This was a special one for me. 2025 was full of changes and the family, work, life, business balancing act. This was my first V6 race of the season, and it also happens to be the last one for the team. Got to do this special 16 miler course where we went out the gate to Bonita Point and then the Angel Island course. I'm grateful the crew trusted me with calling, despite not racing all season. Chris, Skyler, me, Don, Justin, Mikey. Very memorable and fun race. We earned 2nd place, hard earned. 3 minutes behind Okalani.

I broke the biggest rule of race prep, which is to not do anything new for race day. Today, I took my brand new Vela Oc1 on her maiden voyage and also decided to wear my Shokz to listen to music during my race. Both ended up paying off. Conditions were rough today. Strong storm winds the whole time. Against current with wind going out. With current but against headwind coming home. I had a great start, behind Gapuz, Daven, and Dylan (top NorCal guys). I ended up falling back a bit and battling with Dylan for a while. By the time we got to the 2 pin (about 4 miles in), Daven and Gapuz turned. I stopped them and said that the course was further down. We sat there for a while debating what to do. We ended up continuing with the course and so waiting for everyone to get back on course. The downwind leg was fun! At the 12pin turn, I was behind again at 4th. I chased and pushed the entire leg back to the channel. I came ALIVE in the upwind, wanted to see what the Vela could do. Was able to claw back up to the pack. Inside the channel, I decided that it was time to go! Was able to stay just a hair ahead of Daven and Chauncey. Kept it close all the way in. Very hard earned win. Very memorable for me! Thank you all for the push! My 3W1H reflection: What went well? - Got my land warmup, band activation, and water warmup completed and was waiting at the front of the start line What didn't go as planned? - During the leg out, we got some GOOD surf. I needed to surf better toward the marker instead of following the way away from the marker What surprised you? - Had a strong headwind on the return and I was able to make up about 200m to catch back up to front pack over 2 miles How will you improve? - I want to improve to get a higher cruising speed Thank you Al for the wonderful photos! Scores are here: https://www.webscorer.com/racedetails?raceid=383485&did=506264

Does anyone in the SF Bay Area want to join me this Sunday Morning for a 12-mile nonstop workout? I am thinking of starting in Redwood City or Coyote Point.

It was a calm, sunny morning - perfect conditions for doing the sprints. But the sun was so blindingly bright that I couldn't see the SpeedCoach display. So for the 4min I had to rely on counting to keep track of where I was in my sequence. It worked out somehow.