'Lectronic Index

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Photos of the Day: Grenada

September 22 - Grenada

Today's Photos of the day are stone-cold ugly. They show the intensity of destruction by Hurricane Ivan earlier this month at Grenada. Check out the before and after sequence of the one marina.

Etchells North Americans

September 22 - San Francisco Bay

After four of seven scheduled races, leaders are starting to emerge in the Richmond YC-hosted 2004 Etchells NAs. Currently, the leader in the 53-boat fleet is British sailor Nils Razmiloviz (27 points), followed closely by Marblehead sailmaker Judd Smith (30) and San Diego sailmaker Vince Brun (31). Rounding out the top 15 are Peter Vessella (the top local sailor with 44 points), Ante Razmiloviz (Nils' brother, 45 points), Jeff Pape (48), Andrew Whittome (50), Craig Healy (58), Buddy Cribb (58), Doug Jorgensen (65), Dirk Kneulman (65), Hans Fogh (67), Dennis Conner (68, largely due to an OCS in the second race), Ed Feo (73) and Tim Wells (76, also with an OCS in the second race).

Dennis Conner sailing in Sunday's practice race
Photo Courtesy Richmond YC

Two more races are scheduled for today beginning at 11 a.m. deep in the Berkeley Circle near Brooks Island (to give the fleet a three-mile beat before converging on the weather mark). After the first race today, the throwout kicks in, which will reshuffle the leaders a bit. Moderate conditions are expected to continue, allowing the series to wrap up with one more race tomorrow. "Everything is going quite well," noted regatta PRO Eric Arens. "It bodes well for the Worlds here next year around Labor Day."

See www.sfetchells.org later this afternoon to see how, or if, the leaderboard has changed going into the finale.

Kahn Fest at Mumm 30 Worlds in Toronto

September 22 - Toronto, Ontario

'Shark' Kahn of Santa Cruz still isn't old enough to drive, but a year ago he won the Melges Worlds on San Francisco Bay, and after two races of the ongoing Mumm 30 worlds in Toronto, he was in first place with a 3-1 record. But with a 17th finish in the third race, he dropped to fourth overall . . . while his dad, software developer Philippe Kahn, took over the lead. There are eight more races to go.

The Kahns' Pegasus pair pass in opposite directions, Shark leading with his father Philippe in third place.
Photo Rich Roberts

Dawn Back in U.S.

September 22 - El Paso, TX

Dawn Wilson has been transferred to a U.S. prison from Mexico. The disposition of her case, after 18 months, is expected soon.

It's Not Just Pretty, It's Cheap

September 22 - Catalina Island

Kelp forest
Photo Latitude/Richard

If you're a budget-conscious cruiser migrating south this winter, don't want to pay for a mooring at Two Harbors, and don't want to have to anchor in deep water, you can always anchor on top of the big reef. It's only 15 to 25 feet deep rather than 100 feet deep near the moorings, the the kelp forests are lovely.

Getting a Berth at Marina Cabo San Lucas at the End of the Baja Ha-Ha

September 22 - Cabo San Lucas

A number of the 165 paid entries for the Baja Ha-Ha have been calling the Grand Poobah asking how to get a berth in Cabo San Lucas after the Ha-Ha. To save the Poobah time, here's how it works. The day of the third Ha-Ha start, the one from Bahia Santa Maria, the Marina advises Banjo Andy, the Assistant Poobah, of what slip space they have available. Banjo Andy then assigns slips according to the the date on which people signed up for the Ha-Ha. It's as simple as that. There is no telling how many slips will be available until then. Just to remind everyone, many folks actually prefer to anchor out for a variety of reasons: it's free, you can jump in the warm, clear water, you're not woken up by scores of sportfishing boats at 5 a.m., and you don't breathe exhaust all day.