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s t a r t s a i l i n g n o w.c o m 3

Why Wait?

If you are reading this page, you have probably said this: “I’ve always wanted to learn how to

sail.” When you work for a sailing magazine, as we do at SpinSheet, you hear such phrases all the time. “It’s on my bucket list,” friends say. “I should take a sailing class.” Many new sailors do start sailing each year.

What concerns us are the ones who put off sailing for another year. If sailing sounds so appealing, why do they wait? Are time and money holding them back? Is sailing language too confusing? Do would-be sailors fear that sailing is an exclusive club, and they are not invited? We suspect it’s a combination of reasons.

Since we started SpinSheet in 1995 as a free monthly magazine for Chesapeake Bay sailors, we’ve received hundreds of phone calls from prospective sailors. The calls usually begin: “I’m new to the area and want to get into sailing. Someone told me to call you.” Many callers don’t even know that we run a magazine. They think we’re some sort of sailing consultancy. And they are right.

We’ve always shared information about how to meet sailors and find clubs, where to find skilled teachers, what to wear, what to beware of, what events to attend, and even where to just watch a sailboat race. In 2008, we compiled our collective

wisdom and penned our first edition of Start Sailing Now. Since then, we have learned that our advice has touched sailors well beyond the Chesapeake and that we have much to teach sailors all over the country.

Contrary to “yachting” stereotypes found in movies and Ralph Lauren ads, you don’t have to be rich to start sailing. Learning doesn’t require thousands of dollars. It wouldn’t hurt to have fancy gear, your own sailboat, or a yacht club membership, but you don’t need any of it. Start Sailing Now shows you how to start sailing today with nothing but a willingness to learn and to reach out to meet new people.

Sailors prefer to sail with friends, old and new. In these pages, we will teach you how to meet boat owners who are willing to instruct or willing to bring new crew along for the ride. We will also teach you what to expect once you get your first sailing invitation. No need to defer your sailing dream another year. Start now.

Welcome to the exciting and addictive world of sailing!

Molly Winans Editor, SpinSheet [email protected]

4 s t a r t s a i l i n g n o w.c o m

now

start

Why Wait? .......................................................3

What’s That Thingie? 22 Terms All Sailors Know ..........................5

Sailboat Type 101 .........................................8

Dress Like a Sailor (Not a Newbie) ....... 10

Before You Sign Up, Ask the Right Questions .......................... 13

Try Sailing… for Free ................................ 16

The Secret Life of Sailors ......................... 18

Unlike Any Other Sport ........................... 20

Unplug and Recharge .............................. 22

ContentsA New Sailor Guide by

612 Third Street, Suite 3C,Annapolis, Maryland 21403(410) 216-9309 • Fax (410) 216-9330

PUBLISHERMary Iliff Ewenson [email protected]

EDITOR Molly Winans [email protected]

ART DIRECTOR Cory Deere [email protected]

DIRECTOR Of SALES & MARkETIng Dana Scott [email protected]

SALES ken Hadley [email protected]

Brooke king [email protected]

Cover photo by Walter Cooperwaltercooperphoto.com

© 2012 SpinSheet Publishing Company

Businesses or organizations wishing to distribute Start Sailing Now should contact us at:

spinsheet.com • startsailingnow.com

Turn your dreams into realityat Norton's Sailing SchoolWhat are you waiting for? We o�erfully sanctioned sailing classes to both beginners and advanced students. Hands-on instruction ranges from basic sailing to coastal and bareboat cruising to navigation. Our instruction is comprehensive, but relaxed. A�er all, isn't sailingsupposed to be fun?

P.O. Box 100, Deltaville, VA 23043(804) 776-9211 www.nortonyachts.com

52 012 N e w S a i l o r G u i d e

Below: when you go into the cabin, it’s never “downstairs.” It’s always down below.

Boom: the pole hanging horizontally above the cockpit that could boom into your head if you’re not careful.

Bow: the front end of the boat, or as sailors refer to it with a grin, “the pointy end.”

Cleat: classic ones are shaped like anvils, but there are more modern versions with pinching teeth for securing lines on deck and on the dock.

Cockpit: the area with seats near the steering station or helm.

Come about:

to turn the bow of the boat through the wind. The skipper will say, “Ready about!” The crew responds, “Ready,” and they keep their heads down to avoid the boom. The skipper says, “Helms-alee” or “Hard-alee” and turns.

Deck: anywhere you can walk around on the exterior of the boat.

Gybing: sometimes spelled jibing (never jiving). This is when the boat turns with the wind at your back. The skipper says, “Prepare to gybe!” The crew says, “Ready,” and stays low to avoid the fast-moving boom. The skipper says, “Gybe ho” and turns.

What’s That Thingie?22 Terms All Sailors Know

Unless you speak Old English, sailing terms probably sound confusing to you. You are not alone. Even longtime sailors use the not-so-official terms of “thingamabob” and “doo-hickey.” One of the most lovable aspects of sailing

is that there is always something to learn. Don’t worry if it takes you time to digest the complex language of sailing; it is an ongoing process. Believe it or not, it’s fun. Learning these basic terms will help you understand what’s going on on any sailboat in the English-speaking world.


Heel: the boat heels or leans at an angle while sailing. It does not keel over as one might after too much rum.

Helm: where the skipper steers with a wheel or a stick-like tiller.

Jib: the smaller triangular sail attached at the bow.

Keel: the heavy fixed fin on the bottom of the boat. (see heel)

Line: a rope on a boat is always called a line or a sheet. (see sheets)

Mainsail: the big sail attached to the mast.

Mast: the vertical pole on deck or “the stick.”

PFD: a personal flotation device or lifejacket. If someone asks you to wear one, don’t be offended. Lifejackets are not as goofy looking as they used to be.

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Port: the left side of the boat facing forward. Port and left are both four-letter words.

Sheets: lines attached to the sails to control them. Crew members help with sheets.

Spinnaker: a parachute-like, triangular sail attached at the bow and used to propel a sailboat with the wind behind it. Sometimes called the kite or chute.

Starboard: the right side of the boat facing forward.

Stern: the back end of the boat, opposite the pointy end.

Winch: cylindrical metal hardware—beer- or paint-can sized—on either side of the cockpit where sheets are wrapped clockwise to crank sails in and out.

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DaysailEr

A daysailer is a fun boat to sail alone or with just a few people. With

boats that are easy to trailer or strap on the roof of your car, daysailing is a great place to learn the sport, build your skills, become competitive (if you wish), and meet other sailors.

Laser: One sail and one (bigger) sailor. Popular worldwide, sailed in the Olympics.Flying Scot: 19-footer can be used as a family boat, a racer, and a fun daysailer. Hobie 16: Beach catamarans or “cats” are increasingly popular on the Bay and a lot of fun for athletic sailors who like to go fast and get wet.Bic or Starboard Sailboards: Not “boats” by the traditional sense of the word, but still a great entry point into sailing!


Sailboat Type 101

This family sails on a racer/cruiser called a J/120. They use their boat for ocean racing as well as quiet family weekends on the Chesapeake. Photo by Dan Phelps

Day racEr

Day racers, designed for competition, can be typically

towed behind SUVs or trucks. Such boats may have small cabins, but they lack substantial overnight amenities. Although day racing can be a physical “ride,” it’s often drier sailing than on smaller daysailers.

J/22: Typically sailed by three or four people. A popular racing keelboat.Colgate 26: Used for instruction at the U.S. Naval Academy and dozens of other venues.J/80: An open and sleek design and a popular racing and instructional boat.

racEr/cruisEr

Racer/cruisers are versatile boats used for cruising, daysailing, or

racing. These boats have overnight accommodations and typically appeal to a wide spectrum of sailors. There are plenty of solid, affordable used boats on the market. See spinsheet.com Buy/Sell ads.

Catalina 27: A popular first-time-buyer boat, moderately sized and priced.Pearson 30: A versatile family cruiser and racer with a roomy interior.Tartan 34: Very popular for its sound construction, moderate price, and pretty look. Beneteau 36.7: Modern racer/cruiser, sleek and stylish, with plenty of room down below.

More than 80 used boat reviews and hundreds of used boats for sale are

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Like runners, many sailors like to have a visor to protect their eyes and face from sun and rain. A safe bet is an old-fashioned baseball cap. A hat strap with a collar clip is helpful, as more “man overboard” drills are done for runaway hats than for men.

Nothing says “newbie” quite like a bad sunburn. Sunblock is a must, even when it’s cloudy. Skiers, snowboarders, waterskiers, and paddlers know that snow and water reflection makes the sun twice as powerful. Effective, non-greasy, high-protection sunblock is available at ordinary drug stores. Many sailors wear SPF clothing, which is available at outdoor stores and marine gear stores (also known as chandleries).

As in any outdoor sport performed in temperatures between 50 and 100 degrees, high-tech layers are the answer. A T-shirt, long-sleeved shirt, fleece vest, fleece pull-over, and nylon shorts/pants such as used for hiking and camping would almost complete your sailing gear needs.

The outer layer or foul weather gear for sailing isn’t unlike hiking outerwear, except that the retro cheapie poncho, which might be useful on a rainy hike, would be a nuisance in the wind. Make sure you find waterproof outer tops and bottoms that will not flap in the wind, and always assume it will rain. Rain usually brings wind, and wind is a good thing—a wet rear end is not. A cold

Head Core

Dress Like a Sailor(Not a Newbie)

You would be hard-pressed to find a sailor without other outdoor passions such as skiing, cycling, running, kayaking, waterskiing, rafting, camping, or hiking. The outdoorsy types who are attracted to the sport don’t mind the sun, rain, and wind (and more wind).

Dressing for success in sailing has nothing to do with fashionable navy-blue striped sweaters—especially if they’re all cotton. The key to dressing well in sailing, as in other outdoor sports, is learning how to remain comfortable, dry, and mobile in the face of the elements.

Before you go out and make any investment in new gear, check your closet and assess what you already have to cover you from head to toe. If you already ride your bike on mountain trails, run around the neighborhood, hike in the woods, or hit the slopes from time to time, you may already have the gear necessary to get started.

We’re not suggesting you don’t invest in sailing-specific gear; we’re saying that the lack of it should not be a barrier to entry. You might have enough makeshift gear to start right now. Then once you’re hooked on sailing—as we know you will be—you will learn quickly what you

need to complete your sailing gear kit.


Fingers

and soggy behind could ruin an otherwise terrific sailing day. You may already have a functional Gore-Tex shell, but do find yourself some waterproof bottoms as well.

You can buy reasonable, effective foul weather gear for $250 (or more!) new. If you find a crew to sail with, it’s a guarantee they’ll each have some surplus gear to lend or donate. When it comes to lifejackets, your crew will have one onboard for you, but you might want to invest in a more stylish one; lightweight and attractive lifejackets really do exist! The vest styles can be great for keeping you warm and safe.

Sailing gloves are reasonably priced ($20) and an excellent investment for new sailors. Cycling gloves work, too.

9

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Necklaces, dangling earrings, and precious gems can make for difficult or dangerous sailing wear. Leave them in your jewelry box at home. Buy Croakies to keep your expensive sunglasses from going “in the drink.”

ToesSlipping on a wet deck, stubbing your toe on metal hardware, and scuffing up the deck of someone else’s boat are the considerations when you choose sailing footwear. Flip-flops and dark-soled running or hiking shoes make lousy sailing shoes. Chuck Taylor high tops, white-soled tennis shoes, Keens, Tevas, and old-fashioned Top-Siders or Sperrys make good non-scuffing sailing shoes. High-tech wicking socks are the best.

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ExperienceCHESAPEAKEBOATING CLUB

An annual membership to Chesapeake Boating Club allows you unlimited sailing to

really hone your skills. With our knowledgeable staff on hand to assist, you can use the perfect boat to suit your mood- daysailing, cruising, or racing. 410-280-8692, www.ChesapeakeBoatingClub.com

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The top sailing school in the country, J/World teaches all course levels. You’ll love learning on J/80s- the boats are fast, fun, and

easy-to-sail. Certified instructors make sure all students leave highly skilled, suntanned, and smiling! 410.280.2040, www.JWorldAnnapolis.com

ExperienceCHESAPEAKEBOATING CLUB

An annual membership to Chesapeake Boating Club allows you unlimited sailing to

really hone your skills. With our knowledgeable staff on hand to assist, you can use the perfect boat to suit your mood- daysailing, cruising, or racing. 410-280-8692, www.ChesapeakeBoatingClub.com

W ithout guidance about how to find a sailing school, many prospective students may start with the least

effective method: a Google search. Decisions might then be made based on cost, location, timing, and length of the courses. Let us share other important factors to consider and more targeted methods for sifting through the multiple options of sailing schools on the Bay.

Credentials, PleaseAmerican Sailing Association (ASA) or U.S. Sailing schools offer internationally recognized certification programs, allowing you flexibility in sail training and chartering locations. Each organization promotes

“Outstanding Schools and Instructors,” right on their websites. Ask yourself how “far” you’d like to go in your sailing. Would you eventually like to buy or charter a boat on your own? If so, choose a school that offers the full gamut of sailing certifications. Don’t select the sailing equivalent of a junior college if you’re after a master’s degree.

Do the Boats Fit the Course?Does the school have boats appropriate for the level of certification you’re trying to achieve? Many schools start initial training on small, tiller-steered keelboats, allowing you to get a feel for basic sailing skills and build confidence. For more advanced courses, progressively larger and more

Before You Sign Up,Ask the Right Questions


complex boats should be used. Will the school offer rentals or charters for practicing your newly learned skills on your own? Many schools do; some even have sailing clubs for cost-effective practice while meeting new sailing friends.

Customized for YouMany schools offer customized sailing courses, including courses for women, couples, or families. Tailored courses may also focus on specific skills like docking, racing, or even just being a good crewmember. Through most good schools, you may hire an instructor for private instruction on your own boat, if applicable.

Shoreside ResourcesDockside resources; availability of meals and lodging; size, type, and condition of boats; and safety and maintenance of boats. These items may be addressed by a personal visit to the school for a tour of the facility and boats and perhaps a demonstration sail.

The PeepsTop schools post instructor biographies on their websites and gladly introduce you to the teaching staff when you tour the facility in person. Are the instructors ASA and/or U.S. Sailing certified instructors? Do they have U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s licenses? Are they friendly and good at listening as well as “experts?” Would you enjoy spending a weekend with these instructors?

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Better Business Sailing schools are businesses, and if you hope to develop a relationship with one, be sure you’re comfortable with their style. Were your inquiries responded to promptly and courteously? Did the school provide the information you needed to make a good course selection? What sort of flexibility will you have for re-scheduling, in the event of emergencies or foul weather?

Do Your HomeworkAsk for former student references. Sailing is an exciting and inspiring sport, andnewcomers tend to have strong feelings about how they learned. If a schoolhesitates to provide happy customers’

contact information, there may be areason for it. If a school does not have references for you, we recommend notwriting the check.

Four Helpful Links with Lists of Sailing Schools:

startsailingnow.comAmerican Sailing Association: asa.com

U.S. Sailing: ussailing.orgDiscover Sailing: discoversailing.com

by Captain Lisa Batchelor Frailey of Sail Solomons, edited by Molly Winans

Basic - LiveAboard Cruising CoursesPrivate & Group Instruction

Kids On BoatsSailing Club

Corporate TeamBuildingNational Certification

Putting the Fun in Sailing since 1980!

Photo by Dan Phelps


Try Sailing... for Free

yourself to them, and letting them know that you are open to crewing and new to the sport. If you are lucky enough to live in a sailing hub, such as Annapolis, MD; Milwaukee, WI; or San Francisco, CA, where there are spring parties specifically set up to introduce sailors, you are in luck. Find details at startsailingnow.com.

Another good way to meet sailors is through community sailing centers, which you’ll find in sailing towns such as Annapolis and Baltimore, MD; Washington, DC;

Stonington, CT; Boston, MA; Burlington, VT; Newport, RI; Ft. Myers, FL; Milwaukee; Seattle, WA; and San Francisco. Community sailing centers specialize in inviting the public into sailing at reasonable costs. Find listings by geographical location at startsailingnow.com.

Of course, we think free sailing magazines are exceptional, targeted resources for finding welcoming local sailing clubs and generating ideas about meeting sailors. A sampling of the magazines: SpinSheet

It’s no secret: sailing can be an expensive sport. However, there are ways to try it without investing

any money. If you get hooked, you will eventually invest in gear, lessons, and maybe a club membership or your own boat—but let’s stay focused on trying sailing right now. Here are some ideas.

There are skippers who like to sail solo, but the majority of them sail with crew and often need more crew for casual day sailing and racing. The task is finding such sailors, introducing

RentalsFlying ScotsSunfishKayaks

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on the Chesapeake Bay; Points East in New England; Windcheck on Long Island Sound; Southwinds in Florida; 48 Degrees North on Puget Sound; and Latitude 38 in San Francisco. SpinSheet and a few of the others offer free digital crew finder services, also listed on startsailingnow.com.

Once you find a sailing opportunity, you can follow the advice on these pages about what to expect and then get out on the water and enjoy yourself. One good sailing invitation will lead to many more. Go meet some sailors and let them know you are eager to learn. You will be surprised by how many of them are waiting to hear just that. Photo by Dan Phelps

The Secret Life of Sailors


It’s hard to know the unspoken rules of any culture. To avoid any clashes, here are a few secrets

to help you understand what your new skipper is thinking in various hypothetical sailing situations and how you should react:

A skipper asks you to bring lunch. Do not be offended if this happens. It’s a perfectly normal request. Fuel is expensive, as is boat maintenance. Just as you would offer a dinner party host some cheese or wine, it is standard for crew to bring their own brown bag or share costs by pitching in for snacks or beverages. Remember, recyclable cans and plastic bottles are always better than glass on boats.

A skipper asks you to wear a lifejacket. This doesn’t mean he or she questions your swimming abilities; it actually means he is carefully considering your safety. Trust your skipper’s hunches, and put it on. Lifejackets aren’t as silly looking as they used to be, and the vest styles can keep you warm on rough days.

A skipper asks you to wear different shoes. Again, no offense. Dark-soled shoes have always been a no-no on boats. Certain shoes

such as Keens have dark, but non-scuffing soles. (See page 12.) To see if your shoes scuff, you may want to test them first on your linoleum floor at home.

A skipper asks you to be quiet. Have you ever tried to perform a tricky parallel parking or lane-changing maneuver with someone yapping in your ear? It’s equally distracting on a boat. When a skipper asks for quiet, respect the request. Leaving and returning to a dock and certain on-the-water maneuvers require concentration. A quiet crew, who are ready to listen and jump into action, keep the tension level down on a boat. Crew members with open ears, open eyes, and open minds who keep their mouths shut get many more sailing offers than chatty ones.

A skipper asks you to go down below for awhile. Especially during a gybe (see page 5) or during rough weather, it is smart to have newcomers go down below rather than be on deck unsure of what to do. It is for your safety and that of the other crewmembers. Even if the skipper doesn’t have time to explain why, just listen, and trust his or her hunches.


A skipper yells repeatedly at his or her crew. Despite the tyrant-captain stereotype, this is not cool or acceptable behavior. Yelling is offensive and often the sign of a skipper who lacks confidence, skill, and manners. Reconsider his or her next sailing offer for your own safety and sanity. There are polite, level-headed sailors out there. You don’t need to waste time on rude ones.

A skipper is offensive. Unfortunately, such people show up on land and in boats. We’ve told you a few times here to trust your skipper’s hunches. Make sure to trust your own, too. If you have found your skipper through SpinSheet’s online Crew Listings, and you find him or her to be offensive or dangerous, please report it to our offices at [email protected]. We would rather work with competent, mannerly skippers.

Learn from the best instructors in the country

Find a US Sailing accredited school near you:

call 1-800-USSail-1 or visit www.sailingcertification.com

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• Calendar of events for new sailors

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• More information on how to Start Sailing Now!


If you want to stump your sports-minded friends at a party, ask them these

trivia questions: What is the only sport in

which an American family team has won an Olympic gold medal? Who was on the team?

If you are a sailor (with a sunglass tan and smelly shoes), your friends may guess the sport, but they probably won’t be able to name the athletes. Father and son Paul and Hilary Smart won a gold medal for the United States in 1948, sailing in the Star class. It’s a family feat not since repeated in any sport.

If you want to further dumbfound your landlubbing friends, ask this:

Unlike Any Other Sport

has any other family team of any nationality ever won Olympic gold? Who was it, and in what sport? You’ll get nothing.

It happened in sailing, of course. Charles James Rivett-Carnac and his wife Frances won the gold medal for Great Britain in 1908 sailing their 7-meter. Today, Charles remains the oldest Brit to have won an Olympic medal in any sport. He was 55.

Sailing, unlike any other activity, is both age and gender agnostic, even, arguably, at its pinnacle. It is unique as the one great outdoor experience done recreationally and competitively by parents and kids and husbands and wives for over a century.

You can start sailing at any age. Photo by Dan Phelps


Imagine asking a husband and wife team in their 50s to seriously compete in hockey or asking a father-son or mother-daughter team to join forces on the gymnastics squad. It will never happen. That it can and does happen in sailing is what makes sailing so special.

If you really want to impress your friends, ask them to go sailing with you. Tell them to bring their kids, or if they don’t have any, to bring their siblings, spouses, parents, or even their grandparents. You can do this whether you’re a lifelong sailor with your own boat or a novice signing up for a first sailing class at the local center. You won’t get blank stares. Instead, expect excitement for a great “new” idea. When you go sailing, you’ll be building on a grand tradition of outdoor family fun and adventure and creating unforgettable family memories—even if the family does not make it to the Olympic Games.

“If you really want to impress your friends, ask them to go sailing with you.”

Sailing is completely age- and gender-neutral, and it’s often

done in intergenerational groups. Photo by Dan Phelps

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Unplug and Recharge

From our morning alarms to the last e-mail answered

at night, our eyes, ears, and brains are working hard to make sense of incoming data overload. The technological advances intended to make life easier sometimes leave us feeling drained. Do you ever wish you could escape from e-reality? I’ve found that sailing, a pastime I’ve enjoyed since childhood, is a pleasurable way to disconnect and recharge.

Recharging our electronics is easy. Just plug them in. We humans are the opposite; we recharge when we unplug. Finding time to restore ourselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually can be difficult; and yet it seems increasingly important as the pace of life increases.

Sailing can provide a much-needed respite from the electronic barrage. Whether it’s a dinghy shoving off from a beach or a keelboat gliding

out of a slip, time spent sailing restores my energy, clears my head, boosts my positive emotions, and builds up my self-confidence. When sailing, I escape the onslaught of electronic input and reconnect with nature, friends, and myself.

The rejuvenating effects of sailing don’t rise from an absence of sensory input. Contrary to e-stimuli, the stimuli out on the water come from nature. Sailors feel the rocking motion of the water and hear the wind. We feel the warmth of the sun on our faces. We feel raindrops, observe the ripples on the water, consider the position of the sun in the sky, and pay attention to clouds. We notice the wind in the trees. We listen to the sound of the water lapping at the hull, and we listen to one another.

Not all sailing is rejuvenating in the same way, because sailors and sailboats come in many

varieties: single-handed dinghy sailors; racers, cruisers, and day sailors; men and women; seniors, middle-aged folks, teens, and youth. Depending on the people, the boat, and the weather, sailors might experience solitary contemplation, teamwork, family bonding, adrenaline bursts, or peaceful serenity. Each one of these kinds of sailing will demand proficiency at different skills, and all will require some amount of physical exertion and a nominal set of sailing skills. Hopefully, all will create a powerful rejuvenating effect.

If you’re feeling inundated with e-input this sailing season, remember that when we sailors get on the water, we unplug from the grid and connect to the water, wind, and each other. We give ourselves the time to recharge the human body.

by Beth Crabtree,

[email protected]

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