BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

Woolsey eagerly awaits

50th regatta in Newport

The name of Roy Woolsey’s Lido 14 speaks volumes about his philosophy on life.

It’s called, “Lift,” an indication that positive thoughts usually occupy the mind of this 90-year-old Newport Beach resident.

Twenty years ago, Woolsey bought the boat and it was named Header back then.

“A header is when the wind is adverse to you and you fall back,” Woolsey said. “You sail on headers, you’re not going to win. I thought: We can’t have a negative tone, so I changed the name to Lift, for when you turn more upwind and more toward the weather mark.”

Woolsey is hoping Lift can get him to the top flight of the Lido 14 Class Championships, in its 50th year. The regatta began Sunday with practice runs and ends on Wednesday in Newport Harbor. Today, there were will be racing for ranks and Woolsey hopes to make it to the top flight, as opposed to the silver flight, which he has been accustomed to. He has never qualified for the top flight.

Even if he doesn’t reach the top flight, Woolsey, true to his positivity, will enjoy racing in the Lido 14s once again. He’s competed in more than half of the 50 regattas that began when he was there in 1958.

Each time, he appreciates not only the competition, but the camaraderie.

“It’s like a reunion,” Woolsey said. “We’ll see a lot of people we haven’t seen in a long time. And, there will be social events each night.”

On the water, there are at least 45 Lido 14s expected to race in the 50th annual regatta. The class was founded in 1958 by WD Schock and the first championships were held in Newport Bay.

This year, Newport Harbor Yacht Club will host the regatta.

Woolsey is a member of the Lido Isle Yacht Club, which is near his home. It’s also near to his heart. Woolsey was the LIYC commodore in 1969. During Monday’s qualifying races, Woolsey will sail with another former LIYC president, Dave Shockley, who served as commodore four years ago.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Woolsey’s son, Roy Jr., will come aboard Lift and take Shockley’s place. Roy Jr. will have to attend an event he had already planned for Monday.

In years past, when Roy Jr. wasn’t aboard, Woolsey’s wife, Louise, would be in the competition. But those days are gone. That’s not to say the two don’t stay active.

They’ve been married for 66 years and for their most recent anniversary, April 18, they danced into the night.

— Steve Virgen