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June Latitude Ripe for the Picking May 29, 2009 – All Over the Bay Area (Click on the photo to enlarge it.) Take a break from your weekend chores with the June issue of Latitude 38. Photo Latitude / Annie © 2009 Latitude 38 Publishing Co., Inc. The June issue of Latitude 38 is on its way around the Bay a little earlier than usual. Thanks to the long Memorial Day Weekend, and an early deadline, we're able to bring you this juicy issue a few days before the more-typical 1st of the month delivery date. We're guessing you'll devour it before the weekend is over. Get the scoop on the sad end of Princess Tai Ping's odyssey across the sea, find out what's new at Clipper Cove, learn how to avoid the hard spots in the Bay, meet a real son of a son of a sailor, check out who was hauled out last month, and get a checklist of everything you need to bring for your summer Delta cruise. Of course there's more, but wouldn't it be more fun to find out for yourself? Pick up your copy at Bay Area chandleries, marinas and yacht clubs today. - latitude / ld

Sumatra Sinks Off Australia

May 29, 2009 – Tasman Sea

Jerry Morgan was plucked out of the Tasman Sea by the brave and determined crew of the Scarlett Lucy. Photo Courtesy Scarlett Lucy © 2009 Latitude 38 Publishing Co., Inc.

San Francisco-based cruiser Jerry Morgan, 72, and a Kiwi crewmember, 39, were rescued last Friday after Morgan's Trintella 53 Sumatra sank 320 miles off the Australian coast. Morgan, a veteran of both the '02 and '05 Ha-Ha's as well as the '00 Pacific Cup, activated his EPIRB when Sumatra began taking on water. After making contact with the Australian Coast Guard via sat phone, the commercial ship Scarlett Lucy was redirected to their location. The Coast Guard reports that conditions were rough — 25-ft seas and poor visibility — making the rescue all the more difficult. Attempts by a Coast Guard plane to lower a water pump to the boat  failed, so when Scarlett Lucy arrived on scene, the pair boarded Sumatra's dinghy. The crewmember was able to climb the ship's boarding net but Morgan apparently fell out of the dinghy and was unable to reach the net. He drifted in the water for another 45 minutes before the crew managed to pull him in with a lifering.

The crew of Scarlett Lucy were presented a Certificate of Appreciation by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority for the rescue of Jerry Morgan and his crew (both in black shirts). Photo Courtesy AMSA © 2009 Latitude 38 Publishing Co., Inc.

The cause of Sumatra's sinking is unclear at this point but both Morgan and his crew are safe and in good health. His family reports that he will return to the Bay Area before deciding on his next move.

- latitude / ld

Ad: Lewmar OneTouch Winch Handles May 29, 2009 – At a West Marine Near You Lewmar OneTouch Winch Handles © 2009 Lewmar / www.westmarine.com Simply brilliant! OneTouch handles lock-in and release with just one hand. Pick it up, snick it into the winch socket and start cranking. No more positioning the handle with one hand while you twiddle a little locking switch with the other. Use this handle and old-fashioned lock-in handles will be just plain irritating. High-strength, marine-grade alloy and fiber-filled composite with ball bearing single, double and power grips. 10" length. Three-year warranty. $95-$132. Find Lewmar OneTouch Winch Handles at select West Marine stores. Log onto westmarine.com or call 1-800-BOATING to find the store nearest you. © 2009 West Marine / 1-800-BOATING / www.westmarine.com

Weekend Racing Preview

May 29, 2009 – The Bay

The 18-ft skiffs will be out romping around off Pier 39 in the second edition of the American Sailing League championships. © 2009 Jared Cure/ASL

The American Sailing League is back this Saturday and Sunday. The event, which is now in its second iteration, will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, with teams competing right off the seawall at Pier 39. The elimination and winner-takes-all championship race format from last year is unchanged, but defending champions Pat Whitmarsh, Kevin Richards and Joe Penrod will have their hands full with this year's field, which includes multiple world champion Howie Hamlin and reigning International 14 World Champion Matt Noble.

Over at Treasure Island Sailing Center, there's a great opportunity to check out an increasingly-accepted racing discipline at the College Nationals Team Racing Championships. With great spectating opportunites provided by the proximity of the racing area in Clipper Cove to the Center, it's a great opportunity to see how it's done, in a no-current venue with good breeze. It starts today and runs through Sunday.

- latitude / rg

Prime Time for Youth Sailing

May 29, 2009 – San Francisco Bay

"Starboard!" Kids will be learning to sail all over the Bay this summer. Seen here are young salts from Tiburon YC. © 2009 Pat Lopez

Summer's here and the time is right for . . . youth sailing. Here in the Bay Area there are dozens of opportunities for kids as young as 9 to take a break from TV and video games and enjoy some healthy outdoor fun on the water.

You'll find them all listed in the 2009 Sailing Calendar and YRA Master Schedule, which is produced each year by Latitude 38.

While there is a cost to most programs, organizers do their best to make youth access to sailing as affordable as possible, and many programs offer scholarships. With only a few exceptions, you do not have to own a boat. A case in point is the Tiburon YC's Opti program (June 27 through August 23) which is now taking sign-ups for kids 8 to 13. Started last year with a fledgling fleet, Youth Sailing Director Pat Lopez has just added 10 brand new boats.

A typical day begins at 10:00 a.m. with a short chalk talk to go over the day's lessons with a coach, followed by a morning sailing session within the Paradise Cay area and out on the Bay. After lunch at the clubhouse there'll be an afternoon sailing session, then young salts will de-rig, wash down and debrief the day's progress with coaches. Sounds like a lot more fun than watching cartoons all day on the boob tube. Contact Pat for details on Tiburon's program — (415) 435-3650 or  (415) 272-6222 — or see the full list of offerings online for an opportunity close to your home. We strongly advise you not to procrastinate on signing up, as all programs have limited availability. The time is right for a new generation of sailors to discover the joys of sailing on the Bay!

- latitude / at

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