It's an affair to remember and one worth repeating...sitting here with a beautiful office view of the Connecticut valley, reflecting over my last office view of skiffs screaming across the waters of LakeGarda , Italy...I take a moment and look up the dates of the next European event...the country view is breath taking but a "sea" of skiffs awaiting launch makes my heart flutter.
Photo: J. Langille
The world of keel boats would regulate my pulse if not for dear friend Mason Woodworth's skiff ambition launching around the same time SailTrim.Org arrived on the virtual scene. I still recall the day...sitting at my cubical in biotech land and looking up the 18footer instead of staring aimlessly at excel spreadsheets... As Mason and team (David Brown and Simone Hamilton) prepared for their first JJ Giltinan Championship event in Sydney 2006; I resigned from team "rat race" with promise to join the boys for the 2007 installment of JJ...and so the affair began as a long distance relationship.
Photo: C. Favreau
What's the attraction? Combination of speed, carbon fiber and large sail area...at least that's what tickled my fancy. The relationship began when I entered into their world.
My first skiff encounter was in Sydney and the skiff sailor's nature...strong characters with humble hearts drew me into the class. Each of the teams I encountered, whether top flight or breaking trail, carried themselves broadly both figuratively and literally, with their own boats upon shoulders as they made way to the water's edge knowing; no matter how good a sailor you think you are...the 18footer will test both skill and wit.
Photo: J. Langille
For you see...the 18 foot skiff is a bit of a mono-haul princess (my opinion of course!). If the sailor does not bestow on her every bit of their attention, meeting her needs...she'll dump them, quite literally. Not focused...you will go swimming...worried about a missed deadline at work...splash!
Photo: C.Favreau
No matter how humbled, never have I seen a skiff sailor give up from a day's carnage...broken rigs, blown sheets, bowsprits and torn sails...a lawn littered by tools, carbon fiber and rigging till the sun rises; ensuring another day of racing is had. It's off the water where one witnesses the true character of a skiff sailor...
Whether it's sharing tools, tips and tactics or turning the regatta tent party into a surprise 40th for one of their own...the 18 foot skiff sailor is of strong mind, tender heart and good humor...
Photo: J.Langille
They are some of the silliest folks I've met in the world of sailing, easily laughing off the day's events. Not sure whether it's due to the Aussie roots combined with British humor and the artistic Europeans...or one race course bringing together the corporate professional who's traded in his suit for neoprene along side the "whipper-snapper" of a sailor who cut classes to make the start (not sure if that's the case...). It's a fleet of mixed nationalities and sailing legends...like no other sailing scene I've witnessed!
No matter...once they leave shore, all are 18 foot skiff sailors...an elite group. It's an 18 foot affair I plan to keep close to heart...do not be surprised if my next tale is from the trapeze...
"Go big or go home..." ~ Team Aeon
~Jenn
4 comments:
Hello Jenn,
Another nice report ! Thanks one more time for your help in Garda. Hope to see you soon in Europe or perhaps in San Francisco.
Best regards,
Christophe
Hello, Jennifer,
thanks for this lovely story about 18Foot-Skiff-sailors. In fact its the most romantic way to describe one of the most fantastic things to do in the world I've ever heard. Lets face it, somehow your're in love with the scene, aren't you?
But now its up to us sailors to make you compliments. I must tell you it was a paradise to have you around in Campione.You had a good word for everyone and motivated everybody with your smile, your positive suggestions and thinking, your empathy and your compliments...no matter how really bad the day was, after meeting you the day became a little bit brighter.
Thank you for beeing there, we hope to meet you on the tour again.
best regards
Norbert
from Team "Magic Marine"
Hi Jen
Have you been practicing your pelvic floor exercises and can you do them without raising your eyebrows yet!!??
What a great article. I think it sums up the reasons I sail a skiff (or at least the reasons I cant give it up) perfectly.
Hope to be in San Fran in August so maybe see you there.
Cheers
Steve McLean
Hi Jen
Have you been practicing your pelvic floor exercises and can you do them without raising your eyebrows yet!!??
What a great article. I think it sums up the reasons I sail a skiff (or at least the reasons I cant give it up) perfectly.
Hope to be in San Fran in August so maybe see you there.
Cheers
Steve McLean
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