Join Jackie and her sailing partner Allan Smith in their campaign to represent Great Britain at the 2008 Paralympics in China.

Manatees, poisonous jellyfish and lobster pots…

26 Jan 2008

The waters of Biscayne Bay hold many secrets and surprises.
Out sailing a couple of days ago in fitful, fluky and spooky light airs we saw what looked like plastic bags looming out of the water, then realised that the ominous blue frill around them indicated deadly poison.

Then into the dock came this creature

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A manatee, or sea cow. They are the size of cows too! They come into the dock for a drink of fresh water from the hose pipes, very endearing with their big seal-like eyes; but the propellor scars and barnacles on their backs tell a different story.

Then yesterday we were hooning downwind in 20+ knots and came to a juddering halt as we hooked a lobster pot with our keel. Fortunately no damage that we can see but it was a heart-stopping moment.

Day off today (although I am don’t think I’ll be able to keep away from a bit of boat tweaking…), then registration for the regatta tomorrow, boats back in the water and a test sail before racing starts on Monday.

This is it!

Talk to the hand…

21 Jan 2008

A bit of a set back here… I fell over and have dislocated my finger, it was at a 90 degree angle (the wrong way) and I had to click it back into place. I was contemplating putting a picture up here but have just taken one and it looks even worse in a photograph than real life so I’ll spare you that!

The doctors say all I can do is strap it, ice it and take painkillers so that’s what I’m doing.

The regatta starts a week today, 28th January so send lots of healing powers over the ocean. We still have boat preparation to do and were hoping to get more training hours in, but the fates have blown different challenges our way.

Thanks for your messages and responses.

Your all Greek mythically
Jxx

We’re sailing

14 Jan 2008

Here she is

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And one with Miami in the background.
This is sailing in January!

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