Mellon promotes solo act

Chris Yemma

In the big-time sailing world, the America’s Cup is considered the

top challenge. A world-renowned sailor might not give a hoot about an

8-foot dingy.

But at the Balboa Yacht Club, where Naples Sabot racing is taken

as seriously as the next sport, the most basic elements of sailing

are being perfected.

Balboa Yacht Club member Nancy Mellon, 77, who acts as the adult

Sabot chair for the club, has the sport floating in the right

direction.

Secretary of the Southern California Women’s Sailing Association,

Mellon has been actively involved in the promotion and racing of the

little boats.

A one-man operation in an 8-foot boat, small sailboat racing

through the SCWSA takes place out of San Diego’s Mission Bay, San

Diego, Newport Harbor, Balboa and Alamitos Bay yacht clubs.

And Mellon runs the show.

“They say if you can sail a Sabot, you can sail anything,” said

Mellon Saturday, sipping a glass of Chardonnay at the Balboa Yacht

Club after a group finished up a race in Newport Harbor.

Mellon, who visits the club at least twice a week, retired from

teaching in 1993 and has been heavily involved in the sport since.

Mellon and her late husband, David, used to sail 40-foot sailboats

to Catalina and San Diego, but when he died in 1990, Mellon was drawn

to the smaller boats.

“You’re the only one in control in these boats,” Mellon said. “I

didn’t know how to operate the larger one’s. I was just taking

orders. I didn’t like being bossed around. Now I have to force myself

to be self-reliant and think ahead.”

Mellon said she couldn’t count the number of races she has won in

her years of participation, but the races that stand out in her mind

are the ones where the boat has capsized.

“You just have to sit there until someone comes out and rescues

you,” she said. “It’s the worst in the winter when it’s freezing

cold.”

Mellon, who also plays golf, said one of the best aspects of

sailing these boats is the active lifestyle, being out in the

sunshine with people you enjoy, and then getting together after the

race.

Mellon didn’t race in the Macho Men’s Regatta at the Balboa Yacht

Club Saturday, since she organized the event. But she handed out the

awards to the top finishers, ranging in age from 40 to older than

herself.

It was a breezy day and most finished in 45 minutes.

Division winners won a yacht club had and the two supreme winners

earned trophies.