photographs

Images from the sixties. I carried a camera with me most of the time, and still do. I see images everywhere. I have a new scanner which is like having a small darkroom available to me. I am re-discovering many of the photographs that were beginning to seem like imaginary pictures.

August 28,1851 Cowes, Isle of Wight

The photo is the Yacht America, taken in Newport, RI sometime before world war II. She was probably on her way to the Naval Academy in Annapolis where she met her end. The photo was taken by a friend of the family from a rowboat.

The newspaper article is from September 20, 1851 recounting the race between the "America" and "Titania"

SNOW DAYS

I had ordered a new scanner to replace one that functioned perfectly well except for the fact that Snow Leopard would no longer recognize it. HP after 4 months still had not created a new driver and there was no indication that they were even thinking of doing it. They were certainly no help when I contacted them.

The snow coupled with cold short days gave me a reason to start working in ernest.

I have a new Epson, and very pleased. I have scanned documents, slides, and negatives so far and the quality is far superior to that of my old scanner. Sometimes the right thing happens for the wrong reason.

burning calories

We had snow storm of the winter, starting last night into today, wind up to 50 knots. It seemed to me that we had 2 feet and drifts up to my chest, always just where I needed to shovel. For those who wanted a white christmas, their wish was granted. Ski country got only a dusting as it was a coastal storm, the same one that hit Virginia, New York, and on up the coast.

W. H. AUDEN

I was an english major during my college years. At some point during that time W. H. Auden came to URI and spent several days. He came to my classes. I had tea with him. I was able to spend time with a man I thought a great deal of. I liked his poetry, listening to him recite his own works was a joy. He was no less engaging a conversationalist

I feel fortunate to have had that small moment in my life.

No Ocean for old men

Imagine us telling the spaniards that our three finalists are bugs baern steve lirakis and dumoulin- ages 77,62 and 63! You and bug baer had twice the ocean experience as anyone else. Also twice the average age of everyone! we went for the midrange 30-50. apparently you and I and Rich du Moulin and Rich Wilson are now the eminent greybeards of the club's distance racers:

Carravaggio in Malta

Carravaggio fled to Malta in 1608. As everywhere he went, he left his mark. The collection of the Cathedral of St. John in Valletta of his paintings is one of the finest I have ever seen. In the last 25 years I have gone to every exhibit of Carravaggio I could; each with a tale of it's own.

Carravaggio was dubbed a knight by the time he left Malta, depending on which version you read, leaving behind some of the most visceral, powerful paintings I have ever seen. A man with such self destructive talent.

VIRGINIE HERIOT

Things in life occur at the most unexpected times. Virginie Heriot, the first woman to win an Olympic medal(1928) sailing 8 metres. A new book published this year about her, and I find in a flea market a medallion struck at her death in 1932.

burning chap six meter evening

Burning chap at Jesse Smith's of "Totem" this evening. The weather cooperated nicely and many familiar faces were surrounding the bonfire hoping to cook marsh mellows on a stick.

Onne van der wal showed his outstanding photographs of the 6 and 12 meter championships.

Tony Widmann announced plans for an overall trophy for the coming season, which he is generously donating. All in an attempt to keep the class alive and active.

Toby Rodes spoke briefly, poking the embers of the class as well.

trellis in Paris

My luggage to Paris was mostly comprised of wood. I had taken careful measurements previously and then laboriously created the trellis that now is installed on the terrace in Paris. I even had to make the bags to carry it.

more Carina memories, the big mouth frog.

In 1971, I was preparing "Carina" for another trans-atlantic crossing to Cowes for the Admiral's Cup. "Carina" was again part of the 3 boat team representing the United States.

I had "Carina" tied to the dock at Indian Harbour Yacht Club; a man approached me saying he had these things, cold light, recently invented by him, and he was not yet sure what they would be useful for. He gave me some for the trip asking if I/we could provide feedback to him about possible uses.

As we all know today cylume is so big and commonplace that no one probably asks where they came from or when.

During the crossing, we mostly played with them, for amusement. I did use one while working on a leak in the compressor for the refrigeration, but really because it was available.

CARINA

This weekend at the Indian Harbor Yacht Club will be a reunion of as many "Carina" crew as can be rounded up to recount their memories of sailing on perhaps the most famous boat in ocean racing.

I joined the crew of "Carina" in 1969 quite by chance. I was meant to sail on a different boat for the Trans-Atlantic race that year to Ireland. Plans changed and I was recommended to speak to Dick Nye about the possibility of finding a berth on another boat. He suggested I come for lunch to meet and discuss possibilities.

I had been in an automobile accident during the winter and had broken my leg. The cast was still on as I hitchhiked to New York City from the University Of Rhode Island in the snow for lunch.

I never imagined that Richard would call asking me to join "Carina" and the life-long friends that event would create.

More Malta

The photograph of the street, stairs, bridge and tunnel emphasize the many layers that comprise Malta.

The puff of smoke is the start of the race.

The photograph of "Rosebud" with only a stump of a mast demonstrates the pitfalls this race hides in a climate that is mild and sunny, not far from the coast of Africa.

MALTA and the middle sea race

How do I reduce the image of Malta into a few photographs? .

I was here for the Middle Sea race ( see the blog of the race :http://www.tripsailor.com/blogs/2667-blog-rolex-middle-sea-race-2009) and had to try to stay focused on that. Even preparing the boat as the sun moved across the sky my impressions of Malta were ever changing.

I never was able to see more of the island country than going to and from the boat, which left me yearning to see and understand more.

MIDDLE SEA RACE 2009

The 2009 version of the Middle Sea Race is done and dusted as the English are apt to say. I sailed on a 61 foot X-yacht called "Nix" under charter to Bugs Baer, with whom I had sailed the 2005 Trans-atlantic race. As in 2005 I came aboard not knowing any of the crew; and left with new friends.

On Thursday before the race, the entire crew spent the entire day without a stop emptying the boat of as much excess weigh as we could. It amounted to a considerable amount. Friday, we had a crew practice, as we had never sailed together before. We hit 16.5 knots, a new record for the boat. I do not think we went faster than 14.5 knots during the race itself.

The 606 mile race starts in the Grand Harbour of Malta, heading for the south eastern tip of Corsica, northward through the Straits of Messina. From there rounding Stromboli to port, the Egadi Islands, Pantelleria and Lampedusa Islands, the South Comino Channel, keeping Malta to starboard, to the finish line in Marsamxett Harbour. We finished the race in 3 days 20 hours and 54 minutes. I suspect that if "Nix" had been weighed, her rating would be considerably lower, and our results would have been improved.

77 Yachts entered and 37 withdrew largely because of the severe weather. Starting October 17, the water is still quite warm; this can produce small violent squalls. We encountered a few. These squalls can be seen on radar, but not always avoidable. We even had hail, the size of grapes, others reported hail the size of golf balls. "Rosebud" the 65 footer lost her mast, and "Belle Mente" withdrew.

I took photographs when I was able, and will post them at a later date. Of no less importance and a visual overload is Malta itself. One can stand in one place and in the course of the day the view will change, the light, the shadows, the perspectives created by the centuries of building. The history of Malta is familiar to almost everyone, but to see it is remarkable. There are churches everywhere, each more beautiful than the previous.

26 years ago in 12 meter history

The New York Yacht Club lost the America's Cup 26 years ago this September. Change is always troubling for anyone. I have always regarded this event as: the right thing happened for all the wrong reasons.

Change is inevitable, we all know, but all resist nonetheless. This was one of those occasions. It breathed new life into the Cup life.

what's next for six meters in Newport?

What will happen next season with the six meter class in Newport? Will it wither? Will it limp along with a few boats?Will it flourish; with some boats choosing to remain here and race?

Seattle has long been a stronghold of Six Meter sailing; with an active class. Europe has and will likely remain the most active environment for six and eight meters as well.

The survival of any class depends on the strength and commitment of the people involved.