The Speed of Light

Can you imagine going to the "adult ballet" and finding the dancers will be dancing only to a funeral dirge that evening? Then you can relate to my horror of flying to San Francisco to sail the new super quick LightSpeed 32 cat in the Richmond YC Big Daddy pursuit race, only to find three knots of breeze for nearly the entire race. The 32 is on the west coast for a PR tour, with Trevor Baylis skippering for a few big events in the Bay area for starters. (Note: you'll want to pay attention to what he does in the very tough double handed Farallones race with this weapon - it could be something special).

It was fun to sail with Trevor in this first event and while the race was no treat, sailing with Trevor was - very capable and just a great guy to sail with. The race however was so light, the 32 never could hit her stride, save for about 15 minutes of 7 knots of breeze off Alcatraz Island. Wow, did it just take off! It was really hard to believe how much faster it was than anything in the water - simply stunning. Here's a shot of the boat in some breeze, courtesy of Erik "Yankee" Simonson.

Alas, the breeze died again, we found ourselves in the wrong place at the wrong time, and ended up fifth overall. Any breeze at all and we win going away, no doubt. The boat itself is a beautifully built carbon fiber wonder that offers a glimpse at what true performance sailing can be. Those bored with say, Farr 40 racing might want to take a look at this bad boy. What remains to be seen of course, is if the performance racing market will head this direction, in even limited numbers. It is not cheap, it is not for the timid, but it very well may be for those in the sport who want to experience speed on a whole 'nother level. For sure, we'll be on board again. Want to go for a spin on the 32 while she's out in Cali? Here ya go!

03/13/07