I like to race uncorrected time and I don't mind being the underdog if the Uni is rated a little slower than the sloop. I've been going nuts with the nice wind here on the lake and nothing to sail!

Robi, get well soon and as soon as you are able, we can set up a F16 get together here in Sebring. I will warn you the wind is not too reliable in the summer. Usually light until the thunderstorms kick up some wind in the afternoon. It gets better in November when the cold fronts return. Every time I had the 5.5 fleet here there was little or no wind! Of course the next day was fantastic...but that's always the way. If you plan a regatta there will either be too little or too much wind, but the day before and day after your regatta the conditions will be perfect!

I had a Dublin, Ireland layover last week and met with a great guy, Dermot Mangan, who was nice enough to take me to his sailing club on a lake. He has a Spitfire which is a 16' cat similar to the F16's but not built to the rule, I think it has a little more sail area. Check it out at www.spitfiresailing.org.uk Click on pictures, then go to the first of the two videos listed below the pictures and watch 3 Spitfires having a great blast run in 20knots!

Anyway, it was about 45-50 degrees in the air and water, raining and blowing 20 gusting to 38...so we did not sail, hit the pub instead. I had a great time and can't wait to get back over to sail with them when the conditions are a little better.

We need to do some kind of an exchange trip where a group of us go over to sail with them and then host them over here some time. I told them the water here in Florida is usually about 87 and they couldn't beleive it! But then neither could I when I lived up in NH....which is why I moved here in the first place.

But back to the Blade...yes, I would like to get one and get back on the starting line, Uni or sloop...if Chuck will race with Lucy, I will bring Sara!