man overboard

blowing pretty hard for my rookie Laser skills so instead did mid on an Etchells. 8 boats on the line in our class today. Cold but techwicks, fleece, bibs and spray top were just fine. Trimming spinnaker is physically demanding on days like this - winds steady 14-17kts and higher gusts. Excellent racing, but tough competition got maybe 1-2 boats per race.. After last leeward mark rounding in second to the last race the head stay parted, we finished then set to work looking to repair it for last race. Didn't secure it in time, missed the start of the last race so we doused jib and headed in. Nearing the docks I gathered lines, attached stern line and was making my way forward when we accidently gybed. I saw the boom coming but nothing I could do except go with it and into the water I went. PFD held head clear and I remember lifting my arms out of the water to stay warm. Held on the unattached bow line (actually a light air spin sheet) and waited for the boat to come about and pick me up. Cold! water temp around 40 but got picked up on first try. Sopping wet until we docked then I ran to the car, got naked in the parking lot and put on dry suit as it was the only dry clothes I had. Wish I was wearing it earlier! Warmed up quick enough with help of rum and hot soup. Another excellent day!

my name

Saturday, low 40's but sunshine, power washing the deck and thinking about French solo and multihull sailors, those guys are fanatics. Wondering if I'm somehow related. My dad's family was from upstate Maine, very upstate, like on the border with Canada and he spoke only French until age 8. Ancestors came to Quebec in 1636 from Le Havre (where some of those French sailors I read about are from), settled Ile d'Orleans right outside Quebec City in the middle of the St Lawrence River, thinking they'd be safe from Indian attacks. Any ways they farmed the island, fished in the river, hunted in the woods and one was involved in first lawsuit recorded in Canada, some arguments about a moose someone shot on someone's property, no more details as it was settled out of court. I had an aunt who back in 1970's before the internet did the meticulous and time consuming genealogical research of my father's family, all the way back to France in 1590.

Always intrigued by that so finally visited Ile d'Orleans a couple years ago. Beautiful place. Went to graveyard of churches my family help found and saw generations of relatives who marked their gravestones with the French word for 'pilot'. I was struck by the prodigious quantity of river pilots with my surname. They were all river pilots on the St Lawrence in the days of sail and proud enough to announce that for eternity on their graves. They'd race down the river to meet vessels coming from Europe and escort them up the river known for its currents and shoals. Dangerous work back then. Guess they had to be fast to get their commission, wonder if that's why I like to race? Pretty island, lots of vacation homes. There's a little marina on the island today, maybe I'll cruise there someday when I'm too old to race.

Looking forward practicing on Viper tomorrow... then the phone range... Andy didn't get the keel in today so no Viper practice, bummed. We haven't sailed together and CRW is just a couple weeks away - need time on that boat before we race against serious competition.. ahh no worries for tomorrow at least, will race Lasers in Essex instead.

getting ready for the season

Getting alot done: batteries trickled charged and ready for install, ECSA, J/105, Mudhead memberships, ECSA PHRF cert, Offsoundings membership paperwork submitted. Slips reserved for two events in June on Block. Finally got sail measurement info so application for endorsed IRC cert is complete (I hope). New spinnakers should be almost ready. The 2010 event schedule is complete but some conflicts remain. Ordered new mainsail cover. Thinking about new halyards. Laser (and sometimes Etchells) racing is occupying Sundays, except for next three weekends, as two are practice then down to Charleston Race Week - crewing on a Viper, hot new sportboat class, biggest class at biggest CRW yet! Then week after CRW the J/105 gets splashed and Wed nite practice begins. Need to finish boat prep this weekend I guess. Still need to find a house (and a couple crew members?) for BIRW. Still need to order new battery for boat laptop. The list goes on!

another sailing season has begun

Yes another sailing season has begun. The New Year's day day and KWRW doesn't count. New England sailing starts with frostbiting! Last entry was Jan 31? Guess I’m not a prolific blogger yet. Wicked busy with work and winter storms. Dug out Laser last weekend as Frostbite Yacht Club Spring Series started today. FBYC.org on the CT river in Essex, CT has been around something like 80 years. Lots of folks on shore looking for eagles, I saw one between races. Great fun and a beautiful day. See my Laser blog for more info.

2010 schedule is pretty much set. Still have to resolve some conflicts, but I made the slip reservations on Block Island for the two most popular events. Great calendar, besides my Laser and the Dark ‘n Stormy’s events, I’m crewing on a Viper for at least Charleston Race Week and another J/105 that’s competing more at the national level with Annapolis NOODs (National Offshore One Design) and a bunch of events in the Chicago area, including the J105 North Americas.

My friend Eric had a good day on the water today in Key West matching racing J/24s. He’s “Chief of Mission” for the US military sailing team heading off to represent the US in an international regatta put on by the King of Bahrain in the Persian Gulf next month. A week of practice at J/World in KW during spring week and a week of racing in Bahrain. Sounds like a top-shelf assignment! Wonder what that yacht club's party will be like? Will it top the nice spread and the sushi bar at American Yacht Club hosting of the J105 NAs last November?

Think I’m good to go for launching DnS in mid April. Sail inventory is the best it’s ever been with a new runner and code 0 on order. My club is hosting Dave Perry for tactics seminar on Wed so should see lots of friends haven’t see all winter. Very psyched the 2010 season has begun!!