Yessirree, it’s hard work sailing in the Rolex Transatlantic Challenge. Sailing World has placed crack writer (and TWC friend) Tony Bessinger aboard the good yacht Sariyah. And he’s got all he can handle: running the furling joysticks, choosing which fresh-baked cookies to eat, and rearranging the closet in his suite. Here’s a taste of the cushy life:
“Writing my report in the pilothouse can mean an interruption or two; as I was writing Monday’s report I was asked by our captain, Tim Laughridge, to help change headsails. Luckily, it didn’t involve getting into my foulies and heading for the bow. Instead I was operating joysticks. As I watched for signals to start or stop furling, I rolled in the yankee by pushing its joystick forward as our engineer, Dale (Crusty) Tremain, slackened its sheet. Kevin Burnham watched up forward and signaled me when the sail was all the way furled, which was hard for me to see from my vantage point. Then we reversed the process with our genoa. And neither I, nor the crew on deck were doused with waves as we “changed headsails.”
I have to say that racing Sariyah across the Atlantic isn’t what I’m used to as far as ocean racing is concerned. I sleep in a cabin that has a large closet, plenty of stowage room for my gear, a head with a shower, and air conditioning. Meals are served to us by our chef Salisha Ali and our stewardess Alex Henderson, both of whom contribute mightily to our comfort between meals by appearing with hot cups of tea or coffee and freshly baked cookies.”
Remember. He’s getting paid for this. Bastard…
So-Fine Sariyah: “Hey, Bessinger! Do you mind getting out of the Jacuzzi for a minute? I need someone to hold my cookie while I operate this joystick…”
The Earthist Chronicles 