Liberty is being free from the things we don't like in order to be slaves of the things we do like.--Ernest Benn

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Six Degrees of Separation

Today's pursuit race featured a reaching start in 4-6 knots. I quickly yielded the helm to Trophy Wife and adjourned to the forward end of the lee rail. That's my traditional seat in drifting matches.

From there I occupied myself with watching the electronic wind guide, which cannot be observed by the after guard. And with photography. It was hard work. But I was . . . relaxed about it. Today, I did not bother to communicate back to the helm my observations everytime I noticed pinching. There weren't many, because TW was doing a very credible job keeping Das Boot on her feet.

In the past, whenever I have offered comments from the foredeck, I've been offered Pringles or beer to shut me up. Or, even worse, offered to take the wheel back!

The truth is, I have finally learned that in 5+- knots of wind, that nothing much matters other than being afloat with friends; victory at sea is simply not in the picture. The only thing that matters is trying to pass other boats, especially lighter boats. That's got to be more fun than . . . . fishing? It's the combined effort that counts almost as much as a shared victory.

There can only be six degrees of separation between the two.

3 comments:

  1. Kipling:

    If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
    And treat those two impostors just the same;

    Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
    And—which is more—you’ll be a man, my son!

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  2. "...nothing much matters other than being afloat with friends..."
    Can't agree more!

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    Replies
    1. Yes, Melt. We all live our separate lives in divergent journeys. That a few of us can converge frequently for a few hours of healing on the water is a miracle.

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