Today has been a great day. I can’t speak any less of it, and here are some reasons why…

But first, let me begin with yesterday. As I was getting ready to go out to the lake for sailing practice, I was approached by captain George Yioulos and Kirsten McEwen, a reporter for the U of O Daily Emerald. She was just getting ready to put to bed a story about George when it became clear that her photographer wasn’t going to make it out to the lake. So, they asked me to fill in and grab a George shot for the next day’s paper. I happily accepted the challenge. The story was in today’s edition and was absolutely fantastic [thank you Kirsten]! Plus, I got to take the photo. My first time being “published.” I can’t complain about that. While I was out at the lake, I also got some great shots of the team. More after the jump.

Ben Hackett is good at being a bad-ass.

Jes Giddens is the best. An awesome sailor and an inspiration to us all!

Tyler McNamara works on rigging a boat. This man’s as sharp as a tack [sailing pun intended].

George Yioulos is most certainly the man. He keeps this team together like it’s nobody’s business (except it happens to be his). He got a great write-up in the Oregon Daily Emerald today.

Matt Sperry is, no doubt, a dude. He is the nicest and greatest. And, he can sail like the dickens.