Two weeks to be exact where I gave up training or only did so once a week. Needless to say, I wasn't feeling well. I kept thinking to myself, 'Oh shit, this isn't going to work. I shouldn't even bother with the race.'
W5D3
It was supposed to be an easy day of 2 miles and cross training. So why the hell does my knee hurt so damn much?! I've relented to taping it (neoprene braces are itchy) for the rest of my training, but goddamn! Another note to self - doesn't matter how few miles to put in for the day, deep fried mozzarella sticks are not the best pre-workout snack.
To deal with the dryness of the environment, I've been... sucking on things... sounds dirty, but, really, I've been sucking on things. My newest infatuation is with the Clif Shot Blocks. They help prevent dry mouth (for me) and aren't half as bad for you as one would think.
And what doesn't help me get back in the mood more than shopping? I've been postponing the purchase of a new pair of shorts for a while now.
My VSX Sport shorts just don't stay up anymore. My most comfortable pair of course, but I had to pair with only certain pairs of undies so I wasn't mooning anyone and, yeah, it was time to give them up after 5 years.
On to Fleet Feet Old Town! I tried on 6 pairs and it was no competition. The Nike Rivals were simply the most comfortable, light-weight and forgiving. Of course, this pair was also $20 more than all the others.
Oh well. :)
W2D4
What happened to the success of W1's 4miler? I was dying and had heartburn and almost didn't make it. And even worse, about halfway through, I thought to myself, "Wow, those 1minute breaks feel long." Apparently, I had somehow tripped my watch into 1:30min breaks. So, between that and the heartburn from only eating Epic Burger a few hours before, I was a mess.
Distance: 4 miles
Pace: 4:1.5 12:30/15:47
After going out hard Sunday night, and feeling like crap for the better part of the day, I've made the executive decision to reinstate my 3 drink rule. So, at least for a while, when I go out or stay in, I'm not having more than 3 drinks. Not to say that they won't be strong drinks, but you get the picture. It wasn't worth it to go out, spend a crapload of $, feel like crap and miss a day of training.
On top of that, I've been sick with cold/flu/allergies for 2 days now. I took Tuesday off from work on account of what I think was a 24hr flu, but had doped myself up so much that night that I was a total space cadet on Wednesday. And it gets better! I got to work and was immediately cold in my office. Within a few hours, I could hardly bend my right wrist after it had swollen so much from hives. (Yes, I'm allergic to the cold.) I had even taken all my preventative pills, but had to pop a Benadryl. When that didn't work after another hour, I gave up being miserable, went home, and popped a few more Bennies.
I really don't have time for this crap. I haven't run since Sunday, and my long run goes up to 5 miles this week. Now, I've run 5 miles before, but it's been 3 months now. I'm petrified.
W2D2
What the fuck happened? I was doing so well on Saturday's 4miler! And now this?
Okay, maybe it had something to do with the following...
- lunch's cod tacos were not sitting well
- a mid-day wine tasting
- so many people around the stupid gym - I really have to stop going weekdays 5-630PM
Anyways, it sucked. I couldn't focus and the music just wasn't vibing.
While talking with friends about my half, I've learned that several of them are training for half marathons as well! So, while I'm choosing not to train with a group, I have the support of my fellow trainees. And despite being hundreds of miles away from some of them, I'm happy that they'll be checking in on me just as I'll be checking in on them.
Week 1 Long Run
I've run an 8K before, I knew I could do it. I hopped on the treadmill because, baby, it's cold outside, and set my watch for intervals. After 1 interval, I wasn't feeling as dogged as I have been. Is my body getting back into the swing of things? I thought so, and I needed a little feel-good push. Therefore, I went for the 12:45 pace no walking. I left my watch ticking through, though, just in case I wanted to dial back into it. So as the 4:1's kept beeping by, I kept movin. Every time I thought I would fall back into the intervals, Pandora's MGMT station would squash the idea with another perfect song. It was the last few minutes, quarter mile, and so on when "Home" - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros came on and I was able to push it. I know this training says I shouldn't have, but I had to finish during that song! So, I did and I felt great. It was like, damn, maybe I can do this. I just have to figure out how to keep that mentality during triple the distance!
Distance: 4 miles
Pace: 12:48/4.7MPH
Peak Pace: 9:30
Week 2 Cross Training
Ipo's contribution to my training - ice supervisor
45 minutes on the elliptical... Hello hamstrings! Hello my ass! These and my right shoulder seem to be my problem areas so far or at least the areas that seem to ache a bit after exercise. Hopefully by actually doing the cross training, it'll help them out.
Me? Diet? Hell no. I'll eat as many deep fried chocolate chip cookies as I want. And I'll drink as many beers as I want.
But I do realize that I'm trying to be healthy, so maybe my lunch won't consist of a burger and fries everyday.
I've downloaded an app to track what I eat. Yes, it counts calories, though,I'm not really paying attention to that unless I've had too few. What I'm concerned with is the nutrients and fulfilling my daily values. Turns out I suck at eating the recommended amounts of everything.
CVS was having a sale on V8 and I decided to pick 2 pints up unsure of how it would taste sans vodka. Turns out it tastes pretty damn good and about the same as a Bloody. And the low sodium version fills a few gaps in my system.
February = 1 year anniversary of running
Do I run every week? No. Do I run fast? No, I'm a frickin' tortoise. Do I run far? Not yet...
The Goal: Door County Half Marathon The Date: May 4, 2013
I have 12 weeks. Fuck me. Remind me why I'm doing this.
To answer my own question - I'm not really sure. I think it's for several reasons that just keep multiplying. I started running because I saw myself becoming unhealthy and I really wanted to keep eating boxes of cookies and drinking lots of beer. Therefore, moderation is key and exercise will help to balance it out a bit. Another reason is because I don't see myself as good at any physical activity. For me, I can be good at running. I don't have to constantly compare myself to others; I simply want the damn finishers medal.
I'll be logging my runs and training here while being brutally honest.
Luckily, my gym is down the street, so weather is no excuse. That's not to say that I won't be running outside.
I won't be training with CARA or any other organization quite simply because I can't afford it. Though, I will be doing a few races and the Six Leaf Series along the way.
I need to have fun, eat chocolate and drink beer, otherwise I'm going to quit tomorrow.
Week 1 Day 1
First day running since December's Rudolph Ramble 8K. Like I said, I'm a frickin' tortoise. No, I am The Tortoise. Considering my Ramble pace was 11:00, I was pretty disappointed when my body just told me "no." Upon realizing this, I came to the conclusion that I'd go with 4:1 intervals. There's no shame in walking.
It's been so long since I've ran that I totally forgot about chafing. The inside of my thighs were burning thanks to my too short shorts, and I wasn't near halfway done. There are eucalyptus scented cooling towels on hand that sounded like a lot more relief than they really were. Lesson learned, bring the deodorant.
Distance: 3.14
Pace: 13:15
Week 1 Day 2
Okay, I get it - I'm not in the same shape that I was last fall. At least my thighs weren't burning; though, clearly I didn't use the deodorant high enough. I didn't think I had to worry about it so close to the bikini line!
Distance: 3
Pace: 12:30
Week 1 Day 3
The Door County Half organizers make no secret of miles 4-7 being a bitch. And these are seasoned, experienced, good runners saying this. Why is this my race of choice? I googled some treadmill hill training, but it seemed a little intense for my just beginning.
Anyone want to take me back to grade school? All I see is hell.
So, I decided to start easy... or so I thought. It was supposed to be my "easy" run of "2miles."
I started with the plan of warming up at 1% incline, going on for a bit and then doing a half mile of 2%, winding back down to 1% at an even slower pace.
Why didn't anyone tell me that this was going to hurt so much? I was going even slower than my other paces and I wanted to ball my eyes out and quit within 1min of "running." I'm pretty sure my body was telling me to stop, but the gloom-and-doom of miles 4-7 are just haunting me. Also thought that maybe it was just a threshold that I'd just have to push through. And push through, I -kind of- did.
Everything hurt with every footfall until 1.25miles. After that, turning up the tunes seemed to help. Last night, I read an article about how to hold your hands while running. The basic elbows at your side, loosen up, and then "picture yourself holding 2 butterflies." Admittedly, the butterflies helped. The damn flutter-ers occupied my mind long enough to finish (without walking).Then, everything resumed hurting.
Tomorrow, I'm going to figure out how to make that foam roller lend some relief to my thighs. And why do my shoulders hurt?
Distance: 2
Pace: 13:00
Distance Climbed: 119feet
It’s COLORS time again! Columbia Yacht Club says, “It’s time
to shake the sheets and sweep away the cobwebs.”
The ebb of entrants
over the past few years due to the economy put a damper on the event, but now a resurgence of 77 boats is a promising turn.
This is the highest number of entries in the past three years.
COLORS has traditionally been a locals-only event with a few
boats from across the northern border, but Race Chair Olof Andersson says, “Not
for long.” This year the Race Committee has made the ambitious decision of
adding a second race circle. “If you want to be a big racing Club, you just
gotta do it.” In the past years, Columbia’s
hosted 60+ boats all on the same circle. “It gets too crowded at the leeward
mark.”
The Farr 40’s preparing for Worlds in September make up just one
of eight one design fleets on the two courses tomorrow. “This is their first
big chance to feel each other out and test their new gear,” foresees Andersson. The J/111’s are all registered,
several of the Beneteau 40.7 and 36.7’s, three Flying Tiger 10 Meters and most
of Chicago’s
traditional Tartan 10 fleet are all showing up. Compared to past years the PHRF
and ORR sections have nearly diminished, but this regatta began as a one-design
event for “level” racing so it doesn’t have the race organizers concerned.
All the boats will be testing new gear, breaking in new
crew, and, simply, getting back into the swing of things. Where do most boats
get it wrong? The leeward mark. “We expect to see a large shift in talent from
Saturday to Sunday.”
Results will be posted on a live basis on Yachtscoring with
Twitter updates from the race courses @ColYC.
Columbia One-design Level
Offshore Racing Series has been hosted by Columbia Yacht Club in Chicago since 1995. It is
identified as the kick-off race for the season as well as the tune-up for the
NOOD the following weekend.
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.
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.
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.
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 12-14th.
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.
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 Partnersof the CMRC includeEurex, CME Group, Newedge, City Inns family of hotelsandLine Honorsis theOfficial Clothing Supplierto 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.
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 29th 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 Partnersof the CMRC includeEurex, CME Group, Newedge, City Inns family of hotelsandLine Honorsis theOfficial Clothing Supplierto 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.
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.
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.
