Wow here we are and in two weeks I will have closed another sailing season. Now that we have the J122 we have had to step up our game tremendously. I must say that the transition from a Symmetrical kite to an Asymmetrical kite has not been the easiest transition. I will say that the A kite is much easier to gybe etc, but the immense size has created some interesting situations during takedowns and high wind maneuvers. Not to mention that I have had to train a protégé to take my place on the pointy end so that I can migrate back to the cockpit to take on the challenge of flying the kite.
Although I routinely get called (or sent) forward for nasty takedowns, scary transitions between reaching and running kites, shrimping and other not so fun bow parties. I am not disappointed although we didn't rack up a lot of bullets and first places. Even though I am very competitive I am ok with starting off with small beginnings. Although a J122 is hardly a small beginning. Last Saturday we went out in 5-8 and ended up racing in 10-18 and during the damage ripped 3 sails, pulled up enough shrimp for a boil and threw in a few almost broaches just for fun!
I am grateful for a crew that doesn't panic or ever yell LOL I will say that we don't have much time for Rum anymore which makes me quite sad. I am looking forward to a winter to recover and train so that next year we can begin our systematic destruction of our competition so that we can begin our campaign offshore. And I also hope that we quit breaking things so that our skipper and syndicate head can afford to take us campaigning.
I have come to the conclusion that sailing even under desperate conditions is nothing compared to the fear in my day to day job, so I for one am ready to turn in my pink slip and head off to sea! So much to learn in such a short time. I am looking to meeting our next sailing mentor!
Pirate Mike…
