Larry McElhenny was shaping lots of boards for people on Oahu and had wanted to go to the speed trials himself so he asked us to make him some special sails. This design incorporates a number of details that have all recently found their way into 'the future'. Full battens, battens below the boom, cross batten concept, clew under the cross batten inside the leech dimension, hollowed sections between the battens, clear film windows, and fabric/film laminates. All this proves there is really nothing new under the sun. It's all just idea recycling. I do it just like everyone else. Maybe you could call it common knowledge. Marketing is what debases it all.

It was near the end of the week, and we were packed and ready to go. We were about to be treated to a grand afternoon in one of Brest’ finest restaurants, the name as recalled, “Les Voyageurs”, was perhaps very appropriate. At least it seemed we were to be treated, when Arnaud invited everyone in our little group to join him for an early supper. The group included Jenna deRosnay, Fred Haywood, Pascal Maka, Hughes de Turkheim, Dimitrje Milovich, Geoffrey Bourne, my wife, Theresa Breedlove, our two year old son, Zeppo, Michel Quistenic, and later at the destination, Patrick Dussossoy. the owner of Tiga. I didn’t see him at the beach. It seemed he was a little surprised when Arnaud showed up, the troop in tow.

We were definitely in a new space. There were four waiters for our table, a wine steward, and everything was crystal or silver. We went on faith and just ordered what sounded good, waiting and waiting while the conversation got more animated as the excellent bottles of wine disappeared. Zeppo was such a good guy for about an hour, but after awhile, there were only so many things to entertain a two year old, and food was not forthcoming. Oh, there were little tasty tidbits, but no food.

Meanwhile we could sense that Patrick, Mr. Tiga, was now in charge of the show. And the food was coming. But Z had melted down, so he and I had to take a little walk. Apparently I missed a lot of the good stuff as a result, but when I got back, my meal was waiting, Zeppo was cool, and the mood was very jolly. Tiga was going to be a big topic soon.

There was big money from venture capitalists/banks. These were money sources that had been very tight with Bic. Msr. Dussosoy, and his partner Msr Prieux, had earlier worked with Baron Bic. When the pair left the company, they used these connections to get the money necessary to start up this new brand. They needed stars and were going to make a splash. We were destined to be part of the expense account, at least if Arnaud was going to have his way. About three hours after we arrived, a very sated crew spilled out onto the street, Zeppo sound asleep, and we could see Arnaud working his magic. He would be Tiga, and bring it to the world, and he would use speed and freedom as his theme. And Patrick paid the bill.

As part of this growing Tiga connection, we were treated with a ride to the home of eighteen year old Eric Thieme, a wonderful grinning elf of a guy, his nimble style already marking him for years of potential. These were the quiet beginnings of relationships that span decades, and the lived as the roots of our fortunate choices. And we were laughing and working with anticipation, wondering at the serendipity of it all.