The Beach Master
MG
I’m the lucky chap who has responsibility for every moving thing that goes onto the water – umpire boats, patrol boats, gofer boats and of course the five flights of Firefly dinghies! Along with my band of merry men and women and some electric coffee I have to fuel, launch, and rig all of these and provide all running repairs throughout the event.
Hopefully for the 60th anniversary we’ll have an easier time with a significant number of new boats, new sails, and plenty of help?! Although a further flight of Firefly dinghies is certain to increase our work load and provide a challenge at the jetties (please be careful boys and girls).
Although more involved in the 2008 event with the preparation of boats, historically the event boats were handed over to me during the week preceding. They were received in a race-ready condition, which is why I could be seen pacing up and down the boat yard on the Friday afternoon as visiting teams take the opportunity to grab a practice session on the lake. Break MY boats at your peril! Having mopped my brow, sighed a sigh of relief and counted the boats back ashore all in one piece, it’s time to relax (ish).
Friday night is spent at the bar catching up with those I’ve not seen since the last event, welcoming new competitors and being buffaloed by the New York Yacht Club contingent! Buffalo rules apply for the duration of the event, so if you’re coming to the 60th and are unfamiliar with said rules, you’d best do some research or pay the penalty! After a last minute recruitment drive, and reminding my merry men that there is a 6 o‘clock in the morning as well, it’s home to bed.
0530 Saturday and the alarm rings. There appears to be some mistake. Then the realisation dawns on me. It’s here, so I’d best be there!
0600 parade at the club. A great turn out and everything is launched, rigged and ready. All the power boats are running in record time so we take the galley girls by surprise as we all pile in for the best fried breakfast in existence.
With breakfast done it’s time to try and get all the boats clear of the jetties without drama or damage. For the 2008 Wilson we were blessed with fairly light conditions meaning few breakages and very few instances of damage, making my life really quite easy. The beach team were able to undertake a construction project and successfully made our tin hut more comfortable and homely than that of the race management team!
Throughout the day my team chopped and changed as the volunteers gave as much or as little of their time as they could afford for which I’m extremely grateful. As the day drew to a close we prepared for a flurry of activity as everything arrived at the jetties together and needed to be fettled and then put to bed for the night. Having checked every boat over for a final time I was done.
This left me with exactly 20 minutes to shower and change into something more respectable for the cocktail party upstairs! This was followed by the Wilson Dinner, and a seat on the top table, which proved to be the most competitive table in the place when it came to the wine wave.
Sunday morning is a late start if you can call 0630 late! And this time around I managed the impossible; I both arrived on time and avoided the embarrassment of an early morning dip!
With the aid of some additional liquid ingredients to the soup and coffee we sailed through Sunday without any dramas. A successful event for me and my team is one where by none of the starts are delayed because of boats waiting for repairs or spares. 2008 was a successful event.
An easier afternoon faces the beach team on the finals day as boats return to the jetties for recovery throughout the afternoon and are returned to the yard to be fettled another day.
Once all the boats are recovered and returned to various areas of the yard and or boat sheds, all that remains is to join in congratulating the winners of the world’s premier team racing event. I sincerely hope that for the 60th all competitors, without exception, are able to attend the prize giving, and acknowledge the achievement of the winning team!
That’s it, it’s done! It’s time to relax as I attempt to round up my team at the bar, and ensure they all get a well deserved drink, and an invitation to the helpers' supper. If being part of the Wilson Trophy is not in itself enough for you to volunteer your help, then the helpers' supper is! Notorious would now best describe a very late, loud and hilariously funny night (as seen on YouTube). For those reading this and not thinking of competing in 60th Wilson Trophy, get involved, WKSC member or not. Everyone is welcome to watch but stand still for too long and I’ll give you a job!