Latest News

Elena is newer to sailing but she enjoys racing on the Bay – mostly in the J105, Express 27 and RS21 fleets – and the learning and camaraderie that comes with the sport. Last year, Elena served as Auxiliary President of the San Francisco Yacht Club. Along with her love of sailing, she brings experience in leadership and project management to the Foundation.

Betsy grew up in Wisconsin and learned how to sail on Lake Michigan on the family 30’ Beneteau and on dinghies.  She started racing in high school and continues to race competitively in many different fleets on San Francisco Bay. Professionally, Betsy is a corporate tax attorney for Zoom Communications, Inc. She is dedicated to ensuring that sailing is accessible to younger generations and aspiring athletes, providing both educational opportunities and pathways to competitive sailing from junior racers to Olympic hopefuls.

Sofia was born and raised in Portugal. Though she started sailing as an adult, her passion for the sport quickly took hold and she now races sailboats in her free time. A former biologist, she assists health and life science companies expand into North America. With a deep commitment to giving back to the sport that has impacted her life, Sofia is excited to support the mission of the Foundation.

Linda has been windsurfing on SF Bay since the mid-90’s and competed in many regattas organized by the St. Francis Yacht Club. She supported her daughter Daniela, a grateful Foundation grantee, to develop her passion for kiteboarding from her teenage years and learned to kite foil with her. Linda kites or wings when she is not cheering for her daughter on the Road to Paris 2024. Professionally, Linda has dedicated her legal career to public service and works full time for a local government.

From inauspicious beginnings as a seasick 7-year old in the Fastnet Race, Russell became co-captain of the Harvard Sailing Team, the youngest-ever U.S. Skipper in the America’s Cup, helmed his father Huey Long’s yacht Ondine to victory in the first Maxi Yacht World Championship, and was the first sailor to travel 50 mph in a sailboat. He still gets seasick. Russell has enjoyed a career as an entrepreneur, documentary producer and environmental activist.

Laura grew up sailing dinghies on the Long Island Sound and has been an active keelboat racer since moving to San Francisco in 2016. In addition to racing on the Bay, Laura is a co-founder of Sømand, a technical sailing apparel brand created for women. She is passionate about women’s advancement in the sport of sailing.

Dennis started sailing on the bay as a Sea Scout. This opened the door for him to race windsurfers, dinghies and keel boats. He qualified for the 1984 Windsurfing Olympic trials and currently campaigns his J105 in local regattas. He has served on the Junior Committee and helps where needed with the Race Committee. He is a alumni advisor for the Cal Maritime Sailing team.

Elizabeth’s time on the water began with riding on the bow of the family Sunfish, then racing dinghies out on Nantucket Island and Cape Cod as a junior, teaching junior sailing, and finally moving up to collegiate dinghy racing at Boston College. Once out west, she’s continued to sail competitively, finally graduating to race boats longer than 14 feet. She’s an active member of the St. Francis YC, volunteering for the Race Committee and serving on several committees. She’s also a member of the Nantucket Yacht Club.

Andrew started racing in Tampa, Florida at the age of 7 and never stopped. A captain of the Williams College Sailing Team, he has spent the past 10 years racing in both one-design and handicap fleets on SF Bay. He is a US Sailing Certified PRO and Judge, and a former Rear Commodore at South Beach Yacht Club. He has served on many committees at St. FYC. When he’s not on the water, Andrew works as a Software Engineer.