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The Grundoom Log #6: Blind-Sided

June 24, 2014

By John Rousmaniere


More meditations on food and drifting from Chris

Chris socializing on docks - Copy

As this race ponders on, and with no fewer than 10 competitors joining us for a fifth park-up 58 miles from Bermuda, I will save the frustration of having Crazy Horse once again sail to within 100 yards of us, and will now talk about food and history.

“Did you know that the second highest paid position on an NFL team is the offensive left tackle?” asked chef Hedleston.  He was referring to the now-famous New York Times Magazine article, “The Blind Side,” about the career-ending, leg-snapping, blind-side sack of quarterback Joe Theismann by Lawrence Taylor and two other defensive players. The entire NFL pay structure was changed by that one hit.

Jim seized this opportunity to explain how, at the end of an elongated and very trying offshore race, the cook becomes at least the second most valuable person on an offshore team.

True to form (and with only some Cliff Bars and Doritos as alternatives), he produced for lunch today his Pièce de Résistance:  Greenport Nachos. Here’s his recipe:

Hormel canned Chili with Beans

Bottom of the bucket: Greenport Nachos
Bottom of the bucket: Greenport Nachos.

Kraft Shredded Mexican Cheese

Fritos in personal-size bags

He spoons the blazing hot chili directly into the little bags of Fritos and tops it off with the cheese, which almost immediately melts. He then sticks a fork in it and voilà!

Such haute cuisine is famous for being served during TV football games at a just-locals bar in Greenport, Long Island.  Call it what you may, I say we were blindsided by this magnificent meal.  Our chef's stock is sky high.

Now onto the history.  Previously we reported that Jim Grundy has sailed in the windiest (1972) and windliest (right now) Bermuda Races. Today he reflected upon the similarities between the two. “Our final approach to Bermuda was actually surprisingly similar to this,” he said.  In 1972 an intense depression moved over the rhumb line, wreaking havoc on the fleet. “We have gone backwards in both races, here in no wind and foul current, and in ’72 with 20-foot waves and storm sails—sliding backwards, pushed back 10 miles even when sailing upwind at 6 knots."

One big difference, Jim pointed out, is that today we have the technology to predict such big storms.  In 1972 they knew a little about the approaching storm but weren’t concerned about its path.  Today, that race would be postponed.   Jim added, half jokingly, “With this technology, why didn't we know this would be a painful drifter and postpone it?"

For now, we work at keeping our patience, digesting our chili, and enjoying talking about anything else BUT our chances in this year's Bermuda Race.

Crazy Horse pulls even for the third time.
Crazy Horse pulls even for the third time.

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