The Regatta

I am filled with gratitude as my 9th Snipe Women’s Worlds in 31 years wrapped Sunday with a 6th place. I am feeling so grateful for the opportunities that the Snipe Class and sailing has given me ❤️⛵️🥰. It has taken me beautiful places and I have met so many wonderful people from around the world.

The Japan Snipe Class Association hosted an amazing event with top-notch organization and hospitality. The racing, swag, after-racing treats, and the amazing final night traditional dress party went “above and beyond”. Shinichi Uchida, Yuta, Kuniko Yamada, Kimie Isobi, Nishi-san, and so many more were so helpful during our stay.

Teams came from around the globe (Brazil, Belgium, Croatia, Norway, Italy, Spain, and Canada) and throughout Japan to provide great competition. Team USA consisted of Sarah Alexander/Charlotte Carroll (SSA), Kathleen Tocke, and Lexi & I. I was the only over 60 competitor, but I was happy that there were others in their 50’s and 40’s, including one other Mother/Daughter team (Yuki & Yuri Hayakawa)!

The conditions were the most physically challenging I have ever sailed in - wind from 15-18kts with gusts up to 20+ by the end of the day. What made it super hard was the huge ocean waves that were steep on the race course as the ocean met the land. Thankfully we had the foresight and luxury of time to get to the venue several days early so that we could get used to the boat and get the jitters out. I cannot express how terrifying it was in those first few days. I do not have a positive attitude towards super windy and I am certainly not getting any younger! I was so afraid that I would disappoint Lexi and generally embarrass myself. Lexi turned out to be the best crew. Not only her muscle and skill, but her confidence in the boat and in me calmed my nerves and so when racing actually started, we were able to get in the groove and perform above my expectations! We had a solid first few days with finishes with the top contenders and no finish worse than a 12th. Dropping the 12th, we ended up 6th place, just missing the podium behind the other two USA teams who placed 4th and 5th. The 1st place team was a former 470 Olympian and World Champion and the 2nd place skipper has campaigned many Olympic and other boats. Alex’s posts have some of the epic sailing photos.

Alex was the best boat boy, taking care of so many things that made us go fast and not be frustrated with boat stuff. He also helped all the other Western teams that needed assistance and was a minor VIP as the US National Secretary.

The whole experience was amazing. Enoshima Island was out of a story book, our AirBnB was super close, Enoshima Yacht Center was the best that a national Olympic venue could aspire to, and the hospitality was above & beyond.

The USA flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony decided to adopt me at some point, which made for scads of cute pictures! The food on Enoshima was abundant and powered by shirasu, these tiny fishes that looked more like rice noodles than fish. They were literally part of every meal! We were also treated to a fantastic locally-sourced restaurant with the freshest sashimi, octopus, eggplant in sesame, and of course shirasu! Another fun treat was a street food: cucumber on a stick. It was a refreshing thin seedless cuke soaking in ice water that could be topped with miso mayo or an assortment of other sauces. The regatta did apres-racing food trucks in 2 days- one was the cutest chocolate covered banana with a face, and the other was a savory assortment of chicken yakatori (yes, all on a stick!). After racing, the cooler also had an assortment of ice-cold beers, sake, green tea, and electrolyte drinks.

Now on to part 3 of the experience with Ellie Pline! We meet up with her today for touring Hakone, Kyoto, then back to Tokyo.

This mother’s heart is full ❤️Læs mere