Change is good! Winnie, you will be missed ~ just as Sherry is. But Sherry leaving has made me a much more versital sailor ~ I have learned that I can call the tactics and fix most problems that arise anywhere on the boat, not just on the foredeck. We have been in a pickle almost every race since she left. The crew will come together again ~ we are starting to get a strong center. I LOVE racing, but have priorities strait. Crew safety first, boat coming home in one piece second and winning.... Priceless! Congratulations Rochele! and Mouse ~ what a great way to enter your 4th decade on the planet! Keep looking over your shoulder baby, 5speed is not far behind.

Oh yeah! Windy 3rd race in the Mermaid Regatta ~ 5speed got knocked down twice. We came in a close 2nd on the first race, Won the second and had 'problems' on the 3rd. But we finished with everyone we started with (barely, newby Denise learned how to hang on while sucking up water quickly) and there was no blood on the deck. I do think there was a cocktail spill while stowing the boat but it was quickly cleaned up.

My choice

Yep, I edited this post. It was too long and boring. This space should be filled with race results and fun times on the boat. Basically, I am not racing any more to get my personal life under control. I think the migraine thing may be licked, but we'll see. I am still looking forward to working and sailing on Oriyo. I'm leaving in the section that thanks certain people, they deserve recognition.

There are specific people that deserve recognition for all they contributed to my sailing life. The first is my Dad for teaching me what a sheet was and to never use the word 'rope'. He was my original cockpit teacher on the cold waters of Lake Huron. His teaching saved me a lot of embarrassment when I started sailing down here. Next is Sherry (Beckett) McCampbell. It was the first time I sailed with her to deliver Fast Lane back home after a PCYC race that she let me take the helm for awhile. She hadn't even met me before, but trusted me with handling her boat. The knowledge I gained from racing with her is priceless. Jim Yates let us switch over to Bad Penny when Sherry left and supported us physically, spiritually, and logistically. His after-the-race-around-the-pool discussions were great learning experiences, and fun to boot. I will especially remember the on-the-job lesson on how to sail in 25-30 knots with gusts to 35 - fast! Gary Smith was a gem to let us sail Five Speed as we tried to resolve some crew issues. He spent as much time with us as we needed to familiarize us with the boat, and provided us with Mike the Angel in the Mermaid to help us out. The bottom is always clean, the gas tank is always full, and we always have the sails we need waiting for us on board. We've endured 3 CF's in as many races with Five Speed and he still seems to like us. Saving the best for last, Cheryl Schmitz was a strong support for me when I became worried about rebuilding the crew and all the issues that go along with being a green helmswoman. She has a big job ahead of her now to get a regular crew together and re-create the synergy that the old crew had.

I will miss interacting with everyone on a regular basis. I will miss the women and the downwind spinnaker runs most of all. My wish for everyone is that you have great happiness in life. Have fun, and put your ass in it!

It has been a busy summer. Sailingfemmes have taken a bit of a split, one of the gals bought a trimaran and recruited some of the crew and then we have had yet another vessel switch. We are now the girls of 5speed (same style boat, a Lindenburg 28) ~ or some of us are so the website should get interesting from here! Now we will be battling on the water and on the website. It will be great because now we can take pictures of each other and post them, but remember skippers ~ eyes on the road!