by Amber, aka Defi Diva<\/p>\n
Having never ridden a bull, I can only guess that what I was experiencing out on
\nthe water was very similar. During the Skipper’s meeting they had warned that
\nthe launch area and the waters up to the starting line were “a bit gusty”. I
\nsuppose the term “understatement” would be appropriate. As my board lurched and
\nstalled, I alternated water starts and uphauls in my attempt to make it to the
\nstarting line. Prior to the race I had visions of what it would be like to see
\nand experience the thrill of the infamous rabbit start. But those visions had
\nevaporated as I concentrated on just simply moving my board in the direction of
\nthe starting line. I never saw the speed boat pass, nor the jockeying of the
\nserious racers to be the first off the mark. Instead, I cursed the fact that I
\nhad rigged too small a sail, and it would not be possible to go back and change
\nit out. The mantra of “Rig big or go home!” echoed in my head right up to that
\nfirst race. But, they had warned that the wind typically blows 5 knots faster
\nat the first mark, so I thought I had better play it safe this first run out.<\/p>\n
About 10 minutes after the race had started and all the sailors where but small
\nflashing dots on the horizon, I finally managed to crossed the start line. I
\nsuppose the benefits of being the last to cross the starting line is that you
\nhave it all to yourself. You don’t have to worry about crashing into other
\nsailors or the wind being taken from your sail. It was a quiet almost peaceful
\nexperience. And despite the fact that my start would in no way qualify me for
\nsport icon of the year, I was elated that I had actually officially started my
\nvery first Defi race!<\/p>\n
Defi Wind 2013 Official Video – Day 1<\/em><\/p>\n http:\/\/vimeo.com\/65960357#at=0<\/p>\n Bart had advised me to follow close to the shore so that I could get clean winds\u00a0(no longer a problem) and smoother water, so once past the start I made my way\u00a0toward the shore line. The wind was blowing from a solid north west position.<\/p>\n The waters were quite choppy and the combination made moving in that direction a The race organizers had marked some of the shoreline hazards (a pipeline and As I maneuvered the onslaught of the sailing hordes, I began to notice that the People call it “survival sailing”. I don’t think I would even qualify what I I used to swim competitively, garnering even gold and silver medals at a Junior by Amber, aka Defi Diva Having never ridden a bull, I can only guess that what I was experiencing out on the water was very similar. During the Skipper’s meeting they had warned that the launch area and the waters up to the starting line were “a bit gusty”. I suppose the term “understatement” would<\/p>\n
\nbit of a challenge. But as I progressed along the first leg, I began to notice
\nthat indeed the winds were picking up. The lulls had subsided and I was now
\ntransitioning between planing and being overpowered.<\/p>\n
\nsand bars), with buoys to warn off the sailors. Not knowing exactly where those
\nwere along the course and considering the speeds at which I was now sailing I
\nbegan to worry about hitting these obstacles. However, that worry did not last
\nlong. I had a bigger issue coming straight at me. About one third of the way on
\nmy first leg I could see the professional sailors making their return. I
\nswallowed hard, here was my first real race test, running the gauntlet of some
\n800 sailors. I was on the starboard tack so technically had right of way, but
\nlets face it these sailors were the real pros and they were traveling at speeds
\nthat would make the USS Enterprise green with envy. I did my best to keep my
\ndirection constant and predictable so they could move around me. “Don’t flinch.”
\nI said to myself. “Just relax and ride.” So I did.<\/p>\n
\nwind had picked up even more. I now found myself bleeding air off my what I once
\nthought was a “small” sail and had to calm my oversized board off the waves as
\nit reared like a frightened horse. I looked out in the distance and finally
\ncaught my first glimpse of the first marker. “Holy crap! I’m almost done with
\nmy first leg!” I thought. And then, the Tramontane let me know that it was not
\nfinished with me yet…<\/p>\n
\nwas doing on that board as sailing at this point. I was moving, I was moving
\nvery fast, and was using every muscle in my body to keep the sail and board
\nprogressing toward that mark. I began to ponder how I was ever going to do this
\nfor three more legs, but then I heard it… The distinctive “shhhhhkunk!”
\nCRAP!!! My mast foot had slid forward. A cacophony of swear words entered my
\nhead. How could I have not re-checked that before I left, especially since I
\nknew the sand in my gear was going to be an issue? What an idiot! Knowing that
\nmy chance of tightening it back down in the deep water would be next to
\nimpossible with the waves and wind being what they were, I struggled even harder
\nnow to get to the shallower waters. As I approached and passed the first mark,
\nI saw another sailor in the water who looked like he was standing. I slowed and
\ndropped in near him. I could stand, but only just. As the wind and waves tossed
\nme and my board about, I popped the sail, slung my arm through the boom and
\nwrenched down the mast foot in the most forward position. With the mast foot
\nnow secured, I tilted the board to reconnect my sail but the wind picked it up
\nand sent it flying.<\/p>\n
\nOlympics during high school. And even now after a “few” years I’m still no
\nslouch on the water. But my board proved to be a most challenging competitor.
\nI dug in and raced toward my board, as I inched toward it my shoulder began to
\nwhine. “Shut up and swim, we’ll talk about this later!” I snapped at it. Now
\nwas not the time for consoling conversation with a body part. I finally reached
\nout and grabbed the foot strap and maneuvered back toward my sail. Once again,
\nbut this time in the deep water, I tilted my board and attempted to reconnect my
\nmast. And once again the Tramontane, this time with a high pitch shriek, picked
\nup my board and flung it in somersaults over the waves away from me.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"