Day Zero: practice day

"G", PF, Petra watching the opposition...

(thanks to Babs)

Blogging from my iPad in coffee shop of Kata Resort, so can't upload (yet) photos taken by Babs, as I have to work on HTML... aaargh, enough of the technobabble, already!

Note the winches: Grant, Iris and the boyz did a great job in delivering her pristine and light!

09:00 saw the crew beachside ready to take Longtail boats out to Xena.

And not to make a Long Tale out of the day, new crew integrated well with the old-timers from Koh Samui, we had a perfect start, pulled away from our main competition and rounded top mark well in front, popped the new A1 light air spinnaker, rode her down the track a bit, past the boats still beating to the mark, dropped the baby and headed home. For it's not done, dontcha know, to finish the practice race.

Breezes 5-8 knots, Easterly-ish.

Quick bite before skipper briefing, Opening Party, celebrating the King's birthday, then early to bed to prepare for 07:15 gathering on the beach.

Water and ice a breeze, nice young ladies selling them on Kata Beach south, straight on to Longtails and you're set for a day of tropical racing.

Bicky and Klaus pre-race relax...