Featured in Vallarta Lifestyles Magazine, Spring/Summer 2010 issue.

Eugenie Russell, a sailing instructor for J World Sailing School in Nuevo Vallarta, never thought she’d have to draw on her vast knowledge of marine emergency procedures. All that changed during the Baja Ha-Ha rally from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas in late 2009 (www.baja-haha.com).

Russell, fellow instructor Barry Demak and a crew of three students aboard the “J/World” inadvertently sailed into a pod of whales in open waters, and the tail of one left a hole in the hull. Frantic attempts to repair the damage were fruitless, and the boat began to sink.

The crew followed Russell’s orders flawlessly, boarding the lifeboat and sending out the distress signal. They were rescued a few hours later by a US Coast Guard helicopter. Says Russell humbly about her knowledge of safety procedures, “I teach it, so I know it!” Kudos to this inspirational hero whose calm leadership helped save the lives of everyone on board.