Sailing on Rugosa

I have a new love! Sailing! Jane's friend invited us to a weekend of sailing at the Classic Yachts Regatta in Newport, RI. It was the most beautiful weekend, and Newport was just the most beautiful town! We stayed at the New York Yacht Club's Harbor Court which was just across the bay from the race site of Fort Adams.

Friday evening we drove around and saw some of the fabulous mansions. There is a 3 mile "Cliff Walk" running between the water and the mansions. We didn't walk it, but this is a picture of it - so pretty!

We were lucky enough to be part of the crew for Rugosa and raced with them Saturday and Sunday. Saturday we sailed around the island - it was 18 miles and took a little over 3 hours. The Rugosa is a classic yacht built in 1926 by Nathanel Herreshoff. His son, Halsey Herreshoff was the captain of our boat for the weekend, so it was really an honor to get to race with him.

Rugosa

I had not a clue what to do on the boat! My job was to release the stay sail - the hardest part of doing so was getting in place to do it - I was constantly having to switch sides of the boat to get to the low side where I would release. When I wasn't "working", Cameron and I sat on the high side of the deck. We learned all sorts of sailing terms "starboard tack", "check the mizzen", "trim the jib", "prepare to tack", "ready about", but mostly we learned how to curl up in a little ball and stay out of the way!

On deck and staying out of the way, and pretending to know what to do!

They never let us steer...hmm, wonder why?! And the secret to my success - SLAM gloves!

Real Sperry's = Real Sailors! With some of the crew at cocktails at NYYC after Saturday's race.

Posing with NYYC in the background - BEAUTIFUL! Adirondack chairs lined the entire top of the hill! Gorgeous to relax on and look at the docked boats. A view of the water from the adirondack chairs.

Just a picture from the grounds I think is pretty! Yes - trophy's!! We won first place!