I have to take a moment to record and acknowledge an unpleasant development. This moment is about as good as any other. On the 4th of January, a day after the first race of the new year, I had to be hospitalized. Last week I was again hospitalized and underwent a couple of surgeries. In the middle of this depressing experience, I realized that my time-on-the-water had been terminated by medical exigencies much earlier than I had thought possible. I could not complete a final year campaigning the best boat I ever owned. My disappointment was deep and profound.
My doctors agreed. So, I have placed my bucket boat, the ultimate Laser-for-the-geriatric-set, on the market.
It has been a wonderful life, pursuing performance in Corinthian sailing, the best individual and team sports out there. Where else can deeper friendships be forged among fellow competitors? Where else can you find your level playing field uniquely disheveled, from one day to the next, by the forces of nature? With your wife by your side every day for 45 years?
I never thought I could live without it, apart from it. But I'm going to try.
