The Chessie Boys in Class

Today the sailors are in class, primarily just the members of each team who are the on-the-water first responders for their team. In short: the guy who will stick a needle or stitch you up when flying off and crashing into waves. One really needs to keep perspective here.

I caught them on lunch break today and what would I do without Jerry Kirby!! Once again, he breaks the ice and this time with meeting his fellow Chessie Racing mates. I knew Jono Swain from my favorite One Design team of Mean Machine, but Rick Deppe is this mythical creature to me. He's a professional sailor, video guru for Puma and important to note: one of those crazy dudes who films the Deadliest Catch. The third, Stu, I was not able to get as much scoop as I'd hope. Need to work on the "shy" part...

Once we had the four of them together, I sat back and just listened. You'd think they'd not seen or chatted with one another in ten years! Each were all smiles and outburst of laughter as one would play, "remember when..." Was AWESOME! I actually think there were tears in Jono's eyes! Tears from laughing so hard.

Bouwe Bekking joined the group and was kind enough to encourage me into a picture of the four. Where was I ten years ago??? The personality and character of these four men are sincere, humble and good spirited. This is not an easy race and the things these men have seen, but to do it again and still show the enthusiasm as if it were the first time...