Monday, August 23, 2010

Some blog

Some blog, haven’t updated it all summer..too busy working, sailing and racing. Need to make more of an effort. Right now I’m motoring up to Newport for a double handed distance race and long weekend in Newport. Since there’s no wind and water is flat and promised myself to limit con calls I thought I’d compose an entry.

I definitely have a good work life balance! So far this year I’ve race at KWRW, CRW (sort of – see earlier blog entry), AYC spring, OffSoundings spring, frostbiting Lasers and Etchells, Wed nite racing and other misc events. Distance races include Block Island Race, Mudhead overnight, New England Solo/Twin and Ida Lewis Distance race is tomorrow. In a couple weeks the Vineyeard race (275nm) and a couple events in Chicago including J/105 North Americans.

Today is my 68th day on the water this year, which is ahead of last year’s pace. No podiums finishes this year though – can’t understand that as we definitely better sailors than last year and boat prep is not an issue, but they have been some tactical mistakes on the course but I’d like to think as we’re doing bigger events the competition is stronger. Or maybe I need a newer mainsail…No worries we’re having far more fun this year than last!

Loving the distance racing much more than windward leeward course. So much more thinking and seamanship involved. J/105 is great double handed platform too. We can easily fly the largest headsail and spinnaker in pretty much all conditions.Still like big fleet one-desing, that why I continue to crew on “Creative Destruction” it’s just that there aren’t that many such events available in my area.

Kinda too cool (didn’t want to don wetsuit) and more importantly too dark to scrub bottom this morning, I’ll do that in Newport as I should have a few hours before the skipper’s meeting where I’ll meet Eric. I’m sure we’ll head over to Zelda’s, an excellent sailors pub, for a pint or two of Guiness and some food. Forecast for this race is looking light, three course are in the SIs, a 177nm, 150nm and 104nm courses. Hoping for the shorter course to ensure we’ll have soe time to enjoy Newport night life on Sat. This’ll be the second distance race/long weekend (Thurs-Sun) in Newport in 3 weeks, really love that town. I’d move there given half a chance.

That’s it for now, really need a brighter laptop screen for blogging underway in full sun. Thanks to whoever left the SPF 70 on board! And I promise to blog more frequently