Team Seacats

Jake’s assistant apparently needs an assistant of her own. Or just some people to hang out with, maybe? While I was keeping an eye on the righting of Trey and Chuck’s boat, I missed Wick and Jake falling into a hole, losing rights, and being forced to duck under Nigel and Alex just before the line. Jake’s not sure as to their finish for the first race (“deep”, he said), but is claiming seconds for the other two races. I could have willed them into good air if I’d been watching. I just know it.

Now they’re going to Hooters…for the wings.

Life in the fast lane. Still on the Eagles tip, natch. Jim Zellmer is having a great run but Wick is having a bit of a better one. They were first to the mark, forward in the pack with Guy Selsmeyer and Mike Hill. Back downwind, it was Team Seacats out front again, coming in close with Alex & Nigel, Kirk & Glenn, Charlie & Boog, and Trey & Chuck.

Trey and Chuck flipped it while heading for the line shortly after coming into my view but righted it pretty quickly. That blows (and not in the good way the wind is doing on the course), since they’d been having such a good day and already had used their throw out on a DNF yesterday due to an on-the-fly jib replacement. Halfway down the final upwind leg, a boat headed in to sidle up alongside the little pier next to our hotel. I think it might have been Guy but he came in behind some palms so I couldn’t say for certain. By the time I looked back that way, I couldn’t see him anymore. Dropping off crew for an early shower? Or was he lured by the Siren’s cry of Hotel California? We may never know. Shortly afterward a boat with a blue chute circled midway and popped it, perhaps for a tardy correction turn? All seem present and accounted for, as I haven’t heard anything over the airwaves to the contrary.

This was a great day to be on my observation deck, certainly. I’m sure that Jake and Wick (and everyone) will have some good stories to tell at the shrimp boil. I apologize that I could only give just so much detail. If you follow the sport at all, though, you know well how quickly things happen on the course. We need Brian and John for some film coverage! I’ll make a deal with you: I’ll swallow a Xanax and get on the committee boat tomorrow. Did I mention yet that Jake’s birthday is tomorrow? No? Well, now you know. Let’s make sure that he isn’t able to forget it, huh?

It sounded like the men on the rahdio said their gonna run a number five and bring ‘em on home. I only understand part of that. In any case, they’re dropping marks for the optimum, most perfect race course available to man considering the conditions dished out by the wind gods. Race sequence started at 12:42pm.

Or at least a headache tomorrow.

Our neighbors here at the hotel are buh-lasting the Eagles…partying like it’s 1999 in 1978 twenty-four to the seven, aigghht…rollin’ Pensacola style. Where’s the hell’s my iPod and how many devices can I attach to myself/listen to/look through at one time? Guesses? I’ll do that math once I reach critical mass.

Looks like Nigel, Wick, and Kirk on the podium this time.

My soundtrack for the victory dance…Fuzzy Logic by Super Furry Animals.

While I was watching Kirk and Boog drag race on the first downwind leg, followed hotly by Team Seacats and another team, I got distracted then…oopsie…two boats went over. Must have both caught a funny puff. Well, it will be funnier later on. By the time I had a chance to snap a photo from far to great a distance to be interesting, the first was already back underway. About a minute later, Randy Harr and Dan Paoli got upright again. Neither required any assistance and I haven’t heard anything over the radio so all should be well. A bit of time lost is a bite enough. I only hope that there was no spinnaker rippage during their baptism/launch. It looked like it happened pretty quick, anyway. It’s so difficult to pay close attention to such a large fleet when spread out.

By the bye, Boog’s sail still says 007, so I don’t know about the other boat that I thought was them earlier.

Oh, and thank you for your phone calls.