Photos of the Day:
Biggest Ever BVI Spring Regatta

April 9 - Bitter End, BVI

The recently-concluded six-day BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival, presented by Nanny Cay Marina, provided the full "BVI Sampler" for participants on a record 138 boats - up from the previous high of 114. A big part of the attraction was the inaugural Sailing Festival, which attracted a 38-boat fleet for three days of R&R at the famous Bitter End
YC. The fleet raced up to the BEYC on Tuesday (Bill Alcott's Andrews 68 turbosled Equation won), enjoyed an activity-packed layday on Wednesday, and sailed a pursuit race back to Nanny Cay on Thursday (the Antrim 27
Rhumb Squall won). In a happy coincidence, about 125 St. Francis YC members were also at the Bitter End during that time, passing through on bareboats during their Commodore's Cruise.

The Bitter End was stuffed to capacity with racers and the StFYC cruise.

The serious racing started on Friday, with 18-knot trade winds propelling the fleet through four quick buoy races on two different race circles. The next day featured three rainy races, held between whiteout squalls and a vicious thunder and lightning show. The regatta ended with a whimper on Sunday, as the grand finale - a 30-mile tour around the island of Tortola - was shortened for the biggest boats, and called off for the majority of the fleet due to light wind. Class winners included the new J/V 66 Sotto Voce, the Swan 56 Lolita, the J/27 Magnificent 7, the IC 24 Crowley Shipping, and the Swan 48 Celerity. Look for full Technicolor coverage - well, black and white at least - of this excellent regatta in our May issue. We also hope to have more photos from the layday dinghy racing later in the week. In the meantime, check www.bvispringregatta.com for results and pictures.

Hobie Waves in layday dinghy racing.

Ron Sherry was second in the Laser Division in the layday dinghy racing. The trimmer on Equation, Sherry is famous around the Great Lakes as a four-time world champion ice boater.

Mick Schlens chartered an Express 37 from BEYC and brought his own sails and a crew of SoCal pals.
Photos Latitude/Rob

Crew List Party Is Tonight!

April 9 - San Francisco

You won't want to miss tonight's big Crew List Party, 'cause we won't be having another until October - that's six months from now! So get on over to the Golden Gate YC, on the SF Marina, between 6 and 9 pm, and get out on the water this spring. For all the details, a map, driving directions and a pretty flyer you can download and print out, see our Crew List Party Web page at www.latitude38.com/crewlist/CrewParty/CrewParty.html.

What's this 'Crew List' business, you ask? For an explanation, pick up an April issue of Latitude 38 or see our Crew List Web pages.

Brady off to Perfect Start in Congressional Cup in Long Beach

April 9 - Long Beach

Thanks to a 5-0 start in the first day of Congressional Cup action off Long Beach, Kiwi Gavin Brady has a good jump on perhaps winning his third crimson blazer, the ceremonial jacket awarded to the winner of this prestigious match racing event. When the event joined the Swedish Match Tour last year, Brady was runner-up to Peter Holmberg with a mostly Italian crew. "Now," he said with a relaxed smile, "I'm back sailing with my old mates from New Zealand."

Theresa DiRocco (left), a member of Gavin Brady's crew, is the only woman sailing in the Congressional Cup. Others shown are James Baxter, Brady and tactician Chris Larson.
All Photos Rich Roberts

Congressional Cup action continues through Sunday off Long Beach, using one-design Catalina 37s. Thanks to the stands on the Belmont Pier, this event gives spectators the best chance ever to see match racing up close - as in full tilt action coming to as close as 50 feet of the pier. If you're in Southern California, it's a don't miss event. For a schedule and intensive coverage on the action, visit www.lbyc.org. See also www.swedishmatchtour.com.

Standings (after 5 of 18 flights): 1. Brady, 5-0; 2. tie between Spithill and Cian, 4-1; 4. Holmberg, 3-2; 5. tie among Gram-Hansen, Dickson and Radich, 2-3; 8. tie among Pillot, Law and Read, 1-4.

Latitude's Photoboat

April 9 - Sausalito

"There was a white Boston Whaler out late on Saturday near the Golden Gate Bridge where it was blowing over 20 knots and there were steep waves thanks to the ebb," writes Andrew. "A single crewmember was taking photos, and took a few of us on a white ketch. Was this Latitude's photoboat?"

Latitude's photoboat is a Bertram 25 oddly named Tinsley Miss. She could not be confused with a Whaler-type vessel.

Ripped Off?

April 9 - St. John, USVI

A 'Lectronic reader, name unknown, reports that his attempt to fly to Caneel Bay, St. John, in the U.S. Virgin Islands to join the Tayana 58 Isabella as crew has at least temporarily been postponed. The boat has been reported stolen.

Stealing big sailboats is not a smart crime. For one thing, they're too slow to get anywhere fast, and secondly, they are impossible to hide.

YOTREPS

April 9 - The Pacific Ocean and Cyberspace

Who is out making passages in the Pacific and what kind of weather are they having? The YOTREPS daily yacht tracking page has moved to www.bitwrangler.com/psn.

Weather Updates

April 9 - Pacific Ocean

San Francisco Bay Weather

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.

The National Weather Service site for San Francisco Bay is at www.wrh.noaa.gov/Monterey.

California Coast Weather

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/Maps/Southwest.shtml.

Pacific Winds and Pressure

The University of Hawaii Dept. of Meteorology page posts a daily map of the NE Pacific Ocean barometric pressure and winds.

Pacific Sea State

Check out the Pacific Ocean sea states at: http://www.mpc.ncep.noaa.gov/RSSA/PacRegSSA.html.
For views of sea states anywhere in the world, see http://www.oceanweather.com/data.