Some things just start as something fun to do, but some of those things take on new meaning once they become reality.
The 2nd SNAME Sailing Regatta crossed the "filled with meaning" threshold.
Consider the following:
1. There already is a winning dynasty and that dynasty will have to start look over its shoulder for those who will be gunning for them in 2013 (STX Canada)
2. This was real racing. Any regatta that had a point spread of 17 points for the winner and 27 points for the 8th place finisher in a fleet of 14 boats is competitive.
3. It is about time that NAME's lay a claim to the sport that lives on their home turf. Golf? What does that have to do with us? :)
4. From what I saw there was enough sailing talent at the Regatta to field a very believable America's Cup crew.
5. It was deeply satisfying to be assigned to a boat and to realize that you were part of a team that had a combined racing experience of about 200 years, and had forgotten very little of it too.
6. From what I saw engineers make excellent racing crews. All rational analysis and willingness to try a new approach if failure was evident. Very different from the boats I race that are filled with non-engineers. It would be an interesting subject for a paper, but we'll need more research.
7. Lake Washington and T-Birds probably is the gold standard for an event like this. It looks like we'll get to do it again in 2013.
8. But first we'll have to deal with STX in Houston in 2011.
Rik