July 30, 2017

The Sunfish

 

 

There are few images more evocative of summer than that of a Sunfish sailboat lazily cruising around a lake or bay — with its cheerfully striped triangle sail, topped off with the black silhouette of its namesake fish. If you went to summer camp or grew up near a flat body of water, chances are you learned how to sail on a Sunfish or at least were along for the ride. The Sunfish has been around since 1952 and continues to be one the most popular sailboats for both beginners and experienced sailers alike.

The Sunfish is distinguished by its simplicity, which makes it one of the easiest boats on which to learn how to sail, for both kids and adults alike. Its small size and single “lateen” sail (a triangular sail mounted at an angle on the mast), with its basic two line rigging, make it an easy boat to set up and set sail. Upgrades can be added for competitive sailing, of which the Sunfish is in fact a popular class of racing.

Sailing basics, like learning how to tack and jibe and use the wind, are easy to teach on a small boat. Being so low on the water, its size makes it very responsive too. Says Susan Koehler, one of the founders and owners of The Dinghy Shop in Amityville, Long Island in New York, and one of the largest Sunfish dealers on the East Coast, “With the Sunfish you can feel the water, feel the wind, and feel the response of the boat.”

Part of the fun of being so low in the water is on a hot summer day you’re sure to get wet — be it a refreshing splash or a likely dunk, if like this editor you decide to take one out for a sail for the first time since summer camp. Yes, the Sunfish can be easy to tip as we did, but they are easy to right as well and a good laugh usually ensues. Though I was acting as first mate, after 30 plus years my skipper’s sailing basics returned quickly as we jibed, tacked and sailed our way home — with me gleefully leaning off the side of the keeling boat, laughing and smiling just as I’d done as a kid.

A Sunfish is still what summer memories are made of.

 

July 27, 2017

The Illustrated Summer Essentials Guide

 

 

AT TEE OFF OR TEA TIME…

HIT THE LINKS IN TORY SPORT TECH KNIT RIBBED SWEATER & PRINTED GOLF PANTS (LEFT),
PERFORMANCE JACQUARD DRESS (RIGHT)

 
Midway through the summer with many sunshine filled days still to come,  your must have sporty essentials come to life in the illustrations of Ferdinand van Alphen, aka @Ferdinand.ink. We featured his work a few weeks ago in our Wimbledon Top 10 feature. Regardless the topic, which here again he turns to sport, Ferdinand’s whimsical drawings are always lighthearted and playful – guaranteed to put a smile on your face. On the links, in the pool, on the court and more, here’s your style guide to get in the game.
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July 24, 2017

Trading Places: Michelle Wie & Genie Bouchard

 

 

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANNE MENKE

When two of the biggest stars in tennis and golf, Eugenie “Genie” Bouchard and Michelle Wie respectively, met for the first time last week, you would have thought they were lifelong friends. Both Nike athletes, they had been brought together for a promotional event and quickly hit it off, literally, hitting golf and tennis balls, and exchanging coaching tips. Their rapport was instant and their ability to pick up each other’s sport didn’t lag too far behind.

Korean-American Michelle Wie, 27 years old, has been on the LPGA tour since just before her 16th birthday and is currently #34 in the Rolex Ranking. Though at age 10 she became the youngest player to qualify for a USGA amateur championship, Wie actually had dreams of becoming a professional tennis player. This phenom’s golf game was better than her tennis game, however, and so the clubs beat the racquet. Wie won her first major at the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open. Though she doesn’t get much of a chance to play tennis these days, after a few pointers from Genie, she quickly showed she’s still got some game.

Canadian Genie Bouchard, 23 years old, is currently ranked 57th in the WTA and has been a force to contend with since she hit the tour: named WTA Newcomer of the Year in 2013 and WTA Most Improved Player in 2014. She was the 2014 Wimbledon runner-up, and semi-finalist in both the Australian and French Open that same year. Though Bouchard has virtually no golf experience, she was swinging like a pro after just a few tips from Michelle.
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July 20, 2017

Summer Reading

 

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From new bestsellers to old classics, hanging on the beach or

curled up on the porch, here is your sporty summer reading list for 2017! Baseball, football, basketball, tennis and more, we’ve got all your favorite sports covered with enticing reads — even if you’re not a sports fan.

 

THE CUBS WAY:

The Zen of Building the Best Team in Baseball

and Breaking the Curse

By Tom Verducci (2017)

 
After 108 years, it finally happened. This New York Times bestseller tells the tale of the 2016 Chicago Cubs and their transformation from perennial underachievers to the best team in baseball. With inside access and reporting, Sports Illustrated senior baseball writer and FOX Sports analyst, Tom Verducci, reveals how Theo Epstein and Joe Maddon built, led, and inspired the Chicago Cubs team to break the longest championship drought in sports, chronicling their epic journey to become World Series champions.
 

PAPER LION: 

Confessions of a Last-String Quarterback

By George Plimpton (1966)

 
The book for which perhaps George Plimpton was best known, Paper Lion set the bar for participatory sports journalism. With his characteristic wit, Plimpton recounts his experiences in talking his way into training camp with the Detroit Lions, practicing with the team, and taking snaps behind center. His breezy style captures the pressures and tensions rookies confront, the hijinks that pervade when sixty high-strung guys live together in close quarters, and a host of football rites and rituals. One of the funniest and most insightful books ever written on football, Paper Lion is a classic look at the gridiron game.

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July 11, 2017

Here Comes The Judge

 

Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos

Maybe you’re not a Yankee fan, or a baseball fan, or even a sports fan, but every now and then a player comes along that captures your attention regardless. Last night baseball fans across the country watched as the Yankee rookie phenom, Aaron Judge, effortlessly crushed baseball’s best hitters to win the Home Run Derby — highlight of the MLB All-Star Game festivities.

While his victory might have seemed a foregone conclusion after the season he’s had, he is just 21 years old and it was his first time at the big game. Though he led the American League in All-Star votes, Judge exceeded expectations, pummeling homer after homer, with four rockets of more than 500 ft, and put on an epic show for the fans and his fellow All-Stars alike.

Larger than life, standing a massive 6-foot-7 inches tall and 280 lbs, Aaron Judge’s humility looms just as large. It’s part of what makes his greatness so great. In his rookie season, he is leading the league in home runs with 30 thus far, having blasted one 495 ft. into the left field bleachers at Yankee Stadium a few weeks ago — the longest home run in a regulation game so far in 2017. Regardless, he was as giddy as any fan meeting their baseball heroes at the Home Run Derby last night, though many of them were there to see him.
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July 7, 2017

Wimbledon 2017: Be In The Know Like A Tennis Pro!

 

ILLUSTRATIONS BY FERDINAND VAN ALPHEN  

Now in the 4th round of play, let us turn our attention across the pond to The Championships, Wimbledon! As the tournament gets into full swing, here are the 10 things you need to know to be a tennis pro…

CONGRATS TO 2017 LADIES’S SINGLES CHAMPION GARBINE MUGARUZA

 & 8-TIME MEN’S SINGLES CHAMPION ROGER FEDERER!

1. The Championships, Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world.
The first Wimbledon championship took place in 1877 when only Men’s Singles were played. Ladies’ Singles and Men’s Doubles events came on the scene in 1884.

2. Wimbledon is the only major played on grass… today.
Prior to 1975, three of the four majors — the US Open, Australian Open, and Wimbledon — were all played on grass. Only the French Open was not. Wimbledon is played on the grounds of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, and during the event, the grass is cut to a height of exactly 8mm. As the tournament progresses, the wear and tear becomes obvious as the baseline gets browner and browner. This used to appear at the T, when the game was more serve and volley, but the style of play has shifted over the years to a baseline game. There is usually no play scheduled on the middle Sunday to allow the courts to recover from Week 1 and be thoroughly watered for optimum performance in Week 2.

3. The dress code is all white… and they mean it!
That includes no off-white or cream either. It is strictly enforced from head to toe, as Venus Williams learned in her first match. With a hot pink sportbra peeking out beneath her shirt, she was forced to change mid-match. Maybe it was good luck because…
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July 2, 2017

Entwine

 

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From sneakers to leggings, bikinis to totes, backpacks to skirts –

braids, crochet and macrame interweave that sexy 70’s style with

summer’s sporty vibe.

 

LEFT COLUMN: NIKE MAYFLY WOVEN WOMEN’S SHOE $120; J.CREW WIDE BRIM PACKABLE STRAW HAT $55; SHE MADE ME ESSENTIAL HALTERNECK CROCHET BIKINI TOP $87; ANNA KOSTUROVA BAJA CROCHET SHORTS $160

CENTER COLUMN: SEE BY CHLOE CROCHET BLOUSE $210; ROXY BOMBORA CANVAS AND CROCHET BACKPACK $52; SELF PORTRAIT HIGH RISE CROCHET KNIT SKIRT $445

RIGHT COLUMN: KIINI CROCHET TRIMMED TRIANGLE BIKINI $285; CARBON 38 SAYANG COLLECTION TANJUNG LEGGING $165; ANTONELLO TEDDE CAPRICCIOLLI WOVEN COTTON TOTE $570

 
 

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