Did spithill show up at the aussie F18 nats as reported? I didn't see his name on there website. Just wondering if he would measure up?
I see now, not a bad finish. I see he was listed as the crew. I was looking in the skipper column. Guess he's just getting used to it. Judging by the finishes that as quite a learning curve though.
I remember Charlie Ogletree once said to me (when I foolishly commented that a F18 HT had a steep learning curve)
a boat is a boat
. The good mono sailors are able to transition quickly, and vice versa (though that rarely happens).
Alex Shafer (Inter 20 Nat. Champ) just sailed the Key West Race Week on a Melges 32, they came in 2nd overall in a very tough fleet. If not for the throw out, they would have been first. He jumps back and forth all the time. The basics of tactics, strategy and boat handling apply no matter what you sail. I have no desire to go back to riding a rail as ballast, hanging over a life line, looking outwards instead of at the sails, slowly, but lots of people seem to like it and even call it
Sailing
. <img src=
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Obviously, ALL the AC teams need to buy I20s to familiarize their people. Just think 20 I20s practicing for the A Cup. <img src=
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James sailed with me at the F18 nats, I was very impressed at how quickly he picked it all up. By the last race on the Sunday we were very fast up and downwind. I'd happily go to a Worlds with him on the front (he might want to steer now though...)