Discretion was very definitely the better part of valor that night, Lee! The wind and waves coming into Port Aransas on Jim Van Fleet's Abandonded Assets were some of the gnarliest I've ever seen. We always sit as far out and back on the windward ama as possible to drive the F-31 1-D because it's usually the driest spot but, with waves often washing completely over the cabin, the boat would climb and climb and climb an oncoming breaker and there would still be a foaming curl at the top that would smack you! Sleeping below was impossible and even going below made normally seasick-impervious sailors queasy. Still, we were always acutely aware that you were out there in this stuff on your I-20 and whatever discomfort we were feeling was nothing compared to what you were going through. Congratulations on some very tough sailing and I'll be rooting for you next year.

Mike Beuerlein
C2 F18 USA04