Hey Carl -



The countdown in the mornings was the only time I really felt like I was helping - getting Alex and Nigel fired up by building the anticipation, creating a sense of urgency, and really getting the team involved vocally. It made me feel a little silly, like a cheerleader must, but I know it had an effect... almost to our detriment. We came dangerously close to an over-early penalty on two occasions this year as Alex, Nigel, Chuck and Dan would get so worked up, pulling hard on the leash with 2 or 3 seconds to go. As tight as the racing was, 15 minutes would have been devastating.



I can't tell you how relieved I was to see you at the finish line - the reports in the early afternoon that you and David had retired during the storm seemed very out-of-character, so we were concerned you might have suffered an equipment failure, or worse. When we could make out the big fish on your mainsail, though... well, we were just glad to see you in OK. Thank heavens you didn't hit any deer.



Hope to see you and Dave again soon -



John