Photos of the Day

November 7 - Pacific Ocean

The Baja Ha-Ha Rally fleet enjoyed another great beach party put on by Kojak and his people at Bahia Santa Maria yesterday. We hope to have photos tomorrow. Today's pictures are from the start. As in years past, photographer Tom Lyon shot wonderful aerial boat portraits of all the boats which were off Coronado Roads for the start, and the photos will be made available to the boat owners at Cabo.

Kiapa, Peter & Susan Wolcott's Santa Cruz 52 out of Kapaa, HI

We're not sure which ketch this;
possibly one of two CT-41s?

Ursa, Chuck Fisher & Karen Jacobson's Cascade 36 from Lake Oswego, OR

Seaweed Soup Results

November 7 - San Francisco Bay

Thanks to Christina Joyce for emailing us results from Golden Gate YC's Seaweed Soup midwinter, sailed in excellent conditions Saturday.

First place finishers are: PHRF 1, White Dove, Beneteau 40.7, Mike Garl (7 boats scored, 5 boats OCS); J/105s, Good Timin', Perkins/Wilson (19 boats); PHRF 2, Cut Time, Curtis King, Custom Wylie (12 boats); PHRF 3, Uno, Steve Wonner, Wyliecat 30 (8 boats scored, 1 DNF); Catalina 34s, Wind Dragon, Dave Davis (7 boats); PHRF 4, Eyrie, Tom Condy, Hawkfarm (9 boats scored, 1 DNF); PHRF 5, Yachtsea, Mike Spitz, Santana 22 (7 boats scored, 1 DNF); J/120, Twist, Timo Bruck (2 boats scored, 5 OCS); Knarrs, Benino, Terry Anderlini (6 boats); Farr 40, Old Farrtz, Robert T. Wolfe (1 boat scored, 4 OCS); Folkboat, Freja, Tom & Lee Ann Reed (4 boats).

A total of 99 boats competed. Many of the OCS (on course side) boats started at the wrong time doubtless due to confusion caused by the numerous general recalls. OCS boats were scored the same as DNC (did not compete) boats (the number of starters in the race plus two points). Complete results are posted on the YRA site at www.yra.org/results/midwinters/ggyc/ggycmidwinter11-03-01.htm.
For photos, see yesterday's 'Lectronic Latitude.

Ice Sailing This Winter

November 7 - Michigan and Ohio

Mark McCrindle, who sent us the photo of the Hobie 33 stuck in the mud, writes that he will be "Ice sailing this winter. You are in a plywood shell with three blades and you can get up to 70 miles per hour. As I put it to people, it's louge racing but with 50 other lougers on the course at the same time. It's a great rush!"

The DN is the largest iceboat class in the world, so named because it was the winner of an iceboat design contest sponsored by the Detroit News. The DN iceboat has a sail area of 60 sq. feet on a 16-foot mast, is 12 feet long with two 8-foot runners plus a steering runner, weighs about 100-150 lbs., and can go 2-4 times wind speed. For more on ice sailing, the DN iceboat, and their yacht racing association, see www.sailingsource.com/ice/

The gang going upwind at 60 mph on Sandusky Bay in Ohio.
Photo Courtesy International DN Ice Yacht Racing Association

Acura SORC Scheduled for March 6-10

November 7 - Miami Beach, FL

The 61st SORC (Southern Ocean Racing Conference) will be raced off Miami Beach March 6-10, 2002. Acura is title sponsor for the fourth year in a row. The regatta once again features racing on ocean courses with all shoreside activities headquartered at the Miami Beach Marina. Info on the event and the venue, a notice of race (NOR), competitor and media registration forms and news updates are available at www.acurasorc.com.

YOTREPS

November 7 - 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/

Weather Updates

November 7 - 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 Winds and Pressure

The University of Hawaii Dept. of Meteorology page posts a daily map of the NE Pacific Ocean barometric pressure and winds.

Pacific Sea State

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.