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Thank you, thank you, thank you Mister MarkTwain White !

The longest running sailing event in Second Life is the annual Fizz Cup. The finals of the 2010 Fizz Cup were held in the Blake Sea in Second Life on December 12.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA1x2IYVImU

MarkTwain said: “Be sure to watch in HD (720p) if your connection can handle it. Our “pay” for the work comes in the form of your comments.” Please comment it on Youtube: http://goo.gl/Bz5XC

In the SL sailing world this weekend (December 18-19) has been dominated by the two days of memorial activities surrounding the life and legacy of one of the most loved and respected SL sailors of all time,  Delinda Dyrssen.

It was my distinct pleasure and privilege to speak to the assembled crowd about Delinda’s life in the SL sailing community.

After my comments Kentrock Messmer, the nealy appointed C0-Commodore of the Fisher’s Island Yacht Club  announced the creation of the DELINDA DRYSSEN AWARD. This award will be given to the member of the sailing community that most embodies Delinda’s enthusiasm and passion for sailing and life in general. In the near future the Delinda Dryseen Award will be revealed to the public. At that time COM will do a full article.

During the talk a large group of SL sailors passed behind the podium in a Grand Sail to honor Delinda. Here is what was shared:

Delinda Dyrssen was a sailor. No wait, that’s not right. Delinda Dyrssen IS a sailor.  I am sure that if we were able to take a look up in heaven right now…  we would probably find Delinda in her sailboat making her way to a music concert somewhere in heaven’s version of SL.

Delinda's Sea Stories Column

One of my memories of Delinda is a perfect example of the fact that Delinda was all about people.  A few years ago Delinda and I discussed the possibility of Delinda writing a regular column in SLSailing.COM.  The column was to be sort of a “Barbara Walters Meets SL Sailing”, or for those of you not old enough to catch that reference, think of a “Larry King Meets SL Sailing”.  In other words the column was to be interviews of people in SL Sailing.  Here is yet another example of Delinda’s personality. She was first and foremost interested in people.

There was another interesting insight into Delinda regarding this column.  The column header, which we have rezzed here, showed Delinda as a pirate barmaid wiping down the counter while playing counselor to one of her many loyal customers.  I had suggested we name the column “Sea Stories: Being Stories What Was told to a lovely Bar Wench”.  She said “I like the Sea Stories part, but not the Wench part. How about “Sea Stories: Being Stories What Was told to a lovely Bar LASS.”  Delinda liked role-play as much as any of us but she decided that “Wench” just didn’t fit her personality.

I have heard several interesting and lovely stories about Delinda recently, as I am sure we all have.  My favorite of these stories is one that our host at this memorial service, Fanci Beebe, told me.

Delinda's Memorial Celebration lasted two days

Earlier this year there was a major griefing attack launched simultaneously on many sims in the United Sailing Sims, where the Sailor’s Cove sims are located.  Reports were flooding in from numerous locations in the USS. Fanci was hovering over Fisher’s Island Yacht Club with residents gathering around her with reports, etc.  Fanci was swamped and feeling very overwhelmed.  When all of a sudden, out of the blue, literally, Delinda appears, suited up for battle.  She had a  Roman Centurion’s outfit on (probably the same one many of us got From the “300” movie sim).  So here was dainty Delinda with a large Centurion’s helmet on her head and sword in her hand…  Saying “reporting for duty” and ready to pitch in and help.  Fanci just stopped typing and stared. Then she laughed.  So here was a panic situation, overwhelming to say the least, and Delinda was alert enough…  To come over and calm the day with her sense of humor as if to say….  Don’t worry Fanci… it’s just a “game”, remember?

I have one final story to tell. In the SL sailing community we boast a few major Cup Regattas every year…  By far the most popular and the best organized of these is the Fizz Cup. Each year the Cup is run then capped off with an awards ceremony and dance. Among the activities is the selection of Miss Fizz. This honor was first bestowed in 2008. And the winner?  Our own Delinda Dyrssen of course.  It was funny. Delinda wore her crown all that day, and the next day, and the nex  Fanci tells me that Delinda wore the crown wherever she went for two weeks!  So in closing let me say…  Delinda, you were our Queen and Sovereign. You shall always remain at the top of SL Sailing’s List of Great Leaders. God Save the Queen!