'Lectronic Index

Previous 'Lectronic Edition

Photo of the Day

May 27 - SF Bay Area

Photo Latitude/Richard

Today's Photo of the Day is of some of the delivery crew distributing Latitude 38s today in Northern California. Normally we don't come out until the first of the month, but we thought you might want to have a copy of the June issue for the Memorial Day Weekend. The early deadline about killed us, but we're happy to bust our butts for you.

Master Mariners Regatta Tomorrow

May 27 - San Francisco

Santana catches up to Hawaiian Chieftain

The starts of this terrific event are between noon and 1 p.m. in front of the St. Francis YC, and most boats should finish about 3 p.m. on the east side of Treasure Island. If you're not participating, it's still a great spectator event, and the weather should be good. Check it out.

Brigadoon
Photos Latitude Archives

Rolex Transatlantic Race Is No Pleasure Cruise

May 27 - Atlantic Ocean

Mari-Cha IV
Photo Courtesy Rolex Transatlantic Race

The 3,300-mile Rolex Transatlantic Race continues to feature either way too much wind or way too little wind. Experts following the race were surprised to learn that Brown & Buckley's new 100-ft Maximus from New Zealand has taken the lead from the 140-ft Mari-Cha IV, which has a 40-ft longer waterline. But there's an explanation. According to Bob Miller, the owner of Mari-Cha, the schooner launched off a gigantic wave 36 hours before, and the force of crashing back down broke the headboard on the mainsail, putting that sail out of action. At one point, they were down to just a storm jib and trysail. They are now sailing at 80%, and when the weather settles down, hope to make repairs that would allow them to overtake Maximus in the upcoming reaching and running conditions.

A later communique from skipper Mike Sanderson reported the 140-ft schooner was doing "37 knots in survival conditions." Yikes! For further information and news, visit www.nyyc.org.

KaBoom Shot

May 27 - San Francisco

Photo Robert Petrasy

Photographer/sailor Robert Petrasy was out at the KFOG KaBoom last weekend - with a lot of other sailors - and took this shot of the fireworks.

If You're a Multihull Sailor, Don't Miss Next Month's Catnip Cup

May 27 - San Francisco

June 11 & 12 will be the fifth running of the Catnip Cup, which is an informal cruise for multihull sailors from San Francisco to Vallejo, with a potluck and overnight at the Vallejo Municipal Marina, then a sail home the next day. The object is to have some fun sailing with similar boats, meet fellow multihull sailors in person, and tour all the boats. In other words, have a good time. Everyone is invited, and there is no fee - except for the berth in Vallejo. Last year there was a record turnout of 17 cats and trimarans from 29 to 63 feet. For more information, contact Glenn Fagerlin.

Some of last year's fleet at Vallejo
Photo Glenn Fagerlin

Francis Joyon Turns Back with IDEC

May 27 - New York, NY

Frenchman Francis Joyon, who stunned the world with his spectacular solo circumnavigation aboard the 92-ft tri IDEC last year, took off yesterday in an attempt to set a new transatlantic record. Although he'd been waiting a month for just the right weather, it very quickly became apparent the conditions were too light for a record. So he's turned back.

And You Thought Your Berthing Bill Was High

May 27 - Valencia, Spain

Over in Spain, folks are hard at work at the Port of Valencia getting ready for the America's Cup activities these next several years. Nobody is working harder than the Valencia YC, which has announced that they will be selling 120 new moorings. The price is right - at least for them - as they are asking a million for each one. A million euros, that is, which means about $1.25 million U.S. The word is that despite the cost, they could sell even more.

Memorial Day

May 27 - USA

If you were to listen to people complaining and/or read all the whining in the newspapers, you might get the impression that we in the United States have a lot of problems. Rubbish. The truth is that - as we repeatedly try to show and tell our kids - almost all of us have it better than 99.5% of the people who have ever lived on this planet. We should be very thankful - not the least to the countless men and women who sacrificed their lives so that we could all have it so good.