The Sport of the

Good

We occasionally get accused by the dimmer members of the community for being too negative. That is ridiculous of course, but here is a feel-good story which may slightly delay our inevitable entry into hell. - Ed.

While we all hear bout the jerks in our sport, few take the time to point out the really good guys. This is a story about one such guy. My son and I were waiting for a flight after the Opti Nationals when a young man walked over to my son Cam and asked how he did. I guess the fact that Cam was holding a rolled up sail and was wearing a regatta shirt was enough to identify him as a sailor. Cam was surprised, but because the stranger was wearing a sailmaker's shirt, responded with his result. I immediately recognized Terry Hutchinson, but to my boy he was just another sailor on the way to another regatta. They talked for over 20 minutes and Terry stressed that to sail at a good college Cam needed to keep his grades up as well as sail well. They talked about boat preparation and Terry suggested that if Cam took the time to set his boat up right every time he wouldn't have to worry about boat-speed and could look for tactical opportunities on the course. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised that a "superstar" would take the time to help an unknown young sailor. After they parted, I asked Cam if he knew who the man was and he said that Terry told him he was going to Europe to practice with some guys from New Zealand. I smiled and handed him my magazine open to a photo of the team's afterguard. Cam now roots for Team New Zealand.

-An Anarchist

10/20/05