With the America’s Cup behind me, I was able to start my sailing season by traveling down to Northern Patagonia to race Soto 40’s on Jaime Charad’s Apolonia, around the islands, in Chile’s biggest regatta, the Chiloe. Sailing against 6 meter tides and against a very competitive fleet, we were still able to pull out a win on the last beat of the last race. Check!
Unfortunately my health decided to take a turn for the worst. Long story short, don’t get hit by a car while riding a bicycle to work. Thanks to my team of doctor’s at Johns Hopkins, surgery, fusing my spine, and 10 months of intense physical therapy, one could say my back is solid again. John and Deneen Demourkas put me back into a boat, coach one, but a boat for the BBS in SF. I was on my way again. Thank you Groovers. Finally, I was able to wrap up my sailing year with a last minute call from the Waimer brothers in Dubai, and Joc and I headed off to Phuket and the King’s Cup in late November. Hannes and Max chartered a very, fast Mills 40. It was a light and shifty series of 10 races and Team Premiere ended up on the top of it’s class with a day to spare. Check!
On a more personal note, Joc and I survived another house move, twice in one year, not to be recommended! Thanks once again to all our friends who helped in that transition. This year, I also caught another fish. This time on the Chesapeake, my first Rockfish. Thank you Dr. Frank Frassica. My lovely Mum turned 90, which was a great excuse for us to head back to CA and have a family reunion. Another highlight of our year was meeting up with the Sims family to visit Madeleine, who is currently a Parisian college student, and ultimately surprising a very good friend and his family for Thanksgiving in Paris. Delicious Matt & Cat. Thank you Steve and Heidi for making that all possible. Tom and Anne, I hope you have fully recovered from our very well, sauced dinner, and subsequent apres dinner drinks at an Irish pub in Paris. Check!
Joc and I are both looking forward to a more peaceful year in 2015, settling into our new home on Windwhisper Lane, and making it a place where family and friends are always welcome.
I am also grateful to know that I have some good work lined up in Malaysia, Chile and Brazil, Mexico and Hawaii on my sailing horizon. I have decided sailing around palm trees is the way to go.
So, we are wishing you all your share of palm tree sailing, good health and much happiness in 2015. Check!
Dee, Joc ,and of course Sully (woof)
R.I.P. Buddha Bob
PS, WE ALL COUNT!
