It has been fun this winter traveling to events in Florida in the wintertime, then come back to share the stories with you all. I have been sailing the Etchells Jaguar Series, in VooDooToo, with Ralph Carpenter and my husband Brent Sullivan. We have qualified to represent our local Fleet here in Casco Bay at the Etchells Worlds in Chicago this June. Speaking of our local fleet, we have some other members from the local fleet that have been racing in Miami this winter. Nicole Jacques has been crewing for Rob Hitchcock and Terry Naylon has been helming the boat USA 1328. Cheer us all on this coming weekend!

Our team has been sailing together for almost two years now. Ralph is the technical guy, in charge all measurements for the rig tuning, as well as main and spinnaker trim. Brent is Mr. fix-it, team organizer and boat transporter on top of being our bow-man extraordinaire. I drive the boat and sometimes drive my husband crazy when at the helm!

The Etchells has been a great boat for us and we still learn new things about how to go fast every day! After this coming weekend, we will bring the boat home to Maine and she will make her next trip to Chicago for the NOODS as a tune up for the Worlds. We have never sailed in Chicago, so if you have any tips or advice for the windy city, let us know
~~/)~~ Gretchen Sullivan