'Lectronic Index

Previous 'Lectronic Edition

Photos of the Day: 470 Worlds

August 26 - San Francisco

Today's Photos of the Day come from this week's 470 Worlds on San Francisco Bay. The action has been wild, with very strong currents and high winds in the afternoons.

Four Photos Above Chris Ray

Three Photos Above Erik Simonson

The Worlds continue through Sunday, August 28. For results and more see the October issue of Latitude 38.

It's Running 75-25 in Favor of Hilary Lister

August 26 - Calais, France

In the last 'Lectronic Latitude, we asked if readers thought quadriplegic Hilary Lister's singlehanding a 26-ft Soling - she controlled the rudder and sail trim by blowing in tubes - was a good thing. The responses varied.

From Andrew Pitcairn: "I am intrigued that you question whether this is a good or a bad thing! I can only think that you are concerned about incapable disabled sailors being a nuisance on the water. I would definitely put this in with singlehanded racing being a bad thing because of the danger to other sailors! Hilary's achievement is an inspiration to many of those less fortunate than us. She clearly had all the technology, support and safety precautions in place for her successful attempt. Sailing is an incredible sport for the disabled. My daughter Emma - who is also quadriplegic - was crew with my wife and I when we were InterClub season champions in the multihull class two years in a row with our F-27 Pegasus. These days we spend more time in Tahoe than sailing, as Emma is now seriously into skiing. She did 26 days in the Adaptive Ski Program at Alpine Meadows last season!"

From Mike Kennedy: "How close behind was Lister's chase boat ? These stunts endanger other people."

From Fred McCreery: "I think it's great that people with problems get out there and live life, I mean that's what its about. But a quadriplegic crossing the English Channel? My question is why? To show that people can do about anything they put their mind to no matter what obstacles are put in their path? Cool, she could have probably done a better job of that by just puff and sucking around a local lake or pond. Did they report on the small flotilla of support and or news boats following her across? I don't think what she did shows much."

The most unusual response came from Karen Crowe, who among other things, wrote, "I'm assuming you think it's remarkable because she is a woman."

Help Big Brothers/Big Sisters while Sailing at More than 20 Knots?

August 26 - San Francisco

It could happen if you make the high bid to sail aboard the R/P 77 Scout Spirit in the San Francisco to Santa Cruz Windjammers Race on Friday, September 2. For details, view the eBay auction item at http://tinyurl.com/ay66j.

This shot of Titan at Antigua, a Scout Spirit sistership, will give you an idea what it's like sailing on a R/P 77.
Photo Latitude/Richard

It's Not Too Early to Sign Up for Next July's West Marine Pacific Cup from San Francisco to Oahu

August 26 - San Francisco

In fact, 16 boats have already entered, including Philippe Kahn's new TransPac 52 Pegasus. In fact, the entry fee is just $750 for those who sign up before the end of this month. If you wait until March, it goes up to $950. The start dates for the 2006 West Marine Pacific Cup race are July 3 through July 7. Something new for the Pacific Cup is that multihulls - that meet certain requirements - will be allowed to race for the first time. For details - and to enter online - visit www.pacificcup.org.

Two boats on different jibes near the Kaneohe Bay finish line in the '02 Pacific Cup.
Photo Latitude Archives

Need to Buy a Cat for Next July's Pacific Cup?

August 26 - North Bay

If you check out the Classy Classifieds in the September issue of Latitude 38 (coming out Wednesday, August 31), you'll see that Blair and Joan Grinols have put their 46-ft Capricorn Cat up for sale. It's our belief that she is one of the most traveled and ocean proven multihulls in the Pacific over the last eight or nine years, having been singlehanded or doublehanded almost all of the time. And knowing how much Blair loves ice cream, you know the freezer both works great and has a high capacity. Blair and Joan's many travels aboard Capricorn Cat were the subject of two Latitude interviews earlier this year. The cat is ready to go, for if she doesn't sell by November, Blair and Joan will be heading down to Mexico for another season.

Classy Classified: Job Opportunity at Club Nautique

August 26 - Alameda

CLUB NAUTIQUE, SAN FRANCISCO BAY'S premier sailing school, has an immediate opening for a School Director working out of our Alameda base. We teach sailing from Basic Keelboat to Offshore Passage Making and also teach trawler classes. School Director responsible to General Manager for all operations of school. Benefits commensurate with experience. Please email resume to David Forbes.