By Chris Museler
There
was a fine welcome when I arrived at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club for
the first time. When the 75-footer Titan XV pulled in Monday
morning, the sun was shining, the bar was open, and a few sailors were
quietly sipping their first dark ’n stormy. I thought, “This could
not get any better. This is paradise.”
Then
came Tuesday morning. As boats began to flow into the basin like the
Thanksgiving Day parade, colorful battle flags were flying, trays of
drinks were carried down the pier by beautiful wives and girlfriends
in sun dresses, and the patio overflowed with cheerful sailors, friends,
and families. Now I’m a little disappointed I didn’t get that kind
of greeting. Maybe sailing to Bermuda in a big, fast boat is not
the be-all and end-all way to experience this race.
Chris Museler (right) is fast catching on to the post-race
small-boat socializing scene.
Offshore
sailing is often more about the journey than arriving at the
destination.
When I interviewed Sam Davies, the British female phenom solo sailor,
after her fourth place in the last Vendee Globe, she said that finishing
an offshore race is a bit anticlimactic. I tend to agree. But
the reception the sailors are getting here in Hamilton as the smaller
boats trickle in is not at all anticlimactic. In fact, it’s spectacular.
Take
the same scene I came into on Monday, add ten times the number of boats
and people, insert some fruity drinks and music, and you have the
welcoming
party that’s been going on since Tuesday morning, with people diving
off the docks and greeting new arrivals with cheers. “By the time
the small boats come in, the party is rockin,” said Sheila McCurdy,
the CCA Commodore. “It’s a real celebration.”
Windborn celebrates winning Class 4 in its own way.
I’m
here to see it, and I’m grateful for that. It’s just that
I got here a little too quick. The little guys get more sailing time
for their money, and one hell of a welcome. Next time, maybe I’ll
come down in a smaller boat.