Most would think after 3 years of Olympic campaigning and one long light games, i wouldnt want to be anywhere near a boat. However, im starting to get a bit antsy with the thought of going fast again. The conditions have been perfect here in SD and some fast boats would do me well about now.
I did manage to get out with skiffy newbie Zach Downing in his 29er in 15 knots, and it was a blast. He was in shock at our speeds, and almost couldnt hang onto the tiller. Me on the other hand kept wanting to go faster!! Cant wait to blow my own mind away once my boat arrives!
Last talking with Velociraptor it was supposed to be crated up and possibly shipped this past weekend, but still havent heard from them yet. Dave Chisholm is doing a great job organizing everything for me over there and promises i wont be let down with his own boat! I will be getting Velociraptor hull # VS-001. Fully carboned out, aero wingbars and all the bits. Word is its a boat stiffer than the rest with an all up sailing weight of 25 kilos (55 Lbs)!!! Cant wait to light this thing up down the bay.
Lots of moth thinking and reading going into this and i guess i will become a full west coast mothie. Anyone for sponsorship or rides?
In all my efforts to keep our blog Olympic Campaign specific, its difficult with another 4 years before the next one.
So i’ve finally caved in and will now be into some Moth sailing for a bit. For those of you not paying attention to the real sailing world, the international foiling moth has taken over. I got my first taste in Australia last December and have been frothing for one since.
Ive finally found the contacts at Velociraptor who are hooking me up with a beautiful clear coat carbon boat. It should be delivered soon once we sort out the final details, but this IS the future of sailing and im happy to be involved with it.
So Cal already has a few moths around and the west coast fleet is getting pretty impressive. With the 2009 Moth Worlds at the GORGE next summer, you can be sure that a lot of North Americas dinghy hot shots will be there to show their stuff and the moth explosion around the world will finally hit the USA.
For more information on the Int Moth, check out the IMCA.
It seems like in the last 3 years, i never had an unplanned weekend and never got to actually enjoy myself fully. But after this weekend im ready to sleep for a few days.
Had just an awesome weekend with friends doing lots of different things i havent been able to do in what seems like forever. Saturday started off pretty mellow, but mid day found myself asleep on the no surf beach with some friends and a pretty red stomach. Later that night we had an awesome time in PB at Aussie Pub with a few other friends. Sunday was spent watching football and relaxing. Monday I took Harry Bethwaite down to newbreak and had an awesome 2 and a half hour surf sesh with near perfect conditions with only a few people out. My arms are still feeling it after not surfing since last February in Israel. Monday night we headed downtown to catch the Padres shut out LA which was great. We arent having a good season but at least we can put up a fight.
So after a packed 3 day weekend it was back to work, and im exhausted. Its 7pm and im ready for bed already.
My time off the water and away from the Olympics scene was amazing. Such a relief to get away from the 4 year campaign and check in with reality a bit. Surgery was short and successful, but ran into a drug test the morning after. Good thing i was out of competition as half the drugs they gave me were illegal IN competition.
Had an awesome birthday weekend with some good friends in Newps and happy another year has passed. A lot of memorable times in the last year that certainly wont be forgot, at least for the next 4 years. Birthday presents are always appreciated but a bit over rated at the same time. gotta give thanks to all my friends and family for keeping it low key! But i managed to get myself a nice little 50cc scooter which is perfect for PL. Even better ive got a hop up kit on order to convert it to 70cc+ which will be way nicer.
And after 2 weeks of not stepping foot in a boat, i finally got back at it. I would have expected it to be a skiff, moth, something fun and my style. But in fact i had one of the most fun sessions in about 3 years. Not in a skiff, not in a moth, but in my true roots boat of a sabot with a 12 year old teaching him how to sail. It was an awesome time, and my new job which made it even more enjoyable. But teaching someone new how to sail and being able just to cruise around not expecting to go fast, or hit a shift, or even consider “practicing” something was the best feeling i’ve had sailing in a very very long time.
So work and the real world have finally set in and im onto a full weekly schedule of coaching tuesday to friday plus weekends. Now if only my boat would arrive so i could have something to do in the morning…
