Sophia, one of the kids on our junior sailing team told me an interesting story yesterday. She's taking a physical science class in high school. She describes herself as a average student getting B's and C's. That was until there was a discussion about wind.
As an example of what the wind could do, a number of videos of the latest America's Cup were played. Sails were compared to airplane wings but most of the kids found it unbelievable that they both worked using the same principles. Not our Sophia. She's been sailing with us for five years and is very acquainted with the physics of sailing.
A test was given. Sophia scored 100%. Normally, a teacher would have congratulated her on her perfect score and tell her she must have had some experience with sailing. Not this guy.
He confronted her about her score and stated that she must have cheated. She told him she sailed and already understood how sails worked.
He demanded that she retake the test and sat and watched while she did. Results? Another 100% which left him dumbfounded.
Because of some connections we have and being in Lahaina which is a short twelve miles from Lanai, which may be renamed Larry Island, the America's Cup trophy will be visiting us on May 1st. Photo opportunities will be available.
I told Sophia we'll get a picture of you with the Cup, print it out, and you take it to school. Tell you teacher that your sailing coach wondered if he likes to drink beer. If he does, show him the picture and ask him if he'd like to drink some beer from the Auld Mug.
After thinking about it that might be a little over the top.
I told the story to one of the other coaches today. He was just as outraged as I was. He has done some work with the Oracle Team USA design team and has friends among the crew including skipper Jimmy Spithill and grinder Shannon Falcone. Shannon likes Maui because of the wind and kite surfing.
We're cooking up a plan to have Sophia bring Shannon in as a guest speaker for the science class. If that doesn't convince her teacher she knows what she's talking about nothing well.
Cheat indeed!