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just another ski-to-sea story
Reivers Dustin
05/26/13 #14409
I had bagged doing the race this year. But wife noticed certain withdrawal symptoms. Connected with team Wednesday, met them Saturday nite, did race.
How does LG say it? … flatter than a man in drag after the balloons pop? I don't remember seeing the bay like that for a Ski-to-Sea since they invented the kayak leg. It was cruel. But it was safe. And since I started way back in the pack this year I got a good dose of how crazy-out-of-their-minds happy the just regular paddlers are. When it counts for nothing but just do it. I paddled back across the bay looking at the dozens and was pulling in when they sent the very last paddlers in. I saw guys and gals busting an aorta to go one inch faster. People can be so cool.
Totally prime. Saw our merry prankster Rick L. just put it all out there. Saw Michael D. scream and yell at the starting run. Missed the Brandon/Kirk/Ian “men at war” scene.
Something about roasting in your own adrenalyn for hours before you get the handoff. can you say “JEeZE-LOUEEZE!? - amen brothers and sisters. By the time I got my timer I was cooking off like bullets in a frying pan. I don't know what they put in the diet around here, but don't somebody ever take away my ski-to-sea. woah. Hope all you guys and gals are flying at anywhere near my altitude becuase its good. Thank you LB and Mac and all the dozens of people who help me get back to real for just once a year.
rd
Re: just another ski-to-sea story. Response
Larry <lbussinger@…>
05/27/13 #14412
I've copied Mac's ( co-chair person with his wife Penny of the kayak leg) response to RD's post. We all thank the many volunteers. Larry B
Thank you Reivers! Larry shared your post with me. Beautifully said. I love your “cooking like bullets in a frying pan” image. That is exactly what it's like in Zuanich all afternoon.
Not only is being around the racers a “high”, it was amazing to watch our volunteers in action. We had a total team of about 75 this year and they just “owned” every single inch of the Squalicum Harbor from LFS to the exchange, the inspection, the runway, the launch dock and the race course. Even our two key law enforcement guys, Mark and Chad, showed up at the Boat House after we got the race cooking just to check-in with us… They both gave Penny a huge hug of thanks. The whole day is an incredibly inspiring experience for everyone.
And I'll tell you what else… there was something special about having a Wounded Warrior kayaker in our leg this year.
Cheers,
Mac Carter
Kayak hand-off…….
Larry Goolsby
05/30/13 #14420
For about 5 or 6 years now, I've been taking the timing chip from the same guy on our Ski to Sea team. Each year he would ride up looking exhausted and pull the chip from his wrist, or pocket, or even from his mouth, and hand it to me. Each hand-off was different as if he didn't like any of his previous choices of carrying the chip. This year, he used a new method that could be considered improper ettiquette. He sped up to my position and brought his bike to a screaming halt. I searched for the elusive chip but it wasn't visible anywhere. My mountain biker then reached down and pulled the front of his pants (with about 200 onlookers) down to expose the top half of his beans and frank, with the timing chip resting safely in a furry little nest. I wanted to say “Really??”, but held my tongue. I did not fish for the timing chip but waited until he handed it to me. Needless to say, I didn't run down to the boat with the timing chip clenched in my teeth. I only see this guy for about 6 seconds a year, so I'm hoping that next year he'll nix this new hiding place. However, if in 2014, he reaches behind to fish for it, I might have to run to my boat without the chip.
LG
