... true , and now everyone knows I capsized Before racing had actually started ( serious stuff actually as I'm told the 505 nats. crash boats all had rifles aboard in case a Great White materialized mistaking crew for a marine pinniped)!

One lesson of value actually : a guy showed up at the local catamaran store (Surf City Catamarans - awesome shop !) a week before the Championship and picked up couple things for his single handed cat which he'd just payed cash fer (don't know what kind). The owner asked if he'd be around to watch the regatta a few days hence. Guy say's , " wow, would they let me race too ?!" Long story short nobody can talk this guy
out of racing (even though he knows nothing 'bout rac'n ) ; owner sells the guy one of Rick's VCR tapes...Few days later - his first regatta is the Alter Cup Qualifier ! Day dawns nasty (see previous) ; boats are dropping out left , right and center; i mean really good sailors w/ years of sailing experience and lotsa accomplishments , just heading to shore,
... quit's... This guy capsizes 12 to 18 times in three races. The US Sailing Pro issues him a warning due to exposure to the 57 degree water. Dude will not quit !
End of first day he's in fourth place and a real threat to get the F18 and the tickets to Pensecola !! That night at the
bar guy's are talking about how cool it'd be if (miracle) the guy actually won and all where sure he'd skipped dinner to watch part two of the tape !
A lesson in tenacity i'll never , ever , forget...