Miami Bound

Hi folks,

The next month or so will be a bit of a departure from my typical rantings and ravings ( I do apologize to those of you who love a good rant).  Why?  Because I’m off to Miami Olympic Classes Regatta for some warm weather training and competition with partner Kristine Williams, team mate Max Gallant, and coaches Steve McBride, Hunter Lowden, and Steve Mitchell.

This will be my very first event in the 49er FX, and to say that I’m nervous would definitely be accurate. In fact, I have this reoccurring dream that I can’t seem to bear off, and so end up sailing upwind forever until I hit Europe.  Neurotic? Maybe, but I’d rather go into the event feeling humble that arrogant.  It’s the Canadian way don’tcha know.

In reality, though, things are going well.  So far our “all fun all the time” mandate seems to be working for us, because the general feeling on board our FX is light hearted and fun.  Fitness is beginning to fall into place after some post-car accident delays; half marathon training and weight training are in full swing.

After training throughout the fall and winter, I’ve compiled a top 10 highlights list for FX sailing (or should I say, little girls on big boy boats) thus far:

10) Texting pictures of rigging systems to the previous boat owner with the caption “what’s this for?”

9) Needing 3 people to help pull the rig tension on to it’s heavy air setting. More purchase!

8) Realizing that there’s more power in this boat than a 470 or 29er when I get flung out the side while bearing off (maybe that’s where the dreams come from!)

7) Having your coach pull your rudder out because it’s so tight you can’t

6) Napping on the bow during drifter conditions…way more room than a 29er!

5) Not being able to reach the mainsail track because you’re too short

4) Having your coach and 2 burly dudes help you get your daggerboard out via mallet because it’s even tighter than the rudder

3) Hands freezing to the mast while rigging at Christmas

2) Getting your own foils out via purchase and squat system results in clapping and exclamations of “I’m a big girl now!”

1) The first sail in 17 knots when you DON”T bite it bearing off or gybing, a beautiful thing.

 

Will keep you posted, stay in touch!

Jen