Quote:
Originally Posted by Carrierjason
I have heard that if you want to really lead to sail join a racing team. So I am looking for a team in Northern Virginia that would not mind a novice sailor, that can be trained.
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Hopefully you aren't easily offended or thin skinned. There has been known to be some yelling and verbal abuse involved in racing, especially for the FNG. This is usually found around mid-pack, as the back markers usually aren't that serious, and the front runners seem to stay calmer. As you start to build a reputation and get onto better and better
boats you'll probably spend a spell with one of the two kinds of mid-pack captains:
Captain Bligh, and Captain Bligh's even more profane and angry twin

. You'll learn a lot about religion, anatomy, anatomical uses, your lineage, your parents, and the nefarious things your mother does.
On a serious note though, it isn't that hard to get a ride. Show up dressed properly and in
boat shoes and hit up the people carrying sail bags as they come down the
ramp. Eventually one of them will be shorthanded and need a grinder. When you get the shot, damn the torpedos and turn that handle as fast as you can until they say stop, every time. You can rest on the downwind leg.
JRM
-- I did a series of races as a grinder on an X-Yacht one fine day. I don't know what the primaries were, but it was like 1000:1 ratio or something because even in high speed I was killing myself and the line was barely moving. That's when Ahab decided to get into a tacking duel and straight ruined me. Makes me appreciate the
current boss a lot more.