Photo of the Day

March 25 - Banderas Bay, Mexico

Weight on the ends of a boat is not good for speed, as it dramatically increases pitching. But as the photo of the boat proves, some designers/owners are more interested in anchoring security than speed.


Photo Latitude/Richard

Changes in Mexico Clearing Regulations

March 25 - Mexico City

David Eidell reports that there are "official rumors" that permit processing for private aircraft flying to Mexico will be eased in the near future, and that the registration and clearing of vessels is next up for discussion.

There are no guarantees that anything is going to happen, of course, nor is there any guarantee that any changes would be for the better. But we're confident that Mexico is going to come to their senses before long.

Another source living in Mexico tells us that it would not be atypical for the Mexican government to suddenly make a dramatic change in clearing procedures. They've done things like that in the past.

Headwinds in the Southern Ocean?

March 25 - Southern Ocean

When around the world racers get to the Southern Ocean, the one thing they can almost always count on is relentless westerly wind. Bruno Peyron and his crew aboard the maxi catamaran Orange had them for awhile. In fact, several times they dropped all sail in order to better preserve their boat in high winds and seas to 30 feet. Alas, things have taken a turn for the worse, as for the last 48 hours they have been battling headwinds - a true rarity in the Southern Ocean - and are having a hard time finding their way out. Nonetheless, they have still averaged 17.89 knots since the start, and are still on a record pace for the Jules Verne.

For photos, see www.maxi-catamaranorange.com.

Cool Shot of a Hot Place

March 25 - Mystery location

Can you name this place? It looks cool in blue, but is actually quite warm. Send answers to Richard.

 


Photo Latitude/Richard

Holmberg Victorious Again

March 25 - Auckland, New Zealand

Oracle Racing's America's Cup Challenge has had a lot of ups and downs in the last year or so, but one good constant has been Peter Holmberg, who almost certainly will be at the helm for the Louis Vuitton Cup this fall. Holmberg, a native of the Virgin Islands, just bested a terrific fleet to win the Steinlager / Line 7 Match Racing Regatta in Auckland's Waitemata Harbour. This is the second consecutive Swedish Match Tour event that Holmberg has won, having picked up the Bermuda Gold Cup in October last year, and he has now moved to the top of the Tour leaderboard.

Kostecki
Still in Front

March 25 -
Atlantic Ocean

John Kostecki and illbruck continue to lead the Volvo Around the World Race and the current Rio to Miami leg. With the fleet sailing in 16 knots of breeze and a lot of heat, Kostecki and crew are 485 miles from the finish, and have a lead of just over 20 miles on Assa Abloy and Tyco.


The Assa Abloy crew work on their suntans
while nipping at illbruck's heels.
Photo Richard Mason
Courtesy www.volvooceanrace.com.

Summer Cruising Prediction

March 25 - Catalina Island

If we were you, we wouldn't expect to find Catalina this vacant during the summer. Based on numerous reports, it seems like fewer Californians than normal are planning to take vacations in foreign countries, while a greater than normal number are fixing up their boats for local cruising. We suspect a gang-buster year, as Californians rediscover California.

Photo Latitude/Richard

YOTREPS

March 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/

Weather Updates

March 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/. The National Weather Service site for San Francisco Bay has moved to www.wrh.noaa.gov/Monterey/.

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.

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