Confessions of a Grinder: My first-person account of competing in the America's Cup as a grinder on board the 12-meter USA from the St. Francis Yacht Club, back when the America's Cup was really really cool, 1986-87, Fremantle, Australia

Back in February, 1986, I signed on to sail in the America's Cup. I was a lowly 'grinder, ' the guy who does most of the work while being yelled at by the other crewmen. FUN! Actually it was a fun for the most part. And hard work. And miserable at times. And scary quite a few times, when the wind was raging off the Golden Gate Bridge. I was a part of the St. Francis Yacht Club syndicate - our 12-meter was called the USA. We had a wildman for a skipper, Tom Blackaller - 'Blacky' we called hi...