What is everyone doing?
Terry, Pete, Wouter, Phill? John Alani? The entire UK Circus? Gary? What does everyone have planned for the next comming months?

Me? well, I just raced a distance race this last Saturday, logged around 35miles on the gps. I beat a tornado over the line. I beleive he was having a bad day, because I did not beat the I20s or the H20. The hobie 20 got me by a tad over a minute.
My recorded top speed was 19mph downwind and 15mph upwind. I was sailing sloop rigged. I am sure I could have done better, but I always have a rough time getting out of Biscayne Bay. Don’t know, maybe the current mixed with shifting winds makes it very hard for me. Also running aground does not help much either <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I also think I am out of the Alter Cup qualifier due to logistics and planning <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> Yeah yeah I know, the one race I should not miss I am going to miss it. But who knows, maybe last minute things will fall into place. It is not over until the fat lady sings.

So what’s up guys? You all seem somewhat quiet.

I'm being a 'Topper Dad' at the moment. Youngest son may have done enough to get himself selected for the RYA East Zone Squad....

So no F16 sailing for the last 6 weeks <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

However, Grafham Cat Open next weekend and more quality time with my youngest as he's crewing for me! ..... I guess we'll probably get blown into the weeds for our trouble <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Forcast is looking fine and dandy at the moment

15 - 18 KTS

Bummer! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> I'm just trying to get in a few hours of work. My wife likes it when I bring home money.

Goin' up to Tallahassee for the B.C. v FSU game this weekend. Why? Good question! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

My boat is in winterstorage till may 2007, so I'm out of the "happening crowd"" for the next couple of months.

Wouter

Any chance of making "Tradewinds"? I'm sure we can find you a ride.

You really will have to get yourself a drysuit Wout. I sail 12 months of the year and I really only use the drysuit from around mid-November to March. Nowadays there really is no excuse for only sailing for four months of the year (I don't believe that the North Sea is prone to icing over just yet?)

BTW everybody, Robert (youngest son) HAS been selected for the RYA Zone Squad! Just got the letter this morning. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> (Puts on proud dad, smug expression). So now he has training every other week throughout the winter. Downside is I have to be there as a 'responsible adult' - oh, if only they knew! He's got a hell of a lot of work to do now to a) keep his place and b) move onto the Youth squad and, eventually, the olympic squad. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

At least 2012 is still a good way off though...... - thank God!

Congratulations to Robert! What kind of boat will he be training on? I know the UK has a great program to groom youth for Olympic level sailing.

Thank you for that Mary. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

He'll be sailing this:





That is his Topper. In the UK the RYA program starts the kids off in Optimists and Toppers. Some start in RS Fevas. They then move up to Laser 4.7s for the singlehanders or 29ers for two-up sailing. Some kids elect to sail Hobie Dragoons and then move to the H16 with spin.

After that it's the Olympic classes. Rob has already avowed that he wants to sail Tornados, as I did (only better <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />). So I guess if he keeps his place in the squad, he'll go the Dragoon/H16 route.

Nice tell him we congratulate him and hope he has a bright future!

Watch out; Topper dad Alert !!!!!!

Now, then; when the toppers come to Grafham, John, I can take you for a sale on my boat. Now that will piss off the other topper parents !

Tell you what Simon, I'll take YOU for a sail on your boat!!! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

It has been quiet here lately..

How about a tally of who is coming to Zandvoort. Any hope of seeing Pete, Robi or others from the US? What about the Singapore circus (local/national fleets should not be called fleets, but circuses. MarkP is definately on to something there).

Rolf, if you met the UK crowd at an event everything would become clear.....

Unfortunately, the only acts seem to be clowns! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I am unable to participate in Zandvoort. It is way out of my price range. Sorry, I am a sailor on a budget. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

LOL; we'll see....