[Lucky]

I, too, am a lifelong sailor. Started out with my very own Sunfish at age 7. Climbed the learning curve on Lasers, Force 5's, Jet 14's, Day Sailers, Thistles, Albacores, etc. Raced all over the US.

Raced in college in Flying Juniors, 420's, Lasers, and 470's. Moved to California after graduation and crewed on a variety of off-shore boats including Shock 35's (and Santana 35s) and Santa Cruz 70's up and down the coast. Did the Neport-Ensenada and Santa Barbara-King Harbor races a few times. I even spent a year racing along the city front in San Francisco... now that was awesome.

My wife and I then decided to campaign our own boat and settled upon the ultra competitive Snipe fleet in SoCal. We're now retired from racing and instead cruise on a Tartan 37. A nice change of pace.

I do miss competitive sailing and will get back to it one day.

It's great to know that so many share the passion for sailing!