Passion for Sailing Yields Awards for Research Data Director
Posted on Dec. 8, 2010
Sailing has always been a passion for the Owens family. “It’s really fun when the wind is right and you can feel the power,” said Ed Owens Jr. MS, DC, director of Office of Data Management at Wolfe-Harris Center for Clinical Studies. The Owens family was recognized on Nov. 14 by the Calhoun Yacht Club for their performance at the weekly races on Lake Calhoun.
They received three prizes including the Most Improved Sailor award. “This award indicates that some of the more experienced sailors are getting worried that I might be able to beat them soon,” Dr. Owens joked.
The Owens’ family also received the Family Participation Bowl, which is awarded to the family who participated the most and works as a team. Dr. Owens’ wife, Lilli, enjoys spending time with her family on the lakes. “We are unable to resist being on the water and enjoy where the wind takes us,” she said.
The Owens daughter, Emily, a student at Minneapolis College of Art and Design, received the Knoblach Bucket award for the most spectacular crash of the season. “It was most spectacular because it involved a double flip over and finally, the boat sailed away with no one on board,” Dr. Owens said. “I maintain that it was all a training exercise, and it demonstrated how the bottom of the boat is clearly marked, ‘I meant to do that!’”
Emily said the crash was the perfect learning opportunity. “I was honored and excited because I did something extreme and I’m very proud to learn from my mistakes,” she said. “My only worry was when the boat sailed away without us!”
Dr. Owens said his family joined the club two years ago and has enjoyed meeting new people. “There are some great folks in the club that will go out of their way to help each other out,” he said. “We were quite pleased to receive the awards and they came as a complete surprise.”
http://www.nwhealth.edu/nwtoday/edwardowens.html
Congratulations.
Over the years, the Rolex Sydney Hobart and Cruising Yacht Club of Australia have had marked influence on international ocean yacht racing. The club has influenced the world in race communications and sea safety, maintaining the highest standards for yacht race entry. 
