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Sailing on Orion

If you haven’t heard yet, Tom Siebel’s MOD70 Orion smashed the San Diego-to-Puerto Vallarta race record, set in 1998 by Steve Fossett and crew aboard Lakota. Although there was concern before the start that a lack of wind wouldn’t make this possible, it seems that the new big, fast trimarans can do just about anything quickly. Fortunately for Orion and her well-honed crew, the wind held until the last 40 miles and allowed them to shatter Lakota‘s record — by almost six hours.

We thought it would be fun to remind everyone just how fast this boat and other trimarans like it really are. Last July Richard Spindler was able to take a ride on Orion on Banderas Bay. You may have seen the video, but if you haven’t it’s worth a watch. Turn down your volume because the wind noise is overwhelming, and hold on!

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As Flyer, then Alaska Eagle, this famous S&S 65 has traveled far and wide - most recently, through the canals of Amsterdam.
We’ve spent a lot of time sailing Caribbean waters, but we have to admit we’d never even heard of this annual March regatta before receiving this report from San Francisco Bay sailor Lynn Ringseis: "Here’s an ideal recipe for a fun-filled regatta: 1) Mix together 30 sailboats, a handful of competitive sailors, boatloads of cruisers looking for a party, and a cluster of ‘senior’ race committee members.
We know that most people go cruising to get away from television and its associated evils.