Saturday, November 18, 2006

too much fun

Sailing.

Dad got us into it thirty something years ago.

and sailboat racing. That too.

Well, many seasons of racing at the Surf City Yacht Club had their trials and tribulations. There were some pretty big time serious racers in that club. I'm not so sure that we knew at that time how serious those guys were.

But, we were into the game too and we learned a lot. Thanks, Dad.

And we've stayed in it. Thanks everybody.

Today Dave, Kyle & Ross sailed in the Harbor Sailboats Fall Regatta. This is the club's annual big race.

Many years ago Dave joined the Harbor Sailboats Club and the club has provided a great opportunity for learning more about sailing and sailboat racing. As Dave's original crew I remember that we started at the bottom and finished last or close to last in our first attempts. But we improved. Eventually we won a race. That was awesome. And then we came in first overall for the day. And then we won a series.

Now Dave is the all time series champion. His name is on the club plaque more than ten times. No one else is close.

But this Fall Club Regatta has eluded us. And we have been up against some serious challengers over the years. Some competitors are actually professionals in the sport.

Today was our day.

The race lasted about three hours. We had a good start & reached the first mark in first place but were caught and passed by a boat early on the next leg. We were challenged by two others and dropped into third place. But, we held on. We made some good decisions and sailed well and reclaimed second. And then going back upwind we regained the lead and held on for the final half hour and finished first.

Trophy!

A couple of months ago we needed to do very well in the final day of a series to win the series. We pulled off a 1st, 1st & 1st to win the series by 1/2 point against a very good competitor. We thought that day that we reached the pinnacle of sailing. Well, I think that Dave & I are agreed that today was our best day sailing ever.

And I think that all the members of the Maris Stella Yacht Club have a part in helping in our success today.

I will be sailing again tommorrow in an ocean race. #2 of 3 of the series that I wrote about last week. But nothing can compare to today's race. Sail on.

Too much fun!

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