In Regatta Recovery

Sailed in a regatta this weekend. First morning get towed out to the starting area by a boat named Screaming Eagle ... a string of Dragons and Etchells all tied one to another, like day care kids going to the park. No wind. This is called a bob & bake - but eventually, a nice little breeze fills in. Ahhh ... boats are beautiful, competition is demanding, race committee excellent.

But Handsome Jack is still not fully functional. Lines are not running smoothly. Gear is not set up to optimum yet. Wrists are still aching from pulling on lines that won't run. Many bruises, a few bloody scrapes, a few nice rope burns. Moments of hope mingled with moments of frustration.

Two day regatta - 3 races each day - 4 legs per race - sail approximately 12 miles per day. Do pretty well overall and manage to stay with the fleet. (Except for a couple of really awful mark roundings). Totally worn out by the end of the weekend and go home to ice packs and naproxen.

Club lays on excellent steak dinner. Nice prizes and rounds of applause for everyone. We enjoy great companionship with most generous competitors. Come away with lots of advice and tons of encouragement. Pretty good time.