Rob Burns sent us this report after the NZL boys 4.7 North Americans success

A big hello from 'the Home of the Brave and the Land of the Free'
 
After a few days of visiting family and experiencing American life we have moved from Seattle down to San Francisco and Taylor and his Team mates, Ryan Amlehn of Nelson and Liam MacDonald of Auckland have been on the water working hard trying to get a grip on the San Francisco currents.. Trent and Keith arrived over the weekend so we have yet to see them.
 
The first few days were spent at the VERY flash St Francis Yacht Club, after hearing what their membership costs, I will never complain about paying our pittance. The people there are nice though, there are two major rules, no hats and no cellphones ringing and it was a huge surprise and pleasure to meet our PM at the Club, Taylor and Ryan were stoked that John Key came over and asked for a photo with them.
This weekend we had the North American 4.7 and Masters Laser Champs at the Treasure Island Sailing Centre, about 40 minute down wind sail in a fast Laser in 25 knots ...which is the everyday afternoon wind strength.
We expected all the Internationals to be there but the Laser people wouldn't let the charter boats go down there, it was another US$300 for an extra charter from another supplier ....thank goodness for a favorable exchange rate and first in to get the last couple of boats. The regatta was really good, the organisers from South Beach Yacht Club did a great job , they even feed us really well too, hamburgers and pizza for dinner, Danish and OJ for breakfast ....and beer.
The fleet was nearly 40 on the first day, 31 on the second but tough racing, Ryan and Taylor were first and second both days and Overall.
Ryan pulled out of the last race at the top mark and Taylor won by at least 100 metres. The race before Taylor thought he was OCS and went back.....I was on the Committee boat and sighting the line and the number called wasn't his. He went back and recrossed, started a 100 metres behind everyone but was on Ryan's heels at the finish to come in second. Ryan is 15 kilos heavier than Taylor and every kilo counts in this breeze. Liam is lighter again than Taylor, sailing well to finish 7th overall against the American and Canadian top guns. Some of the competitors from the full rig have turned up here for the 4.7's and they are big boys! Still you have to sail smart and fast not just be big but weight does help in these 25knot conditions!

San Francisco is a great city to be in, easy to bike around (a random person gave me a mountain bike), great guitar shops and we even rode the cable car down hill tonite after running up the 'world's crookedest street'. Food is relatively cheap and most of us are in walking distance of the Club.....it's going to be a great Worlds!
 
A huge thank you to all our supporters that helped to get get Taylor and the Team this far.
 
Happy sailing
Rob