Well, we came and it happened. Gary, Gary, Bonnie, Ricky, and Dan get all the Kudos. We had a keg of beer. We had food for 40. We had wind, water, and even some sunshine. All in all about as much fun for a weekend of casual Fireballing as you can get. We even had close racing, people yelling protest, collisions, lead changes, and surprises. Wow, what fun! Pat had the lowest points but was disqualified for being short. I had the second lowest points but I was disqualified for saying I am a southerner when I am not. Gary had the least points after me but was disqualified for almost killing me on his 49er. So that left Mark Matthews in a strong first place, with the Dude and Gary in second, and the family McKim in third. God, that kangaroo court will screw ya every time!
Seriously, everything was what makes the backyard ball the backyard ball. Make no mistake- this is not a regatta. This is a chance to go out, enjoy TWELVE races in two days, and throw out whoever is winning because you can! Kudos goes out to the McKims who were moving faster and faster and rapidly approaching challenging the frontrunners. Steph and Gary made the trek, killed thier car, and got to stay to enjoy Bonnie down home cookin' (I don't know if they are back yet, car looked pretty sick.) We even got a sunday visit from Bill Johnson, the owner of 10149 Grace, the 1976and77 world champion. Bill himself is in his eighties and still does 50 pull ups every morning. Gonna give the distinguished gentlemans club a run for thier money. He got a high school skipper and crewed the boat himself! Whatta champ.
I introduced a new crew to the sport, a 20 year old form Charleston who proclaimed after saturdays racing that this was easy and with another tack or two he should have it down to a science. Breeze was almost double on Sunday (screaming at nearly 10 knots) and he changed his preconceptions about his learning curve. But he is chopming at the bit and ready to sail more!
If you have never been, we had more fun than you did last weekend. If you have attended in the past and did not this year- we had more fun than you did this weekend. So if you have never herd of it, it is the BackYard Ball. It is not a regatta, it is a ball. With balls. And wind, beer, and naked women. Or at least wind and beer. So next year wait until October to put that boat away, you will never regret it!
Thanks agian to the family Van Tassel!!!!!