Racine Recap 2014

“You’re Welcome”

We live in a world of change, and one could argue that the pace has never been more brisk. That being the case, it’s really quite remarkable that an organization such as CRAW continues to not only exist, but thrive. As with much of sailing, our fleets may not be as large as they were years ago, but our connection is every bit as strong. Why is that? Simply, I think, because “you’re welcome.”

The theme plays out at every CRAW regatta, our most recent stop in Racine just the latest installment. Where else does some random couple visiting the States from Switzerland get swept up in a vortex of friendship and merriment for no other reason than they just happened to be strolling past? By the time I learned who they were, the Digger had them spending the day on our chase boat watching the battle on the water, and then joining us for dinner and parking lot antics.

There’s nothing quite so comforting as a welcoming smile. When times are tough there’s unspoken encouragement attached to every greeting. It was great to have our good friend Ed Winders back in the CRAW fold this weekend. He’s hurting, but he’s carrying on. Perhaps CRAW is a welcome escape for all of us with whatever challenges we are facing.

I’ve known most of the CRAW kids since they were in diapers. Now, they’re the ring-leaders of the silly antics that keep us all young. Now, they have girlfriends and boyfriends, jobs, and dare I say—responsibility. Now, they welcome any and all to join them to test drive multiple six figure GPS-guided farm implements at CaseIH, just because that would be fun. Following our regatta weekends, there are typically as many pictures up on Facebook about goofing off, as there are actual sailing.

It’s sort of telling that I’m in the fifth paragraph of this little article and I’ve hardly mentioned sailing. Yes, that’s what draws us together, but it might not have much to do with keeping us together. In this world of change, there is a CRAW constant—“you’re welcome.”

Congrats to our Selsmeyer junior team of Clay and Alyx taking line honors with consistent performance all weekend in a variety of conditions. When the biggest wind and biggest waves rule the race course, this duo is tough to beat! Second place went to Daddy Selsmeyer and John “JJ” Johnson who decided to keep the boat upright in the last race just to show the kids that they’ve still got something left in the tank. And rounding out the podium was father/son duo, Kurt and Cole Korte. Word has it that Kurt claimed the f-bomb award from Saturday, but that he was as jolly as a camel on Wednesday—Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike, humpdaaaaay!

Many thanks to the Racine Yacht Club for continuing to welcome CRAW year after year. In particular, appreciation to Bob Sample, Tony Karwowski and their able crew. And to Gary and Diane Chu for coordinating everything on behalf of CRAW.

Daniel Hearn