Week 4, November 7 Frostbiting this week brought interesting situations to the playing field. First of all it was warm. While this sounds like a delightful experience it may cause problems such as what to wear. I saw people getting into their dry suits that would be a sauna in minutes. Others were in shorts and short sleeves. I should have worn my full foul weather gear, instead I wore old spray pants and a jacket. Well, the pants are no longer splash resistant. When the wind is blowing out of the West, the area we get ready in is protected somewhat from the wind. Everything seemed right as Ed and I got into the boat. Usually when you just get into the boat things still have to be done, lines coiled and put away and the final touches to the rigging. The centerboard may still be up and lines may have to be run. A lot of problems can occur when these things have to be done while getting to the start line. Ed and I left the dock with just a few of these things not done. Suddenly we were on a screaming reach. We looked around for the windward mark and decided that it was in the sun over there somewhere! I thought that the boat end of the line was favored. To test this theory, we started at the pin end.  Up wind had me on the rail stretched out. Note to self, increase ab crunches to 200 per night. My foot got caught between the leeboards and the housing for the centerboard. This can't be good I was thinking. Mostly this happens every week, mostly I get it out and continue on. This week my stupid sneaker came off. So here I am, sneaker off, sock soaked and Ed wants to tack. I figured how hard could it be to tack without a sneaker? I put the sneaker on what would be the windward side and we tacked. No big deal expect, why did I wear sneakers, oh yeah, traction! It was a bit slippery. Putting on the sneaker proved to be a challenge too. My sock was wet, my sneaker got a nice knot in it and my hands were wet too. We got the sneaker on without too much more fanfare but now I was leary for that shoe. We came in second and decided to start at the boat end for the next race. The wind seemed to freshen a bit. Ed and I have an okay start and headed to the windward mark. Oh, by the way, how did you like the motorboats going through the start line? We liked it too and tried to help them off the line. I can imagine what they're thinking. What are all these little boats during out here waving at me! Naturally they slow down for our safety but we just want them out of there. The Ideals started with a large motorboat on the line, but I think the Race Committee called him over. We came in second again and Chris and Chris won again. Good job guys. We decided that race 3 would be our last. The wind was up, the boat needed to be bailed and I was wet. It looked to be much of the same old thing with us following Chris around the course. At the windward mark we rounded it within feet of each other. Ed and I caught a few puffs that put us ahead. The jib mark hard us to leeward of them with an overlap. We weren't trying to hold Chris off (too much). The wind was strong and we didn't want to go for a swim by jibing. The wind lightened a bit and we jibed and jibbed again around the mark. We were on a screaming reach down to the leeward mark and Chris couldn't overtake us. We won that race and headed in for the day. Thanks to everyone who sang Happy Birthday to Mark. The cake did arrive and my sister and parents were delighted to meet you.