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Daily reports from Jesse Fielding, who recently traveled to Long Beach, Calif. to
try-out for Disney's Morning
Light film project.
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By Jesse Fielding
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August 5, 2006
Five a.m. start to a hectic day. No complaints though, because I
woke up quickly. I had some butterflies going, to be sure. The biggest
opportunity I have had in sailing is about to commence, and I am not
sure what I am heading into. Screaming babies kept me awake for the
duration of the five- hour ride to Phoenix. Charlie Enright and I played
it safe and sat next to each other. Got to L.A. and were greeted by
the camera crew. Pretty wound-up day, like I said, but the Hyatt had
all the amenities to calm me down. Went to sleep at 9 p.m. Got all
kitted up, that is fun as well. Nothing beats new gear and a sweet bag
to carry it in. Robbie Haines and crew made the whole experience as
easy as possible.
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August 6, 2006
Surprise man-overboard swim test at Long Beach Yacht Club. We
knew that a swim test was coming, but having life jackets and then
getting specific instructions not to wear flip-flops at a yacht club sent
a signal that something was going to happen other than a regular
swim test. We jumped in with our clothes on. It was surprisingly
heavy to have a shirt and shoes on. Sailing the first day was a blast.
That is what we came to do—go sailing. It's fulfilling to get some time
on the water in new boats and to see if this team thing could really
work. It worked well for Team Blue, the team I am part of as of right
now. We remained calm through the whole thing and pushed hard to
help each other figure out how to sail the Catalina 37 around the port
triangles a little bit quicker than we had the lap before.
Sailing Notes:
Conditions:12-15 knots, moderate chop, big shifts on the left.
Drills: We decided our own positions to start, rounded the track four
times, and lined up for a one-lap drag race with a partner.
Sail Trim:
• Jib: Keep cars even with primary, trim leech one inch off spreader.
• Main: Vang sheet, drop traveler accordingly, and play the mainsheet
to moderate heel.
• Spinnaker: Adjust spinnaker pole butt ¾ way up, snug downhaul,
keep spinnaker pole parallel to deck.
Boathandling: How to perform three-man tack on jib: Floater breaks,
tailer and trimmer move to new leeward side.
Comments: We did a good job humping sails, getting the boat to bed,
etc. I think we impressed Carol Buchan yesterday with our
boathandling and speed in the new boat.
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August 7, 2006
Early to bed early to rise, as they say. Out by 10 p.m., up at 7 a.m.
Long days in Long Beach are about to begin. A full schedule of team-
building, sailing, and education awaits us. Making good friends as the
days progress. Team Blue had a great day yesterday and we totally
bonded with each other. We will see what today has in store. I still
need to get shoes. I'm so stupid, I should have brought shoes. Off to
breakfast…
Sailing was intense. Our rhythm was a bit off today at the end. Solid
breeze continues. Our energy was a little down and our maneuvers
were getting sloppier around the really tight triangle. However, our
attitude stayed positive and our crew recovered fully after every
corner. So that is a big positive to the momentum of Team Blue.
Dinner at the QM and Stan Honey got me all wound up. When I hear
Stan Honey speak I know that I want to race in the Volvo, no
questions asked. It makes this situation all that much more important
and all that much more nerve-racking for me.
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August 8, 2006
You can't tell what the pros on the boats are thinking. They have great
poker faces. I still have to pinch myself to realize that Andrew
Campbell is hanging on to the back of Team Blue's Catalina 37. I
almost get used to seeing Roy Disney at breakfast, but then I pinch
myself and realize where I am and what I am doing.
This experience is unreal on every front. Everyone is working hard and
really maximizing the potential that this experience and platform has
to offer. It is so unique and so dynamic that you cannot possibly look
beyond the next hour.
Today for instance, I was on the bow at the start. That is a very tough,
shifty—and did I mention tough?—place to be in 18 knots of breeze.
Getting acclimated up on the pointy end was tough, but with the
patience of the Black Team and solid instruction from one of my
mates I learned a ton and got to see the boat from a 180 degree
perspective. One of the constants of this experience has been
changing perspectives and applying all of one's energy into the boat
from that new corner. We are all having a blast out there on the water
and on land.
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August 9, 2006
Driving a Catalina is tough enough, but driving one blindfolded takes it
to a whole new level. My new hero Robbie Kane docked one expertly
with Marcellus Wesley navigating and Jeremy Wilmot engineering. I
got a chance on the helm out in the open water approaching the
breakwater-- the blindfold was a nice twist. Sailing with a blindfold
really puts you in touch with the boat and requires you to focus on the
crew. The helm loading up, the feel of breeze on your ears, and the
input of the crew is all you have to go by.
We had some breeze on today, and were sailing with the same crew
as yesterday, which allowed us work on our corners, tacks, and
communication. Even with two new bow persons and full crew
rotations, our sets improved, communication was more fluid, and boat
speed increased. We made it around the track in pretty good form
compared to past laps. Today, one thing hit home especially— the
direct correlation between the morning team building activities on
land, and the team work on the water in the afternoon. Learning to
focus on the people around you and fit into the team dynamic has
really helped to increase crew efficiency. Every day of sailing brings
new lessons and refined maneuvers, so the fun is increasing as
exponentially as our collective performance.
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August 11, 2006
This morning, the waiting was excruciating. The elevator ride to the
17th floor was not long enough to offer any reprieve from the pressure
mounting inside me. I opened the door they pointed out and went
towards the lights.
The selection committee had a sense of humor that lead each sailor
selected on a bit, and then broke its poker face. I was five minutes
late to a morning activity, and they asked if I was ready to be on time
for things. I thought about several excuses but then admitted to losing
track of time. They said they would forgive me for the time being, but
not if I was going to be late to catch my plane to Hawaii…That was
the best feeling I have ever had. I am so stoked and so high on life
right now.
It has been an honor to spend a week with such an amazing group of
people and to be around some of the best sailors in the world. The
production staff has been top notch. They really looked out for us
when they weren't looking at us from behind the lens. I hope Scott
Ikle's message earlier today will be taken to heart by those not
selected. I wish them the best in their future adventures.
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TRANSPAC RACE STATUS
