By Iris Sanchez
UHCLIDIAN STAFF

Deborah Willits, a UH-Clear Lake communication major, is one of the top woman U.S. sailing competitors. Willits is part of the Texas Women's Match Racing Team.

Left: Deborah Willits
photo courtesy of bermudagoldcup.com

"This weekend I competed as a Top Match Racer," Willits said. "I finished in the top four or five. I race with anywhere from four to 15 women on a boat. What I am trying to do is get the top world ranking so that I continue to get invited to the big events."

Currently, Willits is skipper on a J22 racing vessel. J22's require only three people to race. Her financial backing for these races comes from the Houston Yacht Club.

"She is an inspiration because she is a woman in the sport and she's been in the Olympic trials," said Mallory Fontenot, a ragnot at the Houston Yacht Club.

The Houston Yacht Club has a Ragnot Youth Program for members under the age of 18.

The program teaches sailing and the benefits derived from sailing.

"It's exciting; it's a rush. Some people say your heart starts to beat like you are running a race," said Roberta Steele, a ragnot at the Houston Yacht Club. "Sailing is a sport you can excel in. It requires you to think. It's a mental game, but you still have to be physically in shape."

Fontenot and Steele both feel that sailing is the ultimate sport, because it can be something for everyone.

"It's not a statement of the strongest person or the smallest person; you can alter yourself and win," Fontenot said.

In October, Willits participated in the Hamilton Harbor Bermuda Race, where she placed fourth in the Women's Match Race.

"The most memorable event was the pre-Olympic trials in 1991," Willits said. "What happens is that all the people who were ever in the Olympics come and race against you. I beat four Olympians that were pretty hot at the time."

If you would like to learn how to sail, Kolius Sailing is available at (281) 291-9500 or you can contact the Houston Yacht Club at (281) 471-1225.

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