Catalina 22 honors female sailor
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STORY BY BETSY ILER
Dora McGee has served as the backbone of the Catalina 22 National Association in a variety of roles for nearly half of the organization’s 50-year existence. Currently, she serves as the dedicated secretary and treasurer. According to the U.S. Sailing Association, McGee is fondly known as the “mother hen” to the organization and its 525 members. Outside of this role, she participates in a wide variety of sailing events across the Southeast. Last month, McGee was awarded the John D. Gardiner One Design Service Award for her commitment to the Catalina 22 class. Over the past 20 years, she has participated in 45 Catalina 22 regattas and 65 other one-design regattas. Lifelong friendships and the opportunity to meet new people have kept her strongly involved with the Catalina 22 class. “The award was a surprise. Most, if not all, of the previous winners have been men with big accomplishments,” the honoree said. Sailing is typically a male-dominated sport, but McGee has not let this stop her. “Just get out there and do it. There is nothing to be afraid of,” she said. “Learn to sail properly, have a support system and get training. Women today can have all the opportunities they want to
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take. Take the initiative and do it on your own. Know your boat and how to handle it, learn CPR and first aid.” Her advice aligns with the U.S. Sailing mantra: fun, safe, fair. In 1974, McGee learned how to sail while her husband was stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. They lived there for four years, and sailing was one of the limited activities available on the naval base. This introduction to sailing led to a lifetime of dedication and support of the Catalina 22 class. In recent years, McGee and her husband have focused on participating in race committees rather than competing in regattas. McGee is known as the gold standard that all race committees should strive for, even being described as the epitome of racing. Her calm demeanor and determined nature allow her to excel on the race committee. She described the necessary qualifications for race committee success as dedication, listening skills, ability to make decisions under pressure and strong concentration. McGee utilized her race management skills at the 2022 Region 3 Championship Regatta and 62nd Annual Punchbowl Regatta at The Dixie Sailing Club on Lake Martin last month.
MAY 2022
