Saturday July 7

Weather Conditions

This morning brought a clear sky, sunshine and a very fresh southwesterly breeze (12-17) with big rollers.  After breakfast and a short clinic, the girls headed out to work on gibing in big waves and wind.  No sooner had we launched 34 out of 35 teams, than one team came right back in.  Then another and another….

 It’s very hot and humid.  The good news is that all the girls who were overtaken by the conditions came back with smiles on their faces and are going to compete (or give it their best shot).  Great enthusiasm from these girls!

 After a short chalk talk, one third of the fleet stayed back to rest and hopefully feel better.  The others were going to have a mini practice regatta, but thunderstorms and close lightening spoiled the afternoon’s plan.  No sooner had we pulled every one out the water, the sun came out and it was beautiful once again, but we were all finished for the day.   

 At the debriefing tonight, John Vandemoer and some of the other coaches impressed upon the competitors to drink water before they leave the dock, during the races and afterwards on land.   Many of the sailors are unaccustomed to the current hot, humid conditions. Jim Tichenor (PRO) and Gail Bernstein (CJ) went over a few rules and procedures and then the competitors feasted on Mexican food for supper.  The kitchen has been working since just after lunch and the entire club smells delicious!

Good news for all the girls – they voted not to go bowling tonight, so an executive decision was made to put two televisions in the bunkhouses so the girls can watch DVDs and hang out.  Many of the girls are disappointed they are not going into New Orleans, but with the Essence Festival (a rhythm and blues festival similar to JazzFest) the organizers felt that it would be too difficult to ensure that everyone could be kept safe in one place and accounted for.

One quick visitor’s note: From Pensacola FL to Lake Charles LA, 33 clubs were damaged in Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  Of the 33 yacht clubs, 14 were totally lost to the storms.  Of those 14, Pontchartrain YC is the first one back with a completely new facility.  It’s nothing short of a miracle. Mandeville itself is a beautiful little town with huge, old oak trees with swaying Spanish moss dotting the roadside and yards.  Most of the large, stately homes on Lakeshore Dr are waiting for restoration, in the middle of being restored, have just completed restoration or been completely demolished.  The finished projects are far out numbered by the others. 

The organizers are hoping to find the opportunity to take the sailors to see for themselves just how Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the area, especially New Orleans, itself.  To see it in the media is one thing, to see it first hand, is quite another.

It’s an early morning tomorrow, with races scheduled to start at 9:00am so the sailors will be glad of a good night's sleep..