Southern Circuit Compilation from John Sawyer

Southern Circuit 2011

Miami

This is a very beautiful, sunny place, clear water, wonderful skyline, we enjoyed being out on the water but did not sail well. Some interesting participants are doing the circuit this year.

The team next to us in the boat yard is from Columbia, sailing on mountain lakes, some having an elevation of 9,000 ft above sea level. (Denver is at 5,000) Teams from Mexico, Chile & Argentina are also here.

I arrived around 1pm on Monday and lightning friends helped with removing the bottom cover and stepping the mast. My rock star crew AKA Becky Sawyer and Jack Sawyer will arrive by limo from MIA later tonight.

Tuesday; Lots of frustration on the boat today with the Sawyer team, our decisions did not fare well and we had horrible finishes in all three races today. Wind was ESE all day 12 mph in the morning dropping as low as 5mph in the afternoon. One of those conditions where the morning breeze left a choppy condition as the wind speed dropped. Made some modifications to the boat after racing, showers, dinner at Coral Reef YC featuring Lightning sailors of all ages stepping out with hoola hoops, cold beer, a night of sleep and we will try again tomorrow.

3-16 Miami

Light air again today. After fighting with the traveler control crossing the boat for a few days I finally removed it, this old dog was doing fine without it, and I’ve tripped up on it for the last time. Drilling two holes in the deck stressed out the crew and neighbors but, as explained by Becky, I do it all the time, just part of getting to know the boat well.

We set the bar really low yesterday , we have nothing to protect, nothing to lose. Planned our start to assume a mid line sag and it worked. Got a good start with speed and clear air. We choose to minimize tacks today and continued left up the first beat. Looking OK at the weather mark, but it is amazing how the fleet collapses back in on the first mark, near the front is a big advantage, we are not quite there and have disturbed air. Did OK downwind choosing to round the less crowded left gate mark. Continued up the left with a few other poor soles, who like us lost many, many boats as the right side worked. Re-learn tactics 101: late in the race, splitting with the fleet is a low percentage option, hang with the fleet , get the same wind they get.

So the bar is still low enough for my Basset hound to walk over.

Packed up the boat, cleaned up and headed to South Beach to see the Latest Frank Gehry building, the New Symphony Hall. Very cool, tonights free outdoor movie projected huge on the wall and well attended is Avatar, starts at 8pm, pre movie entertainment: drinks at Maxine’s bistro with the occasional earth Avatar trolling by.

The movie scene was amazing and hard to leave, but we need food and a visit to Berries on 27^th before leaving Miami.

3-17 Going to St Pete

We are happy to report that the alligators along alligator alley appear to be doing fine. Becky wants me to slow down for a longer look. But we are on a mission to raise the bar.

Fleet 511 Cape Fear paid its dues thanks to Richard Waldkirch, me & new boat owner Rick Essman . When you see Rick, give him $5. Richard and I are in the construction industry, are therefore broke, and could only cough up $5 each, so Rick added $15.

Looks like this entire circuit is going to be a light air series, Toby Wells is with us for St Pete and is in the cat bird seat due to the low bar thing. According to Toby, I have done a great job of setting the stage for a brilliant performance which occurs upon his arrival.

Laura Jeffers Circuit Organizer extraordinaire, master of activities, her minute to win it team and competitors entertained us all. I did catch 8 pencils at 59 seconds, but not 12. I think my performance was affected by the Malibo Breezes, if you can’t see the pencils you can catch them.

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