This is a source of some distress for me, but he has prospered well the last few years and I am extremely proud of his progress through his teenage years. Not the easiest time of life for many, including myself. He has sailed five nationals with me, starting in '97 at Nyack. He was 12 then and fascinated by the red Ferrari in the Nyack parking lot as we drove in. Our boat was an old red Starwind that had a badly damaged bottom, which I had done my best to repair. We had sprayed the hull and spars a bright fire engine red, and with Dan and I sailing her, she was prettier than she was fast. Middle of B fleet, as I remember.  

Each year, this regatta has become our time together, as well as the Buccaneer nationals. The family and friendly atmosphere that I find each year has really worked well for our sailing, as well as our relationship. Thank you all, this year and in previous years for this atmosphere. At different ends of the fleet, folks like Kat and Bobby and Cody and David seem to have this covered.

As I started to look over our results in hopes that it might remind me of some things, I noticed that mostly what I remember is the 10 and 11. First race, my recollection is we had a mid-pack start and sailed respectably, picking up positions until the last beat, when we followed David and Cody toward the finish in fifth place. Neither Dan, who has participated in at least 75 Opti/Laser regattas, or myself, had ever seen that particular layout to a finish line. It was described in the sailing instructions but we some how overlooked it, so sailing to the wrong side and coming back changed fifth to tenth. Bummer! We got a big number in the first race after sailing pretty well. Time to settle down and do better.  

Race 2 and the wind was light and we went left on the first beat, caught a big header, and led around the first mark. Sailed too high on the reaches and gave up a couple of places, but fourth was a big lift after tanking the first race.

Final race Tuesday. As I remember, an average start, probably better than usual, half way up the first beat we see David and Kevin on starboard tack under us. He dutifully calls "starboard." and I, in my faultless judgement, tell him to hold his course, which he does perfectly -- pow!!! They hit us amidships. Wasn't even close. I' m getting old. Having done a sloppy 720, we look up to find ourselves last. We managed to cause no more mayhem, finishing a respectable seventh considering. Not happy, but we got way too good at comebacks this year.  

Wednesday was good and bad. First race, we were in the top three the whole race, and finally got around Eric and Mary at the leeward mark and held them off to win. Big for me and Dan, as this was our first bullet at the nationals. I started racing as an adult and clearly am slower to pick this up than many, such as David Spira or Bill Bartel, so I made too much noise after the finish.  

Second race the wind came up and we did not tension the rig properly. I guess there was some rumor some years ago that it was illegal for the boats to tension the rig after the five minute gun, so we have sailed that way for years. Only that night after dinner, in conversation with Harry, did I learn that this is not so. Thank you Harry, we won't make that mistake again. Another big number and we now get to keep the 10. Last race, buried at the start and salvaged fifth.

As I had sailed without Char for a couple of days, that evening after dinner we launched the boat and Dan borrowed a Laser and we and a few others went out for a quiet sail. Bugs were bad, and Dan went south in the dark and we stayed out to make sure he got back ok.

Thursday, it's a rain out.  Many of us went to the Mariner's Museum. We hitched a ride with the always gracious and fast Jon and Carol Marsh and had a wonderful time, getting kicked out at 5:00 and still missing a lot.  Fascinating place!

Friday morning the wind is light.  Many of us launch anyway and after a postponement, we get started in light air at about 11:00, I think. Buried again at the start, ninth at the first mark, we picked up a lot as the front six overlapped at the wing mark, fought it out. We rounded about fourth at the leeward mark and passed two more to finish second. A good end to an up and down series for us. Fifth was one better than sixth last year. We will work hard this year to improve our weak points.