I'm in Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, packing for tomorrow morning's flight to St Barths and thought it was time to check in.
The Puma Ocean racing team was invited by Netscape founder Jim Clarke to join him for a two week tour of the upper Caribbean and I've been lucky enough to tag along. Our first event was at the Aga Khan's new annex to the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda that we attend annually in Sardinia. Unlike the Maxi Worlds and other high profile grand prix events we sail in Italy, the focus of the Caribbean circuit is to race these massive cruising yachts for a few hours a day and then let the party begin!
Of the dozen boats participating, the smallest was eighty feet and the largest well over two hundred.
Our vessel, Hanuman, a replica of the 1937 America's Cup winner Endeavor II, is a little over 130 feet.
She's essentially a museum on the water that takes a lot of skill and coordination to sail with a crew in excess of 30. We got straight bullets (first places, they fire a cannon for the winner) and won the week, putting us all in a good mood as we head to St Barths for the second half of the tour.
The St Barths Bucket is another parade/race of mega yachts with a minimum length of 100'.
Minor mistakes cost tens of thousands of dollars and the logistics and expense of housing and feeding a group of forty on one of the most exclusive island destinations in the world is mind boggling. It's a true honor to not only be invited but paid to play!
Must finish packing.
Safety first!
T
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Mid Winter
The Pendragon project has been progressing well and brother Sam was able to join for a circumnavigation of Catalina Island a couple weeks ago. . However, there's still a ways to go in order to achieve the level of efficiency that the competition, Bella Mente, is producing.
The boat is responding well to all structural changes and once the rig geometry gets sorted we can return our focus to the maneuvers and safety protocols for the upcoming distance races.
This preparation and commissioning burns up resources at a staggering rate, considering a single day on the water costs approximately ten grand.
The following week, I sailed 505's in a local event hosted by the Alamitos Bay Yacht Club. Nine boats registered, but only six were in contention at the weather mark.
The guy I was sailing with is a French race horse broker living in the LA area.
We trade some of my rigging and sailing time against his condo in Mammoth. Horse sales are slow and I'm always open to barter.
This was the second dinghy regatta, I've ever competed in. A few years ago I raced the 49er Olympic pre-trials in San Diego
with my buddy Jeff Causey, the man who introduced me to skiff sailing.
Much like San Diego, Long Beach was very light, which was a good thing because I've only sailed a 505 once and I'm about 40 pounds light. Unlike SD, we didnt get our asses handed too us and finished second overall, a result we were both quite happy with.
We packed up quickly and I flew to Telluride for a week of 'cross training.'
It was an amazing trip with friends, family and a lot of hiking to remote chutes with fresh powder. It was the most challenging terrain I've snowboarded and a town that I look forward to visiting again.
I hope all the activity at thirteen thousand feet pays off during this month's three regattas. I'll be sailing on the Hannuman, working with the Puma Sailing team for two regattas in addition to next week's sprint to San Diego from LA, around the Catalina islands.
The first Carribean event is in Virgin Gorda, one of the British Virgin Islands. The second is the St Barts Bucket, a staple for international opulence!
My greatest concern for the month is whether to sneak in another 'cross training' session in Mammoth and risk an injury before the trip down island.
Remember sports fans, safety first!
The boat is responding well to all structural changes and once the rig geometry gets sorted we can return our focus to the maneuvers and safety protocols for the upcoming distance races.
This preparation and commissioning burns up resources at a staggering rate, considering a single day on the water costs approximately ten grand.
The following week, I sailed 505's in a local event hosted by the Alamitos Bay Yacht Club. Nine boats registered, but only six were in contention at the weather mark.
The guy I was sailing with is a French race horse broker living in the LA area.
We trade some of my rigging and sailing time against his condo in Mammoth. Horse sales are slow and I'm always open to barter.
This was the second dinghy regatta, I've ever competed in. A few years ago I raced the 49er Olympic pre-trials in San Diego
with my buddy Jeff Causey, the man who introduced me to skiff sailing.
Much like San Diego, Long Beach was very light, which was a good thing because I've only sailed a 505 once and I'm about 40 pounds light. Unlike SD, we didnt get our asses handed too us and finished second overall, a result we were both quite happy with.
We packed up quickly and I flew to Telluride for a week of 'cross training.'
It was an amazing trip with friends, family and a lot of hiking to remote chutes with fresh powder. It was the most challenging terrain I've snowboarded and a town that I look forward to visiting again.
I hope all the activity at thirteen thousand feet pays off during this month's three regattas. I'll be sailing on the Hannuman, working with the Puma Sailing team for two regattas in addition to next week's sprint to San Diego from LA, around the Catalina islands.
The first Carribean event is in Virgin Gorda, one of the British Virgin Islands. The second is the St Barts Bucket, a staple for international opulence!
My greatest concern for the month is whether to sneak in another 'cross training' session in Mammoth and risk an injury before the trip down island.
Remember sports fans, safety first!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Exit strategy.
I'm checked out of the hotel and lurking in the lobby until the airport shuttle comes to take me home!
Many frustrations accompanied the positive aspects of this month's tour. The worst of which is jealousy, perhaps the most demoralizing emotion.
After fighting my way through the professional ranks of this sport for a half dozen years now, a team of under 25's is being assembled and funded to promote young, American off shore sailors.
The first project is July's Transatlantic race from Newport, RI to Portsmouth England on a 6 million dollar 65 footer. I think it's terrific that such a project is in the works, but a pity that I'm too old to qualify. Puma's Volvo Ocean Race Team and Ramble 100 will be competing in the race and such exposure would be a great way to secure one of the under 30 positions required for the circumnavigation.
This could officially be my quarter life crisis.
Get me home.
T
Many frustrations accompanied the positive aspects of this month's tour. The worst of which is jealousy, perhaps the most demoralizing emotion.
After fighting my way through the professional ranks of this sport for a half dozen years now, a team of under 25's is being assembled and funded to promote young, American off shore sailors.
The first project is July's Transatlantic race from Newport, RI to Portsmouth England on a 6 million dollar 65 footer. I think it's terrific that such a project is in the works, but a pity that I'm too old to qualify. Puma's Volvo Ocean Race Team and Ramble 100 will be competing in the race and such exposure would be a great way to secure one of the under 30 positions required for the circumnavigation.
This could officially be my quarter life crisis.
Get me home.
T
Friday, January 21, 2011
PRD
The depression sets in as soon as you cross the finish line. Win or lose, the rush is over and reality sets in for us all, regardless of what we're going home too. Unfortunately for Titan, we went into the day one point out of first and finished last. It makes the slump that much worse.
As each program packs up their beloved multi million dollar toy, we make lists of modifications and pointers upon which to capitalize for the next event. All but one team wishing that such adjustments had been made a week prior to change the current outcome.
Most races last about an hour, and in the ten race series we lost a half dozen points by less than five seconds. Everyone on board can find that time in some personal short coming and wonders 'what if?'. As painful as the feeling is, this unique pursuit of perfection is what keeps us coming back.
I am grateful to have another project to sink my teeth into next week to distract me from this loss. Many of my teammates are not so fortunate.
The opportunity for redemption is yet to be scheduled, but in any case it will be months until this weapon sails again. I love this boat, she's a winner and I hope to get the opportunity to prove it!
Two of my teammates this week are owners of the Pittsburg Steelers. Our focus turns to their Sunday game against the Jets. Yins got this!
Safety first!
As each program packs up their beloved multi million dollar toy, we make lists of modifications and pointers upon which to capitalize for the next event. All but one team wishing that such adjustments had been made a week prior to change the current outcome.
Most races last about an hour, and in the ten race series we lost a half dozen points by less than five seconds. Everyone on board can find that time in some personal short coming and wonders 'what if?'. As painful as the feeling is, this unique pursuit of perfection is what keeps us coming back.
I am grateful to have another project to sink my teeth into next week to distract me from this loss. Many of my teammates are not so fortunate.
The opportunity for redemption is yet to be scheduled, but in any case it will be months until this weapon sails again. I love this boat, she's a winner and I hope to get the opportunity to prove it!
Two of my teammates this week are owners of the Pittsburg Steelers. Our focus turns to their Sunday game against the Jets. Yins got this!
Safety first!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Key West
Since my last post I've done a lot of sailing and not much writing.
The three days in Marina Del Rey were very light. Excellent conditions for sailing a new boat with a new team that has been experiencing teething pains during the commissioning process. Maxi race boats are never delivered 'ready'. It takes months of modifications and calibration to get them competitive. It's generally in it's second year that a program begins to reach it's potential, but by the fourth year her outdated design becomes the limiting factor.
After the high design and build costs, it's hard to commit additional resources to this stage of the process. Fortunately, this Pendragon team understands that pushing the budget hard this year will prolong the yachts golden years.
The month's second project was also a success. The Denali program recently purchased a 55 footer that has been proven through and through with previous owners. She passed her prime about five years ago, but will be the perfect platform for this team's schedule and goals. It was our first time on the boat with none of the original crew, so our challenge was to sort out the rig tune and sail cross over chart as efficiently as possible and keep everyone safe. The boat has intricate block and tackle systems to avoid any hydraulics. Very rare these days and a fun challenge to calibrate.
We sailed well in a stiff down winder, completing the 160 mile course in just under 15 hours with few mistakes. Brother Sam and the 68 foot Bella Mente crushed everyone in just over 11 hours.
After arriving in Key West at 5am last Thursday, I slept as long as I dared before switching accommodations to the Titan team and prepared for the week ahead. After five races in varied conditions we are sitting in second, one point out of first. There are only four boats in our class, but all are extremely well funded and at the top of their game. Great racing!
Today's postponement due to lack of breeze has given me a much needed opportunity to update this blog.
Boat call in 10. Bye for now.
The three days in Marina Del Rey were very light. Excellent conditions for sailing a new boat with a new team that has been experiencing teething pains during the commissioning process. Maxi race boats are never delivered 'ready'. It takes months of modifications and calibration to get them competitive. It's generally in it's second year that a program begins to reach it's potential, but by the fourth year her outdated design becomes the limiting factor.
After the high design and build costs, it's hard to commit additional resources to this stage of the process. Fortunately, this Pendragon team understands that pushing the budget hard this year will prolong the yachts golden years.
The month's second project was also a success. The Denali program recently purchased a 55 footer that has been proven through and through with previous owners. She passed her prime about five years ago, but will be the perfect platform for this team's schedule and goals. It was our first time on the boat with none of the original crew, so our challenge was to sort out the rig tune and sail cross over chart as efficiently as possible and keep everyone safe. The boat has intricate block and tackle systems to avoid any hydraulics. Very rare these days and a fun challenge to calibrate.
We sailed well in a stiff down winder, completing the 160 mile course in just under 15 hours with few mistakes. Brother Sam and the 68 foot Bella Mente crushed everyone in just over 11 hours.
After arriving in Key West at 5am last Thursday, I slept as long as I dared before switching accommodations to the Titan team and prepared for the week ahead. After five races in varied conditions we are sitting in second, one point out of first. There are only four boats in our class, but all are extremely well funded and at the top of their game. Great racing!
Today's postponement due to lack of breeze has given me a much needed opportunity to update this blog.
Boat call in 10. Bye for now.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
This morning Grace and I were invited on a helicopter tour of the greater Los Angeles area in a R44 Raven II. This was my second time in a chopper and far more memorable than the first.
I've been sailing 18 foot skiffs with a local real estate developer that needed to log some flying time. We were in the air within an hour of the invitation and enjoyed a relaxing, aerial tour. We flew up to the 'no-fly' zone of today's Rose Bowl, down to Long Beach and up the coast to Malibu. The highlight for me was flying along the beach by LAX at a 150 feet of altitude and over 150 kt of speed. Commercial planes were taking off too the West over our blades.
A big thank you goes out to all those with both means and generosity. Proof that 'trickle down' can work when we all subscribe too 'he with the most toys wins!'
Safety first.
T
I've been sailing 18 foot skiffs with a local real estate developer that needed to log some flying time. We were in the air within an hour of the invitation and enjoyed a relaxing, aerial tour. We flew up to the 'no-fly' zone of today's Rose Bowl, down to Long Beach and up the coast to Malibu. The highlight for me was flying along the beach by LAX at a 150 feet of altitude and over 150 kt of speed. Commercial planes were taking off too the West over our blades.
A big thank you goes out to all those with both means and generosity. Proof that 'trickle down' can work when we all subscribe too 'he with the most toys wins!'
Safety first.
T
Friday, December 31, 2010
2010 Wrap up
I made some big changes this year.
Past January, I committed to another year with the Bronco Sailing Team. A pro/am sailing team I have been managing on behalf of our benefactor since December 2008. Although the opportunity has taken me away from much of the high profile maxi yachting I was doing, the tight competitive nature of one design is essential to the sustainability of my career. Furthermore, the opportunity to build and manage a program from scratch has been a goal of mine since I started big boat racing.
In March I moved to Los Angeles to join my girlfriend Grace, who's been on the West coast for a couple years now. I've been pleasantly surprised by West Hollywood and the elimination of the 'long distance relationship' in my life. The weather is great for year round training and Long Beach and Mammoth have been great venues for skiff sailing, kiting and boarding.
In June we picked up our six week old English Bull dog, Willis. If you have not held an English pup recently, I don't think I can convey the agonizing cuteness that the creatures posses'. The little bastard haunts my dreams.
I'll be sailing with three teams in January. The 70 footer Pendragon 6 was launched a little over a year ago and has had some structural issues that has kept her in the shed for much of the past season. Next week's re-commissioning in Marina Del Rey will be my first time sailing with the program and I look forward to working toward their goal of a competitive race to Hawaii in July.
Immediately after Sunday's sailing, I hop on a red eye for Fort Lauderdale to join the Denali for the feeder race to Key West Race Week. Denali is a Ker55, recently purchased by an employer I've been sailing with for a little over two years.
Upon arriving in Key West, I shift over to TITAN XV, a recently launched 75 foot sled. She's currently chartered by Bill Koch, who I had the pleasure of sailing with in Sardinia at the Rolex Maxi Worlds this past September.
What a great way to kick off the year!
Safety First.
T
Past January, I committed to another year with the Bronco Sailing Team. A pro/am sailing team I have been managing on behalf of our benefactor since December 2008. Although the opportunity has taken me away from much of the high profile maxi yachting I was doing, the tight competitive nature of one design is essential to the sustainability of my career. Furthermore, the opportunity to build and manage a program from scratch has been a goal of mine since I started big boat racing.
In March I moved to Los Angeles to join my girlfriend Grace, who's been on the West coast for a couple years now. I've been pleasantly surprised by West Hollywood and the elimination of the 'long distance relationship' in my life. The weather is great for year round training and Long Beach and Mammoth have been great venues for skiff sailing, kiting and boarding.
I'll be sailing with three teams in January. The 70 footer Pendragon 6 was launched a little over a year ago and has had some structural issues that has kept her in the shed for much of the past season. Next week's re-commissioning in Marina Del Rey will be my first time sailing with the program and I look forward to working toward their goal of a competitive race to Hawaii in July.
Immediately after Sunday's sailing, I hop on a red eye for Fort Lauderdale to join the Denali for the feeder race to Key West Race Week. Denali is a Ker55, recently purchased by an employer I've been sailing with for a little over two years.
Upon arriving in Key West, I shift over to TITAN XV, a recently launched 75 foot sled. She's currently chartered by Bill Koch, who I had the pleasure of sailing with in Sardinia at the Rolex Maxi Worlds this past September.
What a great way to kick off the year!
Safety First.
T
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