Offshore High

Book excerpt: In the realms of both the marine industry and competitive sailboat racing at its highest levels, few if any couples have matched the accomplishments of Steve and Doris Colgate, the longtimeproprietors of the world-renowned Offshore Sailing School: With over 150,000 graduates, noone has taught more willing novices how to sail than Offshore. A scion of the Colgate family ofColgate-Palmolive fame, and the daughter of a famed, award-winning scientist, respectively, atfirst glance the Colgates seemed an unlikely match.The founder of the National Women's SailingAssociation, among other yachting-industry initiatives, on countless fronts Doris was a pioneerin a world usually dominated by men. Their shared tale is fascinating on several levels: as aninsider's take on yacht racing at its top ranks; as a case study in a remarkably unique andsuccessful business; and, finally, as a good old-fashioned love story.