Fleet Captain

P/C Heidi Riddle  

When the Jet-14 fleet was established back in the early 1960’s, Heidi Backus was in elementary school. As a few lightly used Jets became available, the first fiberglass sailboat was pulled onto the raft at the Backus dock. It was 1966 and Heidi, 11, and sister Amy, 9, were on the starting line racing against the veteran racers from the club. Fifty-one years and eight sailboats later, she is still on the starting line ... with a few more sisters, family and friends as crew.

The past five decades have been filled with fun, championships, top three finishes and many accolades: two-time U.S. Women’s National Champions, Japanese Women’s World Championship, North American Tartan Ten Champions, and three time Manhattan Yacht Club Lady Liberty Champions. In 1985, Heidi was named the Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year. (And the watch is still ticking).

Heidi served VBC as Commodore in 1999 and the Inter-Lake Yachting Association as Commodore in 2005. She has been an life-long advocate for women and youth sailing.