Hello all...Well Team Circus managed to survive.
After winning their section in Key West, Team Circus drove the boat to New Orleans, LA for the J/30 Mid-Winter Championship. Al Bianchi, Al Neroda and Mike Bird trailerred Circus from Key West to New Orleans.
They left the boat at the New Orlenas Yacht Club for a few weeks until the Mid-Winter regatta.
Al, Al and I drove down from Chicago on Tuesday, Feb 10th. You knew that this
was going to be a great adventure when the following happened to us upon arrival.
After driving 14 hours we arrived at the
NOYC. We went inside to the bar and
tried to order three drinks. The bartender indicated that they were getting ready to close. Al then says "we just drove 14 hours from Chicago, all we wanted is one beer" Upon hearing this Rudy, past Commodore of the
NOYC, said "give these guys a beer and put it on my tab."
For more stories you will need to ask us personally. Too many stories to tell here.
Al Bianchi, Al Neroda and myself after competing in the 2004 J/30 Mid-Winter
Championship stayed on to enjoy all of Mardi Gras 2004.
During our time we managed to meet many new friends that took us into their homes, families and friends that made our time here one that we will all not forget.
There are so many people to thank however I would like to thank these people for putting up with us:
* Neil Borne (UK Sailmakers) for taking care of our enjoyment and opening his home, family and friends during the Muses & Saturn parades.
* John Brimer of Schubert Marine for taking that extra special care and being able to launch and haul out Circus. Thanks again John for the beads during the Bacchus parade.
Our time here in New Orleans would not be complete with the meeting our new friends Danny and Holly Casanova. Danny and Holly were the best hosts/friends anyone could have.
In fact some of the crew from Team Jackpot, a J/30 down here, is interested in obtaining a loaner boat for the Chicago 2004 NOOD regatta.
After going to the Quarter on Tuesday with Danny and Holly, we gave ourselves a day of rest after Tuesday. Today, the boat is ready and secured for travel; however the wind in LA is stronger than we like. So, we are
anticipating leaving New Orleans on Friday morning.
We are waiting for the weather to clear before we tow Circus back to Chicago.
I have posted many photos of our journeys:
J/30 Mid-Winter Championship:
http://www.defiantracing.com/coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=36 Our time down on Bourbon Street: (Warning some photos contain breasts)
http://www.defiantracing.com/coppermine/index.php?cat=27 Our 17 days in New Orleans is one that I personally will never forget.
Please enjoy......
See you all soon...
Bernie Kucharski
bkucharski@defiantracing.com
[This message has been edited by Bernie Kucharski (edited 02-26-2004).]
