Annapolis, 06:15 Thursday

Yesterday was a travel day. We managed to get most of our bags and equipment into the rental car before driving the five hours down the coast from NYC to historic Annapolis -- capitol of the State of Maryland, and picturesque home of the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis Yacht Club (where Stop Two is tonight) and, of course, Farr Yacht Design.


Annapolis, is situated on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay between
Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Like Newport, Rhode Island (which is
just south of Providence in the upper right corner of the map above),
Annapolis is an historic seaport and a hotbed of American sailing.


The City Dock near the Statehouse.


We made it to Annapolis just in time for the kind dinner invitation
extended by Farr Yacht Design. Clockwise from left: Bruce
and Gail Farr, David "Scooter" LaCouter (the noted high-altitude
consultant), Jane Eagleson, David Fornaro, Bryan Baker, Britt Ward,
Mat Bird and Mirko Groeschner. Not pictured, Alon Finkelstein.


FYD's Britt Ward (AUS/USA) will be one of the presentors this evening
at Annapolis Yacht Club, along with sailing team member (pit) Jamie Gale
(NZL/USA). At dinner Britt gave us rundown on the talk he has planned,
and then it was off to AYC for a venue check.