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 

Day 2 of Racing Complete - Boyd in 11th Place

Boyd had a setback with a 63 on the first day of racing today.  He was able to drop it and then produce a 14 and a 22 for races 5 and 6, respectively.  Sounds like the conditions were 15 knots and lots of white caps.  Also very shifty.  Way to hang in there Boyd!

Results after Day 2

Second Day

10 AM launch 2 nd race day July 30. Looks like chaos to me.

Mount Stuart

Check out the size of the leaves.

Isle of Bute

Barbara and Reese in the Ferry Terminal Cafe waiting to catch the ferry to Rothesay on the Isle of Bute .

Culzean Castle

Reese was touring Culzean Castle with Bob and Barbara in Ayrshire, Scotland.  We were with a group of about 30 people in the Music Room and the Guide was showing us one of the first piano's made ( circa 1700).  He asked if anyone played the piano, Reese put her hand up.  The guide asked if she would play, Reese stepped over the rope and played a very nice piece and got a loud applause .

Boyd in 8th Place After Day 1

They got off three races.  Boyd had a 9, 36, and 4.  He is currently in 8th and the top USA sailor in the junior fleet.

Full results of 116 boat fleet provided HERE

Screen shot of top 19 boats.

Team USA at Opening Ceremony

Tom Lord's Smug Mug Gallery

Tom Lord has uploaded over 100 photos that he has taken at British Nationals so far.  The link is

http://lordgallery.smugmug.com/Boats/Travel-Sailing/British-National-Championship/30753197_Bs66B2

I spoke briefly with Boyd after their practice race today.  He was rushing to get changed for the opening ceremony.  He said the current is strong but that he had a great start and was sitting pretty before they abandoned due to light air.  The real deal starts tomorrow.

The conditions look similar tomorrow with 4 knots in the morning moving up to 7ish by the afternoon.

Hello from Largs, Scotland.  Photo Credit:  Tom Lord

Largs

Reese enjoys the playground

New Ullman Sail

Thanks to Jerry Latell of Ullman Sails/Latell Sailmakers in Deltaville for orchestrating delivery of a crisp, new sail from the UK loft. It sounds like Boyd went through measurement this morning and all went well. Rock on!

Saturday, July 27

Day 2 of practice with boat measurements and inspections.

Boyd and team mate, Brendan Lord, discuss conditions.

Kilmarnock, Scotland

So this is a great story.  Kilmarnock, Scotland is the sister city to Kilmarnock, VA.  One of our family's dear friends, Ron Mihills, thought it would be a great idea to send Boyd and Reese over to Scotland with a letter of introduction from our Mayor Raymond Booth to their Provost Jim Todd and Councilor Doug Reid.  This is vintage Mihills stuff right here.  He thinks of everything.  Ron is a big sailor, resident of Irvington and general mover and shaker.  Sorry Ron but you know it's true.  Oh and he is humble.  So Ron contacts Susan Cockrell, our Deputy Manager here in Kilmarnock, Virginia and sets the following in motion.

As the Braggs ready to depart for Scotland, we receive communication that the Provost and Councilor would like to send a car for the Braggs at their residence in Largs and bring them back to Kilmarnock (Scotland that is) for lunch and a private tour of Dean Castle owned by who else but the Boyd family.  The Boyds go way back in Kilmarnock, Scotland and the good folks there thought that the Braggs would very much enjoy a tour and discussion of the history given our family name.

The photographer (yes they sent along a photographer) took these great shots and emailed them back to me here in VA so that we could get a few snapshots of their day in Kilmarnock.  What a great way to start this memorable trip.  A huge thank you to Ron Mihills, Susan Cockrell, Mayor Raymond Booth, Provost Jim Todd and Councilor Douglas Reid for making this happen.

Standing in front of Dean Castle

Definitely framing this one!

Bicycle Built for Two

Reese and Poppa Bob enjoy a ride along Little Cumbrae Island.

Photo credit:  Tom Lord

Wednesday, July 25

Upon returning to Largs, after our adventurous day on Cumbrae, we ended the day with dinner.  

The Braggs and the Lords on Isle of Crumbrae.

We biked the island, 11 miles and a couple of pints after.

Ferry to Cumbrae

This afternoon we decided to take the ferry from Largs to Isle of Cumbrae with another team member and his family.

Ferry

Boyd meets up with another USA team member who is from Pennsylvania. 

Brendan and Boyd on the ferry to Isle of Cumbrae.

Checking out the boat

Boyd checking out the boat and rigging.

Our home in Largs

Tigh-an-struan B & B, great location, very nice place, gracious host.

Wee Cumbrae Island

I pinged Boyd out on Little Cumbrae Island across the channel from Largs.  It sounds like he met up with his buddy, Brendan Lord also on Team USA, and his father, Tom Lord.  They hail from Corinthian Yacht Club out on Cape May, NJ.  We all got to know one another well at Team Trials in Wisconsin this past spring.  I heard maybe they all went on a bike ride?

Sorry I'm not there to have a pint or two with you Tom but Dad should be able to fill the role just fine and we will catch up in Portland at the New Englands after ya'll get stateside again.

Nardini

Choices Choices

Reese loves her ice cream ( takes after  her Poppa Bob)

Largs

After our arrival in Largs, it is time to attend to important business......finding Scotland's famous ice cream parlour.....Nardini

 

Largs

Af last, after a four day road trip, with our grandparents, we have reached our destination ......Largs!

Let the sailing begin......

Mallaig

The ferry arrives in Mallaig

Tuesday, July 23

Our B & B last night was located in a remote farming village outside of Broadford.  Our hostess was gracious and prepared a lovely breakfast with fresh eggs from her chickens.  We are now on the ferry crossing the Sound of Sleat from Armadale to Mallaig.

Isle of Skye

Driving along the rugged coastline

Kilmaluag

Kilmaluag

The farthest point north on the Isle of Skye coastline took us to Kilmaluag where we had lunch at The Broch & Turrett overlooking The Minch.

Highland cow

On our travels up the coast we were lucky to see several Highland cows. They are a Scottish breed with long horns and long wavy coats.

Day Three

We departed Fort Williams this morning driving  Northwest to the Isle of Skye.  The mountains are beautiful shades of green. This is a waterfall cutting through the hills . Boyd and Reese did a much needed run .

 

Isle of Skye

Wow ya'll are way up in the Highlands now!  We can't wait to see the pictures.

Fort Williams

We have just finished dinner and now to the ice cream parlor.  10:30 pm and still daylight.  Headed for Isle of Skye tomorrow.  Two more days of vacation before Boyd starts practice with the team in Largs.

11:00 PM in Fort William 

Fort William is the second largest settlement in the highlands of Scotland and the largest town: only the city of Inverness is larger. Wikipedia

Loch Ness

Reese and Boyd looking for Nessie.