Another Friends of Navy Sailing Event is complete!
Since 2016 we’ve been coming together in Annapolis to celebrate and support the midshipmen and the Naval Academy Sailing program. This includes Midshipmen parents, Midshipmen sponsors, donors, volunteers, alumni, and anyone else interested in learning more about Navy Sailing. This year we had participation from the classes of ‘73 to ‘12 and folks travelling from as far as Honolulu, Tucson and Dallas. Please encourage others to join us in 2024!
2023 Event Photos are available here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/bQx3WXSXYQ4s9oGL9
Our new “This is Navy Sailing” Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGmWthLskY0&t=1s
FONS 2023
25-27 AUGUST 2023
Starting Gun Social.
We started the weekend off at the Severn Sailing Association (Maritime Republic of Eastport) with a social from 6-8pm on Friday, 25 August. The venue and food were perfect for the full-house crowd of FONS, Sailing Team Midshipmen and Staff. Throughout the year and the FONS weekend, our focus is on supporting and mentoring the team Midshipmen and this continued while face-to-face on Friday evening.
FONS In-Briefings
We kicked off Saturday morning at USNA’s Terwilliger Center on The Yard with a welcome video message from the out-going Superintendent, VADM Sean Buck, ‘83, and in-briefings from the Director of Naval Academy Sailing, CDR Luke ‘Cosmo’ Kremer, ‘96, and the Naval Academy Sailing Foundation President, Tony Parker.
We raced on Saturday.
The competition was fierce in our racing fleets (420s and Colgate 26s). The Colgates executed three versus three team racing, under the tutelage of FONS Fleet Captain Gavin O’Hare, ‘92.
We also cruised on the bay.
We also sent a NASF Farr 40 and (2) Navy 44s full of FONS and Midshipmen out onto the bay for an afternoon cruise. The wind gods delivered once again so the boats put their rails down going upwind and flew their spinnakers off the wind.
In total we put 165 FONS, Midshipmen and Staff on the water on 22 USNA sailboats.
Finish Line Social
All the boats returned to the Santee Basin and crews socialized with a few light snacks on the Robert Crown Sailing Center deck before the evening Banquet.
Sail Navy Banquet.
The N* Room at the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium was once again the venue for our evening banquet. The Fales Committee Chairman, Alec Cutler, ‘88, was the MC for the evening. CAPT Cess Walsh, USN, ‘01, former Offshore Sailing Team Officer Representative and Volunteer Coach, delivered an outstanding keynote address. We ended the evening with a premiere showing of our new “This is Navy Sailing” video, followed by a standing ovation for the Sailing Team Midshipmen and Staff.
We saw everyone off on Sunday morning with coffee and danish.
That understates it - there was a massive amount of bagels, muffins, fruit and other morning delights. Until next year…
Go Navy | Sail Navy | Stay Navy!
Strategic Objectives of FONS
The Midshipmen. Provide direct exemplars to Navy Sailing Midshipmen that
Demonstrate that competent, confident and competitive mariners become outstanding Navy and Marne Corps officer.
Teach them a margin of sailing and professional excellence
Demonstrate that Navy Sailing has a national FONS network that supports them now and after graduation
The Future. Secure future success of Navy Sailing by formally establishing and expanding the national FONS Network with a website, database and recurring communications to encourage folks to:
Support Navy Sailing by donating their, time, talent and/or treasure to provide a margin of excellence
Expand national recognition of the top-tier Navy Sailing brand that sustains the highest quality staff, recruits, volunteers and donors
Support evolution of the engineering and technology aspects of Navy Sailing to further enhance its relevance to emerging Navy/Marine Corps mission areas, seamanship, warfighting tools and tactics in the information age
The Bonds. Strengthen the bonds of mutual respect, mutual support and camaraderie amongst the FONS Network of Navy Sailing alumni, parents sponsors, volunteers, donors and friends.
Value of joining the national FONS Network
Stay connected to Navy Sailing - SailNavy.org website is your single source
Join database (on SailNavy.org) by which to donate your time and talent to Navy Sailing, no matter where you live in the country
Strengthen the bonds amongst the FONS Network of Navy Sailing alumni, parents, sponsors, volunteers, donors and friends (currently over 700 members).
GO Navy - SAIL Navy - Stay NAVY !
We use cookies to improve your experience and to help us understand how you use our site. Please refer to our cookie notice and privacy policy for more information regarding cookies and other third-party tracking that may be enabled.
