VIRGINIE HERIOT

Virginie Heriot a "chic" french yachtswoman. competing in the 1928 Olympics in the 8 meter class winning a gold medal. As you can see she did it with style.

IT'S ALL CONNECTED

Indeed, it is all connected. I must have met Hoyle and Diane at the Newport Boat Show, I am no longer certain of the date. The show was held on Goat Island. I bought sail number 48 shortly after that.

I ended up driving a Dragon from Miami to San Diego to prepare it for the 1972 Olympics. We spent almost every weekend with Hoyle and Diane in Pacific Palisades, driving from San Diego.

I returned a few times to visit, one of the last was the 1973 "World Championship" in Mission Bay, San Diego. the photos below are from that regatta.

Ted Schweitzer has created a blog retrospective of the early years, it is worth a visit. click on the link.

SAILING SIX METERS

Sailing 6 meter "Madcap" designed by Frederick Hoyt in 1924. Perhaps the smallest 6 meter ever, which entitles her to more sail area than she can handle except in light air.

Today was an odd day the wind never filled from the southwest despite the sun. A southeast breeze pushed the fog into the bay and over the land.

The starting line had been set for SW and when the wind shifted we could not cross the line on starboard tack.

The boat proved to be quick.

BLOCK ISLAND RACE WEEK 2009

Sailing on "Laura-Ann" belonging to Rich duMoulin for Block Island Race Week, re-united me with many old friends and classmates. My first race week since 1967 when I raced with Halsey Herreshoff on "Alerion" built to his design.

The Island was overrun with sailors seeking Mount Gay Rum and wind. Conditions were varied and shifty which kept the race committee and competitors on their toes.

We ended the week in second place in class easily beaten by a sistership "Troubador", only beating her in the first and last races of the week. I will keep a fond memory of this race week largely as a result of the warm welcome from Rich and his wife Ann.

TRANS-ATLANTIC 2003 & 2005

return from LA

Returning home not to be greeted by Tucou was a very strange feeling; a sense of a missing piece of our lives. Even after a few days we both keep thinking of him and the small ordinary everyday things of which he was part.

Los Angeles is so much fun. The good weather surely contributes to this. Eccentric people can still be part of the landscape.

Our purpose was to see our children. But the sideshow of humanity certainly made it even more fun.

TUCOU

Today was a difficult day for our family. Tucou, our dog, part of our lives for 23 years. a loyal friend and companion through all the events during every moment of that time had to be put down. Like any blow such as this, it is hard to imagine that we will recover, that time will soften the harsh reality of life.