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What the Heck?November 18, 2009 – Latitude 38 World Headquarters
Whenever we cover a major event we seem to have interesting leftover factoids and photos that don't make it into our articles. The curious photo above is a case in point. Yeah, it's literally a see-through umbrella with a bunch of stuff inside — and also, if you look closely, a human. That person 'wore' this as his costume at last month's Baja Ha-Ha Kickoff Party. We'll leave it to you to figure out what he's supposed to be. But here's a couple of hints: This 'thing' is found in every ocean of the world, and — for those of you who still remember anything about biology — is from the phylum Cnidaria. - latitude / at |
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Weekend Racing Wrap-up
November 18, 2009 – The Bay
The first installment of Encinal YC's Jack Frost series brought out 33 boats over two days this weekend for some pretty enjoyable sailing. Photo Latitude / Rob © 2010 Latitude 38 Publishing Co., Inc. |
With each passing week, more Midwinters series are getting underway. Last weekend, it was a triple-header, with three series spread out along the East Shore — Encinal YC's Jack Frost Series, the Berkeley YC's Mids, and the RegattaPRO Winter One Design Series. Those who showed up were rewarded with sunshine and enough breeze — on Saturday at least — to make it downright enjoyable.
The Moore 24s at a tight finish at the RegattaPRO Winter One Design series. Photo Latitude / Rob © 2010 Latitude 38 Publishing Co., Inc. |
"What a super lovely day!" said Berkeley YC's Bobbi Tosse. "The wind gods kindly brought the pleasant 7- to 10-knot breeze around to about 270°. The sun was shining and all was well on the Berkeley “Bowl” — a.k.a. Olympic Circle. There were 63 boats in eight PHRF and one design divisions that came out to enjoy the eight-mile double windward/leeward course.
"I guess the wind gods felt they had been too generous the day before and opted to rest a bit," she added. "In fact, it took an hour and 20 minutes of postponement to convince them that we weren’t going home without a race. They begrudgingly came up with a five-knot effort from about 225°. Thirty-seven boats showed up for a seven-mile double windward/leeward that was shortened by a leg."
But it wasn't just Berkeley that had a big turnout, Encinal drew 33 boats and RegattaPRO had 42 — a promising trend for participation in this winter's mids!
- latitude / rg
Ad: Position Available at KKMINovember 18, 2009 – Pt. Richmond
If you’ve been to KKMI before, we hope you’ve seen that the most important asset to our company is the talented people that make up our team. We’re hiring for the front office. If you, or someone you know, might be interested, visit our website to learn more and download an application.
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Stand By for Blast Off!
November 18, 2009 – Banderas Bay
The action-packed Banderas Bay Blast, three days of 'nothing serious' sailing fun as well as sailor socializing on land, is set for December 2-4. The sponsoring Punta Mita Yacht & Surf Club and Vallarta YC need to know who is coming, or else how are they supposed to know how many t-shirts to make?
No matter if you have a monohull, catamaran or trimaran, as long as you love sailing fun, you'll love the Blast. Photo Latitude / Nick © 2010 Latitude 38 Publishing Co., Inc. |
The Blast action starts on Wednesday, with a 'nothing serious race' from either — take your pick — Punta Mita or Nuevo Vallarta — to La Cruz. Both courses are about seven miles, but it's a spinnaker run if you start from Punta Mita and close reach if you start from Nuevo Vallarta. Last year everybody got a free slip for the night at the Nayarit Riviera Marina in La Cruz, but we haven't been able to confirm that for this year yet. At the very least, you'll be able to anchor out for free. There will be some free beverages provided by the marina at the Sky Bar, followed by the always popular water balloon drop. If you don't like trying to catch a water balloon from a third story — or at least watching people try to catch water balloons — this might not be your kind of event. All this will be followed by street tacos in La Cruz and live music and dancing at Philo's that night. Yeah, it's a big first day.
Thursday will be the upwind, flat water sail to Punta Mita. After all the boats are anchored, the fleet will celebrate the grand annual reopening of the Punta Mita Yacht & Surf Club facility at the water's edge. There will be a beautiful sunset followed by live music. Lifetime memberships will be available to all those who sailed to Punta Mita, accept the carbon fiber paddling by the Yacht & Surf Club Commodore, and can afford the $1 lifetime fee. Shirts are extra, of course.
Lisa Zittel, slated to be sworn in as the new Commodore of the Punta Mita Yacht & Surf Club, shows her winning water balloon catching form at last year's Blast. Photo Latitude / Nick © 2010 Latitude 38 Publishing Co., Inc. |
Friday will be the 12-mile Pirates for Pupils Spinnaker Run for Charity from Punta Mita to Nuevo Vallarta. This is a fundraiser for various educational and environmental programs around Banderas Bay. The Baja Ha-Ha Class of '09 has already donated $1,000. Rather than a big shindig on Friday night, everyone will be encouraged to meet up again at the Vallarta YC's big Chili Cook-Off fundraiser on Saturday afternoon in front of the Vallarta YC facility at Paradise Marina. When people say it's a gas, they aren't kidding.
There is no charge for the Banderas Bay Blast, but it is a fundraiser, so please be willing to dip into your wallets for a good cause. If you seriously plan to take part, please email Richard so we can get an idea of how many people to expect and t-shirts to order. Please include your boat name, boat type, full name and hailing port. Last year there were about 30 boats, and it really was a Blast, both on the water and ashore.
The Pirates for Pupils Spinnaker Run, from Punta Mita to Paradise Marina, is the last leg of the Blast. It may blow eight knots and it may blow 18 knots, but it will always be downwind. Photo Latitude / Nick © 2010 Latitude 38 Publishing Co., Inc. |
If you don't have a boat in Mexico, Doña de Mallorca reports that a cancellation on Profigate has left a cabin open for a November 29-December 6 time slot on the 63-ft cat. In the three days prior to the Blast, we might be doing anything from sailing to Yelapa to hike to the jungle waterfall, swim in an infinity pool on the ocean, sail out to the Tres Marietas Islands, take a road trip to Sayulita for dinner, surf or boogie board at Punta Mita — and who knows what else? For info, contact Doña.
- latitude / rs
Sale Boat of the Day: KKMI BrokerageNovember 18, 2009 – Pt. Richmond Race or Cruise. Rancho Deluxe won her class in the TransPac and was second twice in Big Boat Series. This boat has all the gear to go cruising and is in perfect condition. $625,000.
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