Wednesday Night Racing....Again(Nostalgia Post)

Today would have been my grandfather's 103rd birthday. My amazing Pops who loved nothing more than to be out on a sailboat. He is my hero--and I hope I've done him proud over these past 5 years, obsessively racing on a bunch of sailboats.  Last night was the opening race of the Wednesday Night Series on the West River. So glad to be back out there.  As I looked around at the scenery (rare when so focused on getting the boat to go faster), I also recognized in me that same feeling:  There is no other place I'd rather be than sailing. 

Four years ago almost to the date, I met Xing Fu for the first time down on the West River.  My son & I used to drive down every other Wednesday to race & I remember the first time we went down there (also because I mention the time in a blog post) & I saw Xing Fu--it was cold & wet & he had on his foulies with a knit cap--too cute. Granted, never thought too much beyond that for that season but look where we are now.  And last night we sailed together again down there & I also realized that there is no other person that I'd rather be sailing/racing with. So a tribute to my Pops & a tribute to the West River where I found my passion renewed.  I also recently revisited past posts about sailing--I have learned a TON from that first post & the first race back out--reading about my Miles River experience on the Catalina 27 & how handling the kite was really baffling at the time & how the set & douse were beyond me.  Even my vocabulary has changed as well as my knowledge of the tweaks in the sail trim. I love how I've grown into the sport again & I love that I have a partner who loves it at least as much as me.  Yup, being a nostalgic sop but someone's gotta do it!

It's On!

So much has gone on recently in so many facets of my life.  Of course, my brain has been hooked into sailing--Wednesday night series down on the West River starts tonight--I will be on a non-spin boat this week & next I'll be up in Annapolis on my regular ride for the AYC Wednesday series.   My brain has been so hooked by sailing that when I was at Bed, Bath, & Beyond with BFF(A), I bought sailboat sheets-printed with charts & sailboats--Xing Fu said something about "charting those waters" & then turned bright red last Saturday night at BFF(J)'s house.  Cracked all of us up.  But seriously, I can hear my son saying to me when he comes home Thursday from Florida & seeing the sheets, "Obessed much, mom?"  Guilty as charged.

Also, spending more time with Xing Fu's children.  It was a weird feeling to drop my own child off at the airport (first time traveling alone--I stood at security until he got through--at least his gate was D1, closest to security) & then take on three others.  It was an intense weekend but not in a bad way.  I've been reading a few books lately, one called Stepmonster by Wednesday Martin has been pretty interesting. Not sure that I agree with everything that I'm reading (only a third through it) & I'm not a stepmother in the true sense of the word, but I am the woman in their father's life & that has an entire raft of potential pitfalls, etc.  I think we are going about it all in a very good way so far--carefully, talking about all of the possible outcomes as best we can & he tells me that his kids like me--very good, so perhaps one of the most difficult situations in family-life will work out for us.

Another part of all this has been that all of our kids are away this week & we've been spending a lot more time together--it's been good--in some ways better than when we were last at the beach--for whatever reason, we have covered a lot of ground & looked at some of our sticking points--it has made us closer. 

And I have the week off--WOOHOO!

Great Race Despite Ourselves

It's been a few weeks since I crewed on a Wednesday night--stuff just got in the way, but last night we were back down for the normal Wednesday Night Series.  And it was quite a race.  We had very decent wind, surprising because the forecast said only 3 knots & I was expecting to be bobbing. 

Our start was great until we started nosing in with the big boys (those who usually win our class & are highly competitive) & they wouldn't give us space.  I was in pit for the beginning of the race, & watching 5 30' boats fighting for a few yards under the spinnaker was pretty hair-raising!  As a result of a few near misses--another boat & the mark, we ran aground hard.  Better to run aground than to hit the other boat or the mark for sure.  But we managed to roll off & get set, & get back in it. 

Later, I flew the kite & did a bit of jib trim so overall I felt well-utilized during this race--was glad that I can offer to do a few different positions as crew--good to have that kind of versatility.  And, dare I say it, I actually enjoyed being in pit for the time I was there (generally I do not enjoy that position but will do it if there is a need & no one else is available).  Thanks to the skipper for rotating folks around--great for practice. 

And, despite ourselves, we did manage to beat two other boats!  So not completely a total loss after all of the drama at the start of the race.  I think we're beginning to gel as a team--feeling out what works, etc.  Again I say it is quite nice to have a regular boat to be crew for--and we have a great time too.  A shout-out to my J-30--love you guys!

Water Everywhere or Miles Part II

Drawbridge at Knapps Narrows

                                                        Sharps Island Light

The theme of the weekend was water.  Everywhere.  From all vantage points. It started Friday driving the cars down to St Mikes.  We drop the cars off & then decided to have lunch on Tilghman Island right by Knapps Narrows.  We drive down to the very tip--Black Walnut Point & look out over the Choptank River & Sharps Island Light--I love the story of Sharps Island--one of the coolest stories of many on the Bay. http://www.riverheritage.org/RiverGuide/Sites/html/sharps_island.html   It was great watching the drawbridge traffic.  Even better is that it is soft shell crab season--I had a fantastic sandwich.  After lunch we walked around looking at a bunch of sailboats on the dry--specifically little O'Days around 22' to 23' long.  Most of them hadn't seen water on their hulls for at least 3 years.  We wondered how much the owners would sell them for or if they were abandoned. 

  When racing to St Mikes, you don't always see the town, so we decided to poke around after we left Tilghman's.  I picked up a t-shirt for my son as I always like to get one from places I've visited.  We spent about an hour there & decided to make sure that we beat bridge traffic & get back towards Galesville where we'd be spending the night in preparation for a very early morning departure.  Up over the bridge--another beautiful view of all of the sailboat traffic & we decide to stop in Annapolis & walk around Ego Alley. 

We sat on the dock & looked out at all of the sailboats moored--all "Benehuntalinas" of course.  It was funny, we realized that we had done very little most of the day, but had covered much ground (or water)--on many levels.  As we were trying to decide what to do for dinner, I see one of my friend's boats sail in to find a tie-up at the dock--thought about yelling over to them but they motored by too fast.  They must have just finished the AYC Beer Can racing.  It was a gorgeous evening and whatever we decided it certainly had to be on the water for dinner to be truly excellent.

Our decision led us next to the South River & dinner on the water at Yellowfin.  As I said--big water theme--makes sense as we both decided that we need to be near the water as much as possible.  After dinner we drive down to Galesville & hang out with the skipper of my boat and some of the crew.  My skipper has a beautiful house on the West River and we woke up on the morning of the race to a beautiful water view even if it was pouring down rain at first.

No wind.  Big Problem.  Light air jib trim can be very dicey.  Long race but by the time we made it to the Eastern Bay we could fly the kite and the wind picked up enough to finish nicely & sail up to the Miles River Yacht Club for the party.  And no, this year I did not get drunk.  Instead, I swam in the river with some of the crew, & had a great dinner out on the raft-up of a few boats that did not race but came down for the party afterward.  Friends of the skipper had a dinner for someone's birthday--bbq off the stern of the boat was truly wonderful--good company, & of course good conversation about sailing & the race we'd all just completed.  Xing Fu & I sat on the cabin & I had my one Dark n' Stormy of the party--wonderful to watch the sun come down over the river & watch the tenders flit between the raft-ups, dropping off & picking up people to go to the club house.  I love the boat I've been sailing on--not only do we have fun, but I am learning so much--opportunity is everywhere with this skipper--very happy that Xing Fu linked me to this boat. 

On Sunday, we had to hi-tail it out of St Michaels to get to the party that my BFF(J) was hosting on the water in Essex.  Xing Fu & I almost immediately grab the two-man kayak & head out.  Another water perspective--it was truly beautiful, even with all the boat traffic--just can't beat a day on the water in whatever form it appears in.  Lucky to have found a man who loves being on/near the water as much as I do.  After paddling around, we come back & enjoy  great times with my friends--finished with fireworks that my BFF(A)'s husband brought--perfection!

OK, so it may be a bit of a reach to count the pool & view of the Jones Falls on the way back from dinner with my folks as more water, but we thought, "Why not?"  We did look out from my folks' house in Canton over the water so I think that counts.  It was a tremendously busy weekend but a hugely satisfying one.  Happy is really the theme here. 

Cinco de Sailing

What a gorgeous sailing evening--another fantastic race!  This time we took second which was awesome.  Pretty gusty out there yesterday & I was flying the kite again--pretty shifty winds, & I needed to really focus but we we were able to overtake quite a few boats in our class and managed to pull out that second with adjusted time.  When we were on the windward tack, I was riding the rail at that time, I watched the boat Xing Fu was on on its 2nd down wind leg.  I knew he was flying too so I wanted to see how he was doing...took him a while to get that chute filled so I didn't feel so badly at my not quite getting shape to mine right away on the first down wind leg.  I was thinking, "get that kite filled, come on!"  I also struggled a bit on the jibe because I needed to free-fly & I didn't get aft enough to see the edges of the sail--next time--new boat & need to practice more & as I said, heavier wind & shifty.  But an exhilarating experience nonetheless...what's cool is that I have an opportunity to really learn more--get a chance to do a little foredeck work this season, some mast & hopefully some main--great experiences all around the positions on the boat.  What's even better is that I have a place to call home--not flitting between 7 different boats.  I don't mind because I learn on every single one, but it is nice to be part of a steady crew.

Can't wait for the Miles River Race in a few weeks--I wrote about it last year--this year I plan on NOT getting as wasted as I was last year--looking forward to a great race & then a great party but plan on having far fewer Dark 'n' Stormies this year. 

Yesterday was Cinco de Mayo & Pirate's Cove had the taco buffet after racing & also some very nice drink specials.  The skipper of my boat was so happy with our result that she bought us rounds of tequila shots--fun, but as I needed to drive home, so I limited myself--but I am having a great time--super fun folk out there--I think we got the rowdiest table award last night.  


***I've been informed that the times were off & we came in third after all--ah well--still a great race!

Blow The Guy! (Warning: contains sailing stories)

Finally! Finally! Finally!  Back out for Wednesday Night Racing on the West River.  And I almost didn't make it!  I was running quite late & the weather was wreaking havoc on the roads--dock time was 5:20 & I knew the boat might leave without me--that would totally suck!  But I got there in time.  It feels like forever but despite the ick rain & slightly "cool"  temps, we had a great sail.  Not counting being pushed off-course at a really good start under the chute (which I flew), & then as a result running aground because we ended up on the wrong side of the mark (not our fault). But I had a blast & the people on board were a lot of fun--especially the two younger dudes who'd never sailed or for that matter raced before.  As we're getting ready for the race--getting sails up, looking at the course, etc., the boat Xing Fu is on sails by..he yells across at me, "You made it!"   I hadn't noticed them going by because I was trying to get set for the jib so it was nice that he called out to me. 

Here we were at the start & getting ready to round the mark--the skipper is telling the noobs what needed to happen and what they need to do to get ready for the windward tack & the douse.  She says, "You'll need to blow the guy."  The one guy responds, "I'll do a lot of things but blowing the guy is where I draw the line!"  We just about lost it!  In fact, I think I collapsed the chute because I was doubled-over laughing.  Those of us who sail, occasionally take for granted that people know terms--we never think twice sometimes.  But, what that really means is that one of the lines that is connected to the spinnaker needs to come off of the winch so that the sail can be taken down.  After that, all terms became somewhat pornographic, at this point we really weren't racing anymore so it was a good practice & time to just enjoy a brisk sail.  By the end of the race, it just felt like coming home again...being on the water just feels right.  


After the race, everyone goes to dinner.  Again, a lot of fun..Xing Fu & I met up afterward to talk about joining a boat for the NOODs next weekend.  We will sail together on the last day of the 3-day races.  Looking forward to it!  


Like I said, it is great to be back out there racing & I agree with Xing Fu that it's also great when your "squeeze" also loves to sail...even coming home to watch a bunch of sail boats broaching on youtube...I'm still riding the adrenaline high! 

Light Air on the West

The only problem with summer is light wind. Yes folks, West River Wednesday! We thought we had about 10 knots going in but as the sun starts down so does the wind...but the race was fun anyway--a little less intense & a little more relaxing. We notice things: like the two rays with their wing tips peeking out of the water. Right in the bay--not often you see rays outside of the aquarium petting zoo. It was so cool because we were joking that having the rays cross your bow gave the boat behind us an unfair advantage. We yelled toward them about the rays' port crossing & how time needed to be deducted from them as a result. Then you hear one of the crew on the other boat exclaim: "Cool! Rays!" Even though races in light air can kinda suck, it is fun because ultimately you are out on the water & not stuck in some cubicle somewhere where the only rays you can see are the ones on the computer if you google them. One of the guys said to me. "This sure beats working anyday so bring on a little light air." I have to agree.

My sister sent my son a gift certificate to Annapolis Performance Sailing (APS) for his birthday. My son is so excited by this--he says he wants new gloves because his aren't as cool as mine. Then he said he wanted foulies--I said, find a job! I may see if I can get him a lightweight jacket though, but I think a pair of Camet shorts may be best before he leaves for sailing camp. That is one cool store if you like to geek out as a sailor. In fact, attached to the gift certificate was a catalog--talk about geeking out! I was glued most of the night comparing different gear--next up: gear bag for my days at Screwpile.

Oh yes! Screwpile & Solomons: Night racing down the bay & days of racing & nights of partying. I'm looking forward to it--one, because I never raced at night & how cool will that be? I love sailing at night, especially under a full moon--it is spectacular! Racing just adds another whole dimension to the beauty of it. And two, how much fun will it be to race & party--that's what summer's all about! And I'm free to do it! I guarantee if I were still married or even heavily in a relationship, I might not have been able to crew this race. I am taking two days from work too. It looks like my summer is shaping up to be fantastic after all--just what the hell was I worried about??

West on Wednesday

Can't seem to go too long without getting back out on the water. Back down on the West River, doing the Wednesday night races. My son & I climb into our car & high-tail it back down to Galesville to hop on board again. This crew is so good--like clockwork--makes my fumblings on Sunday look, well, like fumblings...but here is where I'll learn & then apply. I am just grateful to be included--my son as well--he just loves the experience. And, bless them, they didnt give me too much grief about my altered state on Saturday night after the race.

We had light air but we did very well--second place. I love it when things go well. I was back in the pit--getting to know this boat a bit more & what I need to do to be better on the team. My son, also enthusiastically, was up on the fore-deck helping with the spinnaker. Turning the marks were particularly good--the driver just made it so smooth. Too bad it was such a short race but again--just being part of this talented crew is worth it--& I get to join them again on Saturday for the Shearwater Twilight Race--Yehaw!!

The Ghost Lingers

If you were here
Would you calm me down?

The ghost of you lingers
It lingers
And I always think about it

Oh, would you calm me down?

From: The Ghost of You Lingers by Spoon

On Wednesday my son & I are going to the West River to race in the Pirate's Cove sponsored Wednesday Night Series Races. We are going to be on another boat to see if we can crew in future races. This is great news because I have many offers to race & multiple boats wanting crew. Many more than I thought would happen. Also super because this is yet another activity my son & I can do together--another thing we both love. He will get so much racing experience before he goes off to sailing camp this summer.

This is not such a good thing because a certain other person frequents this area quite a bit & the sailracing community isn't all that big. He doesn't race the big boats--thank god for small favors. However, opportunities may arise where we are both sailing out of the West River on the same day. I honestly don't think I'm ready for that possibility yet--not sure how to deal with that--there are overlapping social activities after racing out of that sponsorship. But I refuse to curtail my racing & socializing activities because of the possibility we may actually collide again some day. Just not quite ready.....

I have been asked to crew again on the J-42 this Saturday. I am so thrilled to be asked back--I never believed that I'd have so many opportunities to learn how to race & sail better. And on top of it all, have almost an every week time to get on the water--beyond my own family's boat--a sailorgrl can't ask for too much better than that!