Patrick Rynne coaches sailing at Florida's Lauderdale YC.

Everybody called him “Sully.” In retrospect, it wasn't a particularly creative nickname for a Massachusetts sailor, but with him it really fit. Sully raced J/24s at my local club, drank tons of beer, always laughed, and was the coolest sailor I knew. Nearly 20 years later, I can still picture how Floridays, the name on his boat's transom, stood out to me from my Optimist-level vantage point. But Sully's words, passed down to him from his father, struck me the most. I was about 10 years old, had just won one of my first regattas, and he yanked me aside.

NUEVO VALLARTA, Mexico (October 19, 2011) – Heading into the scheduled “lay day,” Team USA leads in the Lightning and the J/24 classes and stands in medal position in three others through six races of the Pan American Games sailing regatta at the Vallarta Yacht Club. 

In addition to the two leaders, the U.S. stands second in the Snipe and Sunfish classes and third in the RS:X Women’s (Windsurfer) class. 

NUEVO VALLARTA, Mexico (October 18, 2011) — Racing in light-wind conditions, Team USA enjoyed a successful day two of the Pan American Games sailing regatta Tuesday at the Vallarta Yacht Club. Through four races, the U.S. holds or shares the lead in three classes — Lightning, Snipe and Sunfish.  [Ed.'s note: Not sure where the error came in but it appears, according to the results, that the U.S. J/24 team is also tied for first, with 7 points. Brazil has 7 points as well.

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I'm not a handy person. I mean, I'm not totally helpless with a toolbox, but I've never been Mr. Fix It. I just don't have that mechanical ability that comes naturally to some people, like my friend Billy. Recently, a chain saw seized up on me. It had been working fine—I had the right mix of gas and oil in the tank, and the chain was well lubricated. But one day, I went to pull the cord, and it just wouldn't budge.