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Photos of the Day May 25 - Halloween Madness Do you enjoy your post sailing partying on the wild and crazy side? If so, you'd probably fit right in with the folks in these photos. Photographer Devon Mullins of the Shannon 38 Points Beyond told us he took them, but darned if we can remember where. All we know is that it's not in San Francisco. Can anybody help? Email Richard.

Photos /Devon Mullins

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Transatlantic Challenge to Be a Really Big Race May 25 - Atlantic Ocean On May 19 of next year, the New York YC will fire the gun to start their 2002 Transatlantic Challenge - for yachts 85 to 200 feet - from Newport, Rhode Island, to the Needles off England's Isle of Wight. Up to 30 superyachts are expected for the event sponsored by Rolex, and all will be gunning for the 185-ft schooner Atlantic's sailing record of 12 days and four hours. The record was set nearly 100 years ago, but has yet to be topped in an officially sanctioned race. There will be three divisions. Classic Division: Design date or design concept of 1950 or earlier, heavy displacement, gaff or classic rig. Spirit of Tradition Division: Design or significantly modified design date of 1951 or later, moderate-to-heavy displacement, moderate draft and moderate sail area-to-displacement. Performance Cruising Division: Modern design, moderate to-light-displacement, deep draft, moveable water ballast, composite hull construction, high sail area-to-displacement. All divisions will be handicapped under a modified NYYC Cruising Rule, as they were in 1997 when the inaugural event hosted 16 superyachts from 85 to 183 feet. The course is approximately 3,200 miles. The New York YC has hosted 11 transatlantic races, starting in 1866. Here are some of the boats that might enter: Extra Beat, a Frers 118 daysailor, Alejandra, a Bruce King 135-footer, the J Class Endeavour, as seen from on deck and Adela, a 190-ft schooner.

Photos Latitude/Richard

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June Latitude Is Out Now! May 25 - Mill Valley Yes, it's very early, but we busted our butts so you could enjoy it while sailing over the Memorial Day Weekend. We think it's a good issue, so enjoy!

Photo Latitude/Annie

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YOTREPS

May 25 - The Pacific Ocean and Cyberspace

Who is out making passages in the Pacific and what kind of weather are they having? Check out YOTREPS - 'yacht reports' - at http://www.bitwrangler.com/yotreps/

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Weather Updates

May 25 - Pacific Ocean

San Francisco Bay Weather

To see what the winds are like on the Bay and just outside the Gate right now, check out http://sfports.wr.usgs.gov/wind/.

California Coast Weather

Looking for current as well as recent wind and sea readings from 17 buoys and stations between Pt. Arena and the Mexican border? Here's the place - which has further links to weather buoys and stations all over the U.S.: www.ndbc.noaa.gov/stuff/southwest/swstmap.shtml.

Pacific Sea State

Seas are normal in the Pacific. But you might check out the Pacific Ocean sea states at: http://www.mpc.ncep.noaa.gov/RSSA/PacRegSSA.html.
For another view, see http://www.oceanweather.com/data/global.html.