Sailing into History

Laura's grandfather often says that watching sailing races is as exciting as watching paint dry. As a cricket enthusiast I am used to that description but, like cricket, sailing is a very exciting event to be a part of.

We got down to Los Angeles Yacht Club bright and early on Saturday morning to prepare our steed, 'Picante' to coast outside of the port and to the finish line at Catalina Island. It would be about a three hour ride and we would stay the night. Then the next morning we would have another race back to LA Yacht Club. I met my fellow crew Russ, an older man with a knowing look and Charlie, a younger, energetic son of a son of a sailor. Along with Laura and her dad, Tom, we readied ourselves for whatever perils lay before us.

When all was in readiness we went out towards the starting line to be met by a huge cloud of fog which was almost impossible to see from ashore. I had only seen a gorgeous day so this was a surprise. And it never really burnt through! Nonetheless the crew discussed which sails to use, given the wind, and got them prepared. The start of a sailing race is a lot of fun. Obviously a standing start is impossible so you need to time your jump just right. There is a ten minute warning and a four minute warning and then the next thing you hear is the starter's gun. We looked at the best angle to begin from and circled a couple of times, looking at the other two yachts in our class, and trying to gain any psychological edge possible. Sure enough we timed it nicely and were off and racing, getting a nice start and off into the fog and unknown.

Mine and Laura's role was mostly to provide weight on the side of the boat so we will travel faster. This role is referred to as "rail meat". I think an endearing term really. We did our best for that and helped adjust lines and things like that when it was safe and not too pressing! I was learning so much and we had only just started the race!

Despite the fog, it turned out to be a very easy sail over. I was able to get comfortable on the side of the boat and lean out and ponder life, the sea and everyone who had done that throughout history. Hemingway, Dickens...some of my favourites. Authors, poets and artists have always found inspiration from the sea and it was pretty easy to see why.

We headed out into the fog,
Five sailors sly and cunning.
The salty mist hitting our lips
As the waves carry the boat.
The sail hoisted,
high and tall,
Spinnaker at the ready.
Poseidon lifted us a’ front
and sprayed us from the side
Working with the Anemoi
To add peril to our journey.
Made it through the whitecaps
And rigged the sails right
To a land rarely travelled a’ fore
Of warmth and natural beauty.

See that? All I did was repeat exactly what happened, recounted the facts. and it sounded so poetic and smart and incredible. You just change some words around, add an apostrophe and recount your tale.

It was quite a fun, easy sail across and, due to our crew's supreme knowledge and skill, we were able to finish first past the post. On handicap we were relegated to second but it was quite a close call. At no stage did I even feel queasy and, as we came closer, the island radiated untouched and radiated beauty. Unfortunately, at about this stage, with the danger falling, I hit my head hard on the boom... it was not as bad as it could be but boy that could have gone terribly!

The night was fun and filled with rum and chat with other salty sailors. On a deserted beach with a BBQ and a full moon providing a stairway to heaven. It really was an idyllic scene and we had so much fun without overdoing it, given the trip home the next day.

The next race was much tougher given the conditions but our crew really showed their class and took a slight risk, ending up going the complete opposite direction to our rivals. It resulted in us finishing about 20 minutes before our nearest competitor! It was a ride with less wind and more strategy, more reliance on being able to read the situation. We came up trumps. With no help from me whatsoever!

After the boat was cleaned up and out, we went up to the club for a drink and we were given our winner's trophy! Something that will stand proudly on our mantle in Sydney! My first sailing experience was definitely a very fun one and I really learnt so much and had some excitement. The trip reiterated what we saw in the recent America's Cup, that every American yacht crew needs an Australian on board and hopefully I can add to my trophies sometime in the future!