Hi all,

hate to upset all you Northern hemisphere types, but I have been too busy sailing to post lately. The sailing down here is HOT at the moment in all senses of the word. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Current daily temps around 30 to 40 degrees celcius.

Where do I start, Xmas eve about 5 hrs sailboarding with winds to around 30kts. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Last Thurs sailed the Blade up the lake from Paynesville to Loch Sport, met Peter N half way on his Mossie, trip took about 90 minutes tight reaching in around 12 kts. Then gave Peter some windward practice for about 4 hrs. Back and forth across the lake, with me just enjoying myself trapping with kite back downwind from each beat, the Blade is just so easy to sail under kite, I was doing long legs with the tiller tucked under my arm holding the sheet with two hands whilst flying a hull. Just Cruizin <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />. At one stage being entertained by a pod of Dolphins fishing, jumping up to 6' out of the water, Sea World style but it was free <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Stopped at Loch Sport overnight, then caught up with Yvonne 20 cat sailors (very rare cats from the Pelesoric Era, crewed by Cave Men) they where arriving for there Nat. titles. Late in the arvo sailed back to home, in 12 to 15 kts. beating all the way, in mostly flat water, Starboard tack was 85 minutes with 5 minutes on Port. Trapezing and flying a hull pretty much the whole way, with small fish jumping out of the water and hitting my windward hull as it flew over them. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Sat. Sunday, went to Somers Y.C. on Western Port Bay 3 1/2 hour drive away, to race with Tornies and A's. They are hosting the Asia Pacific Tornado Titles starting this Friday. Opened the eyes of some Olympic Tornado crews to F16, particularly the Danish team, real nice guy's. They are new to cats from 49ers if I got the story right <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />. They where puzzled by the shape of the Blade, "why are the hulls upside down?" Anyway I explained some designers think it is the right way up <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />. Got to show them later as they joined in one race and I beat them to the first windward mark <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />. Will post more detail on racing later.

The Tornado Asia Pacifics is going to be a huge event, if any Aussies can get there for a look it is well worth while. Some amazing gear and sailors. I will be back there for the invitation race Friday skippering one of the local Tornado's, my first time skippering a Tornie with 40+ of the Worlds best <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />. What a BUZZ <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Can't wait.

Oh and HAPPY NEW YEAR to all. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />