office of the world famous naval architect, William Gardner, who was a resident of Port Washington. From this small boat, and under the leadership of Commodore George 'Pop' Corey, from the Manhasset Bay Yacht Club, and the Commodore George Elder from the Port Washington Yacht Club, grew the world's most famous one design racing sailboat. The Star was chosen for the Olympic Games in 1932. The Star Class World Championship continues to be one of the top international sailing prizes in the world. Presented by the Port Washington Public Library, The Nautical Center, 2003." Look for information on the spring ceremony in late April or early May.

Everybody likes a little publicity, but when you are a 17-years-old sailor and get written up in Sailing World magazine, that's pretty special. That is exactly what happened to Kaity Storck of Huntington, when Gary Jobson wrote about her in his monthly Jobson Report. Kaity and her skipper Leigh Kemtpon of Island Heights, NJ finished first in the Club 420 class at the Nationals, when their best days were in 15-18 knots of wind. Quite something when both young ladies weigh in at around 100 pounds each. The duo also won US SAILING's Ida Lewis Trophy, and were third at the coed U.S. Youth Champs. Kaity is a top student and track athlete at St. Anthony's School, where she skippers in A division. She is also an avid ballet, tap and jazz dancer. Kaity is the daughter of Colette and John Storck. Kempton races for the Monsignor Donovan HS team in New Jersey and had the best finish at the 2001 Worlds. Look for these two to make headlines as they continue adding successes to their sailing resumes.

Team Alinghi, winners of the America's Cup 2003, will host a new event, the UBS Trophy, Newport, Rhode Island from June 19 - 26, 2004. UBS, the global financial services leader, will be the title sponsor of the event, with co-sponsors, local sponsors and suppliers announced next spring. The regatta will give teams an opportunity to compete against each other in the United States prior to America's Cup Management events scheduled in Europe later next year. The 7-day match racing series will be held on the waters off Newport, Rhode Island, the historic home of the America's Cup. Under the management of Team Alinghi, but with an independent Race Committee appointed by the New York Yacht Club, the racing will start and finish in front of Fort Adams (weather permitting). "The UBS Trophy, Rhode Island is an important event for Team Alinghi, as it will be the official start of our campaign for the Americas Cup 2007," said Russell Coutts, Team Alinghi's leader. "It will also be an organizational challenge for us, as we are committed to run a great event. Bringing the Cup back to Newport will be fantastic, and we are very grateful to UBS for helping us make this event possible." The UBS Trophy, Rhode Island, will herald the first time that the sleek IACC class has raced off the famous shores of Newport. The event will be televised internationally, and an exciting race format will ensure compelling viewing for sailors and non-sailors alike. Donald Carcieri, Rhode Island governor, said, "Rhode Island is excited to be working in partnership with Alinghi and UBS to bring America's Cup Class racing back to the Ocean State. It is an honor for Rhode Island to be in the company of Auckland, San Francisco and Valencia as venues for this exciting class." The UBS Trophy, Rhode Island, will be accessible to the public in all respects, with the event base at the Newport Shipyard providing easy access to both boats and teams. A full complement of on-shore festivities including exhibition races are planned to mark this exciting event. "We are looking forward to racing a great series in Newport, a town steeped in America's Cup tradition," said Peter Holmberg, helmsman, Team Alinghi. "It's been a long time since Americans have had America's Cup class racing on the East Coast, and our goal is to keep the racing close to the shore, exciting and accessible for the public to enjoy. " This event is part of a series of regattas between 2003 and 2007, culminating in the Louie Vuitton Cup and the America's Cup Match in Valencia, Spain in 2007.