Key West Race Week-Sailing

[MikeR]

Our son and daughter-in-law are racing their j80 sailboat down at Key West this week. Just learned that they finished 5th out of 17 in the first race. Very tough competition and we are justly proud.

http://www.premiere-racing.com/07_KW...eries.htm#J/80, look for Angry Chameleon.

Cheers to the Chameleons (boat name)

MikeR

[MikeR]

Our son and daughter-in-law are racing their j80 sailboat down at Key West this week. Just learned that they finished 5th out of 17 in the first race. Very tough competition and we are justly proud.

http://www.premiere-racing.com/07_KW...eries.htm#J/80, look for Angry Chameleon.

Cheers to the Chameleons (boat name)

MikeR

Forgive my pride, they finished 4th in the second race and are now in 4th place!!

MikeR

[JR]

Pretty cool, MikeR. Are they racing all week? LOML and I just landed at MIA and have some time later in the week.

JR

[MikeR]

Pretty cool, MikeR. Are they racing all week? LOML and I just landed at MIA and have some time later in the week.

JR

Yes, racing goes until Friday. If you're hoping to go down there, accomodations are very tight. They expect to get 9-10 races in if the weather cooperates.

I was there last year and it was blowing 35 kts +. At that level of wind, it becomes partially a case of survival, but fun (at least in retrospect).

Very happy for them.

Cheers,

MikeR

[crokett]

Mike,

I windsurf and I know guys who would love to go out in 35 knots. Real small sails and real light boards.

[MikeR]

Mike,

I windsurf and I know guys who would love to go out in 35 knots. Real small sails and real light boards.

Hey David-

You'll understand that last year we got the boat up to 19.4 kts. Now that was a hoot!

Also, used to do business with Mebane Knitting Mills, are they still around?

Cheers,

MikeR

[jrnewhall]

Mike,

I was there in '05 on a C&C 40. The winds broke 20+ every day. Hard work but lots of fun. Why aren't you there helping out? The guys I sailed with are back again this year. I just couldn't swing the trip with them.

Keep us posted on their progress so we can vicariously enjoy the free drinks-nightly awards party. I think a Mount Gay and tonic is in order tonight. I wonder if there is anywhere in Rochester where I can get bet on the turtle races?

~JRN

[crokett]

Hey David-

You'll understand that last year we got the boat up to 19.4 kts. Now that was a hoot!

Also, used to do business with Mebane Knitting Mills, are they still around?

Cheers,

MikeR

I don't think so. I think the mills got bought out by a bigger company.

I'm more of a crusing type sailor. I have a big floaty board and the smallest sail I own is a 6.5 meter. I max at about 20 knot winds. Anything over that I start to get overpowered and the board gets squirrely. I do know guys that don't own anything larger than my smallest and don't got out in less than about 18 knots.

[MikeR]

That was quite the week, wasn't it? I think that I still have bruises. Probably the most exciting sailing I've ever done.

As far as being there, I think that my j80 days are over, pretty much a young man's sport. I'm content to think of woodworking projects for my 33' Pearson. (Like the mast step)


They got a disappointing 11th in the first race today but came back with a 4th in the second. Lying 5th place now. I had my dark and stormy for them tonight.

I did the Around Long Island Race about 20 years ago on a C&C40. Sweet boat.

Cheers,

MikeR

[MikeR]

Well, the racing is over and the kids finished in 4th place in a fleet of 17. We are, understandably, very proud of them.

Cheers,

MikeR

[TheRic]

You have every right to be proud of them!!!

Was looking at the scoring, don't under stand how you can come -11 (negative 11)??? Then again I don't know anything about the sport.

[MikeR]

You have every right to be proud of them!!!

Was looking at the scoring, don't under stand how you can come -11 (negative 11)??? Then again I don't know anything about the sport.

They get to 'throw out' their worst finish. It's signified by the minus mark. The 11th place doesn't count in the score.

Cheers,

MikeR

[backpacker85]

Congratulations to both yourself and them. I'd be proud as well!!

[JR]

Sorry, didn't make it down to the Keys.

We couldn't bring ourselves to leave Palm Springs. Talk about swanky! Whatever the total number of Rolls Royces I had seen in my life, it was more than doubled in the first 24 hours there. And that's not counting the Bentleys mistaken for Rollses at first glance.

Congrats to the racers!

JR