The Ripper, that was a good story – well I thought so, fun to write and also fun to have been there.

The rare restraint and slightly uncomfortable feeling of not having a full crew assembled for 2012 has been resolved! Yay, Mark English co-owner of 106 Numa Boa stepped up to be the next SF Fleet Captain. Many thanks to his wife and family for giving him the green light to help out with the fleet, awesome. Mark is at english.mark.a@gmail.com

Okay so how did the Roadmaster go this year? Well we all got smoked by the Erkelens, they had four firsts and a crappy Nationals. John Kernot and the gaggle that has been together for years and years was next in line with solid placing at all events, well except for the Three Bridge and now you know the real reason that Scott Sorenson is now part of the Governing Board, he will lobby endlessly for ½ points at that Fiasco. Peter and Roe did well on Mooretician as did Vaughn and his Flying Tiger, both programs were solid unlike that #68 boat! Bart came to the rescue right in time and we were able to get some of those very cool Patagonia shirts – all in our very own colors.

Having been around the block a few times, I didn't need the counsel that came from Vaughn about the embroidery. He said, "So Simon, those shirts, I don't want one that says third looser or anything like that." Who would want a shirt that tells everyone that you suck eggs? No, instead we just had Kathryn at KAM gear in Seattle embroider "FIRST" for Eclipse and the rest of us just got 2011 Roadmaster. Now you know this little story and also just how much vanity figures into all this.

Thanks to Melina Erkelens and to Kathryn for making the shirts and hats happen, they are awesome. We have hats for sale for just $10 so get a few for x-mas presents. Next order for hats will be for the bow people, they will have earplugs attached and will be $20.

The schedule for 2012 will be posted on the website ASAP, we have pretty good dates for all of the events but you should check again in a few months as some of the actual event dates have not been set and we are just going off what we think they will do. Santa Cruz will host PCC's so that is a three day affair. National will be in the Bay run out of South Beach YC with Mike Gross doing PRO and the racing area will be in the Emeryville flats with a Distance race to Bonita and finishing some place close to SBYC. Should be a great event with lots of dock space and a cool new venue for all of us. Remember that we want to be invited back so let's make a good impression! Next Nationals will be Monterey Bay and then waaay up north.

Start talking up your Tahoe plans, there is a new venue for many. We will be racing with the Melges but will have our own starts and they will do their best to keep em separated.

Right I gotta go, you know I only have a few hours to read all about tillers and carbon and sails and being fair and all that before bed.

Simon