Rick Huffs and Puffs
Chuck Naslund managed to snap a very illustrative shot of Tropical Storm Rick has he roared into Mazatlan. "The shot was taken from the companionway of my La Habra-based Catalina 30, Saber Vivir, around 8:30 Wednesday morning," reports Chuck. "I’m on the outer dock ‘A’ at Isla Marina, looking at Marina Mazatlan’s dock ’10’."
Chuck says unofficial reports of gusts over 70 mph at El Cid Marina were filtering in over the radio. "It definitely felt like we were getting them at Isla, too," he said. "So far I haven’t heard any reports of major damage, but I know there was a lot of torn canvas and shredded tarps."
If you know of more Rick damage in Mazatlan — or anywhere in Mexico — let us know.
Miscarriage of Justice Forces Sale
Sailors around the world heaved a collective sigh of relief when a Lake County jury found Bismarck Dinius, 41, not responsible for the death of Lynn Thornton. Thornton was fatally injured April 29, 2006, when off-duty sheriff’s deputy Russell Perdock rammed his speedboat into the sailboat on which she and Dinius were passengers. Lake County Attorney General Jon E. Hopkins decided the man responsible for Lynn’s death was the hapless sailor who had his hand on the tiller of the sailboat, not the speed freak driving the powerboat at 50 mph on a pitch black night. For three years, prosecutors dragged their feet to bring their case to trial, forcing Dinius to rack up $300,000 in legal fees.
Bismarck just let us know that he’s selling some of his assets to pay for his defense. "The expenses of the trial — compounded by the loss of my job — have forced me to sell my 1969 Soling," Dinius reports. "My loss can be someone else’s gain. This 27-ft Olympic Class sailboat is in overall good condition and is ready to sail. It includes a custom-built trailer, three suits of sails and a spinnaker." Bismarck is asking $2,500 for the boat, which is hull #115. If you’re interested in taking the boat off his hands, leave a message at (916) 482-9001 (boat calls only, please).
If you’re not interested in the boat but still want to help Bismarck, consider sending a contribution to his legal defense fund through Paypal to [email protected]. As always, we wish Bismarck and his family only the best.
Ruyant Wins Mini TransAt
Thomas Ruyant sailed his Finot-Conq designed Prototype 21-ft Mini, Faber France across the finish line of the second leg of the Charente Maritime-Bahia Transat 6.50 yesterday. Finishing in Salavador de Bahia, Brazil, after 18d 20h and 16m, Ruyant became the overall winner of the two-leg race when runner-up Bertrand Delesne’s Entreprendre Durablement arrived some six hours later.
©2009 Latitude 38 Media, LLC
Having covered the 3100-mile run from Funchal, Madeira, across the equator, at an average speed of 6.92 knots, Ruyant needed to at least make up the three-hour deficit he’d spotted Delesne on the race’s 1,100-mile first leg from Charente Maritime to Funchal. Ruyant ultimately beat Delesne by about six hours on leg two, and three hours overall, with a time of 24d, 23h, 38m at an average speed of 7.14 knots.
Latitude Needs Your Help
From Race Editor Rob: If you’re planning on hanging around the party at this weekend’s Great Pumpkin Regatta over at Richmond YC, we need your help! Due to a prior commitment, we won’t be able to hang out at the club long enough for the wearers to appropriate the various personae of their costumes! So if you’re going, make sure you take your digital camera with you. We’re looking for the best of the best — like the one below — so take some good one’s and send them here.
From the Grand Poobah: We are still desperately looking for kind and generous souls who are flying or driving to Cabo San Lucas to meet the Baja Ha-Ha fleet to take bundles of the hot-off-the-press November issue with them. Each full bundle weighs 7 lbs and measures 8" x 10.25" x 4" and will be available for pick-up on October 30. We can also have bundles delivered, but that process takes a few days so it would only be an option for those leaving November 5 or later. Please contact Colleen (regarding magazine delivery only) by 10 p.m. this Sunday so she knows how many extra bundles to order. Time is of the essence and you will be greatly rewarded in Cabo with official ‘swag’, some margaritas and the undying gratitude of the entire Ha-Ha fleet!
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