The paradox of liberty: we should freely choose
to help one another.

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Just uploaded a few shots from Hibaldstow. Here’s the bus to 15,000 ft:

Fast windsurfers, originally uploaded by stevenjbaker.

Must learn to do it one day…

Going out on the wire, originally uploaded by stevenjbaker.

Racing a Hobie 16 single-handed on a gusty day

Race day was comical, with lulls followed by moderate gusts from various directions.

In a mixed fleet, Remko and I were first over the line in a Tiger two out of three in the morning. For the third, Remko took a unilateral decision to put in a capsize in the last minute before the start, giving us a finish of third on the water.

In the first of the afternoon, we were part of a bizarrely mixed group of boats who crossed the line at more or less the same time. Never before have I seen two Tigers and a half dozen Hobie 16s finish with three Lasers. (We’ll see what the handicap system makes of all this shortly, but I expect a Laser won.)

The comedy then turned risky as the gusts became near gale force. Remco and I were knocked down violently, with Remco gashing his leg on some part of the boat. The staff team in a Tiger were dismasted a little later when a shroud snapped:

Wildwind 36, originally uploaded by stevenjbaker.

The Tiger was soon fixed:

Wildwind 79, originally uploaded by stevenjbaker.

Remco will take a little longer.

(And I just learned that a Laser won.)

Wildwind 58 – Version 2, originally uploaded by stevenjbaker.

No photos of me today — Beth was busy — but a few good shots of others.

This is a Hobie Tiger, the boat I used to own.