Catherine French honored by Yacht Racing Union of Southern California.
 | | | Photo by: Lee Fleischer | | French Honored — Catherine French, a frequent contributor to The Log, received the Yachtwoman Excellence Award for 2007 from the Yacht Racing Union of Southern California. She was presented with a plaque and flowers by Pacific Corinthian Yacht Club Commodore Jim Henry (right). | | |
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CHANNEL ISLANDS HARBOR — Avid sailor, racer and writer Catherine French, a regular contributor to The Log Newspaper, received the 2007 Yachtswoman Excellence Award during Opening Day ceremonies at Pacific Corinthian Yacht Club. The annual award is presented to a woman sailor for her performance as a racing skipper, and for other yachting and on-the-water involvement in the community.
Each year, the Yacht Racing Union of Southern California, which represents 31 yacht clubs, selects the recipients of its Yachtswoman and Yachtsman Excellence Awards. The organization had previously honored French with the 2005 Yachtswoman Excellence Award.
Pacific Corinthian YC has presented its Yachtswoman Award to French three times — including the 2007 season.
As an eight-year volunteer member of Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and Channel Islands National Park, French has worked as a steward of the ocean and islands through her outreach with the public. She is also a member of the advisory committee to the Sea Scout ship at Pacific Corinthian YC.
As a regular contributor to The Log Newspaper and to Sea Magazine, French writes about boating news and boating-related issues of importance to recreational boaters throughout Southern California.
French began sailing and racing in the mid-1980s, racing Cal 20s at Alamitos Bay Yacht Club. In the 1990s, as a member of Santa Barbara Sailing Club, French raced in the J 24 fleet with Capt. Lee Fleischer. She has won multiple races in the past five years at the helm of Katie Lee, a Catalina 320.
French was recognized by the Yacht Racing Union of Southern California for outstanding accomplishments and special contributions to the yachting community. Commodore David Feinstein presented the award to French, who said,
“I can’t believe it. I am thrilled and honored. Thank you so much.”
This article first appeared in the May 2008 issue of The Log Newspaper. All or parts of the information contained in this article might be outdated. |
