14 Questions to … Carol Cronin

Carol Cronin, SnipeToday co-editor, Snipe Sailor and Olympian (Yngling) - 1) Your first time on a sailing boat? At 10 days old (frequently misquoted by reporters as "10 years old"). - 2) Your first time on a Snipe? 1990, crewing for Ed Adams. As we bore away on to a run he said "launch" and I looked around, confused. I'd done my research, and I knew there was no spinnaker on a Snipe. "Carol, meet the pole launcher."

by Pietro Fantoni 01/22/2013

Carol Cronin, SnipeToday co-editor, Snipe Sailor and Olympian (Yngling)

– 1) Your first time on a sailing boat?

At 10 days old (frequently misquoted by reporters as “10 years old”).

– 2) Your first time on a Snipe?

1990, crewing for Ed Adams. As we bore away on to a run he said “launch” and I looked around, confused. I’d done my research, and I knew there was no spinnaker on a Snipe. “Carol, meet the pole launcher.”

– 3) The most bizarre thing that happened in a regatta?

At the 1995 US Nationals, I was sailing with Andrew Pimental. The night before the championship series started, I had a vivid dream of the Snipe ahead of us losing their mast over the bow. The next day, the same thing I’d visualized in my dream happened… but it was on our boat! A spreader bracket broke, and our regatta was over. Since then I’ve tried to travel with a spare mast.

– 4) What is the thing that most angers you in a race/regatta?

Sailors who focus on the short term rather than letting everyone get around the course.

– 5) Which is the race/regatta that you remember with the most pleasure?

For the racing:

1992 US Nationals, crewing for Andrew Pimental. We were very fast in the breeze and finished second and I won the huge silver punch bowl (the top female trophy) for the first time.

2000 US Nationals, winning with George Szabo. Though it was George’s fifth win in a row, it was my first and only Nationals victory. We were lucky at the right time, but I’ll take it.

For the socializing:

2000 North Americans, Nassau. Lunch by the pool, laughing with George, my husband sailing with a great friend and crew, and Yellowbirds every night until they ran out of rum at the Yacht Club bar.

Every Commodoro Rasco I’ve ever sailed.

For the combination:

2010 Western Hemispheres at Buffalo Canoe Club, otherwise known as “heaven.” Kim and I stayed nearby and walked to the club every morning, the sailing was varied but nice every day, and we didn’t put on a spray top until the last 20 minutes of packing trailers, when it started raining.

2010 US Nationals in Annapolis, sailing with Kim Couranz.

– 6) And the race/regatta you would like to forget?

There are some disappointments, but they are all lessons so I don’t want to forget any of them (I might repeat the mistakes).

– 7) Your “dream in the peak”? (Your sailing dream?)