Had some time tonite to figure out how to get decent quality vids on youtube.
The onboard video I put together from the steeplechase is on our Team Adrenalin blog
The New England 100 video can be found at NE100 on youtube that video was still processing a bit last I checked so if it doesn't work well check again later.
Hope you enjoy
The steeplechase video was shot with a Flip Ultra (not HD) and the waterproof case designed for it... bought both on amazon for $115.

Thanks guys!

Good entertainment Todd. Thanks.

Nice vids, and nice soundtrack selections.

I just loaded the photos and video I took of the 2009 Steeplechase from the bridge Rick & Mary recommended for a good vantage point:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7ZAN_PNXTM

Great! Interesting to see the different hiking and sailing techniques. All on the same point of sail and all going at relatively different speeds -- some totally hiked out and aft, sails trimmed; others sitting on the boat and pumping the main.
Rick

Nice vids, thanks

I agree with Rick on this one. REALLY interesting to watch the different styles. I was amazed at my own reaction. I apparently have an automatic built-in response to sail shape and boat balance. I found myself yelling at the screen, "MOVE FORWARD!!! ...or...Sheet IN, you idiot! What the hell are you thinking?!!! Look at it twisting off!" I was probably wrong in every case but I loved my auto-involvement. Monday morning quarterbacking?

What was with those boats with the bows WAY out of the water? Name those boats "Scaredy Cat". These aren't planing skiffs, you know!

I got all excited and involved just watching. What more could you ask for from a video? Thanks for posting!

It did seem interesting that Flesh Rocket and the boat behind them were sheeted/traveled out so far. Was this a deep reach angle?

David,

You have to keep in mind that when those shots were taken we had just transversed 5 miles of scary close reacing in pitch-poll conditions. At that point, we were all a little leary of get caught too far forward. The viewing area is in the wind shadow of the bridge, so it isn't nearly as windy as it had just been in the open bay. The waves were also a lot smaller than they were only minutes before, where many of us had been knocked off our boats. At the same time we were trying to set up to get through the spans. In our case with th ARC22, we weren't sure if we would clear our first choice so we diverted at the last minute. There was also a slight course change from close reach to close hauled once we got through.

It looks like the boats are cruising in a single file but there were a lot of dynamics going on.

It was pretty much right on the beam sailing up to the card sound bridge. For this reach (on an infusion), my back foot was right in front of the rear beam, the traveler was out about 12 inches, and the main was played in the puffs, daggerboards were up about 10 inches. We were double trapped and HAULIN' IT the whole way up to the bridge. That leg of the race (start to Card Sound Brige) was probably the most fun I have ever had sailing!

Jack, I meant no real criticism. I stated that I was probably wrong in every case. I know that photos never tell the whole story and always seem to diminish the real conditions of both the weather and the sailors.

My point was how caught up in the situation I got just by watching. I was jealous of you guys! This video and "Trouble at the Weekend" are just a great watch when it's colder than 30.

Nice explanation.
It's funny how you don't have to worry about pitchpoling when your TYPING on a keyboard instead of sailing.

you haven't seen me type!

Yes, we're all jealous of ya'll! I guess watching the video just rubs it in for us chair jockeys that we really should be out there gettin' it done

Your sailing drought is scheduled to end in 9 days, yes? And we will be studying your boat and sail trim very closely.

I didn't take it that way. I gave me an opportunity to tell the "rest of the story".

Another reason for sloppy techniques was simply that many of us were taking a break after the extreme conditions and getting a second wind for the upcoming beat to weather. I'm sure the lead guys were more in form than we might have been, but in a race that long us old guys need some relief now and then. I'm just thrilled that I am still doing this at 65!

The infusion and capricorns are as close to a planning cat you will get! We've found the fastest way to jib reach in high wind is to get as far back and push it hard. I had my rear foot just behind/ on the rear beam but moved back for part of this reach after we stuffed it once.
We were in front of Steve and Jay most of the way up to the bridge until we fell off the back of the boat. We were just behind them in this video.
Plus as others said it was a nice "break"... but there were still some strong puffs coming over the land during this "break" and if you weren't careful you could have got in trouble real fast.