Friday, July 19, 2013

Nibbling on Life...

Not sure what it was about TODAY that inspired me to take a peek at this OLDIE of a blog from a different period in my life when blogging was my WHOLE life; as was sailing. I almost hit the delete button but then started re-reading posts...

Wow... what amazing BoatBite experiences! I still to this VERY day live a life true to my old "SailTrim" days (very earthy crunchy, no GMOs in this girls diet, and exercise... my pilates teacher thinks I'm a touch obsessed...)

The world of sailing remains an import part of my life, however one can safely assume that no post has meant I've moved onto/into another phase of life.

Not going to hit the delete button, as it appears folks still READ those old posts, and well... I never want to forget those amazing days!

Continue to take a BITE out of life and embrace the little boat bites along the way...

Cheers - Jennifer

Thursday, October 13, 2011

One to Watch: Amory Ross

Finally, We should be seeing some amazing content from the Volvo Ocean Race. Best news I've had!

BOSTON, MASS. (October 13, 2011) – The PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG Propulsion team has appointed Amory Ross as the new Media Crew Member (MCM) onboard PUMA’s Mar Mostro for the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012.

Ross, 27, is based in Newport, Rhode Island, where he specializes in nautical photography, video and multi-media. He has logged offshore racing miles as both a crew member and onboard media specialist. Recently, he sailed on the 65-foot Vanquish as a member of the All-American Offshore Team during the Transatlantic Race 2011 and the 2011 Rolex Fastnet Race (third place).

“Amory is passionate about what he does, and it is evident the MCM role is a perfect fit for him,” skipper Ken Read said. “It’s exciting to see the enthusiasm he has for being part of the PUMA team, for the Volvo Ocean Race and also for capturing incredible content. We’re just beginning to witness his depth of talent and creativity, and we look forward to having him onboard during these next nine months and to watching everything he produces. I always tell him that his full-time job is to make us look good – which is certainly almost impossible and will really test his creative ability!”

Ross was a member of the Hobart College sailing team, winning the 2005 national championship. In his last year of college, he began taking photos and later expanded into video, blogs and other multi-media channels. During the past three years, he has split his time between Newport and Jackson, Wyoming, where he has worked as a ski instructor and expanded his portfolio.

“It's definitely a ‘life's dream’ kind of situation for me,” Ross said. “Ever since the Volvo Ocean Race added the onboard media crew member position I knew it's what I wanted to do, where I wanted to be. Everything I have been practicing the last few years, the video and the big boat sailing, it has been done to make sure I have all of the necessary skill sets to take this kind of a job on and do it the right way. It's an incredibly exciting opportunity – to combine my love and passion for sailing with my professional talents, and to do it for a company as exciting as PUMA. I get to sail around the world on a cutting-edge boat with the sport’s most experienced sailors. It's never going to be easy, but I am really looking forward to the challenge.”

Ross replaces Arden Oksanen in the MCM role on the PUMA team. “Arden transitioned easily and adeptly from life in the mountains to living on the ocean with us. He’s a great guy whom we all enjoyed working with, and he was truly committed to the team. Recently, a decision was made to try a different angle with the images coming off the boat.” Read said. “It’s never easy to make changes on a team, but we are moving ahead and looking forward to Race Start in less than a month with Amory on board in the MCM role.”

During the nine months of the Volvo Ocean Race, the MCM captures all of the action. Ross will be filming, photographing, writing, editing, directing and managing satellite news feeds while at sea, broadcasting it via the latest technology around the world. His content will regularly appear on television news feeds, as well as on the PUMA sailing website, www.puma.com/sailing, www.VolvoOceanRace.com and social media platforms (Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter).

As stipulated by the Volvo Ocean Race regulations, MCMs aboard the Volvo Open 70s are not permitted to assist in sailing. However, in addition to his media responsibilities, Ross will assist in a variety of duties onboard, including food preparation.

The PUMA Ocean Racing team is once again under the leadership of Read (Newport, Rhode Island, United States). Collectively, the crew has won the Around the World Race six times. The core includes: Tom Addis, Navigator (Sydney, Australia); Ryan Godfrey, Pitman (Adelaide, Australia); Kelvin Harrap, Helmsman, Inshore Tactician (Napier, New Zealand); Brad Jackson, Design Coordinator & Watch Captain (Auckland, New Zealand); Rome Kirby, Trimmer & Driver (Newport, Rhode Island, USA); Michael “Michi” Müller, Bowman (Kiel, Germany); Tony Mutter, Aerodynamics Coordinator & Watch Captain (Auckland, New Zealand); Casey Smith, Systems Manager & Bowman (Brisbane, Australia); Jonathan “Jono” Swain, Helmsman & Trimmer (Durban, South Africa); Amory Ross, Media Crew Member (Newport, Rhode Island, USA); Kimo Worthington, General Manager (Portsmouth, Rhode Island, United States); and Tim Hacket, Shore Team Manager (Sydney, Australia).

For more information on the race, team and crew visit www.puma.com/sailing

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Why Do People Sail?

Why DO People Sail?

Really. Why do people get into a little boat that may or may not have a motor attached to its stern? We won't even get into the part where sailing requires moving about in a zig-zag pattern to get from point A to point B.

Why do you sail? Why am I asking this question? Well, it's interesting that all the time I was away from this blog, it was the number one set of key words that has led people to this site for the last year!

"why do people sail"

Now I'm curious, did those who came here find what they where looking for? Many stuck around, digging through my archive of posts. I'd love to have been a fly on the wall as they read, say a post from the early days of chasing 18 footers around the globe, never-mind what they'd think of the Volvo Ocean Race sailor.

Then we have the beer-can man or women who jets out of work a touch early to make a Wednesday afternoon dock-call, dancing around their local harbor. Sometimes bobbing around, often the case in Fisher Island Sound in late Summer.

How about the mom and pop program with a small herd of little ones in tow, piling into the late model O'Day for a weekend away from their land-locked neighborhood? It's a lot of work prepping a family for a weekend of "cove-hopping." What inspires them to go sailing?

What inspires someone to even buy a sailboat?

In my own life I have experienced virtually every single economic bracket of "sailing." No matter the budget level or make of boat = MONEY PIT! Period, they could take that movie and do a boater's version of it. Boats, whether powered by wind or fuel are right up there with a fixer-upper vacation home.

Love sailing. Love being on the water. Love the people you share a dock with or meet up with at the yacht club or sailing center. Love. Love. Love.

Why we do anything - because we love it. Who cares how silly it may appear. Who cares how much it cost. If you love what you do, why not do it.

There you have it. It's really simple. Why do people sail? People sail because they love to do it. It's really no different then why people golf.

Interesting to note the next set of key words that lead people to my site where:

"why should people sail?"

My answer to that would be something along the lines of, " Well, if you feel like you "should" do it, why do it at all?" Do what you love. So what if it's not sailing, you can still read this blog and never step foot on a boat. Events like the Volvo Ocean Race are a trip to read about, follow, damn, you can even play the video game!

Only spend your time doing what you love, and if that means reading about it. Playing the video game or watching the latest movie - it is time well spent.

(I am WILD about rugby. I read about. I am lucky enough to photograph one of the best women's college rugby teams in the US. I will never get on that field!)

Friday, June 24, 2011

Hola!

Hey World!

I'm still here! Took a break from the "bites," but I have not forgotten about them and right now - my sites are on the 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race...

This is going to be an exciting event with the return of legends, known names and fresh talent with stripes to earn. You should bookmark their site (and mine!) Expect great stories and an adventure all can enjoy.

Still not sure what this around the world race is all about?? Well, get the book! Read-up! It's the greatest story in the world (my opinion of course... *wink*)

Speak soon - Jennifer