I just returned from my former place of employment. A rigging shop in Portsmouth Rhode Island. I was bringing buy my old standing rigging for my stiletto 23 to get it replaced. All the guys were glad to see me and of course we go to BSing about sailing. My old boss got to talking about how last august he and his wife were walking down the beach and saw a bunch of cats getting ready to go racing. Mind you this is a guy who has been on several AC campaigns (including the big cat against the kiwis) and flies all over the world to get major rock star treatment at regattas everywhere. He said to "It was the most amazing thing, all these guys were helping eachother rig ther boats, and rolling them down in the water. One guy was on the phone as the first horn went off and he just says 'i gotta go, were getting ready to race'" and continued on about how remarkable the cooperation and laid back nature of this regatta was. I have always known that we here are relatively mellow, but it was interesting to h my old boss talk, admiringly, about the difference between a fleet of mostly f18 and n20's and say a fleet of melges 24 or worse farr 40's.

Anyway, just wanted to give us a collective pat on the back

charlie