The Annapolis InterClub Fleet has lost a dear friend in Rhett Simonds. Always the consummate competitors, he and Celeste rarely missed a Sunday of IC sailing. Rain, snow, wind or calm he just loved to be on the water sailing. With his competitive, but relaxed attitude, it was always a pleasure to have him on the course.

Jesse remembers his original recruitment of Rhett and Celeste into the fleet: "In 1995 Jamie Brickell and I were racking our brains trying to figure out who we could get to buy an IC for the 1996 season. We only had about 4 boats that first year of the newly re-formed IC fleet. Many of the fleet's original owners wanted out, and Jamie and I knew we needed new blood. Jamie came to me one day and said "I know a couple that will buy a boat. All we need to do is talk them into it." Rhett and Celeste were my first IC sales pitch - the first of so many to come. I recall vividly that the Brickells, the Simonds, and I had a delightful dinner at Marmadukes one evening. I can tell you that despite our poor fleet numbers at the time, it didn't take much to convince Rhett and Celeste that the IC frostbite was something they'd really enjoy."

After the famous Falsone sales pitch, the Simonds bought their first boat, IC 699. They were eager to improve rapidly, and they did so over the course of their first two years, capturing the fleet's "Most Improved" award one year. Rhett and Celeste had a great chemistry in the IC, just as they had in the boat they were multi-time national champions in - the Jet 14. They shared the helm 50/50 on Sundays, and it seemed that they would always pull off a race win each week. Rhett loved to compete, and always wanted to sail against the best people despite not being top dog in the IC.

Rhett helped our fleet grow in many ways. He and Celeste were always out on Sundays, traveled to all the regattas, and in the off-chance they weren't there, they loaned their boat. In early 2000, Rhett and Celeste bought a near new Guck IC and sold their old boat for a significant loss to keep it in the fleet. It is this kind of dedication that builds and maintains a fleet.

Despite his worsening condition, Rhett was on the water. Rhett loved to sail - not just race. Rhett was a student of sailing despite his own vast experience and triumphs and was able to attend a variety of events in the last year, from Jet and IC regattas to the Snipe Winter Circuit. He was always seeking self-improvement, and we should all follow his example. We all share Jesse's sentiment that we'll always remember him every time we're having a great day in a sailboat - racing or not.