TEAM SAWYER IN FLORIDA

JOHN SAWYER AND TEAM ARE DOING THE LAST 2 LEGS OF THE SOUTHERN CIRCUIT.
SOUNDS LIKE A CRAZY LEG 1 IN SAVANNAH

HERE'S JOHNNY

Southern Circuit 2012 Miami;
Unfortunately Jay has given Becky a new factoid for the back
of the boat “dummy with the stick”. Have not been in the Boat since November 2011
and we feel it. Jay agrees that the boat is more civil than the 5o5 except for the hiking. So far we have lost sunglasses, reading glasses and our room key, all of this is replaceable, no body damage.
We are trying to relax on this trip and split the drive to
Miami over two days. The rig is doing great, no problems on the road,
arrived in Miami late morning on Monday and joined the Lightning teams that
competed in Savannah. A few boats are in repair, bent spreaders, etc. Pam
Burke says it was gusty, several boats capsized , one mast broken. Coral Reef YC is a super host as always, a great location. Picked up Jay at the
airport and got some dinner at Berry’s, a open air bar / restaurant around the
corner from our hotel. It’s our favorite.
Tuesday: We needed to practice with Jay and were the first out on the water. Conditions are really good, 12 -17K out of the East to North East and predicted to hold for the two day we are here. 40 boats are sailing, lots of professional level sailors. Soon after the first start we discovered how poorly we were going in the chop. My old nemesis, choppy water and a bigger fleet that we see once a year, gave us lots of trouble. The top of the fleet however was generous and
after racing gave everyone a debriefing on what they did to be so fast. After 4 races we are 33rd.
Wednesday: Very similar conditions, more out of the North.
Today we focused more on trimming the main for speed sheeting in or out
just an inch or two to keep the boat tracking seemed to help.

Two events stand out from today.
1. Jay and I gave Becky a 10 for the reverse half gainer she did over the windward side during a tack. Becky only lost sunglasses, chap stick, room key, and the club bar charge card (yes we somehow had all this stuff on Becky) Talk about being kicked when your
down. The earrings and rings came through just fine.
2. The team from Columbia sails with a very nice girl who washed the boat deck, hardware etc. with amazing care. I suggested that my crew learn by example;
that worked like a charm. Must be a cultural thing.
After two more races we are 33rd. We feel pretty good about today, at times we
found great speed and pointing in chop and found some good lanes to work
with. Six different boats won a race, Greg Fisher & crew won
the regatta and did not win a race but sailed consistently in the top 10.
Jay is flying back tonight, Becky and I drive through
alligator alley to St Pete tomorrow.