Welcome Home Matt Rutherford!

I had the opportunity to represent the Naval Academy and our sailing program at a welcome home ceremony for Matt Rutherford.  Matt had just completed a circumnavigation of North and South America in a 27 foot sailboat.  This trip took 309 days, he did it solo and during that great expanse of time he never went ashore - non-stop north through the Northwest Passage, around Alaska, down the west coast of North, Central and South America, around the treacherous Cape Horn and up through the Atlantic.  He departed from and returned to Annapolis and did it all to raise money for a disabled boating charity called C.R.A.B (Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating).  I shared the stage with Gary Jobson, the head of US Sailing, Maryland Governor O'Malley, the Mayor of Annapolis and several Congressional Aides.  Senator Harkin teleconferenced in via an onstage iPad.  It was a great event, honoring a truely heroic undertaking 

Safety at Sea

In the wake of the disastrous 1979 Fastnet Yacht Race which claimed the lives of 15 sailors the US Naval Academy began a seminar entitled "Safety at Sea" to focus on offshore boat preparation, weather forecasting,  heavy weather sailing and survival.  That seminar endures today and each spring we partner with the Maryland Marine Trades Association to educate Midshipmen and civilian sailors in the safe operation of offshore sailboats.  My staff put on a truly world-class event, moderated by John Rousmaniere and Ralph Naranjo.  It was a great refresher in the risks of offshore sailing - and a great opportunity to meet some of the foremost experts on the water.  Briefing slides from the event are available online.

Naval Academy Sailing

I've been settling into my new position as the Director of Naval Academy Sailing.  It's a great job - that probably goes without saying.  The program is actually far more complex than I could have imagined - 160+ sailboats in the fleet, a 6 acre marina, a mixed staff of Navy officers and enlisted sailors, Government civilians and athletic department coaches, 20+ funding sources, a charitable foundation and an advisory board.  I'm trying to get out on the water as much as possible but each day brings new challenges.  I'm very fortunate to have an amazing staff.  Within my civilian ranks are veterans of the Whitbread/Volvo Around the World Race, the Americas Cup, former Olympic hopefuls and a Collegiate Sailor of the Year.

The New England Skiff "Wren"

Finally got back on the water in something other than an aircraft carrier. This Captain brought beer (never the case on that 'other' ship) - and we had a great afternoon on the James River with 15 knots gusting to approx 25. The boat was built by Josh's dad over the course of a few years - she's a beauty! Sails well too! It has a rather unique gunter rig (2 section mast) but it probably needs a couple cup holders - I did spill my beer during one of those gusts. Afterwards we met up Dylan and "showed him the ropes" as we say...I think he was interested...

California Trip Part III: Redondo Beach

We arrived back in Redondo Beach for a couple days with Greg and Lisa – Greg had a fantastic meal prepared as we arrived: Salmon for Michelle…Steak for me. On Saturday morning the guys laid low while the girls went surfing (Manhattan Beach)…on Sunday the guys went sailing (Redondo to Marina del Ray in a Catalina 34)…not a bad compromise.

Christmas in Oz!

After two years away we returned to Oz for the holidays. Michelle arrived by way of New Zealand (and a four day lay-over with Olga and Paul),

Les met up with Deggs in Sydney before we were reunited again (if only briefly) before Michelle was off to Melbourne and Les went up the coast to Nelson Bay. Alas, we met up again in Muldura for a traditional Aussie Xmas (Bar-B-Q, swimming pool, backyard cricket, and the biggest bloody portable esky (beer cooler) we've ever seen. Good times...