About Us

About Us Image
Pietro Fantoni
Sailing the Snipe in different countries is a great opportunity and a privilege. You can know and sail with people of different backgrounds, cultures and languages SnipeToday is a site for all Snipe sailors that includes stories, video, photos, and opinions from sailors around the world. It offers a new exciting way to share information about Snipe sailing. And it is open to the contributions of the entire Snipe family. Anybody can write an article, send news, photos, videos or post a comment, in any language. Sometimes the article could be translated, sometimes no … The only thing that counts is the “language of sailing Snipes”! SnipeToday is produced by Snipe sailors for Snipe sailors. We encourage contributions to the site!
Pietro Fantoni
Pietro Fantoni, Moruzzo, Italy, SCIRA Commodore. He has been Vice Commodore (2016-2017) and SCIRA Secretary (2012-2015). He discovered the Snipe in 2000. He is an avid Snipe sailor and represented the Italian team at 8 World Championships (2001-2005-2007-2009-2011-2013-2015-2017) and 8 Europeans (2002-2004-2006-2008-2010-2012-2014-2016). Additionally he is a lawyer.
Carol CroninCarol Cronin Carol Cronin
Carol Cronin began her Snipe career as a crew in 1990 and sailed in her first World Championship in 1993. In 2011, she became the first US female ever to steer a Snipe Worlds. Between regattas, she is an author and editor specializing in the marine industry. More details are available at www.carolnewmancronin.com.
Alberto Perdisa Alberto Perdisa
Alberto Perdisa started sailing Snipe in 1999. He was elected Italian National Secretary in 2007 and 2009. With a group of friends he is the inventor, promoter, sponsor and organizer of the Piada Trophy. Additionally he is the owner of a publishing house and he owns a vineyard on the hills near Bologna.
Carol CroninKim head shot Kim Couranz
Kim Couranz has been sailing Snipes off and on (mostly on!) since 1996 and has represented the U.S. at two World Championships. She also sails a Laser Radial, but prefers Snipes because there’s someone to talk to. At her “day job” (where she often daydreams about sailing), she is a writer for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration about Chesapeake Bay protection and restoration.
Interview at CDV crop Kathleen Tocke
Kathleen Tocke has been a regular on the international podium as both a crew and skipper in many classes.  Since joining the the Snipe class in 2003, she has been a 5-time US National Snipe Champion and a silver and bronze medalist at the Pan American Games.  When not training or racing, Kathleen coaches youth sailors. www.kathleentocke.com
lift camera Snipe Worlds Fried Vince Casalaina
Vincent Casalaina has been covering sailboat racing on San Francisco Bay and around the world since 1985. He’s won two Emmy’s for Sports Programming. He’s been team videographer for three America’s Cup and covered the US Olympic Sailing Trials twice. His current work includes producing a documentary on the Snipe Class and coverage of the America’s Cup on San Francisco Bay.
Luis Luis Pessanha
SCIRA Commodore 2010-2011. He started sailing Snipe when he was 13 years old, in 1978, as crew. After trying a couple of other classes, he decided to dedicate myself to the Snipe Class as from 1993. He competed in 4 Europeans and 3 Worlds. He is an engeneer and his wife sails with him in Snipe since 1998.
Carol CroninDonBedford Don Bedford
S.C.I.R.A. Commodore 2012-2013. Don is from San Diego California and has been sailing Snipe since 1971, first for his dad, Lew Bedford, and then for Earl Elms. He had some great experiences crewing those years but could not wait to grab the tiller and steer in the junior regattas. Don says he was lucky to travel with his dad and Earl and meet many Snipe sailors around the country and around world and he has been fortunate enough to continue to build friendships as he skippered in many national and international events.
2010V Zbigniew Rakocy
SCIRA Secretary. Zbigniew (Zibi) started his adventure with Snipe Class at the age of 40. It was 12 years ago. He became vice president of Snipe Class in Poland in 2003 and then since 2006 he has been the president of SCIRA Poland. In 2008-2010 he was the secretary for East Europe Snipe and in 2011 he was nominated for General Secretary Europe. He organized S.Pellegrino European Cup 2009, as well as East European Cup 2010 and each year Primavera Polish Cup and Polish Open. He is a manager in the beverage industry.
Jerelyn Jerelyn Biehl
Jerelyn started sailing Snipes in 1973 when recruited off the junior sailing beach by a Mission Bay Snipe fleet sailor – and she hasn’t looked back.  She’s is a US Women’s National Champion and has finished top 5 in every Women’s Worlds she’s competed in (4) as well as competed in numerous National and Masters events.  Her family was also on the circuit with sons Cameron winning the Old Man Diaz Trophy (twice) and Graham, US Jr National and Snipe Jr World Champion as well as two-time Olympian. She has served as the SCIRA Executive Director since 1993.
Head Shot Eric Heim
Eric Heim returned to the Snipe in 2007 when he moved to San Diego to work at Quantum Sails One Design. Over the past few years, he has quickly climbed the ranks of the Legendary Fleet 495. His accomplishments include winning the Zimmerman Trophy for the Winter Circuit, and representing the US in the 2011 Worlds. Now he works at North Sails San Diego.
GR 10-7-08 Garth Reynolds
Garth Reynolds first joined the Snipe Class in San Diego, CA in 2009. He loves the competition and family friendly atmosphere in the Snipe Class, especially with the San Diego Fleet 495! He thinks everyone should come to San Diego to compete in the GFU 24-hour Snipe Regatta!
BB Ben Van Cawenbergh
Ben started sailing snipe in 1987 with his wife Nadia. Belgian, French, Polish, Scandinavian, German Champion, 2e apprentice Worlds Master. Also he is sailing the Dragon with Manu Hens. He works as a Balletdirector and Chief Choreographer with beautiful ballerinas.
george George Szabo
George Szabo is Sailmaker and Sail designer at Quantum Sails in San Diego, and a long time Snipe sailor. His on the water accomplishments include: 2nd Snipe World Championship, 5x US Snipe National champion, 4x Snipe North American champion, and Star World Champion.
giorgio Giorgio Brezich
Past Commodore and Chairman International Rules Committee (2011)
Peter Peter Commette
Laser: 1st & 2nd in World Championship; 470: 2nd in World Championship; Finn: North American Champion, Olympics – 11th; E-Scow: 2nd in National Championship and Blue Chip; Snipe: 3rd, 5th, 7th in World Championship; Bronze Medal in Pan-American Games; North American, National (Crosby, Heinzerling, Harold Gilreath & Carolyn Nute trophies), Atlantic Coast, Pacific Coast, Bermuda Race Week, Zimmerman, Midwinter, DonQ, Bacardi, Gamblin, Colonial Cup, Frigid Digit, Comodoro Rasco champion.
Nicola Nicola Gerin
Nicola started sailing Snipe in 2004, at the age of 14. He competed in 1 Senior Europeans and 1 Senior Worlds; and 1 Junior Europeans and 1 Junior Worlds … but now he isn’t junior anymore 🙁
Rafal Rafal Zakrzewski
East European Secretary.
2011 08 06-18709PSG Giovanni Coccoluto
Laser 4.7: 2nd in World Championship under 15, 1st in European Championship, Italian Nationals under 15, 2 times Italian Nationals overall, Europa Cup;Laser Radial: 2010 and 2011 World and European Champion, 3rd at the Isaf Worlds 2010-2011, Italian Nationals 2010-2011, Europa Cup 2010-2011. In 2011 Giovanni started sailing Snipe at the Junior Worlds and he finished fourth, tied with the third. He had a lot of fun sailing Snipe and is planning to attend the next Junior Europeans.http://giovannicoccoluto.it/
s Kai Kai Saarhelo
Kai Saarhelo has been sailing Snipes since 1978 at Fleets 523 Pori and 481 Helsinki. Now owner of FIN 31260 (his 9th Snipe). NS for Finland 2000-2008 and SCIRA Board Member 2007. Member of Finnish Board since 2000. Never ending interested in promoting and marketing the Class. Project manager for Europeans 2006 in Pori and webmaster www.snipe.fi since 2000. In addition he has been representing Finland twice at Worlds and four times at Europeans, eight podiums in Finnish Champs.
Johnny Giovanni Stella
Giovanni doesn’t like curricula or bios. He prefers this sentence: “You can learn more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” (attributed to Plato).
John Fretwell John Fretwell
John Fretwell is the fleet captain for Snipe Fleet 495 in San Diego, CA, and the Junior Sailing Director at San Diego Yacht Club. His wife Aine is also an avid Snipe racer and the Fretwells, along with their kids Avery, Owen, and Carlin, recently became a two Snipe family. When not Sniping, John can often be found playing guitar shoreside.
alessandro testa Alessandro Testa

Alessandro lives in Talamone. He won the Flying Junior Nationals in 1986. He started sailing Snipe in 1999 and he still loves the Class, although he is very busy as Race Officer and Vice President at Circolo della Vela Talamone. He is also Junior sailing director at Federazione Italiana Vela (Tuscany region).

nophoto Dirk De Bock
S.C.I.R.A Belgium
Bridget Bridget Creney
Boston, Massachussetts, USA
Carol CroninDamir Damir Vranic
Damir joined the Snipe family in 2006 when the Snipe class in Croatia started to rebuild. He has been the National Secretary ever since and is presently also the South European Secretary. Committed in promoting and increasing the fleet in Croatian as well as the Class in general, he spends most of his time sailing and running around football matches. Apart from mentioned important duties he is a Managing Director of a Ship Management Company.
Carol CroninNicola Rugarli - 3 Nicola Rugarli
Nicola Rugarli started sailing at the age of 6. He is the owner of the 1963 vintage Snipe “Veloce”. He knew this famous and historical Class of boats since his father built a Snipe in 1949 and teached Nicola to sail. Then Nicola has been involved as vice chairman in the AYDE – the Italian classic yachts & dinghies association – and is member of the Board of Circolo Vela Orta. He is a real estate finance executive and advisor.
nophoto Gustavo Ribbe
Fleet Captain, 195 Snarøya Snipeklubb
Hal Gilreath Hal Gilreath
Jacksonville, Florida, USA
Dante Dante Bianchi
2009-2013 Snipe World Champion with Bruno Bethlem
Andy Gibson Andy Gibson
SCIRA UK
Michelle Michelle Morphew
London, UK
Gabriel Gabriel Borges
2011 Snipe World Champion, 2011 Pan American Champion with Alexandre Tinoco.
TobiasCroneer Tobias Chroneer
SCIRA Sweden
nophoto Franco Battistin
Pula (Croatia)
995510 10201943158330907 1423543032 a Vittorio Bortolotti
Flotta Velica Trentina, Caldonazzo, Italy.
svendandersen Svend Andersen
SCIRA Denmark
66106 114561731938312 3884193 n Gweneth Crook
2016-2017 SCIRA Commodore
nophoto Enio Lineburger
Brazil
Go Nomyama Go Nomiyama
Japan
Stefanoheadshot Stefano Longhi
Stefano Longhi started sailing Snipe in 1994 with Giorgio Brezich and represented the Italian Team at 4 World Championship (1999, 2003, 2007, 2011) and 4 Europeans (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010). He has been the Italian Snipe Class secretary since 2000 until 2004 and European Secretary since 2004 until 2010. He is an engineer in his company.
augie Augie Diaz
Augie Diaz, Miami, Florida.
blu Ricardo Lobato
SCIRA Commodore (2014-2015) Ricardo Lobato, well known by his nickname Blu, started sailing in 1982. His first teacher was Bibi Juetz. He started sailing Snipe in 1988 and he bought his first Snipe in 1998, competing at the 2003 Snipe Worlds with Alexandre Tinoco. An Engineer at Petrobras, a major oil company in Rio de Janeiro, Ricardo has volunteers as class official in several occasions, past fleet’s 159 captain and past National Secretary in Brazil, he also was member of the SCIRA as member at large and Secretary. Ricardo is also a rule’s expert, International Judge and Umpire for ISAF, he is member of a couple of committees and working parties at ISAF as well as member of Technical Committee. He also has his own rules website www.regras.com.br.
nophoto Marina Sanchez
Marina Sanchez, Spain. 2010 European Champion with her brother Paco. She sailed the Olympic Games in 2004 (Yngling).
Sue Roberts Sue Roberts
Sue Roberts, SCIRA Treasurer and UK Snipe National Secretary
531670 106163572860955 776628614 n Alejandro Fresneda
Spain
Cesar-Travado-mejor-entrenador-andaluz-2011-de-vela articlefull Cesar Travado
Cesar Travado, from Malaga, won with skipper Pablo Fresneda the 2006 European Championship in Pori, Finland. Now he is one of the best coach in Spain and he was nominated “mejor entrenador andaluz 2011 de vela”.
stevelang Steve Lang
Steve Lang, Fleet 801, St. Petersburg, Florida.
Foto UH2 Lluís Vilà Salord
Promoter of “I Love Snipe Class” project to restore snipe class in Menorca
Andrea Piazza Andrea Piazza
Italian National Secretary
Ivo Gattulli Ivo Gattulli
Rome, Italy
taylorheadshot Taylor Scheuermann
Taylor Scheuermann began sailing Snipes in 2008, and, since then, has qualified for two separate Junior World Championships. In 2011, she became the first US female ever to skipper at a Snipe Jr World Championship. Taylor currently attends the University of Miami, and is the Captain of the Women’s Sailing Team.
313239 844335627876 1229609642 n Bruno Mello
Bruno Mello, Travelling Snipe Fleet (USA)
2009SnipeNatls 20090621 0068ZF9723904721002 Gonzalo “Old Man” Diaz
Gonzalo “Old Man” Diaz: “I was 15 years old and after that my father bought me my first snipe on August 1945. She was # 3686. So, in August 2015 I will be sailing snipes for 70 years! I only missed 3 years, in 1961, 62 and 63 when I stopped sailing because the Cuban communists had confiscated all my friends snipes (friends that have left Cuba) and I did not feel comfortable sailing against my friends snipes crewed by people I did not know. In 1964 I had arrived to United States and sailed the Halloween Regatta that year and never stopped again.” He is the fleet captain for Snipe Fleet 7 in Miami and organizes the Annual Comodoro Rasco and Don Q.
nophoto Roberto Malsch
National Secretary, Chile
Pablodefazio Pablo Defazio
Uruguay
spikeheadshot Thierry den Hartigh
Thierry den Hartigh, aka “Spike, Antwerp, Belgium
nophoto Francisco Castillo
SCIRA Colombia
9017 1051419782612 4461744 n Antonio Bari
Chairman International Rules Committee
Johnpayne John Payne
John Payne, Fort Lauderdale, sailing photographer
amybenner Amy Benner
Amy Benner, Knoxville, TN, USA
ericaferraris Erica Ferraris
Erica Ferraris, Sanremo, Italy
nophoto Sarah Mees
Snipe Fleet n. 8, Dover, Kent, England
nophoto Shan McAdoo
Shan McAdoo, Snipe fleet 554, Beverly, Massachusetts
154879 1720303685625 6187866 n Roger Olivieri
Roger Olivieri, Rome, Italy, SCIRA Italy District 4 Governor
2444 1096145647923 6450297 n John D. Rose
John D. Rose, Tacoma, WA. Volunteer author – Classic Snipes on SCIRA USA web site
284761 1310627857760 5719917 n Lee Griffith
Surf City, New Jersey, USA
533093 4919841148550 1208855695 n Juha Lehtinen
National Secretary, Finland
nophoto Jo Vos
Jo Vos, Belgium
1381657 10151601683447827 889348029 n Juan Jose Ferretti
Juan Jose Ferretti, Salinas, Ecuador
1378477 10200616407867740 2078017223 n Harri Palm
Harri Palm Canada
199381 5864117289 3518 n Mark Reynolds
Mark Reynolds, Snipe sailor (US and North American Champion, Worlds runner-up) and Olympic legend (1988 Silver, 1992 Gold, 2000 Gold – Star), is a sailmaker (Quantum Sails San Diego).
1456122 10152048788453516 318042425 n Luis Soubié
Luis Soubie, SCIRA Vice Commodore
22456 1187338600522 4291809 n Connie Commette
Connie Commette, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA
07758ee08f7e16a0b15b0d98a56d204a XL Alan Capellin
Alan Capellin, Bradenton, FL, is a multi-regatta winning Snipe crew with a variety of skippers
07758ee08f7e16a0b15b0d98a56d204a XL Darby Capellin
Darby Capellin, Bradenton, Florida
nophoto Michel Villette
Paris, France
nophoto Anna Mosca
Lake Garda
Corrado Perini Corrado Perini
Chioggia, Fleet El Gato
nophoto Norman Dahl
Rochester, NY, USA
3c7ecfa112dbb25bcaa3b3de2b9b0b75 Seth Siegler
San Diego
Pepe Perez Pepe Perez
Pepe Perez, Spain
1474529 724775914200661 2078950700 n Esteban Echavarria Jaramillo
Esteban Echavarria Jaramillo, Colombia
nophoto Michael Papp
Michael Papp, Fleet 828, Birmingham Sailing Club
nophoto Ava Moore
Ava Moore, Atlanta, Snipe Fleet 330
Julia photo Julia Melton
Julia Melton, Fort Lauderdale, FL
nophoto Danielle Richards
Danielle M. Richards, Executive Administrator, US Snipe Class Racing Association. San Diego, California
nophoto Guillermo Ramila
Bahia Blanca, Argentina
nophoto Karen Disch
Karen Disch
GregSaldana Greg Saldana
Michigan, USA
Alejandro Triggiano Alejandro Triggiano
Flota Salta, Argentina
nophoto Jan Peeters
Jan Peeters, Antwerp, Belgium
nophoto Lori Lowe
Lori Lowe, Nassau Bahamas
nophoto Jerome Fournier
Fleet 495 San Diego
nophoto Gianfranco Piselli
Fleet Aternum, Pescara, Italy
nophoto Eric Reinke
Eric Reinke, Annapolis
nophoto Joel Zackin
Joel Zackin, Quassapaug, CT, USA
Emmanuel Hens Emmanuel Hens
Manu Hens, Antwerp, Belgium
nophoto Jefferson Hall
Jefferson, Toronto, Canada
nophoto Craig Lewek
Craig Leweck, Sailing Scuttlebutt’s editor
NikkiBrunoheadshot Nikki Bruno
Nikki entered the sailing world as a freshman at the University of Miami. She was taken in by the Miami Snipe fleet after four years with UM’s team, and since graduating in 2012 has been crewing dinghies around the continent. She currently resides in New Jersey and really misses palm trees.
PedroPiresheadshot Pedro Pires de Lima
Pedro is a Snipe sailor and a well-known sailmaker. He lives in Porto, Portugal.
nophoto Yannick Laumans
Yannick Laumans, Belgium – SnipeTonight
10450746 10154219136920697 7402910634454055219 n Alex Pline
Alex Pline, Annapolis
nophoto Pedro Quezada
Pedro Quezada – São Paulo Fleets Regional Coordinator (311, 434, 448, 483)
nophoto Richard Marshall
Richard Marshall, United Kingdom
nophoto Herbert Hörterich
Herbert Hörterich, SCIRA Germany, organizer of the German Open in Caldonazzo
nophoto Thomas Fogh
Canada. Thomas Fogh finished second at three Olympic Trials (once with his brother in the Tornado and twice with his double-medalist dad, Hans Fogh, in the Soling). In 2013, he started working with the non-Olympic Pan Am classes in Canada, in preparation for the 2015 Pan Am Games.
Kim Calnan Kim Calnan
Kim Calnan, Newport, Rhode Island
Lisa Foulke Pline Lisa Foulke Pline
Annapolis, MD, USA
paolocardoniheadshot Paolo Cardoni
Paolo Cardoni, Talamone – Rome – Dubai. Paolo recently helped organize the 2015 Snipe Worlds and is a professional scenographer and designer with a degree from the Accademy of Fine Arts in Rome.
nophoto Gavin O’Hare
Gavin O’Hare, Annapolis Snipe Fleet 532
Arthur Blodgett Arthur Blodgett
Junior Sailing Director, Lauderdale Yacht Club, Florida
nophoto Alberto Schiaffino
Alberto Schiaffino, Ledro
nophoto John Dentinger
Newport, USA
nophoto Robert Garlipp
Member of Snipe Fleet #24 and owner of 1939 Varalyay Snipe #3543
nophoto Juan Esteban Restrepo Vera
Colombia
nophoto Tessa Wiechmann
Lucca, Italy
Andrea Leonardi Andrea Leonardi
Vada, Livorno, Italy
AntonioEspadaheadshot Antonio Espada
SCIRA Chief Measurer. Barcellona, Spain
Art Rousmaniere Art Rousmaniere
Art Rousmaniere, Massachusetts, SCIRA USA National Secretary
nophoto Raul Rios
Raul Rios, Puerto Rico. 2015 Gold medalist at the Pan American Games. Multi-time US National Champion.
nophoto Edgar Diminich
Edgar Diminich, Ecuador. 2016 WH&O Champion
Jose C. Alegria Jose C. Alegria
Fleet 152, Real Club Astur de Regatas, Gijón, Spain
nophoto John Upton
Fleet Captain 001 Dallas
ReinoSuonsiltaheadshot Reino Suonsilta
Reino Suonsilta, from Helsinki, member of the SCIRA Promotion Committee
Victor Perez Campos Victor Perez Campos
Victor Perez Campos, Madrid-Antwerp-London
nophoto Maru Urban
Maru Urban, North Sails Brazil
nophoto Brett Davis
Brett Davis, Annapolis
nophoto Francesco Fontana
Francesco “Krantz” Fontana, Bologna. Italian National Secretary
nophoto Sarah Barbarossa
Sarah Barbarossa, Monfalcone, Italy
nophoto Daniela Semec
Daniela Semec, Trieste, Italy
nophoto Megan Place
Megan Place, Miami
nophoto Mariano Arroyo
Mariano Arroyo, Argentina
nophoto Will Thomas
Will Thomas – Fleet Captain – Lincoln Snipe Fleet #567
nophoto Jess Lawhead
Jess Lawhead, District 3 Governor, Snipe Fleet 409
nophoto Mark Antonelli
Mark Antonelli, Snipe Fleet Captain, Budwoth S.C., UK
nophoto Alonso Lopez
Alonso Lopez, coordinator of the Snipe Class Sao Paolo, Brazil
nophoto Guilherme Medaglia
Guilherme Medaglia, Porto Alegre, Brazil
nophoto Janett Krefting
Janett Krefting, SCIRA Norway National Secretary
nophoto Juan Manuel Meira
Juan Manuel Meira, Snipe Commodore Ecuador Fleet
nophoto Martin Bermudez de la Puente
Martin Bermudez de la Puente, General Secretary for Europe
nophoto Mariana Peccicacco
Mariana Peccicacco, Brazil
nophoto Alberto Hackerott
Alberto Hackerott, Yacht Club Paulista, organizer of the Copa Paulista
nophoto Christian Skjoldvang Andersen
Christian Skjoldvang Andersen, Denmark
nophoto Fernando Celdrán
Fernando Celdrán, RCN Madrid
nophoto Andrew Leslie
Andrew Leslie, Holm Sailing Club, Orkney Islands, Scotland
nophoto Paola Prada
Paola Prada, Sao Paulo, Brazil
nophoto Henrik Wulff
Henrik Wulff, Denmark
nophoto Nicholas Grael
Nicholas Grael, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
nophoto Micky Costa
Miguel “Micky” Costa, Buenos Aires, Palma de Mallorca, Valencia. He is an avid Snipe sailor and a famous project manager and yacht designer (Luna Rossa, Il Moro di Venezia, Azzurra TP52, Matador TP52 and many others).
nophoto Ricardo Fabini
Ricardo Fabini, Uruguay, 1989 Snipe World Champion
nophoto Giorgio Dodo Gorla
Snipe: 1963 Italian Junior champion, 1966 Italian champion

Star: Olympic Bronze medalist 1980 Tallin and 1984 Los Angeles; World champion 1984; third at the Worlds 1980

nophoto Luis Gonzalez Alvarez
SCIRA Chief Measurer (2018-2020)

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