Layover Chatter with Bill Hardesty

Congratulations to ISAF Match Racing Champions Ian Williams, Malcolm Parker, Gerard Mitchell, Matt Cassidy and Bill Hardesty. After defeating Johnie Berntsson 3-1 at the Monsoon Cup in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, Williams was awarded his third championship crown.

While reigning as one of the US’s top match racers, Hardesty has had a successful 2011 winning the Etchells Worlds as well as the Chicago Grade 2 Invitational this summer. I had the privilege of speaking with Hardesty for a quick moment while he continues to catch up with his life in San Diego, CA.

MK: Obviously you’re an accomplished racer. Does this championship rank as your favorite title, though?

BH: We did the same accomplishment in 2007 winning both the WMRT and Monsoon Cup so we knew what it was like.  I think the biggest accomplishment to date was either winning the Etchells Worlds earlier this year with one race to spare.  Or winning Key West Race Week in the Melges 24 as helmsman when it came down to the last race to beat Spithill.

MK: Do you have a higher goal in mind or do you plan to keep winning the WMRT?

BH: I would really like to start sailing on the bigger catamarans.  It’s a tight market and that sort of commitment needs to be carefully considered.  It needs to be with the right team and in the right position.

MK: How do US match racing events compare to those held in Malaysia?

BH: Match Racing in the US is strong with events now taking a more commercial outlook.  Its about a lot about having a great venue with public exposure.  The US is close to the level now that Chicago Match Race Center is running their big events off Navy Pier.

The biggest difference is where the money comes from.  In Malaysia it appears the money comes from the government in an effort to raise tourism.  The business models in the US have little to no government backing and rely on either private money or money from commercial sponsors.

MK: What’s your fav US event?

BH: In the US my favorite event has historically been Key West Race Week.  It has a good destination feeling and the competition is fierce.  Lately, that has changed drastically reduced participation.

Now the Chicago Match Race Center events off Navy Pier are leading the list of favorites.  CMRC is bringing sailing to the public without sacrificing the quality of the sport.  There is great energy surrounding the CMRC regattas and I see a bright future ahead for the organization.

MK: What’s your next event?

BH: From Malaysia, I flew straight to Fort Lauderdale where we are starting our 2012 Melges 32 Worlds campaign.  Its tough to say how we will do but it will be a good journey.

MK: What is your boat of choice in fleet racing events?

BH: In fleet racing its more than just the boat but also your position on the boat and the strength of the fleet.  The Etchells is one of the best fleets in the world with great tactical sailing and is a relatively comfortable boat to be crew.  The Melges boats are great to drive but the hiking we developed over the years has made crewing a real chore.

The best boats have strong fleets with good racing.  Second factor is a toss up between speed/excitement and comfort while sailing.  The Melges 20 has found a nice Niche with legs-in sailing, good excitement, and a strong and now growing fleet.

MK: Who is your largest personal supporter?

BH: It’s a close one between my girlfriend Mandi and my Father.

MK: Do you get to settle down and spend some time on Firefly now? what’s your plan for the down-time?

BH: In the winter I spend my downtime I living aboard my cruising sailboat Firefly.  She is a 1980 Wauquiez Hood 38.  I left Boston in September of 2009 and we are now through the Panama Canal and headed to Costa Rica.  As a professional sailor it is common to have weeks of downtime so I like spend them exploring remote tropical islands.

CAREER DERAILMENT

Several years ago, I swore that I would never return to retail.

After it was re-confirmed that I was soon to be let go from the Chicago Match Race Center, I applied to over 100 firms, agencies, corporations and small businesses. In one day, I received 56 rejections.

Rock bottom came to mind.

By chance, I found an undisclosed yacht yard seeking a retail associate. The ad boasted that it is the "largest yacht yard in Chicago." Dead giveaway. The ad was 6 days old; chances were the yard had already found their store associate. I applied anyway and received a call a few days later.

My interviewers spoke of this position like it was the most-desired thing ever. It was all a sham. They were pleased with my interview and one showed me around the place. I was grateful that it was still nice out, but regretted my choice of Ferragamo kitten heels on the rough pavement.

A familiar face -of sorts- produced a genuine smile from me for the first time that day. There sat Momentum on a cradle surrounded by a hundred boats. I don't even know how I picked out Skipper's old boat amongst the others. It's not like she was special or stood out. Just an old girl with fading paint and antique lines.

I interpreted Momentum as some sort of sign and took the job. I now work retail at Chicago's largest yacht yard. Not exactly PR.

Most days I'm disappointed with my situation. I've even been reminded of my failure by a select few individuals. Remember the skipper from Richardson who was upset about his coverage? Yeah, that asshole. "This isn't exactly a step up from CMRC is it?" No, shut your trap. "You're no longer doing PR?" he asked with a twisted smile.

Things look up, though, I'm moving to Lincoln Park with Ipo next month. The 2hour commute to-and-from the yard has been doing me in quickly.

The yard has also had me working on some PR and marketing projects that I'm pretty excited about. Top secret of course ;)

Skipper's friends from back when help me get through the really hard days. An old gent who I had spoken to briefly about the weather stopped mid-sentence, "I know who you are." Okay, sure old man, who am I? "You're Gene Kinney's granddaughter." I choked on my own tongue. "How did you know?" - "I just knew," he said as he walked out. Eerie, right?

Apparently, Devon and I haven't been flying low enough below the radar with Maneater either. I was speaking with a man who I thought was talking about T-10 racing. I confessed that I was only out for one event last season and needed to find a new ride. "Oh, did you sell your boat?" - "I don't have a T-10, I just sailed on one," I explained. "No no. The big red one. You still have it don't you?" I'm still trying to place who this guy is. Was I really that drunk on Mac Island? Don't answer that.

CHEERS TO THE SEASON'S BEST AND ALL THE REST

Well hello there strangers!

For those of you who are unawares, I finished up a highly successful season as Press Officer for the Chicago Match Race Center in mid-October. I learned a lot and loved the position along with all its up's and down's.

Here's a glance at some of the projects we worked on there that you haven't seen:

GRADE 2 INVITATIONAL
August

Chicago Grade 2 Invitational Promo

Grade 2 Wrap-Up

CHICAGO MATCH CUP GRADE 1 INVITATIONAL
September

Chicago Match Cup Promo

The Grade 1 Chicago Match Cup was by far my most notable event in regards to media relations. The event gained more coverage than any other event in CMRC history.

For reasons most likely related to my writer's block and giving seniority to another professional, I was not to be authoring releases for the event. Instead, I spear-headed the mainstream media efforts, video coverage and social media. I was pretty bummed over losing my release-writing duties, so I put everything into ensuring the best coverage we've ever had.

Along with hiring Matt Knighton - a highly desired Chicago videographer and editor - we brought in my sister, Devon, to run a live camera. Devon gained new insight to my daily likes and gripes! But what is PR if not an emotional rollercoaster! So long as you're pleased after the project is over or at least learned something, I think it's the right place.

Who cares about sailing in the US? How do we get the general public to give a damn about match racing? We face the same problems again and again.

The crazy fall weather made my job significantly easier, though. Dogs off chains being the appropriate phrase throughout the weekend. Broaches, men overboard, tight finishes all appealing to the eyes of the non-sailing community. It didn't hurt that the first big break was because ABC's original 5 o'clock feature didn't turn out to be that intriguing.

Mr. Frank Mathie, a 79-year-old veteran anchor, came dressed to impress and was drenched from head-to-toe before I was even able to gather his interviewees on Day 1. You see, it was pouring rain and fairly chilly that morning. Phil Robertson, Alvaro Marinho and Mary Anne Ward were the lucky candidates for air-time. It was a good combination of foreign flair, handsome men/beautiful woman, experience, and humor. Okay, the humor may have come from the bit where Frank couldn't get over that these sailors try to screw each other over to get ahead - not very "gentlemanly" at all:

The next couple days were absolutely off-the-wall with the houseboat having to be relocated, boats all over the place and all just more crazy, fall noreasters. This led to further coverage by Fox News, NBC and WGN on the days of the 26 foot waves. Originally WGN wanted to interview me, but being more of a behind-the-scenes person, I opted to introduce my boss as he walked towards me.

By the ends of these days, I was just done for; Devon was as well. It was the best event put on and exhausting to the very end where I slept for 3 days straight.

Chicago Match Cup Wrap-Up

AUTUMN OPEN A+B
September

Needless to say, this event took me by surprise. I didn't ever anticipate that I would be match racing; especially not with British Olympians Lucy Macgregor, Annie Lush, Kate Macgregor and, their coach, Maurice Paardenkooper.

I was confused and immediately reluctant to actually sail with these girls. I mean really, me? Sail with a team of that caliber? Not to mention me match race in general? Please!

Especially since I despise screamers and d-fleeters and I had no idea what I was in for with these people. After enough flack from the rest of the staff and the pleading of the team, I decided to actually do it. I totally caved. At least they needed my weight, so there was no starving myself as I shook in anxiety on the scale.
The weirdest part of the whole event is I don't remember it very well. I was overwhelmed so everything is in bits and pieces.

I became dizzy in a couple of the pre-starts, specifically in those against Brad Funk and Don Wilson. It wasn't that I was sea sick or motion sick, but it was like when you keep spinning and spinning around in a room and then you fall down and the room still spins. It all happened so fast and I was thrown right into it.

It took a few races for me to realize that I could not understand a word these girls were saying to me unless they spoke really slowly and loud. They all had thick accents and used words that I've rarely heard on the boat. "Can you understand a word we're saying?" Annie asked after the first race. Well, no and my hearing hasn't been the best out of my right ear either.

Not only was it difficult understanding what they were saying, but ruling out the screamers from other boats just did me over. I couldn't figure out what the hell was going on.

What happened at that bottom mark? Goodness! I was being told to put the spinnie up, pull it down, up, down. Finally, woof, round the damn mark. I must have had the look of an exasperated dog chasing my tail because Maurice looked at me, laughed, and said, "You're doing great," with a pat on the back.

I knew we made it to the Finals against Funk, but I was so tired, I just went through the motions. The wind had picked up in puffs and my muscles were screaming. Too many times while hiking, I had to remind myself not to let go. I so wanted to just fall in the water.

We passed through the finish line with a puff. The team was congratulating each other and I saw Isao on the photo boat broadside. I thought it was a little early to take a team picture. Maurice had to inform me that we won the event.

Exhausted would be an understatement.

The ladies were a treat to sail with. I'll be forever grateful to them for bringing me aboard and teaching this bum a thing or two.

RICHARDSON CUP
October

The Richardson Cup, a 73-year-old Great Lakes Match Racing Championship, was extremely relaxing with the gorgeous October weather and good company. It was solely a social media, photos and release package for the YRUGL.

The only rough bit was when I had written that one boat crashed into another on Day 1 (which did happen) and the assaulting skipper was upset that I had noted it and wanted a retraction. Seriously, dude? Don't crash into other boats if you don't want it to be written about.  Not-to-mention that I had noted that he led the day in points and was sailing well otherwise.

Other than that sole incident, it was the perfect end to the season.

**********************************************************************************

Since the Richardson, my services as Press Officer were "no longer needed."

Do I miss it? Yes

Would I do it again? Bet your ass, I would

CANFIELD OWNS AT EUREX MATCH CUP

CANFIED WINS EUREX MATCH CUP

Continued to dominate Round Robins, got challenged in Semi’s, but went 2-0 in Final for first 2011 Season Grade 3 win

In another wild day of greatly varied conditions off Chicago’s Belmont Harbor, US Virgin Islander Taylor Canfield and his team of Alden Reid, Matt Clark and Tod Reynolds have won the Eurex Match Cup. The 22-year old Canfield gained not only Grade 3 points on the ISAF World Match Race Ranking List, but an automatic invitation to the Chicago Match Race Center’s Grade 2 event being held next month over August 12-14^th.

This team led the competition from start to finish, showing incredible consistency and poise under pressure amongst a talent-stacked final four today.

“I was thoroughly impressed with how our team pulled things off. This is the first event that we’ve been reunited for this season,” said Canfield, Sailing Director at CMRC and recent Boston College graduate. “I look forward to doing some more racing soon.”

While the winning record throughout the event was impressive, the wins did not always come easy. Perhaps the toughest opponent Canfield faced was not runner-up Don Wilson in the Finals, but his 3-1.25 Semi-Final series opponent Jordan Reece and his young Australian team. In the first match, the Australians traded leads several times with Canfield proving that races are not won at the start. In the second match, Canfield was hit hard enough by Reece in a pre-start incident that the Aussie team received a ¾ point deduction despite winning the match.

In a must-win situation, Reece was against the wall sitting at 2-1.25, but still came out fighting, showing a skill level far beyond the team’s adolescent years. Reece, though, was still unable defeat Canfield, who has the second highest-ranking of any North American-based skipper.

“We really enjoyed our first event here in Chicago,” said Reece, “While we didn’t qualify for the Grade 2, we’re looking forward to our North American match race tour. We hope to come back to CMRC whether it is to race or train; this place is great.”

In the defining second match of the Finals between Canfield and Wilson, Wilson owned the start forcing Canfield to be late across the line. Both upwind legs were littered with tacks, but it was one bad tack that probably cost Wilson the race. “Our twang line actually got caught in the winch with the jib sheet forcing an override,” explained Wilson’s tactician Steve Hunt. One punch led to another on Wilson, with Canfield on starboard and Wilson on port, the CMRC founder tried to leebow his young opponent and cut it too close earning himself a penalty. The teams were still neck and neck on the final downwind with Canfield’s team rejoicing as they crossed the finish.

Final Results, Eurex Match Cup:

1. Taylor Canfield (ISV)

2. Don Wilson     (USA)            

3. Jordan Reese (AUS)                     

4. Steven Lowery (USA)

5. Tyler Rice (ISV)                            

6. Magnus Sandberg (CAN)                         

7. Guy Mossman (USA)                    

8. Leo Vasiliev (USA)

Wilson Wins GoPro Match Cup B Event in Breeze-On Action

GoPro Match Cup Wrap-up

Chicago, IL - At the end of the GoPro Match Cup Series, 113 races were completed even with the challenging weather. More difficult conditions plagued the beginning of Day 2 of the GoPro Match Cup B Event. No wind and pouring rain delayed the start until Regatta Director Maggie Shea decided that the rising breeze was enough to race at 11AM. Shea chose to finish the 2.5 flights left from yesterday’s Round Robin and go straight into the Semi-finals after much deliberation over a 4-way tie for second between Guy Mossman, Taylor Canfield, Don Wilson and Colin Rathbun.

Canfield, ranked number 29 in the world and last year’s US Match Racing Trifecta winner, was predicted to win this event with reasonable ease, but that just wasn’t the case. There were several tough matches for the St Thomas, USVI native, including those raced yesterday against Mossman and Nevin Snow.

The most excruciating match to watch was in Flight 3 of the Round Robin when Canfield met Wilson. Fluky winds were from both the east and west, leaving Canfield dead in a hole in the middle of the course. “We were a little bit fortunate that we made our first rounding in a puff and extended away from the seawall,” Wilson’s tactician Steve Hunt explained. As Canfield was approaching the leeward mark with a ragged, empty spinnaker, Wilson was rounding the top mark leaving Canfield in the dust. “It was a pretty scary race because of the 2 conflicting winds with holes everywhere,” said Hunt. “Even on the second downwind, I saw Mossman 20 yards to our right sitting there, not moving.” Wilson’s team finished a lap ahead of Canfield.

In stark contrast to the morning conditions, the winds picked up to a puffy 20 knots for the Semi-finals. While light air proved to be Colin Rathbun’s strong suit by the end of the event, he still put up a fight against GoPro A Event winner Nevin Snow. “In the light air we learned so much about the boat and familiarized ourselves with it. When it switched to heavy air, everything on the boat changed,” said Rathbun. Rathbun’s team was 80 pounds light and could have used 10 hands as opposed to 8. Even with this disadvantage, the 2 were matched bow-to-bow until the last downwind where multiple gybes cost Rathbun boat speed and Snow’s team crossed the finish line ¾ of a boat length ahead. “Nevin was truly impressive,” complimented Rathbun. “He sailed a really conservative race and focused on his boat speed, which was the right thing to do.”

Everyone was on their toes for the Finals match between Snow and Wilson. Previously, Snow knocked Wilson out of the Semi’s after Wilson, the Round Robin winner, picked him to race first. Both teams were matched evenly up and down the course trading positions and covering each other before splitting tacks. After dueling to the windward mark, Snow was able roll Wilson on the first downwind leg, but Wilson was able to gain the overlap at the bottom and extend ahead. Spectators were still holding their breath on the second downwind leg as Snow’s team continued to catch up to Wilson. Just when the crowd thought Wilson was getting rolled again, he and his team extended just enough to get across the finish line safely.

The heavier air presented a new opportunity for our GoPro Hero Team to get some exciting shots from the water. Two divers went into the water for pre-starts getting as close as safely possible for the dial-ups and crossings. The divers were then shuttled around the course gathering footage of high-speed spinnaker sets and douses. Another addition to the GoPro footage was having bowmen like Erik Shampain wearing chestcams to tell the story from the front of the boat.

Final GoPro Match Cup B Results:

1)      Don Wilson 6-3, 2-0, 2-0

2)      Nevin Snow 7-2, 2-0, 0-2

3)      Taylor Canfield 6-3, 0-2, 2-0

4)      Colin Rathbun 6-3, 0-2, 0-2

5)      Guy Mossman 6-3

6)      Nick Dugdale 5-4

7)      Stratis Andreadis 4-5

8)      Lars Hansen 3-6

9)      Lance Fraser 2-7

10)   Leo Vasiliev 0-9

Videos, results and pictures and other media resources can be found at www.chicagomatchrace.com.

Official Partners of the CMRC include Eurex, CME Group, Newedge, City Inns family of hotels and Line Honors is the Official Clothing Supplier to CMRC. For more information on CMRC, visit www.chicagomatchrace.com or contact CMRC Program Director Tod Reynolds at tod@chicagomatchrace.com. 

About GoPro: Based in Half Moon Bay, California, GoPro is the world's leading activity image capture company. GoPro's HD HERO line of wearable and gear mountable cameras are used by more consumers and video production professionals than any other camera in its class. GoProʼs HD HERO line of wearable and gear mountable cameras and accessories are sold in over 60 countries, in specialty sports retailers, Best Buy, and at gopro.com. 

About CMRC: The Chicago Match Race Center was founded to promote and grow the sport of match race sailing. Besides being used in the America's Cup, match race sailing has recently also been adapted as a Women's discipline in the 2012 Olympic Games. As part of its mission to provide the highest-level match racing training facility for professional and amateur sailors in the US, CMRC sponsors and hosts the US Olympic Team with their fleet of Elliott 6M class boats, the type that will be used in the London Games. Additionally, the CMRC retains a full fleet of TOM 28 class boats and all umpire and support boats needed to run international-caliber regattas, advanced training, or adventurous corporate outings. For the complete list of events for the 2011 season, please visit www.ChicagoMatchRace.com.

Racers Raise the Bar at GoPro Match Cup B

Chicago, IL- “We have Boat 6 going upwind with a spinnaker,” voiced Principal Race Officer Darcy Cooke over the radio after an unpredicted twist of the wind after the start of flight 9. The race committee was disappointed they didn’t fit in a full round robin, but 8 ½ flights were completed on the first day of the GoPro Match Cup B Event.

Several boats from Friday/Saturday’s “A” event were joined by skippers Taylor Canfield, Nick Dugdale and Lars Hansen for the B event. Although the wind was on and off for the better part of the day, at least the skies were clear and the temperatures were in the mid-60’s offshore.

The most anticipated match of the day was between ISAF ranked 29^th Taylor Canfield and GoPro Match Cup “A” Event victor Nevin Snow. The breeze was very light when the two teams entered the box providing a difficult situation for the dial-up. Snow provided the play-by-play. “When we dialed Taylor up, we were on port. When we were both head to wind, we got a big shift from the left filling our sails to port as Taylor anticipated the wind and came at us calling starboard.” A penalty was given to Snow. Snow also crossed the line on the pin end 3 seconds early, and a large gap developed between the 2 boats. It wasn’t until the second downwind leg that Snow was able to catch up to Taylor and get his bow across the finish line first. Unfortunately, Snow also had to address his penalty before he actually completed the race. “We felt really good about the race other than a few simple mistakes at the start. We’ll be getting our heads on straight and doing a little more pre-start research if we have to face Taylor again,” Snow confidently stated.      

   

In Flight 6, Guy Mossman proved to start with a clean slate from the A event as he went up against Taylor Canfield. “Friday and yesterday, I felt like I had too many things in my head from work and such. I feel much better now,” Guy explained. The teams were well matched in the pre-start taking turns at controlling each other. “As we were in the heat of it, he got close enough to push up from leeward and when we tacked, our transom hit him,” gaining a penalty. Even with the penalty, Mossman was in a better position for the start and was able to take off at the line. The team continued to extend on the first upwind after covering for a few tacks. At the second encounter with the windward mark, Guy’s team briefly considered scraping off the penalty, but the wind conditions weren’t ideal. So it was downwind at the finish line when they tried to burn the penalty off as they crossed the line. “We tried to make sure the spinnaker was below the gooseneck before we went head to wind, but it just didn’t quite make it.” This technicality cost Mossman the match against the highest ranked racer in the event. “It felt good to be that close racing against someone like Taylor Canfield.”

The end of the day unknowingly occurred during Flight 9 Match 1. “We coasted across the finish line right before the wind shut off,” described Don Wilson’s bowman, Erik Shampain. By the time Match 10 was in sequence, boats were attempting to sail both upwind and downwind with spinnakers. Shampain stated at the end they were just barely going to make the pin layline when a 60degree wind shift came around and they managed to finish at the boat.

The CMRC media decided to try a few new positions for GoPro’s today, putting their stabilization to the test. During the match of Canfield versus Snow, Canfield was wearing a headcam as well as Snow’s jib trimmer. Mounting the cameras to the masts to look back at the crews was another new addition. The waterproof casings provided a new underwater angle of the foils as the boats passed as well.

The weather for tomorrow is forecasted to have a 70% chance of precipitation and winds of up to 25 knots. Hopefully the winds will come through without storms for some exciting, fast-paced racing. With 2 1/2 flights left to finish the round-robin, the race committee is waiting on the weather to determine the format. If the storms are bearing down, the RC might push straight into the semi-finals.

Weather pending, the completion of the round robin will commence at 9AM tomorrow. Real-time results and videos can be found on the CMRC website and live text updates can be followed on Twitter @matchracecenter. Media resources (results, press releases, photos and videos) will also be posted on the CMRC website.

GoPro Match Cup B Day 1 Results:

1)     Taylor Canfield 6-2

2)     Nevin Snow 5-2

3)     Colin Rathbun 4-2

4)     Don Wilson 4-3

5)     Guy Mossman 4-2

6)     Nick Dugdale 4-3

7)     Lars Hansen 3-4

8)     Stratis Andreadis 2-4

9)     Lance Fraser 2-4

10)  Leo Vasiliev 0-7

Official Partners of the CMRC include Eurex, CME Group, Newedge, City Inns family of hotels and Line Honors is the Official Clothing Supplier to CMRC. For more information on CMRC, visit www.chicagomatchrace.com or contact CMRC Program Director Tod Reynolds at tod@chicagomatchrace.com. 

About GoPro: Based in Half Moon Bay, California, GoPro is the world's leading activity image capture company. GoPro's HD HERO line of wearable and gear mountable cameras are used by more consumers and video production professionals than any other camera in its class. GoProʼs HD HERO line of wearable and gear mountable cameras and accessories are sold in over 60 countries, in specialty sports retailers, Best Buy, and at gopro.com. 

About CMRC: The Chicago Match Race Center was founded to promote and grow the sport of match race sailing. Besides being used in the America's Cup, match race sailing has recently also been adapted as a Women's discipline in the 2012 Olympic Games. As part of its mission to provide the highest-level match racing training facility for professional and amateur sailors in the US, CMRC sponsors and hosts the US Olympic Team with their fleet of Elliott 6M class boats, the type that will be used in the London Games. Additionally, the CMRC retains a full fleet of TOM 28 class boats and all umpire and support boats needed to run international-caliber regattas, advanced training, or adventurous corporate outings. For the complete list of events for the 2011 season, please visit www.ChicagoMatchRace.com.

Melges Fleets in Miami Sailing Week

Long overdue and not the edits I necessarily wanted to create, but good practice.

First Mate Passing

Maneater's crew lost First Mate Kelp yesterday 3/29/11 when bone cancer finally got the best of him.
Kelp was born to be a water dog. While growing up in Florida, he helped rehab countless whales, sea turtles and dolphins. When he came north 11 years ago, he graced our family and countless others with his unconditional love, kisses and fuzz.
He was everyone's best friend and we all miss him more than words can express.

BREAKING NEWS!

I just received a call from the Chicago Match Race Center offering me a PR/Marketing internship this summer!

Just when I gave up hope and started looking for housing in Sister Bay, I missed a call from the CMRC.

Can you say DREAM job???????????

BACARDI Miami Sailing Week

With a sponsor like BACARDI, one can only try to remember exactly what happened this past week. 

The registration party and dinner was overwhelming. There was an array of garnished meats to go along with the free BACARDI, wine and beer that would be served all week. The opening event set the tone for what would be a hell of a week.   

Before heading out on the Melges media boat, I checked Facebook and saw a rather ominous picture posted by Bora Gulari sailing in the 24s. The picture was a radar snapshot showing a red monster swallowing southern Florida. I decided to bring my foulies out just in case.

The first day of racing for the 24s, 20s, Vipers and J24s was called after one race due to the storm that blew through.

The Italian stallions of UKA UKA dominated the 35 boat M24 fleet followed by Alan Field on WTF.

In the 26-strong fleet of M20s, Red Sky with Paul Reilly started off strong with what would be there only bullet for the event.

The Stars didn't even head out on this day, which would be their third day of racing. 

If you're wondering where the coverage is for the Vipers and 24s is, you should just stop reading now. Let's be honest, the only fleets at this event were the Melges and Stars. 

Sailors turned into sprinters as they ran off the dock to the Coconut Grove Sailing Center for cover. As one Alabama sailor so aptly put - it was raining like a “cow pissing on a flat rock.”

"The last thing we want is total carnage on the first day out there," commented, Jack, one of the event organizers over the radio. 

The storm had significantly cooled the air for Friday's racing as well as starting with winds of up to 20 knots, but decreasing throughout the day. This was a day to really see the M20s perform. They shoot off like rockets downwind.
 

 On Saturday, I got to spend some time on the Star course. While they are celebrating their 100th year, 93 of them graced the starting line with their presence. I asked skipper, Don Massey, what was the starts were like when he recalled, "We found a spot that we were going to have to battle the Norwegians for. When they saw what we had planned, their skipper turned to us and just screamed, 'NO!'" It was a lot of foresight and skill that helped others get clean starts across the line.

When awards rolled around, quite the party ensued. The highlight, though, was Mary Anne Ward of M&M Racing winning the M20 class and being what was announced as the first woman to win that particular class*.

All-in-all, it was a well-run event while everyone was out on the water. I made some great friends and had a ton of fun.  So, overall, I'd call the event a win. 

Video coming soon...

*That was announced, but not double-checked

  

"No, really, she's hot"

"Just take off the granny hiking shorts, the ill-fitting tech tee, the big booty bib..."

Somewhere underneath all that crap that sailing outfitters provide for women, is a hot chick. It may not look like a bunch of tight little bods, but they're out there.

Here's a review of the state of women's sailing gear today in one word: non-existent.

The best look we have developed with the gear we have at the moment was found in a pathetic leech of a sailing movie Charlie St. Cloud:

Ladies have this amazing capability of pairing a cozy foul weather jacket with short shorts strategically so it looks like we're not wearing any bottoms. It's quite the attention-grabber if you've got a good set of legs.

Short shorts are most often provided by running companies, though. This brings us to the first and main problem...

1) Shorts

While I understand the logic behind the up-to-the-boobs high-rise waist, I don't like it, won't buy it and definitely don't appreciate it. The high-rise waist logic stems from women bending over to prevent whale-tail. 

whale tail: a woman's thong hanging out of her pants

What scares me is that these companies use the description "women's fit." What kind of women are they fitting? The ones with a little extra something down there? Just sayin'. 

The descriptions are so deceptive. Camet's whole campaign was "new style and cut" for women, but were they really? "Low-rise" is not the term I would use for these belly-button-bordering shorts displayed on my bod. 

We wear shorts like the Henri Lloyd Women's Fast Dri or Gill Navigator because we have no other choice, not because we would pick them off the rack. 

With all the deck wear and tear on our delicious rears, running shorts and boardshorts only last a few wears -a season if you're lucky.

I still hold out hope for the Zhik Women's Boat Shorts because I have not tried them on. The fear is that they will still breach the navel, therefore not my style. Anyone have these and care to voice a comment?  

2) Pants

Pants could have no more problems than shorts because they're just longer, right? Wrong. The tapered ankle... Really? It's bad enough that we have a renewed commitment to our skinny jeans. Don't bring the struggle and uncomfortable fit into our sailing swag. 

Some actual low-rise cargo pants would be nice, but in the meantime I'll stick with a bib instead.

3) Bibs

Oh my god, companies have done something right for once! For the most part... I have an hour-glass figure, and, like many women, my waist is much smaller than my hips. When you pull on the adjustable velcro waistband to fit your hips, do you realize how much fabric that adds to get caught on your sexy ass? It makes you look like you've got one helluva big booty and not in a good way either..

photo cred: Meredith Block

Are salopettes the more formidable option? Not for the cutie-patooties. The sizes don't get small enough according to my sister who ended up in the disproportionate kid's sizes.

4) Technical Tees/Polos

I have boobs. This is a factor that many companies overlook maybe because adjusting seams to a bustline is too racy or turns men on too quickly. Regardless, these "women's fit" tech tees have three differences from the men's: 1) they're cropped shorter, 2) the sleeves are shorter and 3) there's are some extra buttons down the front. Back to the tits- when fabric isn't fitted, our boobs create a box-like figure that isn't exactly the most flattering. 

5) Jackets

I'm a sucker for a good foul weather jacket. They are my downfall perhaps because I pull out the short shorts or leggings look with them. I live in my Helly Hansen.

 Shockingly enough, the jackets are where companies get it right!

Any company is safe in the jacket department.

Here's to the women who have to deal with trying to make sailing gear look good. Some of us pull it off quite well, while others are still grasping at straws. 

Preview to Debauchery

BACARDI Miami Sailing Week


With registration closed and my arrival in Miami only 3 days away, let's take a look at what Miami has in store...

photo from event site

It's the second year for BMSW. After great success with their inaugural event, big things are to be expected this year.

And big things are happening.

With 183 boats signed up when registration closed on Feb. 28, the event has 50 more boats than 2010. Nearly 600 participants will be barging the line in the Star, Viper 640, Melges 20, Melges 24 and J/24 classes. This not just a national event either, just under 20 different countries will be represented throughout the classes.

This year marks the 84th running of the BACARDI Cup for the Star class and a cultural recognition of the class's 100th year. The Cup was won last year by returning registrant and US Sailing Team Alphagraphics member, Rick Merriman. The question is will Rick be leading the fleet or will 2009 Cup winner, Peter Bromby, be coming back to reclaim the trophy? Another strong contender could be this year's Rolex Miami OCR silver medalist, Frederik Loof. It's truly anyone's game here with 95 class registrants.
On a separate note, the Star Class's 100th year since inception has added a culture factor to the event with an exhibit amongst the arts in the North Hall of the Convention Center of Coconut Grove. The century celebration will include designs, photos and artifacts from the class.

The Melges 24 class has a lot of big names -Guy Mossman, Bora Gulari, Riccardo Simoneschi, Steve Kopf-  starting amongst 34 boats on the line. This will be an extremely competitive regatta for the 24s as the Italians look to keep up their winning streak in the Road to Corpus series. This event is just one part of the anticipation buildup for the 2011 Melges 24 World Championship in Corpus Christi, TX.

The Audi Melges 20 class has doubled in entries from last year with 27 boats registered. This small sportboat is just too-hot-to-trot in my opinion. I had the brief opportunity to sail one to the harbor at Charleston Race Week last year and haven't found an experience to replace it yet. Predictions call for 2010 Audi Melges 20 US National and USA Sailing Series Champion Michael Kiss on Bacio leading the fleet to the finish. 

This event has the three most important aspects to a popular regatta covered:
1) Easy water access
With the boats being stored and launched all along Coconut Grove, water access doesn't get much better. Also, if you have housing accommodations in The Grove, everything is within walking distance.
2) Good parties
It's fair to say that a good rum sponsor aids the event's party factor. Even better is that the parties start as soon as you're off the water; no waiting around. Another benefit is the hangover factor taken into account with race warnings only starting at 11am.
3) Cheap options
While Miami is an expensive city, there are several ways of doing this regatta on a budget. Hotels can be found for under $150/night, why not pack them with your whole crew? Good food and nightlife can be found at least at the Sandbar; though, there must be other cheap options in the area that I am sure to discover.

photo from event site

The debauchery begins Saturday.