After yesterday I was seriously cursing myself for leaving Florida, we should have stayed there.

We went out for our first club race. Temperature - both air and water - was 8°C, but with the wind out of the north, it felt even colder. After half an hour and after hanging in the water with a dry suit that wasn't as dry as it ought to be, I quit.

Gill took the jib off and continued on his own. He felt fine for the first time out solo. But no real results. He came back to the course in the middle of the first race and the second race was cancelled due to the fact that almost every boat on the field was capsized. What a weekend!

We didn't hold the Race today it would have been way too cold for the Safety crew!!!! Still enjoyed a couple of drinks watching the bigger boats racing, you know the ones with one hull, dozens on board and tonnes of lead and still go surprisingly slow for the amount of cloth they carry <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

But those bigger boats have enough room to keep a good supply of rum on board.
Drink enough and the temp probably doesn't matter.
Cats are not quite so accommodating, although I know some
sailors who have stubbie holders on each side stay so they
can keep there beer handy.

Now now Phill, drinking that much rum while sailing is a good way to loose it all. Fact is that alcohol opens your body and your circulatory system for hypothermia. If you want to stay warm you empty your bladder and #2 before you go out, warm up with some jogging and exercises and drink something hot. You loose 90% of the heat through respiration and the neck/head. Cover your head and wear a loose neck, but dont hold your breath <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Majority of drowned recreational boaters are found with alcohol in their system and their zippers down.. Food for thought.

At 63deg North the day started out with everything covered by a nice layer of snow. Skiing in the mountains is still excellent and will stay so for the next two months I guess. Anybody wanting to come could still experience this.