Author: ws lirakis

a sailor who carries a camera

The last supper

Ok, it’s race day, game on. If we have prepared well, we are ready. The gulf stream and weather are going to make this race more challenging than I remember in the past. There are so many “If” moments. If we can get to this point before the wind sifts, If we can stay in favorable current.

We hosted a crew dinner last night. This is a group with whom I have sailed with starting in 1969. Jack Cummiskey and I have sailed 3 transatlantics together, 5 Bermuda races, 2 Fastnets. Jack’s only problem is that he is way to smart. Great shipmate and friend.
  Click here to see a video of what others think of the race, courtesy of scuttlebutt.

See you in a few days.

Expedition Seminar

Last evening, I along with approximately 30 other fellow sailors listened to Peter Isler speak about the routing program Expedition. Developed by Nick White from New Zealand; it is a very powerful easy to use program.
   This event was held at IYRS (International Yacht Restoration School) and organized by Custom Offshore  Jonathan and Jeffrey Udell.
  I found it outstanding as Peter explained how he customized the program for his logic, his use.(Peter will be navigating “Ttian” in the Bermuda Race. Looking at his projections, he expects to be at the north wall of the Gulf Stream just as the wind dies (about 18 hours into the race)
  Given that this year there is a meander that flows along the rhumb line straight to Bermuda; we will all be trying to enter this at about the same place. It could get crowded.
 see you on the starting line tomorrow.

Am I Ready?

The start is in the vicinity of Castle Hill Light. I have been puzzled that the starting line is in the channel. We are not alone in this body of water. What are ships to do? The location makes it very easy for people to watch from shore.
                                                                                        
These are photos from the 1970 start. A navy destroyer was the committee boat and Brenton Reef Tower was the pin. If you were not aboard the Navy ship or had your own boat you would not see the start.
One would think I am leaving for more than four days the way I am fussing about here. Making sure everything is in order.
I am going to listen to Peter Isler speak about using Expedition, the navigation program, this evening.

Bermuda Race start 3 days away

The Bermuda Race is only 600 miles, 4 days should be an ample window for me on a 50 foot boat. Somehow there are always so many loose ends to tie up before the start. The weather at the moment looks like a nice close reach start, running out of wind at the Gulf  Stream.
   I chose to pre clear customs, which may mean I am, if someone chose to look at paperwork, in Bermuda right now. It took awhile as I was not the only one with that idea. All of Belle Mente’s crew were in front of me, including Tom Mclaughlin.
  Once accomplished, I wanted to stop at Team One for last minute errands, I stopped by the Sparkman & Stephens office, which is now home to two of the designers. On the way I noticed an aircraft carrier under the Newport Bridge. I did a double take at that. It seems the Forrestal is being moved south and will become a museum in another port.
   I am still hoping to hear from former 12 meter sailors who would be willing to share photos and stories of  their experiences.
  
    

Larry turns 75, final day of the spring regatta

The day started with a birthday celebration for Larry huntington’s 75th birthday, before leaving the dock for the final day of racing.  Motoring out to the rendezvous position, welcomed by a shifting breeze which would tease us for the better part of the day. Finally settling near North, we sailed one race and had no time for more. On the way in the fog cleared and the wind strengthened. Such is life. Great weekend, Bermuda race Friday.

NYYC SPRING REGATTA ON SNOW LION

Saturday’s racing for us was outside, while the Classics sailed north of Gould Island.  We had 8-12 knots from the WSW. windward-leeward courses. Occasionally exciting as we were on the same course with the much bigger, much faster boats, Above is an example, RAN is overtaking us going at least 15 knots, we are sailing 8.5 knots. Gauging crossings with boats that accelerate so quickly is almost impossible. Great sailing, the fleets leave no room for error.
Below our race committee, thanks for a great day on the water. Of course the dinner Saturday night under the tent at Harbour Court, is the social event of the weekend.

Round the Island Race

 
Milling about smartly, was how the day began. The race committee was able to start us after a brief delay, waiting for the wind to fill. Some how the round the island race pleases me; There are some tides and wind to play, along with obstacles.
We were able to keep the boat going at or near her polars, so we may have done well; I really have no idea.
The buoy racing the next two days I find less interesting in handicap racing. Level racing is another story. The sun came out as we hit the dock after racing was done for the day.

NEW YORK YACHT CLUB SPRING REGATTA 2010

Today is the round the island race, followed by the NYYC spring regatta saturday and sunday. The start of the Bermuda race is one week away. All the boats are in Newport, This event has become a huge meet and greet.
     Abby Sunderland has been rescued from the Indian Ocean after having been dismasted, the details of which will filter out with time. While I would not have ever sent one of my children off on this adventure, I do not have a strong opinion about whether her family acted in her best interests. To follow Abby’s blog click HERE.