America's Cup ride welcomes new year, with thrills, chills and terror

One of two America's Cup racing sloops photographed by Bruce Keller.
While sailing on the famed Stars and Stripes, he took this photo.  

 

THRILLS, CHILLS ON  CLASSIC BOAT AS GOAL IS REACHED  -- SAILOR CAPTURES DREAM, GLORY   

Reluctant Christene, legs shaking, steps aboard
 the famous Stars and Stripes for a sailing 
adventure of a lifetime, honoring an old promise.

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

WHEN SAN Diego was proud defender of the America's Cup and Dennis Connor became an international hero, a young Bruce Keller had dreams to sail the famous boat.

That famous race was in 1987, when Connor and his San Diego crew recaptured the world's most prestigious sailing trophy for the U.S.

Aboard Stars and Stripes, Keller took a break
from sailing the vessel to photograph the boat
heeled over as we sailed into the wind. 
 
 

It has been Keller's dream to sail one of these classic yachts. "I was in love with the ocean as a kid. I loved Sea Scouts and followed all the big races.  Plus Dennis Connor is a San Diego native like myself." The race was important and well publicized because Connor was not only a gifted sailor but was famous for his charismatic ways in dealing with challenges on the water.

The race took place in February when Keller, a building contractor and designer, was working on a renovation project in a client's house. His building crew tuned into the race on the TV,  cheering Connor and his crew on through a series of eliminations, excited as they advanced toward the final series of races. 

Stars and Stripes is living out her life in St.
Maarten, where she thrills passengers each day.

SO WHEN Keller saw an ad for a sailing adventure in St. Maarten, he was thrilled. He booked an outing for two aboard Stars and Stripes, one of two authentic America's Cup race boats on the island.  The ad promised we'd have "the most unique and immersive experience in the Caribbean, guaranteed to leave you breathless, exhilarated and feeling like a sailing pro!"

I ADMIT my knowledge of sailing is minimal. My fear of drowning is enormous.  So why would I do this, when I'm afraid to get my head wet in a swimming pool? Because I was 

Sheets in sailing lingo,
are used to adjust the sails. I had
a smaller orange rope to cling to.

honoring a promise of almost 18 years ago. Keller agreed to take tango lessons and ballroom dancing classes if I'd learn to sail and join him on his waterborne adventures. So it was only fair. And there we were on a cruise ship, docked in Philipsburg, the main town and capital of St. Maarten, on the Dutch side of this lovely island in the Caribbean. It was meant to be, Keller said.

AS WE journeyed out on the waters, the crew sensed my apprehension. They gave me an orange rope to grasp, and I used it -- boy did I use it! We'd signed the usual waivers absolving the outfit of responsibility should anything unfortunate occur. But I had no idea I'd be clinging for dear life to my "sissy rope" as Keller called it.  It comforted me beyond measure as the boat tilted and jerked into the waves, first one side, then the other. But while I was terrified, Keller was in his element -- beaming, laughing, enjoying the sea spray on his face.  My jaw was clenched as I licked my lips and bit my tongue, tasting salt water, promising the gods I'd be a better person if I survived. 

Keller is sorry for the sailing janut to end. Cookie
is relieved to have survived the two-hour outing. 

THE LEGENDARY 12-meter class race boats are the thoroughbreds of the racing world. The two yachts in St. Maarten are both America’s Cup participants and represent, Keller says, "the culmination of multi-million dollar efforts and years of testing to achieve maximum speed and agility."
We were sailing at only seven miles an hour, Keller said, nothing compared to the 50 mph the latest AC70 racing vessels can reach. "In our same breeze, an America's Cup boat could reach 50 miles per hour," Keller said, winking. "We were taking it relatively easy."

We were "across the waves" from Zhaveri, one
of two racing boats giving tours in St. Maarten. 

Easy for him to say.  I was white knuckled for the entire two-hour adventure.  My Dennis Connor aficionado was happy as a clam.  He reflected that we were lucky to the experience, because the sailing competition has changed.  Publicity surrounding Connor's exploits with America's Cup created international interest and chaperoned in the end of an era when millionaires raced.  "But now it's only billionaires competing in the current era of high-tech boats,"  Keller observed. He laments that the sport has become a hobby of a tiny percentage of sailors, catering only to the extremely rich.

AS FOR ME, well, I am happy to have survived the adventure, and am not certain I'll do it again. But wait, could that mean that Keller would no longer 
join me on the dance floor?
In that case, I'll review the situation, put on my big girl sailing pants and dare to join him for another ride into the unknown. "It's good for you to stretch yourself," he says. Meanwhile, I'm booking us another round of rhumba lessons.

www.12metre.com 
www.visitstmaarten.com

The iconic Hollywood sign photographed from Griffith
Observatory, where we visited Monday just before the fires.

UP NEXT: As wildfires destroy homes, landscape and some famous landmarks, we take readers to Los Angeles where we are frequent visitors. We have "before and after" photos of places we love, some of which were just burned.  We consider ourselves lucky to have escaped, returning to San Diego undamaged. This column occasionally departs from travel and art features to follow breaking news. So as the wild fires rage, and thousands of homes are destroyed, we present an overview. Many places are closed, including the Getty museums we just toured and activities at the famous Santa Monica Pier closed Thursday. One of our favorite wine bars and restaurants burned, a famous high school has fire damage and we'll feature other sad results of the fires which have caused an estimated $57 billion in loss so far. Take time today to reflect on this beloved and famous place in our country and culture and send good thoughts while remembering to explore, learn and live..