Greetings yachties,
Less than 12 sleeps until the 33rd AC, will it be a starting gun or a postponement flag? Only the Universe knows for sure. What we do know is it will be live and free on the world wide web and your favourite yachting blog will have all the links to all the best yachting websites 
meanwhile in the southern ocean two 16 year old girls are doing it solo, both will come back with a list of fantastic stories and few horrific tales. I will update the progress as often as I can. In the meantime enjoy my little collection of yachtyakka.
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Clipper – Cape Breton Island
BMWOracle – friction-reduction technologies
Apple iPad
Abby Sunderland – update
Puma
Mahi-Mahi Corn Chowder
Jessica Watson – update
DesTopNews – #4
OK Worlds – Wellington
Google & NOAA – Google Ocean – Google Profiles
Le Voyage de Damien
A Brush with Sail
Superyacht News
Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta – Women Match Racing
Salona 37 version 2 – Düsseldorf boot show
Enjoy,
Valencia Sailing
BMW ORACLE Racing is employing a variety of environmentally-safe friction-reduction technologies. “Our hulls are more slippery and, therefore, move more efficiently through the water than ever before,” said design team member Manolo Ruiz de Elvira (ESP).
The only decision – out of fourteen – that Société Nautique de Genève has won in the New York Supreme Court was to have Racing Rules 49-54 deleted from America’s Cup racing for the first time ever. This not only permitted the yachts to use an engine to replace manual power, but skin friction reduction systems, previously banned, are now allowed.
“We are not going to say exactly what systems and technologies we are using on our trimaran, but I can assure you they make an already fast boat even faster,” Ruiz de Elvira said. “Our design team has found the ultimate solution – fast and green.
SNG’s blatant attempt to reverse the Court’s ruling permitting friction reduction systems, which the Swiss themselves fought for, is now in the hands of the International Jury at the request of GGYC.
Flopping Around
Today I found another pen as well as a fork and a knife! It really made my day which is a good example of the simple pleasures of life on board Wild Eyes! Things have been going pretty well, I had a good 24 hour day of around 12 knots… I’m just guessing how much wind there was because I don’t have my wind data back yet, but we were moving along quite nicely.
Today my wind is gone… not only that but there is no sun either, and my batteries are quickly draining, so it looks like I’ll be up hand steering pretty soon. Being able to get email through my Thrane & Thrane Sailor 250 has been great! Since I don’t have the bulk of my phone minutes sponsored, email has been my main means of communication with people other than my family. Its been great being able to hear from friends, and being able to talk to my team about anything.
Its been about three or four days since I’ve seen any ships, or any boats at all for that matter, and I was able to get some good sleep last night. I haven’t gotten any more squid on deck recently. It was becoming part of my morning routine to go and toss them back in the water! I’m really hoping to get into the tradewinds soon. It has been awful how slow I’m going! I’m pretty much dead in the water right now with the sails just flopping around
more here
You Caught It, You Cook It: Mahi-Mahi Corn Chowder
And now for the latest delicious recipe from chef Victoria Allman.
Whether you are cruising the warm aquamarine waters of the Florida Keys, or floating through the tropical sapphire waters of the South Pacific, you may be lucky enough to hook a mahi-mahi. If you see the flash of silver, blue and green light-up at the end of your rod, quickly drop another line. Mahi always travel in pairs.
This easy to make soup screams of the tropics. An accompanying rum cocktail while you make it is imperative…and an afternoon nap on deck a requirement.
This recipe was provided by Chef Victoria Allman.
She writes about her journeys and culinary adventures in her book Sea Fare: A Chef’s Journey Across the Ocean. You can find this, and many other tasty recipes on her web-site, victoriaallman.com, and through her blog, Following My Stomach.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Eastward
The temperature is hardly cold anymore and Ella’s Pink Lady and I am now far enough north to avoid the worst of the nasty weather systems to the south (not that we couldn’t still cop a storm anywhere). So it’s time to start making some serious ground to the east. Go too much further north and we would risk losing the prevailing westerly winds that mean easy sailing and good progress.
With only 2300nm till we pass under The Cape of Good Hope and Africa we’re getting pretty close to being half way across the Atlantic already. Time flies when you’re having fun!
There’s really not too much new and exciting to report from out here, just that all’s well. I’m still loving every moment, enjoying all the little things. I’ve still been finishing up a few jobs from after the storm and yesterday I made the most of some sunshine to catch up of some washing – the rigging and lifelines make a great washing line!
The past three world champions – Nick Craig (2005, 2006, 2007), Karl Purdie (2008) and Thomas Hansson-Mild (2009) – talk about the class, the racing and their thoughts on last year’s and this year’s championship here.
ENTRIES INCLUDE SIX PREVIOUS WORLD CHAMPIONS
The entries for both the 2010 OK Dinghy World Championship and the 2010 New Zealand OK Dinghy National Championship have all but closed and it looks like we are in for a tight battle. The entry list contains no fewer than six previous world senior or junior champions. Will local past champions Karl Purdie (senior) and Matt Steven (junior) have enough of a home ground advantage to fend of the onslaught from overseas? Find out who they are up against by viewing a copy of the entry lists (as at 11 January)
Wellington Ready For 2010 OK Dinghy Worlds
In just over a week the much awaited 2010 OK Dinghy World Championship opens in ‘windy’ Wellington, New Zealand.
The OK Dinghy has a long and illustrious history in New Zealand, but the world championship has never ventured as far south as its capital, Wellington. This year all that is changing with an almost full attendance regatta in the Kiwi ‘windy’ city. Seventy-two sailors from eight nations are starting to gather at the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club to race for 48th OK Dinghy World Championship.
Joe Porebski, Vice-President of the OK Dinghy International Association and one of the regatta organizers said, “The whole city is buzzing with excitement that the first ever yachting world championships will be sailed on Wellington Harbour. The city will host the New Zealand leg of International Rugby 7s and the “Waitangi Day” National celebrations all at the same time.”
“This year’s regatta will certainly be the biggest dinghy championship ever sailed in Wellington, though in the past, Wellington has played host to America’s Cup boats, the Volvo Round the World Ocean Race, BT Global Challenge stop overs and the 2009 Portimao Global Ocean Race.”
“The OK Dinghy is the most successful International class sailed in NZ producing 10 World Champions. The OK [in rugby terms] is grass roots yachting and the “front row” of sailing. Many of top sailors here have cut their teeth racing the OK Dinghy. Sir Peter Blake, Craig Monk, Dodson brothers and Peter Lester, all AC sailors, claim the OK on their resume.”
Strong Local Team
Without doubt the Kiwi team are strong. Any one of 15 sailors is capable of winning races and it will be considered a local disaster if the top ten doesn’t contain at least six or seven Kiwis.
Karl Purdie (NZL) World Champion in 2008 said, “Here in New Zealand the guys I have been racing against like Brad Douglas, Paul Rhodes, Ben Morrison, Matt Stechmann, Steve McDowell, Matt Stevens and Ade Mannering have the all around game to put them in with a chance. We also have a couple of heavy air specialists Dan Bush and Russell Wood who could take it away if the weather goes their way. As far as individual race winners go there are probably about another 15-20 people I can think. It should be a close Worlds.”
Contenders
Karl Purdie (NZL) – Absolute favourite to take a second title after first winning in 2008. Wellington is his home town and local knowledge could prove critical. Fast in anything but loves the breeze.
Brad Douglas (NZL) – Possibly the dark horse of the regatta. Has had a stellar first season in the OK after switching from the Laser. Leads the current New Zealand rankings.
Paul Rhodes (NZL) – Always a strong competitor. Finished top 10 at 4 recent worlds, including second in 2002, and has been training hard. Sailing on his home waters, so should have an advantage.
Greg Wilcox (NZL) – World Champion in 2002, the last time the regatta was in New Zealand, but back on form last year, winning several major European regattas. Will always be a contender if the winds are light. Again, home waters for him, though he now resides in Germany.
Thomas Hansson-Mild (SWE) – 2009 World Champion. Not sailed much through boat being in container and Swedish winter, but still one of the favourites. Trying some new gear so should be interesting to watch. One of the fastest downwind sailors in the fleet.
Nick Craig (GBR) – World Champion in 2005, 2006 and 2007 but time away from the class cost him heavily in 2009. One of the best tactical sailors in the fleet so always in with a chance.
Mike Williams (AUS) – recently won Australian title from Roger Blasse and Andre Blasse. Mike finished 6th in his last OK worlds in 2006, and then campaigned a Finn for a few years. He has grown as a sailor and should do well in Wellington.
Roger Blasse (AUS) – 1998 World Champion and cannot be discounted. He has been sailing an International 14, but still finds time to sail his OK. He has won the Australian Championship ten time. He has some new gear and will always be up there.
Andre Blasse (AUS) – Third place in 2008 and multiple winner of Interdominions and Australian titles. Big sailor who loves the breeze, but can do well in any conditions.
Google Teams With NOAA to Make Better Ocean Visualizations
By Alexis Madrigal Email Author
Google Ocean
Data from the depths could get a lot less murky soon, thanks to a new partnership announced by Google and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.
NOAA will provide data from its various ocean-science programs and Google will build tools to visualize that information, the two organizations announced Tuesday. The deal extends a collaboration that began when Google built NOAA’s underwater topography into Google Earth. The two entities have continued to work together on other projects, such as incorporating satellite measurements on coral-reef bleaching.
The partnership will include porting more ocean depth, climate and other scientific data into Google Earth as well as providing online access to zoning and regulatory information near the coasts. NOAA outreach programs like Science on a Sphere and the Okeanos Explorer ship will also get some kind of Google makeover.
Google Profiles
Le Voyage de Damien
In this issue…
‘Where the Wind Blows…’ Farr40’s Up The Tempo At Key West: The Need For Speed!: Sydney To Hobart – The Full Story: US Sailors Of The Year: The Guy’s Obsessed!: The Games Of Their Lives: UK Halsey Sails Talk: Cruising Club Of America Awards: The Tail End
Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta Wednesday Women Match Racing
Salona 37 version 2 – Düsseldorf boot show
This post is tagged A Brush with Sail, Abby Sunderland, Andre Blasse, Apple iPad, Brad Douglas, DesTop News, Düsseldorf boot show, Following My Stomach, friction-reduction technologies, Google Ocean, Google Profiles, Greg Wilcox, Jessica Watson, Karl Purdie, Le Voyage de Damien, Mahi-Mahi Corn Chowder, Mike Williams, NOAA, OK Worlds, Paul Rhodes, puma, Roger Blasse, Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta, Salona 37 version 2, Thomas hansson. Nick Craig, valencia sailing, Victoria Allman, Women Match Racing
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