Steve Yelland, Dan Miller, Robert Bennett, Scott Snyder and I went to Wrightsville Beach, NC for the 2005 Nationals. I arrived days earlier than the rest, but we were all there this past Tuesday. We practiced on Wednesday and began racing on Thursday. It was the hardest sailing I've ever attempted. The river has done little to prepare us for 3-4 foot swells, 15-25 mph winds and your typical chop. The water was blue and a little bit chilly, but comfortable, for the most part. We had sun and fun every day, partying it up in the house we rented 1mi down the beach from the yacht club. We're back now, and ready to practice. I look forward to our usual conditions Thursday, after work. If anyone has any friends, or anyone who could come out to start our races, it would be appreciated. We will be able to give them a turn on our boats in return. Here's more about Nationals: It was friggin HARD!!!! Day 1 - Scott, Steve, Rob and I sailed for 40 minutes to get out to the course (we launched in the sound, sailed around to the front of the club). Winds were mild at 11am, but I had already seen them build around 12:30 each day. I heard the wind got up to 15, but with the waves, it felt like we were sailing in 20. The races were supposed to start at 11am, but by 1:45pm, only the 4.7s and the radials had started. After waiting near the committee boat with 79 other full rigs in 3-4 ft swells and wind around 15, they finally started us. We had a general recall. They started us again, shortly after, had some individual recalls but we were off. We hike hard for a good 15 minutes, get up to the windward mark, only to have the race abandoned because the mark wasn't set. It had taken everything I had to do that one leg and the waiting around had iced me, so Scott and I decided to party at the house and sailed in (another 40 minutes). Steve and Rob stayed out for a couple of races and were the toast of the house for their amazing endurance. They did 5 races, finishing up around 6pm. So, people launched at 10am and returned at 6pm. CRAZY! Day 2 - Steve and I went out. It was a good day. We launched at 10am, they started the race at 11am (sending us off 1st, thank God!), wind was around 10mph. We had 2 general recalls, then the I flag went up. The wind built all day. The swells were huge and the chop taxing. I got in 3 races (finished: 76, 71, 78). Steve got in 2. We were totally surprised as to how strong and fit you had to be for this. It felt like I had been in the gym all day, not out sailing. We weren't the only ones to get exhausted and retire for the day. Even the yacht club people gave us credit for being out in what ended up being 20mph. Everything hurts bad when you work that hard. They sailed a total of 5 races that day, finishing around 5pm. Day 3 - races cancelled due to the wind being 25-35mph. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed the beach and the bars. Day 4 - The last day. We were all sore, tired, and hung over. We decided not to sail as the wind was already 17mph when we woke up at 9am. We had to pack and leave, then look forward to a 6 hour drive back, so we spent the day on the beach, watching the racing for our deck. Despite the fact that we were in way over our heads, we made the time fun! Thanks to Robert, we now have a new tradition: when our fleet mates sail and others don't, we will help those that tuff it out by de-rigging for them. Believe me, after 3 races out there, one can barely hold the hose, let alone take masts down. I like the tradition and will be there for the rest of the fleet when I can't make it. There is a lot to be learned from going to an event like this. I've never been iced before by RC. The waiting and getting hit by others in the area, the waves making other boats disappear, and the lack of a bathroom are things to consider before getting involved with sailors who are used to coastal conditions. For women, you MUST wear the appropriate clothes to facilitate going to the bathroom. The people who were able to endure were teens and those in their early 20s. It was like working our in a gym for 8 hours, not sitting around at a desk. Despite everything, I look forward to improving over the year. I'll be working out more, that's for sure. I'll also be taking advantage of all the racing on the bay as much as I can. It was a great experience. It's good to be back in the area, and looking forward to DISTRICTS NEXT MONTH! See you Thursday? Jennifer |
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