America's Cup 34!

I have a common complaint... that 99% of sailing videos just plain suck. Granted, sailing is a difficult sport to film in an exciting way. For example, the excitement on board a boat with the wind and the spray in your face is subjectively quite different; when compared to the point of view of a man watching that same boat from the shore, where the boat hardly seems to move. However, now that the powers that be have decided to continue using multihulls in the next America's Cup, we can rejoice that sailing will continue to improve as a spectator sport.

Sorry stodgy traditionalist, but watching monohulls is boring. For sailing to actually end up on your TV again it needs excitement. It needs fast multihulls. "But what about the tactics and I skill of yachting found only in monohull racing," you may ask? Well tactics-shmactics... I want the future...I want speed...I want giant 70 ft plus futuristic multihull behemoths! Thank the sailing gods for the endless ego of Larry Ellison. He is exactly what this sport sailing needs; a kick in the ass.

So when I found this new video released by the folks putting together the next America's Cup here in San Francisco, I was thrilled. Sure, it is not realistic...the wind is blowing the wrong direction..the boats are going like 50 knts... but who cares? Just like the BMW Oracle footage from the last America's cup... this video got me excited about the future of sailing. So let's all be thankful that it's a great time to be a sailing fan.

Been a long time....

It turns out it has been awhile since I have written anything new on here. Pretty sad when the last thing I have written was about a race I ended up not taking part in. I guess with the wet chilly Spring we had here in the Bay there was that much sailing going on for me. Other then a couple of Wednesday night beer can races at Oakland Yacht Club, the San Francisco Nood Regatta was the only big race I've done lately.

Overall the NOOD was somewhat fun but really was not my type of event. It is the type of race that requires an expert attention to detail in following "the rules of sailing." It really felt like a we were trying to race a monohull type of race with multihulls. This is not to knock one or the other; each has their own type of style of racing. Doing an upwind downwind kind of a course on a multi is just kind of dull. For example, close quarters tactics are far less important then getting the boat going as fast as possible. Anyways, not really my cup of tea, but to each their own I guess. Some good "tour" style races are coming soon which should be fun.

In general, just looking forward to going out for a sail or two this coming month. We have been working on an old Erickson. Having started sailing on multihulls, it will be fun to try messing around with a monohull for a while. I do not see any conversion in my future, but variety is the spice of life.

Double Handed Farallons Race

This April my father and I will be taking part in the Double Handed Farallons Race. We had planned on doing the race on our Sprint 750, but after some deliberation decided that might be too wild of a ride for us. The Farallons race is one of the most dangerous races here in the Bay Area. Quite a few local racers have lost their lives over the years doing this race so I do not plan on taking things lightly.

Back in the late 90's my father flipped his F-31 trimaran over in the Frarallons Race. He was in the water for only a few minutes, and nearly died. I guess that is why this race has always kept me wary of participating in it. Hopefully, after this race is over, I will feel more comfortable about it. With my luck it will probably be a calm day with no wind at all, and this concern of mine will probably look silly in hindsight. Then again... I may just end up as shark bait. We'll see I guess.

Three Bridge Fiasco

This Saturday I will be sailing with my father on the our Corsair 750 Sprint in the Three Bridge Fiasco race. Over the years I have heard that this is one of the most wild races that goes on here all year. What makes it so unique is that you can cross starting line from either direction. Then you must round the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, and the San Rafael Bridge; the order you round them is up you.

The weather should be wet and windy; with the run off in the Bay complicating the tidal conditions. Overall I am really looking forward to this race, and hope to have pictures up this weekend.

Cool Sailing Video

I loved this video when I saw it yesterday, but I had to change the music. No offense to the original creator of this. I just thought such an awesome sailing video needed a less distracting soundtrack than disco Euro Pop.

Mt. Whitney in 2010

So as I was checking out my Facebook page this morning I came across a posting by my friend Raul. It read simply,"2010 Goal - Summit Mt. Whitney." Now, I'm not one to believe in signs or omens...much, but I found it odd that only a week ago I had the same thought come to mind. Not sure why or how it came in to my mind. I do not even like climbing mountains, yet it seemed like a great reason to get in shape. Also, I need a challenge...a big challenge. Tomorrow I'm going to start working out again. If all things go well, I should summit Mt. Whitney with Raul sometimes between next August and October. I'll keep you posted...

Where I Would Like to Visit in my Life.

For a long time I have always enjoyed traveling to new places. Often thoughts of new experiences and places to visit come to mind, yet I forget to write them down. Today felt like a good time to finally construct a first attempt at a rudamentary list of destinations I would like to visit in my life. Eventually, as this list expands, it will include more detail and become more specific as to what I would like to do when I get there.

Here is my list so far:





Brazil - Rio De Janeiro during Canival, The Amazon
Costa Rica
Belize - Mayan Ruins
Mexico - Mexico City, Acapulco, Cozumel, Cancun, Teotihuacan, Mayan and Aztec Ruins
Portugal
Azores
Greece - Athens
England - London
Ireland - Dublin, Giants Cause Way
India - Mumbai
Thailand - Pucket
The South Pacific Islands - Fiji, Oceana, Bora Bora
The Caribbean - Jamaica, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Cuba
Egypt - The Great Pyramids
Northern Europe - Amsterdam
Vancouver
Big Island of Hawaii - Hilo
Peru- Montu Pitue
Germany
Italy - Rome
France - Paris, South of France, Monaco
China - Hong Kong, Beijing
New Orleans during Mardi Gras

What about you? Have any suggestions?