Benn raising BER flag

Fri/Sat

Friday...
Well rested after the lay day, Chase and Benn were especially eager to get out on the water and give their new sails a try before measurement. Wind was between 8-12 knots which is what is normal for this time of year. There has been no shortage of crisp blue sky and bountiful sunshine. Kids got a good but shortened practice in so as to prepare for the Opening Ceremony. As seen in the photos the location was very a beautiful spot overlooking the river. Sailors paraded alphabetically in Spanish, which is why Antilles Hollandes(Netherlands Antilles) started us off. A short walk through the vast property and everyone was seated around the podium. Mikey carried the Bermuda sign, Benn raised the flag and Chase accepted a plaque given out by Gonzalo Bisi and Nacho Varisco both Club Nautico San Isidro members and past South American Champions. The plaque given to each delegation contains a note written in the 1925 by Sir William Burton outlining the importance of sportsmanship. A massive cocktail style party ended the celebrations with all the sailors mingling and running about or hunting down the waitresses to get their fill of delicious empanadas and pizza. Early to bed although the Practice Race was not set to start before 2pm, breakfast was at 7.30 and it was time to get more used to the early start.

Saturday...
8-12knots again. Coaches briefing at 11am followed by launching at 1pm. A bit of scatter action for many today as final stickers were applied, last tidbits of measurement, a test trial for trackers and anchors were missing but the Race Committee finally did get off the race off. Seemed a bit chaotic. Normally the fleet is divided by number into odds and evens however there were three starts this time with the majority of the fleet in the third. No one pays any real mind to the outcome but the solid favorites today were clearly the USA with many sailors in the top.

BER has the 7pm dinner time alongside MEX, URU, USA and AHO. Again all the countries were mixed together and dinner was a very nice piece of roasted chicken, french fries and salad followed by jello with apple bits. Quick debrief with Martin and lights out at nine.

Big day tomorrow.....

Capizzano photos of the Opening Ceremony

Thursday

30 Flavours!

Dinner with MEX and AHO

Moving Out :(

Ice Cream!

THURSDAY
Today the light winds arrived. Actually it was forecast for 1-2 knots so Team Bermuda opted for a lay day. We had a lazy morning enjoying our last moments of luxury before checking out. Then off to a very large shopping center called Unicenter. It had three floors of stores, a movie theatre, bowling lanes and small arcade. We opted for a game of bowling then some time in the arcade. All good fun. The kids even convinced Martin to go on the "mini-samba" which I believe he may have regretted but the kids loved it. The ride was a large dish that shook and spun to samba music for about 3-5 minutes.
After the shopping center we found a fabulous ice cream place that had over 30 different flavours of ice cream that was then shaped into a long cone, dipped in chocolate and quickly frozen into a hard outer shell. You could pick two different flavours of ice cream for your cone as well. There was fruit flavours, assorted chocolates and a dulce de leche either super or plain but I did not manage to determine the difference.
Then it was time to head to the official accommodation Circulo Militar about 15 minutes from the venue. Quite the contrast to the hotel but clean and comfortable. The alternate accommodations at the Club have anywhere from about 8-12 in a room all in triple bunks stacked on opposing walls in a very small space with a shared bathroom. At Circulo Militar, we have two rooms. The boys are in a room which has two rooms in it. Chase, Benn and Mikey are in one and Rory and Martin in the other. Both rooms have tvs, ceiling fans and/or AC and they share a bathroom. Rooms are small but adequate. Ceci and I have a room to ourselves with a bathroom. However we have the hardest mattresses ever, honestly. It is only a smidgen better than sleeping on the floor with a yoga mat. My project today after the kids go out is to rectify this!!! On our floor is URU, USA, AHO and us.
Back to the Club for dinner, we luckily got assigned the 6.30 time as opposed to the 8 pm time and the kids shared a big table with MEX and AHO. Nice to see the teams mingling so easily. Dinner was very nice gnocchi with a pink sauce and a dish of ice cream, not that we needed more but all enjoyed having it again. We have table service as well which is nice as it affords the teams more socializing time.
Friday we will go out for practice, forecast is for about 5-8, warms temps and plentiful sunshine, then off the Opening Ceremony later in the evening.

Wednesday update

Another beautiful day in Buenos Aires, however the typical light breezes have yet to appear as today makes the 3rd day in a row of winds above a steady 15 knots and creeping close to the 20 knot mark. Temperatures rose as the afternoon wore on and there was no shortage of sunshine.
We were first up for measurement this morning and outside of a few minor hiccups we breezed right through. Everyone's boat but Ceci's was too light and organizers had 20 gram wooden blocks that could be caulked on the inside of the bow to make up for the shortage, boats ranged from 20-80g light. The venue is now all a buzz as more countries have arrived, for us being here early means we are already measured and settled into our surroundings which is great.
After some delicious hamburgers at the Club, the kids went out to train. There was a single race organizers had put on around 3.30 and BER sailed in that with a bunch of other countries. It was shifty and although all sailed well, it was Mikey that finished with a top 10. Martin has seen improvement from all each day as they become more confident with the understanding of the conditions.
Kids are loving the short ride home in the back of the truck each day. They wave and call out "hola" to everyone they see. Tonight sadly is our last night in the charming and comfortable Hotel Del Casco. There are mixed reports coming from those already ensconced in the official accommodation so we will have to wait and see what is in store for us!!
Tomorrow is forecast for lighter winds and warmer temperatures so far the only reliable info as been the temperatures so no one is sure when the seasonal light winds will arrive.

Tow Home

Heading Out

Day Two

Yesterday brought with it some morning sunshine and a fresh breeze. Forecast was for somewhere around 15 which is a bit unexpected at this time of year. We had a lovely Continental breakfast to start and went on to the Club. The main part of the regatta is at the back end of the property. There is a small restaurant and a large boat park where the lockers are and where the boats are stationed. Considering the size of the Club this set-up keeps all the sailors in one location which is great.
Kids went out around midday and unfortunately due to an impending squall they sailed for about 2 hrs and then came in for hot chocolate. Temperatures had dropped as well. After the squall passed they went out again now with less breeze, it had reached close to 20 before the squall, and sailed until about 5.30pm.
Another nice dinner and some famous Argentinian ice cream and all were ready to call it a night.
Forecast is for even cooler today with a high near 62. It should warm up by Thursday.
Hard to tell how many full teams are here as most seem to be arriving in little packs. Some BRA, some URU, some ECU. I think the full CAN team arrived yesterday along with PER. still not here is MEX, AHO, BAH and the majority of the USA team.
Tomorrow there is a day regatta scheduled for all those here and wanting to take part.
Everything has been well organized and the team is in great spirits!

Photos of  Hotel Del Casco

Day One

CAN/BER Locker

Team BER has arrived!

Team Bermuda has arrived at their destination and is getting settled prior to getting on the water for some practice.  Here is a photo of the host club, Club Nautico San Isidro.

Club Nautico San Isidro is located in the picturesque neighborhood of San Isidro in the north of Buenos Aires. Founded in 1910 it is one of Argentina's premier yachting clubs and also boasts swimming, tennis and golf facilities.

Today was a great day for team BER during our layover in NY. We squeezed in as much of the NYC experience we could in a short few hours. Buses, subways, walking down Park Avenue on a beautiful day with a good look at Grand Central Station as well. The highlight of the day was three floors of candy at Dylan's Candy Bar. Relaxing in the Admirals Club at JFK now boarding for Buenos Aires soon.

They're Off!

Team Bermuda left for Argentina this morning.  They have a long layover in NY and may take a taxi into Manhattan to visit Dylan's Candy Bar .

SudOpti 2012 - The Venue

The Club Náutico San Isidro is in San Isidro, a town to the North of Buenos Aires, approximately 47 km away from Ezeiza International Airport and 20 km away from the centre of Buenos Aires, capital city of Argentina.  San Isidro is a big town with many attractions but the most representative are the Cathedral and the square, just in the heart of the historic part of the town, characterised by old traditional houses and cobblestoned streets.

Visit the town government website:http://www.sanisidro.gov.ar/es/nota.vnc?id=108

The premises take up an area of 150ha, of which 50ha are on the Sarandí Island -right at the mouth of the River Luján where it flows into the River Plate-, where the main facilities are; and 100 are on the Nazar Anchorena Island, accross the river, with on-the-water boat parking, a restaurant and recreational areas with plenty of green.  The Club Náutico San Isidro is one of the key institutions when referring to the sports of sailing in Argentina. Located in San Isidro, a traditional sailing town to the North of Buenos Aires, the club has extensive facilities for the practice of sailing, as well as of other sports such as golf, tennis and swimming.