Back in the USA

We picked up Boyd & Reese from the Philadelphia Airport around 2 today and kept heading north to Maine for the USODA New England's. Mom & Dad flew south to Richmond. The kids totally crashed out around 7 and are sound asleep here in the hotel in Hudson, MA. We should be in Portland by lunch time tomorrow. Practice on Monday. Here we go!

Boyd Finishes Top 25% - 29th Overall

My mother described it like this.  "It's blowing like a hurricane".  A weather station near the regatta showed a steady 20+ all day with big gusts and Coach Lindley described it as 25 - 30 with 3 foot seas.  There was only one race and apparently Boyd was in the top 25 and on a big wave running downwind about five boat lengths from the gate when he capsized.   He was on a starboard tack and another competitor was off to his port also on a starboard tack.  The competitor decided to try and duck behind Boyd in an effort to get between Boyd and the right hand gate mark.  When he did his bow went under Boyd's stern while they were on the wave.  Boyd's stern came out of the water, he had no rudder and the other boat continued to slide underneath until Boyd flipped.

He told me that after he righted his boat he just decided to have fun on his last leg and see how fast he could go.  There were plenty of competitors who decided not to even race today given the extreme conditions.  Boyd did end up finishing within the time limit despite the setback and he finished in 29th place overall and in the top 25% of the fleet.  He says he learned a great deal these past two days of the regatta and had an incredible time.

Camille and I have the RIB hitched to the suburban, Reese's Opti on top and are ready to head out first thing in the morning.  We will drive to the Philadelphia airport where we will pick up the kids and keep on trucking up to Portland, Maine for the USODA New England Championship.  Reese is entered in her first championship fleet as a white fleeter!  Yes of course there will be a Blog.

http://2013usodanewenglands.blogspot.com


Mom and Dad will continue on home.  They did a great job over in Scotland and had a wonderful adventure with their grandchildren.  Thank you Mom & Dad.  You are the best!

Boyd 14252 coming in from racing today.

He seems thankful to be nearing shore doesn't he?

Nasty

Let the trading begin!

After scoring a Team Ireland visor, Boyd negotiates his next trade.

Howling Winds & Capsizing

Well it blew out of the south pretty hard today and was pretty much unlike anything Boyd has seen before.  He has never capsized in a regatta before but he did so twice in the first race today at the windward and leeward marks.  It was just one of those days when it took everything you had to hold down the boat in extreme conditions.  When he looks back he we will know that it made him a better sailor.  We are very proud and can't wait to pick up Boyd and Reese at the airport on Saturday.  Good luck tomorrow Boyd!

Light Air & Only 1 Race Today - Boyd in 12th Overall

It was super light out there today in the Largs Channel and the Race Committee was able to pull off only one race after postponement.  Boyd had an 18th place finish and sits 12th overall out of the 116 boat fleet.  It is supposed to pick up tomorrow with winds out of the south at 16-20 and gusts to 30.  The tide should be ebbing the better part of the race day so perhaps it will not be too rough.

It is forcasted to really honk on Friday, the last day of racing, with winds in the 20 -24 range and gusts 30+.  Better eat well, get plenty of sleep & HIKE OUT!!!

Results after Day 2

Reese

Reese enjoys another day at Nardini's famous ice cream parlour

Wednesday Race Day 3

7:30 am out the door and ready for race day 3

Sunny