Regatta Scramble

DH and I were watching yachting races on TV over the weekend, and I was reminded of days ago, when my free time was consumed with sailboats, and not quilting, although I already had a stack of quilt UFOs. Hearing the sounds of those yachts groaning, as they tacked or "came about" made me a little heartachey. I am now 10 years older, and probably cannot skitter about the deck as I once did, but still ... it was fun while it lasted.

The sailing club organized many races, with boats of various sizes, and many of the races would include ALL the sailboats, large and small. The scramble at the starting line WAS exhilarating, frightening and incredibly impressive. A starting line for a sailboat is not a fixed thing - sailboats have to be moving as quickly as possible when they cross that imaginary line. Large sails steal the wind from the smaller boats, leaving a smaller boat suddenly without power or "weigh on" .. and you really must be moving in a sailboat, or else you are powerless. The rules of the road mean that boats on starboard tack have rights over those with port tack, so if you are on port, you must give way to those on starboard - drat! And the wind is sometimes fickle, so the best of plans may not work, but you only realize that when half-way through your strategy. The "dirty air" at the starting line results in surprising wind currents -- there were not a few folks hollering, swearing, yelling, screaming, and even gasping when near-collisions occurred. The worst part about a collision is not the damage, but you would loose points, or have to go a round again - not good. And if you lose a crew member overboard, the rules say you have to pick that crew member up, taking more valuable time. It was a BIG no-no to fall overboard! Never mind that you might actually be in danger - you were in more danger from the captain of the boat from which you fell off! Most of the time, we all survived, with stories to tell, over glasses of wine, and congratulations exchanged later at the clubhouse.

I made this quilt to suggest that starting line, "Regatta Scramble."


I must admit, I'm getting a little bit tear-y remembering those thrills.