sailing

I had to pick up an anti-biotic prescription the other day called Fluclox.  I suggested to Merril that if there was a group of us getting it we could be known as the Fluclox Clan.  She said it was the worst joke she had ever heard.  Well it could have been worse.  Well, actually, it could not have been.
Still I reckon it is better to come first or last, as no one remembers who came in other positions.  I bet you didn’t know that we came 17th in the Australian Cobra class catamaran championships held in Hervey Bay (out of about 28).  I am sure we are the only ones who would remember that.  In our best race we came third and called across the water to the guy that was leading the competition.  It was the only time we ever saw him.  There was no wind for that race.  Our boat was best in those conditions. 
In the pre-race event there was a cyclone going down the coast.  The winds were 40 knots.  I remember seeing masts bent right over.  Most competitors pulled out.  We did not.  I remember thinking “I want to go home.”  Tell you what though, when the wind was behind us there is no feeling like it.  Zooming across the water.  I was on trapeze.  I was attached by wire to the top of the mast and I stood straight out parallel to the water.  Boy were we moving.  It was great until the front of the boat dug into the water and I did a semi-circle around the front of the boat still attached to the wire.
There was so much about that trip that was memorable.  Like us towing the boat from Townsville and getting lost (though the driver did not know we were no longer on Highway 1) and needing petrol.  We drove over a narrow cement causeway and the person I was with commented that no wonder southerners say our Highway 1 is so bad!
The guy that owned the boat needed a partner to compete.  For some reason, God bless him, he thought of me.  I had never sailed in my life.  We had one training session in Townsville.  My role was to control the jib, not drop anything, and be on trapeze to help weigh the boat down when needed.  Me?  Weigh something down??? What were they thinking???
After that I assumed the role of “expert” sailor.  I spruiked what I knew with authority and people believed me!  Awesome!
Anyway at the end of the meet we sold the boat.  The people that bought it tried another boat then bought ours.  Bit rude really.
Still, we did not come 1st or last, but 17th.  It was memorable.  It was for us at least.
​