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Photos of the DayIt's a StartDecember 18 - You think there's no yacht racing in Costa Rica? If that as
the case, what was Brad of the Catalina 25 'Rosa del Mar' doing
drinking out of the Coco Bola Cup Trophy? Here's the report: |
![]() They pour generous drinks in Costa Rica. ![]() A wide variety but small number of yachts competed in this year's Flamingo Cup. |
December 18 - Mystery Marina
In the December
15 'Lectronic we asked readers to "rock our world by
identifying the mystery marina in the accompanying photograph." Greg Retkowski had the first response: "It's Coyote Point Marina after the SFO expansion." A brilliant answer, but not the one we were looking for. That left it to Lance Berc, who wrote, "I don't remember a harbor next to Kai Tak Airport in Hong Kong, and I've never been there or even seen pictures, but could it be Gibraltar?" Yes, it could, which we hinted at by asking everyone to 'rock' our world. Next in line with the correct answer was Mark Matthews, who knows a thing or two about the place: "Highlights of the last time I was there include watching police shoot rubber bullets from the beach at cigarette smugglers whizzing by in their pangas, and the airplanes taxiing across one of the main roads in town - also something you don't see every day." Calling the smugglers' boats pangas, Mark, is like calling a Ferrari a go-cart. |
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December 18 - St. Lucia
"Farewell to ARC2000, as the rally comes
to a close. The prize-giving held at Rodney Bay Marina, St. Lucia,
Saturday night marked the end of the 15th Atlantic Rally for
Cruisers (ARC). Organized by World Cruising Club, this was the
11th ARC to finish in St. Lucia. With 215 starters, this year's
event was the second largest in terms of the number of entries.
Nineteen nations were represented by yachts, and many other represented
by crew. "Good winds made for an excellent crossing this year, and a new course record was set by the French flagged Open 50 'Multicap Caraibes', skippered by Luc Coquelin. They covered the 2,700-mile course in 12 days, 18 hours, 7 minutes and 20 seconds. Good winds ensured fast passages for all the yachts. Very few yachts experienced any damage, although many blew out spinnakers." The Canaries to St. Lucia rally is a great event, and if you ever have the chance to do it, we recommend it. The organizers provide a great database of information. Check out, for example, the final results at: www.worldcruising.com/arc/results.htm |
![]() Lovely Rodney Bay, St. Lucia, temporary home to the ARC sailors. ![]() Multicap Caraibes crosses the finish line. |
In the December 15 'Lectronic,
we ran a photo of the skippers and mates of 'Nomaer' and 'Interlude'
as they showed off their costumes for the 1991 Carnival in Trinidad.
We wondered if anybody knew where they were now. Thanks to the
miracle of the Internet, we got an almost immediate response:
"Per your question on 'S/V Interlude' and Lois and Merle,"
writes Roger Young of 'S/V Ballerina', currently at Taurganga
Bridge Marina in New Zealand, "they were just back in the
States where Merle was getting some medical treatment. 'Interlude'
is still in Trinidad at the yacht club. Lois was most recently
elected to be a member of the Board of Directors of SSCA. We
last left them in 1997 in Venezuela, but stay in contact via email.
We lost track of 'Nomaer' in '95. Fair winds and smooth seas to
everyone!"
Thank you, Roger.
December 18 - 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/
RacingThe Strength and Courage of Women SailorsDecember 18 - Southern Ocean Are you one of those who think that women don't have the courage
and strength to make great ocean sailors? Before you answer for
sure, listen to the situation 5-foot tall Ellen MacArthur of
'Kingfisher' found herself in on the Southern Ocean the other
day while sailing in the Vendée Globe singlehanded around-the-world
race. And what she did to resolve it. |
Fully aware of the considerable risks to her life, MacArthur
started the job she had to do. She told reporters that, "the
last two feet were the hardest two feet of my life." Once
at the batten, she had to pull it out so the sail could be lowered.
It might have seemed like the hard part would have then been
over, but that was not the case. Very cold and shaking with effort,
MacArthur says it took her over an hour to lower herself 45 feet. ![]() British sailor Ellen MacArthur |
December 18 - Pacific Ocean
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/.
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.
You can view the University of Hawaii Department of Meteorology satellite picture by clicking here.
Seas are normal in the Pacific. But you might check 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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