April 9, 2002

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Photos of the Day April 9 – Oman Today’s Photos of the Day are of Oman, and were taken by Tony Johnson and Terry Shrode of the Richmond-based Ericson 39 Maverick. The duo have been featured regularly in Changes in Latitude. Entering Raysut Harbor, Oman Nasa, their guide The adventuring duo, just about halfway around the world from home, with camels in the background A far too typical scene in the Middle East – street corner arms vendors Photos Courtesy Maverick

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Drifting Backwards April 9 – San Francisco “I’ve enclosed a series of photos I took from X-Dream while we were anchored during one of the Golden Gate YC Midwinters this year,” writes Denis Inman of X-Dream. “We had rounded Fort Mason buoy and were headed towards Blackaller. Notice the Santa Cruz 50, with no anchor out, drifting towards Alcatraz throughout the sequence. By the way, you didn’t mention in the results – we were in a three-way tie for first on points with Q and Fast Break. Q won with three firsts, X-Dream was second with two firsts, and Fast Break took third.” We didn’t have time to publish all the photos of the sequence, but trust us, the SC was indeed – as often happens in the winter – drifting backwards. Photo Denis Inman

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Seventh World Record in 12 Months for Fossett and PlayStation April 9 – La Rochelle, France A tired but happy skipper Steve Fossett reports that he and his 125-ft M&M maxi-catamaran PlayStation had just set another world record, the 355 miles from Plymouth, England, to La Rochelle, France, in 16 hours and 41 minutes. The 21.26 knot average speed is the third fastest of world records listed by the World Sailing Speed Record Council. Oddly enough, it’s way off the pace of PlayStation’s Transatlantic record. Further record attempts planned for this spring’s program include the Transmediterranean record from Marseilles to Carthage and the Route of Discovery Transatlantic record from Cadiz, Spain, to San Salvador in the Bahamas.

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Don’t Judge a Boat by Her Exterior April 9 – Southern Ocean “I saw your note about the ‘Waterworld tri’ in yesterday’s ‘Lectronic,” writes Chris Glass. “Actually, there has been a lot of progress on the boat, although most of it is behind the scenes and under the tarps. The cockpit was re-designed, a new engine was installed, and the interior was refit. The owner bought the old mast from near sistership Primagaz, and is having it shipped from France. The trimaran’s outer hulls look terrible, but they really don’t need much work. When finished, the boat should be an exciting addition to the West Coast sailing scene. Bob Dixon, who has helped Dennis Conner with his America’s Cup cats and sailed aboard Double Bullet and Lakota, is the project manager.” For what it’s worth, if we recall correctly, Steve Fossett’s Lakota, a primo sistership to ‘Waterworld’, was for sale for about $350,000 a year or two ago. It’s a shame she was ever allowed to leave the West Coast. As for Bob Dixon, he tells us that the Primagaz’s mast is already in San Diego. He also said he’s about to do the Ensenada Race again, as an unofficial entry, in his 14-ft trimaran with a Snipe rig!

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Descanso Bay, Catalina April 9 – Catalina Island It was looking good last Saturday. Ashore, the bar and restaurant had opened up the week before, and people were starting to have fun. Summer is not that far away, so better get the boat ready.

Photo Latitude/Richard

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Crew List Party Approaches April 9 – San Francisco If it’s not already etched in stone on your calendar, remember to come see us at the Spring Crew List Party, this Thursday evening from 6 to 9 pm. Our venue this year is the Golden Gate Yacht Club, on the Marina next to the St. Francis YC in San Francisco. Admission is still a measly five bucks, or free if you’re on our 2002 Crew Lists, which were published in the March and April issues of Latitude 38. For more on the party and the crew lists, see our Crew List Web pages.