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!
