The act of bringing a boat to a complete stop so that it can be sailed away with no more than $100 in repairs.

2006 Worlds - On our way

Sadiiqi (team and most of the boat except the hull) is on its way to Melbourne. The usual fun and games transporting a 9′ long bag with sails and spin pole - revolving doors, elevators and taxis are interesting, the look at check in is more of a challenge - just act casual. Becky was first to Oz, Pete 2nd and then the Sadiiqi and Erin crews, loaded with rum, start pouring in. Will keep daily reports going through the event.

situation normal - groggy and making no sense

are you sure this is a J24?

The building continues…. Both Bermuda boats have been stanchioning - involving a mixture of straightening and rigging of 2nd lifelines - not much choice when the top line is 6 inches too tall. Also figuring how to rerig the halyards - the main is where the jib normally is, and the jib is led back to the cockpit for some strange reason.
Tomorrow we start measuring for real - fingers crossed for easy ones..

no pies just yet

Always offer measurers rum

Both Bermuda crews weighed in ok – so pies and chips are now full on. Erin decided to mdify their keel today from the brick shape to a more streamlined one. Plus lowering the mast by 4 feet also will help Mike see the windex without binocs. On Sadiiqi it was off with 19kg of lead – now donated to help recover the local church roof. Shelagh is now making sense after her marathon flight – 55 hours door-to-boatyard. Sadiiqi was one of the first boats in the water today, and in fine Bermy form have tied up outside the bar (primo spot mato – am, learnng the lingo quickly). Only the spin to measuer in – they all get done Sunday morning (for some reason), then we’ll go for a sail (seems a shame really to leave to confines of the boatyard).
Best quote of the week so far - “f**k I keep thinking Trevor is behind me…” - said by someone who can’t qute discern the difference between strine and kiwi.
Off for another pie…..

J/24 Worlds Races 1-2-3

J24 Worlds - Day 2

Careful what you wish for!
After a first race of the day in genny conditions - still in sloppy conditions, the breeze built - by race 2 the Bermuda boats and most of the Australians were jibbed up - the Brazilians, Japanese were using the big sail. Breeze and waves continued to build, and by race 3 most boats were using the blade. Surfing in the big seas was a wild ride - Sadiiqi doing one of her signature death rolls - Walter looked like he was going to be swimming before he quickly move the pole across and we decided we’d call it a gybe instead. Protested one boat for a port-starboard - they apologised afterwards - it was too windy to gybe!!!
Both Bernuda boats had a tough day, but rolled into the dark & stormy party after racing - we now have hundreds of friends and the race committee promise to not call us over early in future. There’ll be lots of sore heads this morning - lots!

J/24 Worlds Races 7-10

Racing continued Wednesday in building sea breeze, topping out at around 30 knots - so windy the meter blew away. Both Bermuda boats struggled as their boats equiment, unused to the stresses, exploded all day. The downwind surfing was wild - rudders humming, death rolls, wild gybes and the usual carnage. Sadiiqi was hit at one point by a port tacker which ended up with all but the helm in the water as we were autotacked.
Thursday much lighter breeze and after a truly disasterous start, followed by appalling boatspeed and going the wrong way, a predictible result. Final race of the day had a better start, good speed and finally got going the way we wanted - resulting in an 18th.
Last day today and its blowing old boots…..

J/24 Worlds Racing Finished

International J/24 Short Course Series 

Determined to show the Aussies that we were good at something other than partying; Team Erin (renamed Team Foolish Behaviour for the duration down under - it was the boat name, honest!) wangled themselves an invite to the International J/24 Short Course Series in Melbourne Docklands. Despite a sore head or two from the previous night’s festivities, a two hour motor sail up from Sandringham, the associated early start and blistering 45 degree C temperatures we achieved our objective. The super short courses, being just like our pre-Worlds practices and Bermuda J/24 Match Racing (totally manic, with no time to think about anything, just Do It!), suited us down to the ground. 5 races later and severe dehydration all round we finished 2nd overall, behind Aussie boat “Security Blanket” who clocked up an impressive 5 bullets and in front of Mike Ingham (USA) who finished 4th at the Worlds! A great finish to our Worlds trip.

The Bermuda Fleet has been working hard for a week now preparing 13 of the boats for the ISAF Women’s Match Racing Worlds that commences this Saturday, October 15th. The boats were weighed and splashed this morning - now there are just minor details to sort out before the competitors arrive and start practicing.

Local knowledge is always worthwhile so here is an insight to the Bermuda boats: The boats are all different colours apart from the two boring white ones - not normally a problem as they are distinguished by skipper accent.

A class of racing sailboat, the darling of RRC (Reluctant Race Committees) – can be any size and have any number of crew. All races for this fleet will be cancelled, postponed or abandoned should wind be less than 10 knots (too little), or greater than 9 knots (too much). Sailors not attracted to this fleet should try out the Optimist.