College Sailing, Live Music and Family Fun

There was something for everyone at Fan Pier today. My preference, the ICSA National Semi-Finals. It was impressive all the college sailors who completely overtook the Race Village and Harbor Walk.









The college kids were a welcomed addition to the scene, though the Red Sox Mascot Wally put a massive smile on my face. He went head to head with "The Duck" on the coffee grinders where he was the victor.





They reminded me what a family friendly event this is, drawing much of my attention to all the "little ones" running about, playing and clearly have a good time!







There's been some form of live music virtually everyday as well, street performers and the daily exhibits.



While all this is going on, the syndicates Wet Teams carry on with work as usual. It's nice to have them on "display."



Reviewing all the shots I just posted would say it was was a good day. We were not short on visitors! Between the college event and natural draw of Puma City, taking photos was a challenge at times.



We are all hoping for more of the same tomorrow. The college teams are back at it and I hope to be on-the-water to cheer on the Conn College Camels who I had the joy of working with last season. Yah!

Till then...have a stack of paper work to go through for one of the "hats" I wear: supporting operations and logistics for next weekend's In Port and Pro Am race. Dear me the details, ignorance was bliss! (It's actually been the best learning experience ever, it's better than a college internship!)

Lovely Days at The Volvo Ocean Race at Fan Pier Boston

Yesterday was chilly, however the Harbor breeze made for an excellent day for a sail. Ericsson was out and about doing courtesy cruises.



We had a steady stream of youth programs in the afternoon.



While Puma's Moth Team offered up sailing clinics for area college sailors.



They topped off the evening with an event at Puma City to illustrate what's hot in sailing.



During the day, we see a steady stream of guest.



The Harbor Walk is never quiet as people mill about all day long to watch the guys work on the boats and rigs which are literally laid out along the path.









Behind the scenes all are getting ready for the In Port and Pro Am races. The teams are preparing the boats and we are working on logistics which ensure a good weekend of racing gets off.

This is the first time I've been so involved with the Race Management and turning into an incredible learning experience. A lot to consider, for example, this is a shipping port and sometimes very large ships make for an interesting day. Especially when it's one so heavily regulated as the Liquid Natural Gas Tanker!!! This beauty almost coincided with Green Dragon's arrival the other day.



It's been a lovely stop-over thus far, even with the yo-yo weather (hard to dress when it's 90 one day and below 60 the next!) There is always something going on, which makes everyday a unique one. Come on down!

On The Hard!

Remember back to an image I posted of an empty parking lot? How far we've come and now all the teams are safely here in Boston.



We've been receiving some lovely feedback on the Race Village layout, though you have to come down to experience for yourself. Exhibits, access to viewing the boats and being on the water are tightly packed: it's nice.



Yesterday the main attraction was hauling out the Green Dragon, who received a lot of extra care from our Premiere Racing crew. The Green Dragon sincerely represents the event's moto, the real deal, talented individuals who are fighting their way around the world while the financial strain likely makes sailing in the Southern Ocean a walk in the park.



Mind you, every boat is treated with the utmost care, however with the lovely Dragon, a mistake could prevent them from making it home May 16th. There is no room for error. Not every team can just replace a broken part.



Therefore, additional thank you's to the Newport Shipyard elite team who worked through lunch two days in a row to ensure all the boats where out and on the hard in a timely fashion. The Dragon is now safely on her cradle with the rest and work is underway.





It's impressive walking amongst these exotic looking boats. I can only imagine what people walking along the Harbor Walk think of it all. Sometimes wonder what it would be like, walking along on my lunch break with a "beginner's mind" and no knowledge of sailing or this event. To experience the "WOW-factor" again.



These boats are simply cool. The people behind the boats, they still wow me to now end.



I've rambled on a bit here, in part from coming off the high of this past weekend, lack of sleep and seriously not eating to "SailTrim standards" - grrr!

I do have a favorite shot from yesterday, a simple picture of a Dragon Crew up the rig waiting for the crane to secure the rig for removal with a little Boston in the background...



Come on down and visit us! Cheers

A Sunset Finish For Telefonica Black and Delta Lloyd

Napping on the floor, crafting a cot out of a few chairs and curling up on couches discovered in the VIP pavilion was all worth the backache to greet Telefonica Black and Delta Lloyd outside Boston Harbor. A true treat to see their smiles and welcome them to Boston.





Have officially been up for over 24 hours, minus a little here an there. Time to get washed up before the village opens to the public. I seriously wore my pajamas!

Cheers for now, more to come later today.

Can't Sleep: Midnight Bite From Boston

I can't sleep. Unlike the folks from Volvo, this is my first time experiencing the arrivals of teams and just can't sleep as we wait for news on an ETA for Delta Lloyd and Tele Black. I'm just too excited!

So...I've been sorting through today's photos, adding them to my Stop-over Album.







Ok, it's nearly 1am and thinking an attempt at sleep is worth the effort...to be continued.

No Words...

Puma is home...

It was a special treat catching a ride with the Volvo Ocean Race TV crew, gaining the opportunity to get the above two shots (many more but I choose sleep over photo editing so I can get up in a few hours to be "light girl" for the same camera crew...can't miss the chance to meet these guys...can't miss it...even if it is at 2am.)

I'd say, today went well.

Fan Pier Boston Provides an AMAZING Shore-side Welcome

As I type, the radio is chirping off updates that I then share with the DJ who is announcing to the crowds, while Peter Craig telephones me from the water with even more scoop...it's a little silly right now the short story: Ericsson 4 will likely take home line honors while Ericsson 3 and Telefonica Blue rally close behind. Sadly, Puma is not going to land a podium seat, however they will be warmly greeted!



Alicante was cool, but greeting this race so close to home is something special!

Opening Day a Huge Success at Fan Pier

It was hot and beautiful. Hard to believe it's late April and not mid-July, was a beautiful day.



Puma City was a massive hit. Word on the street was all smiles as it appeared virtually everyone left with bright red Puma bags full of swag.



The gorgeous schooner "Meteor" arrived mid-afternoon, testing out the never been used mooring system off Fan Pier's new pontoons. She exhibited excellent use of her bow and stern thrusters!



My night is coming to a close, however the Race Village will rock it out till mid-night with live entertainment.



I spoke with guest, volunteers, Volvo Event management and Joe Fallen's wife; the unanimous responce was excellent. From the Volvo folks themselves, they believe this stop-over will go down as one of the best. Their reasons ranged from location, how nicely laid out the race village is, easy access for the public and the list goes on accompanied with smiles.

Now ofcourse, my opinion is slightly biased but swear on...my MacBook...I did not hear a single complaint today. Who can when the port-a-potties are nicer than most peoples' own Master Bath!

Mass Bay High School Regatta at Fan Pier Boston

It is a PERFECT day for a High School Regatta at Fan Pier.

While guest explore the Race Village, take in the Harbor views from Puma City there is live racing right off the Harbor Walk.







Racing is still underway, stay tuned for race results and more live coverage from Volvo Ocean Race at Fan Pier Boston!

Duxbury High School Took Home The Glass Today!

Will post more details on Volvo Open 70 arrival details later today ~ Cheers!

Photos: Jennifer Langille/Premiere Racing

Volvo Ocean Race at Fan Pier Opens in 24 Hours!

It's a beautiful morning here and the finishing touches are being added...banners...cleaning up...topping off the good-eats in the concession tents...



Check back end of day for an Opening Day preview...I'm off to hang banners!

Cheers!

The Sun Is Out In Boston

The energy is building here in Boston and there are a lot of familiar faces from time spent in Alicante, and other sailing events. One interesting conversation was with the logistics manager of Puma Ocean Racing, as we joked about, "do YOU still know how to sail?!?" There is so much going into this global circus and knowing the sport of sailing is a crucial aspect to pulling it off.

From the stop-over management to actually sailing in the race, there has to be someone at each level with at least some understanding of the sport. However, the efforts each must exert to do their job to the highest standard possible does not actually include sailing (unless you are one of the official crew.) So we had a moment, with a little chuckle and asked the other, "when was the last time you went sailing? do you still know how?!?"

Insert long pause...

"It's been awhile," each responds to the other.

Then we look around and take in the scene filled with amazing people. The impressiveness of the "rising city" and so we've not really sailed much but would not have changed the choices made to be right here. Being here is an incredible opportunity and happy for the people and choices made to be in the middle of it all.

Each days progress is a reward and here are some pictures representing today's:


Photo: Ericsson Wet-Base being set-up/Jennifer Langille/Premiere Racing


Photo: Telefonica Wet-Base being set-up/Jennifer Langille/Premiere Racing


Photo: Puma Wet-Base being set-up/Jennifer Langille/Premiere Racing


Photo: Volunteers hanging up banners along Harbor Walk/Jennifer Langille/Premiere Racing

I post this...it's already out-of-date as things change here by the hour!

To be continued...

P.S. Added photos to flickr account...