Thanks Guys...

[Dave C20469]

I've posted my 'first race' under the smaller boats forum so I won't repost here, but I did want to thank you folks (midwestern term for men and women) that race -- I tried my first race, had a blast, finished third and thank you all for your tacit encouragment -- reading the 'fun' stuff made me decide to try it.I thought I was a 'cruiser' at heart -- only to find out that I'm a cruiser with my normal crew (the Admiral and First Mate) but a racer at heart. Thanks for your posts -- it helped me try it out, at least once. Sure, I suck, but everyone sucks the first time out, right? (PS: The 'third' looks better than it is - 4 started, one had a DNF -- but what the heck, it's still a bronze, no? )Thanks,Dave Crowleys/v Wind Dreamer

 

[356_Steve]

3rd is still 3rd...

Dave,I have been racing for 4 years now, and I have a lot of flags from perseverance. There is something to be said for just showing up and completing a race, and sometimes it earns a flag. Sometimes just showing up for a series and not doing well gets in the top finishers just from being there. Our club cruising class tries to award flags for those cases, and I admit I have a few. In one case, I finished first in class (3 others dropped out of 4 racing) and the pickle boat for the fleet in an overnight race that lasted two nights. But I finished…I also have learned a lot in those 4 years. I can now end up near the front of the pack in most races, including those with 8 or more boats in my class. When the wind is right, I can end up in the top 10% of the fleet of 40 or more boats. I count them all as a learning experience, and you do tend to learn quicker in competition than cruising. And it makes you a better cruiser…Good luck in all your boating, and fly all your flags proudly! They are earned now matter how many boats.Steve