I can still feel the stiffness in my thighs from hanging on during the downwind leg of the 2011 I to I - And that was 4 days ago. The upwind leg to Hillsboro Inlet was a great sail-a little weedy in places and had to dodge a few small sea turtles. Made it around the sea buoy channel marker feeling good and looking forward to the downwind leg. But my expectations of a pleasant run were immediately shot to hell. Way too much wind to get comfortable, harness lines too short, and chop chop chop from hell. Was flying off the waves with no real way to control my direction. The only way to avoid anything in the water would be to jump off before impact. I never saw the shoreline or piers along the way back-spray and sun in the face and focused concentration to not wipe out kept me from looking at anything other than the water directly ahead. Luckily, the big ships anchored outside the port gave me a point of reference. The jibe around the Port Everglades buoy was such a joy-even though I fell. Legs were numb from the pounding, but going back to starboard tack felt great - at least until a big gust launched me. My mast came down hard on the nose and removed a 1 foot 2x4 section - foam, deck and bottom. My newly configured pickle fork formula board made it back to the beach a few minutes later. I vowed to never do the race again the moment I hit the sand, but I know my attitude will change once the pain is gone. Quitting was not an option this year, and it felt great to do (survive) the complete race under some really formidable circumstances. I think I will dust off the board - if it gets fixed - before next year's race and take a few warm up runs. Thanks to Ron for setting up the race once again and for Adventure Sports for some fun prizes. It was also great to meet up with other sailors/kiters for a fun day.
Van