Sail like EWE did. Live like EWE did.

Mary Ewenson, who finished sixth in the 2021 Viper 640 North Americans, kicked off the event by sharing the EWE Spirit 11 Commandments with her competitors. The list is a feature of the EWE Spirit Foundation which seeks to carry on the legacy of world-class sailor Geoff Ewenson who died suddenly in 2020 but impacted so many lives during his all-too-brief time on earth:

1. I will commit to making sailing better for everyone.
2. I will mentor young sailors and help them gain access to big boat sailing.
3. I will help people in the boat park and on the dock.
4. I will welcome new boat owners to the fleet, introduce them to other owners, and help them learn the fleet culture and how to make their new boat go better.
5. I will learn the racing rules of sailing.
6. I will put safety first and wear my lifejacket when I should.
7. I will make time to connect with anyone I got into it on the racecourse with and shake their hand, buy them a beer, etc. Even if we are headed for the room, I will remember we are all out there for the same thing – to have fun – and that we just saw things differently out there.
8. I will thank the race committee, volunteers, and sponsors and will go to the regatta party to interact with other sailors, the race committee, volunteers, and sponsors.
9. I will fly the EWE flag (sticker, flag, etc,) to show that I sail like EWE did, and I will always be watching, ready to catch others sailing like EWE did, and when I do, I’ll thank them.
10. I will make the EWE Spirit Foundation the primary charity to which I donate time and money.
11. I will not forget how lucky I am to be able to sail like EWE did.

One of the most prestigious awards for the class in North America is the Kleinschrodt Family Sportsmanship Award, a sterling silver pitcher donated by the Kleinschrodt Family to recognize outstanding sportsmanship and awarded at the North Americans based on nominations from competitors. The 2021 winner was Mary Ewenson.

PHOTO (from left): Co-Chair Nancy Pearson, Mary Ewenson, NA Class President Peter Ill.