To De Bess Crew:

Sadly, I'll once again miss being aboard Circe tonight. Have a great race, all of you! I'm looking forward to a comprehensive and fun (goes without saying, right?) race report, complete with breath-sucking run-on sentences (you've heard of breathless prose, Kathleen; Skipper Ron's is the eager cub reportage version) , but no "buts."

As inspiration for your race (and, forgive me, a few suggestions for a couple of modest Circe upgrades) allow me to pass along a mini-series of snaps especially with you all very much in mind, taken while racing (okay, so I was just riding and shooting) on the J-Boat Rainbow (and some I shot of Rainbow from other boats) at Antigua Classic this year. So as not to compete with Skipper Ron, I'll try to keep the attached commentary moderately punctuated.... (Ron, don't let your drool get your new iPhone wet...)

To all of Circe's crew who winges when Skipper Ron asks for a genoa change moments before the starting gun: Please note crew size relative to the size of Rainbow's jibs and be happy. She was racing "in cruising mode," by the way, meaning using cruising sails, no flying sails or spinnaker, and no lightening the boat by removing silly excess weight such as stanchions and lifelines. This meant her top speed on a close reach was only around 14 knots. As compared to the 14.2 - 14.3 the skipper said he could have got with racing sails in these conditions (20-30 knots this year for Classic). (Nice seas, huh? The wind was down a bit for this race but the waves weren't.)

Skipper Ron: Note that the big guys don't always have bottoms as clean as I know you fastidiously keep Circe's. Also note the skeleton crew. Only 24, consisting of 7 full-time, 11 of the owner's friends who flew in from the Netherlands for the event, a few local Antiguans, and a couple of stray cruisers -- as opposed to her usual race crew of 35. You'd wonder how they managed, but we still had designer sandwiches served on the downwind leg. The smoked salmon was a nice touch, but I'd take Pam's designer sandwiches any day!

Kathleen, this one's for you: In addition to the pre-start hand signals I know you and Skipper Ron have worked out, I think you'd really like the waterproof, wireless headset the bowman here uses. Circe may not be 130 feet long and usually Skip can almost hear you but, hey, every word counts, huh? I'm sure you'll want to discuss this.

Nansi, your new role is....: Nansi, nice to see you filling Audrey's considerable shoes (not talking foot size here, Aud!) When Rainbow's tack shackle exploded at 35 knots apparent, it took maybe 2 minutes for the foredeck guys to react and fully jury rig a spectra replacement through the cunningham. You should practice this, and other race-saving manoeuvres. Skipper Ron would be really impressed. And, no, Nansi (and Audrey), you can't have this guy's number. (The instrumentation, while the repeaters-at-the-mast thing is a clever idea, doesn't hold a candle to Circe's start timer.)

Susan, your turn, and you definitely want to talk to your Dad about this one: The boat's chef, Bridget, often doubles as the main trimmer. (That's her dad in the top photo, with the great hat; he was the tactician, so there's definitely a parallel here.) Please note her smile as she hauls in about 1,000 square feet of mainsail in a 30-knot gust -- without sailing gloves. Well, okay, the winch is electric, but it's stylish, too; surely a couple of these puppies and a battery or two would fit on Circe. But best, notice the foot technique as she trims the backstay at the same time. Frankly, I was appalled at the chips in her toenail polish, but I know you have more couth than that. And, Trevor, no, you can't have her number, if only because she's the skipper's girlfriend.

Pam, I haven't forgotten you: Again, a close parallel between Circe and Rainbow; note the post-race champagne. (Snacks abundant but not shown.) As the British navy knew so well, a slightly inebriated crew is a happy crew. But also notice the shorts. Imagine these with the Circe name! Fashionable enough to suit your impeccable taste, Pam; with great pockets and a kevlar layer in the bum. Since I couldn't score a pair to bring back to show you, I looked them up on the internet. Without the custom embroidery, they're only 130 euros a pair (plus shipping). I'm thinking maybe two pair for each crew member, in case one gets a guacamole stain or something.

All de bess for a great race tonight, all!

--steve

(currently anchored behind Hog Island, Grenada, looking for more excuses not to do boat chores)