Thanks to Terry for editing this video from the I-14 Pacific Rim Championships. This one of my favorite events with warm water, cold drinks, great friends and fast boats with good wind. Check it out
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=i14+sail+skiff&hl=en&emb=0&aq=f#
well we got back out today after finding a rudder that we could borrow. Big wind today thus even more breakdowns in the fleet. Surviving counts for a lot on days like today.
There was quite a bit of broken boats at the end of the day. We quit due to taking a lot of water in the boat. but we were pretty worked from the conditions. hats off to those that finished.
Well there is nothing like having wind on the first day of the i14 worlds and seeing major breakdowns. Ours came when we discovered the wings on our t-foil had broken and riped off our rudder.
Practice race was today. It is usually a good warm up but today we had really no wind. This is strange to me since yesterday it blew over 20 and today we less than 5 knots of wind. It feels great to finally be out with the new sails. Just wish we had some wind to work out the new settings. I hope the week has more wind to offer.
Well we are here now for a great week of sailing. We have got the boat measured in and the sails to go. It Looks to be a windy event. The wind picked up to 20+knots today. The venue looks to be great and is billed as one of the best in Europe. The Baltic will provide some intersting conditions
The variation in boats is quite broad and and to see how things end up will always be intertaing
Well in a week from today I fly out to Warnemunde Germany for the I14 worlds. Starting to pack my gear and realize it is mostly Zhik. I am counting on the superwarm suit to keep me warm in the Baltic. I am most excited about the new T-1 Harness. Finally a production harness that uses a bar with a nappy style bucket. They use of materials and cut make for a very comfortable seat. Iam using Kaenon “Lewi” Sunglasses to protect the eyes.
I will try to post every day that I am there.
Well it is 16 days to the I-14 world championships in Warnemunde Germany. http://www.worlds2008.de/cms/index.php I am a little anxious about fighting the Jet-lag and the cold water. But really looking foward to some great sailing and seeing old friends. We have gone with all Zhik gear to keep us warm. What most excited about is the new T1 harness. My old harnesses have had their day and this is every bit as good if not better than the custom harnesses I have used in the past.
I am also really courious about the new sails that I have not had a chance to even see yet sail with.
Art
I have finally had a moment to comment on doing the I-14 Pacific Rim Championships. I have got say that this is one of my favorite events. Pitchers of Mi Tai, wind in flat water, with great friends in Hi what could be better. We took my old M8 to just have fun and we switched it up with me driving and Terence Gleeson crewing for me. I am crewing for Terence this year with the build up to the worlds in warnemünde Germany.
All around a great place to sail. The old ikazuchi still has some speed in her though I really need to get new foils. It was interesting to sail her again after crewing in Nashorn a B-3 the last several months. Did I mention how great Hawaii is. They do a great job host at the Kanohe Yacht Club. This is a must do event. Just wish it wasn’t every two years.
The photo of us is courtesy of Sean Trew at www.pacificfog.net
We now have the Atlantis weather gear in the shop and I have to say that it is some nice stuff. The grand prix soft shells are just a great jacket. Check it out at http://www.sailingproshop.com/Categories/Shop-by-Manufacturer/Atlantis.aspx