"John Cairns" wrote in message

Must be losing my mind. Somewhat thinking I'm going to be missing racing
season, OTOH, I was remarking to my crew mates and skipper last night that
it was somewhat nutty to be racing on a rainy, 50 degree night,
considering
the thing was a meaningless Wednesday night race, which did flash through
my
mind again as I was sitting on the rail trying to keep warm.

I tend to be slightly unsympathetic, as my boat went feet dry yesterday.

If you would prefer not to miss the racing season, join a frostbiting fleet
of dinghies near your home. My YC used to race Snipes well into the late
part of November, in southwestern Michigan. Only when the snow covered the
boats,or the lake froze, did we quit. It was informal, but kept the
competitive fires burning long after most folks had put their summer toys to
bed and gone home to vegetate before a crackling fire. We resumed this
activity--which most folks would reasonably think daft--in late March or
early April, depending upon the departure of the ice.

Sadly the current crop of racers at that club are all wimps and the
frostbiting ceased some years ago. Yuppies!

Max