scott.projectsomewhere

Given that the forecast is for 10-13 knots, I’ve gone and entered this weekend’s Brass Monkey Regatta.

Let’s hope the guys at seabreeze are on target with their forecast. I don’t want to be drifting around in the harbour.

Nathan’s dad sent though a great photo of Nathan & Ben on the day of the 49er Medal Race in Qingdao.

Just like the nice light winds we trained in.

I had some sort of epiphany about my Moth Worlds experience on the weekend after running a bunch of numbers on the computer. I compared configurations between my Worlds setup, John’s Bladerider, the standard Fastacraft, the standard Bladerider, and some estimates of Amac’s setup range.

And it all proved what I worked out while I was there. I was completely out of control. For good reason.

So I went to work on the tools on Sunday - always dangerous - and went about improving things.

It sure improved things too. The feeling of belting downwind in complete control is just so awesome, and so ‘new’ compared to what it was. I’m happy to have worked it out, albeit well too late. Such is life.

While I’ve twiddling my thumbs waiting for my boat to get back, I’ve been sending new Mothists out on Rohan’s Bladerider FX prototype. It’s been successful to say the least. Woollahra sailor Emma ordered one after the first go, and another Woollahra 49er sailor Ben tried it a couple of times then bought an X8 last week. The knock to the head and trip in the ambulance last weekend must’ve been good for him and there’s sure be more of those before his Mothing experience is over.

Stu tried it and is now urgent to get hold of one. And my on-again-off-again 49er skipper Dave has been bitten after only a few goes. I can’t see him dropping his Olympic dreams for it, but the carbon-rigged 49er has been getting lonely sitting in the boatpark while he flies around on the plastic FX. After Dave’s fix yesterday, potential Mothists Luke and Bruce too it for a spin in pretty light winds, only for Luke to come unstuck a couple of hours later, ending up being towed to shore on top of Eric’s NSWIS rubber duck. Given that Ben was hooked after a mild bout of concussion, surely Luke would be addicted after a quick dose of hypothermia.

You never know.

Here’s a good video from our Croatian Mothie… linked from moth-sailing.org

And one of the awesome… but disappointing (especially at about 5:58) 49er Medal Race from Qingdao… in Danish. Crazy Martin goes even crazier at about 9:30.

That’s how long it has taken to get our boats back from Weymouth… via airfreight.

And we’re still being stuffed around even though the boats cleared customs and quarantine yesterday. At least we can get the carnet back and our deposit refunded.

What a debacle.

Beloved Australian Olympic commentator H.G. Nelson probably tells it like it is better than most. But today’s Crikey column was a little rough.

Then at Fushan Bay double gold in the 470s. Don’t ask! Not a clue! Not interested! The 470 tubs could be built out of paddle pop sticks with tooth picks lashed together to make a mast and a knotted hankie run up to catch the air off the South China seas. One of the crew may have to be in the water the whole time catching bream for bonus points. Honestly who cares? All the nation knows is these tubs delivered gold.

Oh well. Still can’t take away the fact we won gold. Twice! Well done Nath, Mal, Elise and Tessa.