Pease makes sailing look EZ

Terry Phillips

In every Olympic Games that I can remember, there’s at least one,

and at the last Olympics, it was “Picabo Street.” As in Peek-a-boo!

A name. A name that the media grabs hold of and won’t let go.

It won’t be any different down in Sydney as I predict the name, Pease

(pronounced PeeZee) Glazer will be heard frequently.

Pease and skipper J.J. Isler recently took top honors in the 470 class

Olympic trials held in St. Petersburg, Florida last month and will

represent the U.S. in Sydney.

This was Pease’s fourth attempt to enter the Olympics as she came in

fifth in the trials in 1988, fifth in 1992 and fourth in 1996.

Her skipper, Isler, is a seasoned sailing veteran and bronze medalist at

the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

Pease and her famous sailing spouse, Jay Glazer, silver medalist in the

Tornado class in 1984, started a sail loft in Long Beach called “Danger

Sails.”

They merged in 1993 with Newport Beach’s “Ullman Sails” and have assisted

Dave Ullman and his 20 world-wide lofts to create what they believe is

the best sails in the world.

J.J. Isler is married to Peter Isler, navigator aboard Dennis Connor’s

“Stars and Stripes” challenge at the America’s Cup in Aukland, New

Zealand.

Pease, who celebrated her 38th birthday Tuesday, grew up in Springfield,

Illinois, where she caught on to sailing in Rebel 16’s and a Sunfish.

After attending Brown University, she moved to the west coast and began

sailing Tornadoes. Although she came in fifth in 1988, that would not

dampen her spirit as persistence has finally paid off.

“I would have liked to have sailed Tornadoes with Jay (her husband) but

the Olympic Committee wouldn’t allow co-ed crews,” said Glazer.

Their 470 is “Mackay” built in New Zealand. You can count on the fact

that she’ll be flying Ullman Sails.

“Sailing with J.J. has been terrific. We’ll be leaving for Sydney on

December 3 and sail there for three months. Then we’ll take a break

before going back for the Olympics,” Pease said.

Dave Ullman is headed to Aukland as well to assist and help coach

“America True,” while J.J. Isler has moved to New Zealand to be close to

husband Peter before heading to Sydney.

The Louis Vuuiton Cup, which decides which boat will challenge Team New

Zealand for the America’s Cup, has taken on a surprising look.

The current standings are Italy’s “Team Prada” leading with 36 points,

“America True” is second with 30, then it’s “Stars and Stripes” with

28.5, “AmericaOne” with 24 and “Young America” with 24.

Newport’s Chris Coffin and his “America True” boat have surprised a lot

of people.

The second of the Voyagers Hot Rum Series is set for Sunday. For

information and entry forms, contact Fred Masino at (949) 723-5107.

The Newport Beach Yacht Club has collected 1,500 toys for the Toys for

Tots campaign and will present them to Brigadier General Hubbard of the

United States Marine Corps on Saturday, Dec. 4 at the yacht club.

They have also initiated a canned food drive for the homeless.