Thursday, January 21, 2010

Top 10

Well thought I would start off the top 10 pre-worlds banter tradition.

Since there will be a number of late entries and the current list on the official site, http://www.dosc.ae/moths-entry-list/entrants-list/2010-puma-moth-worlds-entry-list.html doesn't even include the defending World Champ Bora, thought I would do an alternative. Sign up mothies!

So here goes:

  1. Tiller of doom à mast of doom à boom of doom à boat of doom??? Where will the doom end? Arnaud and Mikis will certainly be working on ideas...
  2. Someone has been working on Scott’s formula and the answer is… (for the original formula, you will find here: http://scott.projectsomewhere.com/2008/11/13/by-the-people-for-the-people/)
  3. "The wind is not usually like this". Standard quote from the locals.
  4. Top 10 list including sailors not going to the worlds
  5. Mad dash on the beach to have the latest “must have” item. Last year was height adjusters, what will the secret squirrels bring to Dubai this year?
  6. Watching Bora’s efforts to bring his boat back to his hotel each evening to tuck it in for a good night’s rest
  7. Clear sails are so 2009. 2010 is all about colour and bling. Bring the bling and help the WAGS in the gin palace point out their worse halves.
  8. Need a name for twin wands look. The walrus? See this link for ideas, http://www.sailinganarchy.com/fringe/2010/postcard%20bora.jpg
  9. The usual internet whinge about lack of timely results/pictures/reports blah blah blah. Though if Clean from SA is covering the worlds, then this will degenerate into a whinge about him instead as per usual programming on Sailing Anarchy
  10. BUT most of all, it will be great racing!

See you all in Dubai! Not sure on which boat yet. Down to whether they build the Mach2 in time or not.


Sunday, January 10, 2010

Ships

Well the wind has swung around to the NE which means offshore wind. Just behind the sailing club is a massive wind block from some big condo complexes which means floating for 500m out to the breeze. By the time you get to consistent breeze you are in the world's biggest shipping parking lot. But the haul out that distance is worth out, nice and flat water and good breeze, 12-15 a lot of the time, but lot of holes still. Does mean planning ahead when amongst the ships. Anchored ships aren't to be messed with, especially when they are big Panamax or above class. Incredible how big they are when you are close. Just a wall of steel.

Haven't sighted Robbo on his Mach2 yet since the worlds, but Will has been coming out more regularly and progressing fast. Just needs to build a bit more fitness. So I have predominantly been sailing around by myself. Using the Speedpuck a lot to work out targets for up/downwind. Numbers progression has been upwards and surprise myself occasionally. Really happy with the new mast, seems to work well with the sail.

Mate on the Red Bull extreme 40 team mentioned to me recently they are looking at getting a moth to travel with them on the circuit in Europe. Similar to the Puma Moths as a way to engage the punters. Will be good to see. Especially since Red Bull are rather good with their promotion and events.