2000 505 Worlds, Races 2,3,4,&5

I'm back! It's been a trying week here in Durban. We missed four consecutive days of sailing this week due to high wind and surf. People were getting very restless to say the least! We finally got some racing in the last two days. With the world championship in jeopardy (3 races needed for a series), the race committee made certain that we sailed 2 races yesterday in a light to moderate Southeaster. Team USA proved they are the dominant nation in those conditions, posting 4 finishes in the top 10 in the first race (Race 2) and 6 top 10 finishes in the next race (Race 3). At the top of the heap was the team Mike Martin and Steve Bourdow with two come from behind bullets. This is Steve's first year crewing in the 505, but he's a two-time Flying Dutchman World Champion, finished 2nd at the Laser Worlds, and is only one of two 5-time collegiate All-Americans. In spite of his accomplishments, Steve is one of the most humble champions I have ever met, and he refuses to sail as a professional despite many lucrative offers.

The Chesapeake Bay 505 sailors faired pretty well in the light to moderate conditions that are so typical at home. In Race 3, Team Spot had its 15 minutes of fame racing around the course in sight of some of the worlds best dinghy sailors. We finished 5th in that race, just behind world champion, Howard Hamlin, and just ahead of Olympic Silver Medalist (49er), Ian Barker. For mere mortals like us, one race like that in a world championship makes it all worthwhile.

After racing yesterday, Team Spot presented it's annual awards to certain individuals who have distinguished themselves during the championship. An upside down 505 half model was presented to Ian Burford from Australia with an inscription that reads "Honorary Member, Team Spot Swim Team". Ian lost his new 505 the first day when he had to abandon it after 40-50 knot winds filled in suddenly. The pieces of the boat are now packed neatly in the container for the insurance adjusters to review. Howard Hamlin and Peter Alarie, who finished just ahead of Team Spot, received a T-shirt that read "I Vanquished Team Spot at the 2000 505 Worlds". Ian Barker and Daniel Cripps received a T-shirt that read "I Sucked Team Spot's Exhaust at the 2000 505 Worlds". I wonder if the Olympic Silver Medalist will wear the shirt?

Today's racing was a bit more hairy. The wind built to 20 plus knots from the NE with chop some large swell (although not as large as it had been last week). These conditions tend to separate the men from the boys, and the Swedish team of Krister Bergstrom (4-time world chmapion) and Thomas Moss took control of the series with 2 wins, stealing the series lead from Mike Martin and Steve Bourdow, who finished today with a 4,3. With only one race remaining, The Super Swede can win his fifth title by simply preventing Martin/Bourdow from winning the race. I'm fairly certain that Bergstrom will be all over the Americans tomorrow at the start, like a polyester suit on a used car salesman.

Unfortunately, Team Spot didn't fair so well in these conditions. We finished today with a 22nd and a 19th, and I gather those finishes will put us back somewhere around 16th or 17th for the series. Although our downwind speed is pretty good, we aren't quite hanging with the top guys upwind. Perhaps I should've gained 20 pounds for this regatta instead of just 10 (don't worry, Laura, the weight will come off as fast as the hair on the top of my head).

So, we're hoping to get one final race tomorrow. However, the conditions are expected to get rough again, and many race officials question whether we'll be able to go out.

OK, I've just downed 2 beers on an empty stomach coupled with mild dehydration. I've got that regatta buzz on now, and I need to go mingle at the party. More later!

Jesse