It is blowing a steady 20, gusting higher. There is a sea state commensurate with the breeze, and the boats within the Newport anchorage are tugging at their moorings. The yachts offshore, following the J class racers, are plunging through the waves trying to keep up on the wind. And on the race committee boat…

…pity the crew, for they are really taking it on the chin.

Downwind things are easier, if less dramatic. Watching these six magnificent yachts being handled like racing dinghies is a treat.

We have eight guests aboard. Everyone sits in the Matrix deck–that’s 12 of us total. The view is excellent and we photograph over the smaller boats, leaving the foreground clear.

The day is overcast tending towards fog, with a little sun early on. The darker it gets, the more interesting the visuals.

The Js tack on the wind shifts, carry asymmetric kites downwind.

This is serious stuff.

Most of them seem to have a couple of guests aboard, either at the stern or in a cockpit area.

“Okay, everybody aft to keep the bow up during the run!”

Things look to get interesting at the bridge.

But this British ship figures there is room for everybody under the center span.

Does watching yacht racing get any better than this?

And finally, perspective.

The fastest boat today, and certainly the one having the most fun, might just be this 49er!