Racing J/105s in Newport (July 11, 2010)

After Saturday's J/105 races in Newport, Captain Mark of the Two Feathers knew they needed more ballast. The call went out to 3d Mate Katharine's dad, long known for being little more than that. I might have declined the invitation had I known they meant active ballast, shifting from side to side with every tack, but the loss would have been mine, as it was a fine, sunny day on the waters of glorious Newport Bay, with fine company.

Too bad the fickle breezes stayed away, forcing an end to the day's races just before we reached the first mark, after nearly an hour. We were not quite in 1st at that point, but with our superior line, victory was in the bag. So it goes.