Olimpic shame

All that needs to be said is here http://sailjuiceblog.com/

wind wind wind but no boat

Well, I was hoping to write about days and days of sailing in warm waters. After the dreadful weekend in Dongo I did put all my hopes of improving moth skills by sailing for 3 weeks in Dubai. But it was not meant to be. First the boat went under some plastic surgery to bring her to former "glory". Which is refit the clear carbon finish where delamination occured (i.e. front wing attachment, mast step) and paint over the rudder box to cover more fixing done in the area. The boat was handed over to local "repair centre". Then, while waiting to go and pick it up, the dealer has an unfortunate accident and stays in hospital for weeks. I was a bit concerned since he disappeared from phone and email. I was about to depart for Dubai, planning to build the box to transport the boat and organize all the aircargo. Finally on day of departure I manage to get hold of the dealer which promises boat will be in Dubai within 7 days. A week later the boat is still in Italy, but I am told within one more week would definitely land...unfortunately skipping UAE long weekend. The dealer disappears again ( I am certain he has good reasons!) , I phone the air cargo company that tells me that yes they know a boat should get to Dubai but dealer never showed up...next plane is in 5 days, and so I would have 10 days of sailing left. Not worth the trouble for now. Real pity. Thanks to local mothies Glenn Raphael and Chris Graham I managed to have at least a couple of sails out of www.dosc.ae Nice warm winds, water sprays warm on your face...it could have been just that perfect for 3 long weeks. Well, hopefully I will be back for the Jo Verne Trophy and the ADGP
that's all folks

no wind no wind no wind no wind f@#k

Frustration is at the peak. The only w.e. I could go sailing in 3 months delivers ZERO wind. The Skiffestival organized in Dongo promised 70 boats and great fun. Boats were there ( even though not really 70 ) , as for the fun well... I met some old friends, made some new ones ( mothies! ), and survived the nasty gossip and self celebration typical of italian clubs.

Next time will be in Dubai, from mid november to mid december. Glenn Raphael and a few more Bladeriders will be there. Warm waters and strong thermals , I am almost feeling better.

Now, to compensate for the no wind




a picture of Flipper and I sailing in 35 knots gusting 38.

project JV

Lea and I didn't have a moth yet back then, it was early in the 18 seasons at the League. We were chatting about foils and boats, after the usual pasta late in the post-race sunday arvo, when the topic became " what would we do if we design a foiler from scratch, no restrictions, no rules". After much brainstorming sitting on the benches outside, with a napkin and a pencil the concept was drawn. We called it the J.V. (no, not a joint venture...a penny for who guess it right). The ideas were radical, quite possibly radical bullshit. But it was fun and we decided to build a prototype. Both of us have a moth now with the clear intent of beating the other at the next worlds. So JV will have to fit within moth rules. But it's still bloody radical. Hopefully will also float. More on the topic, and my great friend Lea, later on....

almost forgot...

almost forgot the most amazing thing that happened in the second w.e.
picture this: bearing away.. "maybe" I oversteered a bit, the boat was fully tilted to windward, I fall off , the boat keeps foiling (perfectly of course , quite possibly better without me) for about 70-80 meters before finally capsizing to leeward. Swim swim swim, the boat (aptly named WTF) keeps moving downwind.I had to swim at the end for 150-200 meters before catching up. Back to shore then, thinking of a leash...

first sail in torbole

How was it? the biggest drama was to get out of the launch area. no wind there. zero. Scott tried to teach me some righting skills. No way. Had to swim out of the trap. From there it was plain sailing. The boat was just perfect. Compared to the set up I tried ( on the same boat) 2 months earlier in Sydney this was easier and faster. Perhaps Scott knows how to tune the beast. Even downwind WTF was very easy to control. I managed to do only one gybe 5 meters from the beach and survived. Not having to think about it made the difference. The options were restricted to survive and jump on the dryland. Next weekend I went out again. I managed to right the boat in the launch trap and jumped back on it, only to find out that my ability to control direction with zero.1 knots was none. So I jumped and swam out of the no wind area. More wind and waves then the previous w.e. , downwind I could finally try the forward loop. Several times. Several injuries. On the bright side I managed to stay in front of a 49er upwind (with about 16 true) and just on his tail downwind. Till I went down the mine of course. No pain no gain.

first sail pictures

more properly: first sail in garda owning the boat
for more pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/lucarizzotti/MyFirstSailInGarda

stop press: new member in bladerider x team

more Moth pre-world pictures here : http://picasaweb.google.com/lucarizzotti/MothPreworldWE

pick up and delivery

Scott landed safely. The boats too , despite the disregard for "fragile" and "this way up" stickers.
The italian bureaucracy was almost too much even for me.
A "quick" round up of a seemingly simple process:

1. Pick up papers from airline
2. pay shipping agent and pick up more papers
3. find custom and being told to use a custom clearance agency
4. refusal of agency to deal with us due to small private shipment
5. sent back to custom. approval needed from superior officer due to small but not too small private shipment
6. granted approval, goods inspection, pay custom , pick up more papers
7. find storage company, pay for handling, pick up more papers
8. back to actual storage facility, show papers, wait wait wait
9. final check by custom police
10. boats delivered

Time spent on the seemingly simple process : 5 hours. Only because of some italian short cuts...

But finally boats were loaded on the roof:4 hours later....
We unpacked the box.No damages. Just a bit disappointed by the cardboard sides of the travel box. Considering the precious carbon cargo would you not think to use at least plywood or mdf on the sides ?

Back to Torbole next w.e.

countdown: - 2 days

in the long and glorious tradition of moth foilers ... now I have a blog too
The boat is WTF . Now sailed by Scott Babbage, it was boughtat the League one sunny sunday in March. On Monday 18th Scott will land in Milan and I will pick him up with 2 moths, his and John Harris'. Pictures will be posted