In 1964 I was learning to steer{?) a friend’s boat in Edgartown Harbor and almost ran into an America’s Cup vessel that was moored there. They were visiting.
I quit my boating life that day.
.
I was on the Wind Spirit in 2006. A friend rented it for 134 friends and family.
It is one of the largest 5 masted ships in the world.
On our 1st night at sea we were in 12 foot seas, into the wind and a bunch of us drunk snowboarders went to the bow and played a game called planking.
That is; you put your feet together, facing the bow and stand as long as you can.
I don’t any of us snow boarders, in particular, those who had boating experience fell.
Freaking heelarryUs!
On our stop over in St Maarten we rented the two 12 meters from AC 1986.
I was told I would be on the Canadian ship and refused to get in.
I wanted on Stars and Stripes...period.
One of the gals graciously gave up her role on S&S and went to Canaduh.
HELL YEAH!!!
I was on a ship with nothing but jocks, some college age. Some had sailing experience and some on the same boat.
No way were gonna lose and we didn’t.
Wasn’t even close the 1st time.
The second race, our skipper thought it sporting if we tacked a bit more and maybe didn’t catch so much wind.
“Sure” we all agreed. Not like we’re gonna lose.
Well, we sucked right off our first gate and our friends were sailing away.
Must have some competitive thing in all of us as we yelled “We have to win!” Over and over.
Our skipper said “all right but, it’s hard work from here!”
“DO IT!!!” We yelled.
So he starts barking out orders and we are all grunting. Next I know we are on the side, laying over. I slap my head toward the water hoping to at least brush it.
I’m on jibe and can’t let go and my buddy across from me is giving it everything he has.
I’ll never forget the excileration as we sped past Canadub and then the aft of The Wind Spirit. All our friends we on deck and cheering us on.
Result? More yelling “Faster!!!!”
We tacked starboard and this great ship, Stars and Stripes, took off.
We were all laughing.
By the time we tied up, we were still waiting for Canada.
Learned later that if it’s all Americans racing each other then Stars and Stripes always wins.
One of my most memorable times ever.
Dang!!