Month: May 2012

THE NEW SNOW LION

Snow Lion, a Jason Ker design, based on “Aera” has now been revised. Over the winter “Snow Lion” underwent a facelift, botox if you like. Today, we will go sailing to tune the rig and make certain everything is working. The Block Island race starts next friday, and the Bermuda race on June 15.

I will have more to report at the end of the day.

The new “Belle Mente” was built at New England Boatworks while “Snow Lion” was being altered.

MY NEW WEB SITE

I have been working feverishly on a new web site for my photographs. Click HERE to visit. My previous site on which I had worked  for almost a year developed a problem; I believe after I ran an update to the site.

Here is a sample of photographs available on the site. I have an archive of over 100,000 images spanning almost everything you see around you in the world.

NEWS OF THE DAY AND OTHER THINGS

THE ATLANTIC CUP COMES TO NEWPORT

 

 I have seen the fireworks at cowes week and they are indeed the best I have ever seen.

 

Following the news that Aberdeen Asset Management has extended its sponsorship of the world-famous regatta, Cowes Week, until 2015, the financial services company has also extended its support to include a significant proportion of the necessary funding to safeguard the traditional event fireworks display.

Commenting on the announcement, Martin Gilbert, CEO of Aberdeen Asset Management, said: “The fireworks display on the final Friday of Cowes Week is one of the regatta’s great traditions. Aberdeen Asset Management, in partnership with a range of financial groups and other organisations  is proud to be playing a key role.”

The other organisations to have come forward with financial support for the fireworks so far include: Cowes Week Limited, Cowes Town Waterfront Trust, City AM newspaper, Artemis Investment Management, JLT Specialty Limited, the Island Sailing Club, the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, the Royal London Yacht Club, the Royal Yacht Squadron, the Royal Ocean Racing Club, GKN, Red Funnel Ferries, Blue Funnel Ferries, and Solent and Wightline Cruises. Other donations are anticipated following pledges of support.

Stuart Quarrie, CEO of Cowes Week Limited said “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Aberdeen Asset Management and the other organisations involved in creating a solution for the fireworks. We are pleased to confirm that Cowes Week Limited is pledging to match any donations received from members of the public over the coming months”. Donations can be made here.

The fireworks display will be held on the final Friday of this year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week, Friday 17th August.

Q&A’s

Does this now mean that there is a long-term solution in place to support the funding of the fireworks display?

A new body has been established to secure funds for the iconic fireworks display in the long term – Cowes Fireworks Committee. Although the display is financially secure for 2012, it is not guaranteedin future years although, with the creation of the new committee, there is a long-term plan in place for securing funds.

Who is the “Cowes Fireworks Committee”?

The founding members of the newly-formed Cowes Fireworks Committee are Cowes Town Waterfront Trust (a charitable organisation whose prime objective is to rejuvenate Cowes Waterfront), regatta organisers Cowes Week Limited, and the Isle of Wight Council. The chosen fireworks company will also be co-opted onto the Committee.

Do people still need to donate?

Yes. Donations from individuals and organisations who enjoy or benefit from the display are strongly encouraged, particularly from those who have previously pledged their support. Donations can be made securely online with paypal here or in person at the Regatta Centre in Cowes.

What if more money is raised than is needed?

Any surplus funds will provide a head-start for the 2013 display – this will be an important aspect of sustaining the display in the long-term.

 

I continue to have a soft spot in my heart for the Finn.

APPLE LIKES THE AMERICA’S CUP

Now available from iTunes. Who would have imagined?

CupExperience mobile real-time race tracker

– in cooperation with Seahorse, produced by Enthuse

May 10, 2012   By: 

UPDATE  Tuesday 15 May 2012:   Now you have the streaming again, at the end of this page!     Please register as a beta tester, even if you don’t have an iPhone – that will let me keep you informed about changes.  Thanks!  -Jack

 

LiveLine data, real-time on your iPhone / iPad!

In cooperation with Seahorse Magazine, CupExperience has teamed withEnthuse, a hot startup in San Francisco, to bring LiveLine data to your smartphone.  Now fans can watch from shore and follow the race in real time.  Of course, it works in your living room, too – wherever you are during ACWS regattas.

During our testing, you have a chance to get a sneak preview (see below for details) of the Cup Experience Real Time Race Tracker for the iPhone and iPad. (Android coming – we’ll let you know when we have a date).  We plan to have the Tracker live for the Venice ACWS races, including match races, and beginning with the practice races on Tuesday 15 May.

 

Real Time Race Tracker San Diego Windward GateReal Time Race Tracker San Diego Windward Gate

iPhone screen Venice courseReal Time Race Tracker – Venice Course

iPhone screen Venice harborZoom in to see the Venice harbor

 

Be a beta tester!

Try out the real time race tracker.  Help us find the bugs. Make suggestions for improvement. This is your chance to get a sneak preview of the Cup Experience Real Time Race Tracker for the iPhone and iPad.

You will receive an email with instructions on getting the App and configuring it as soon as we receive your completed sign up form.

First Name* 

 

Last Name* 

 

Your Email* 

 

Comments? Care to share where you will be during the Venice ACWS?

NATIONAL SAILING HALL OF FAME

Ok, the National Sailing Hall of Fame in Annapolis Maryland, will evidently induct 10 deserving sailors this year. It is still a new organization, but I am surprised that the Nye family of “Carina” have not made it into the final rounds. In the end election to any organization is a popularity contest I suppose. Read the rules for election: HERE


.

I should add that there is a book now available on the “Carina” story: “Home is the Sailor”

 

AMERICA’S CUP IN VENICE

I cannot imagine a more spectacular setting for the kind of racing that is now the America’s Cup World Tour. Plymouth England must have been wonderful as from the Hoe one can look out with an unobstructed view. Fort Adams guarding the entrance to Narragansett Bay will provide a perfect stadium, but not much can compare to Venice.

I encourage you to click on the panorama which is a rather good view of the open water leading to the Grand Canal.

 

AMERICA’S CUP IN NEWPORT

There are days I am unsure of what to post and then there are days like today when I feel I must choose the most appropriate story. Mother’s day, but I gave it a story yesterday. Soldini’s attempt to set the transatlantic record is interesting, I am quite curious as to why they chose to set off now, knowing they would have to transit a ridge. College sailing semi finals took place in Annapolis.

The America’s Cup is now being advertised here and the AC web site now allows you to purchase tickets.

  • © GILLES MARTIN-RAGET / ACEA

AMERICA’S CUP RACING RETURNS TO NEWPORT

POSTED ON 11 MAY 2012

Inaugural America’s Cup World Series Champion to be determined
Tickets for Newport, R.I. event in June on sale now

America’s Cup racing returns to the United States next month when the AC World Series brings nine of the top sailing crews in the world to Newport, R.I. The American team, ORACLE TEAM USA, currently leads the AC World Series by one point and so the final stop on the 2011-12 AC World Series circuit will determine the overall winner of the first-ever season.

“The championship has been extremely close since the first event in Portugal last summer,” said Jimmy Spithill, skipper of ORACLE TEAM USA. “I won’t be surprised to see it come down to the final race, on the final day in Newport. And that’s the way it should be.”

Newport will host a festival of sailing from June 23 to July 1, culminating with the AC World Series running from Tuesday, June 26 through Sunday, July 1. The series will climax on the final Sunday, when both the event and season champion will be crowned. The final race day will air live, nationwide, on NBC.

The AC Village will be located at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, the shoreside hub of the event. Visitors will experience a unique view of the team bases – the ‘pit row’ – where the 45-foot catamarans with their 70-foot fixed wing-sails will be launched each day. The AC Village will offer a fantastic vantage point for spectators, with racing unfolding just yards offshore in the East Passage of Narragansett Bay.

Fans will enjoy a live race feed with commentary, as well as a Moët & Chandon champagne bar, Napa Valley Vintners wine lounge, multiple concessions featuring the best of the local Rhode Island food scene, the PUMA store, and the Teams Store. The Exploration Zone, with interactive exhibits from the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography and the America’s Cup Healthy Ocean Project partners, will give visitors an appreciation of the marine environment.

General admission tickets to the AC Village in Fort Adams State Park during race days (June 28 – July 1) are $10 per person per day, with children aged 12 and under free. No tickets are required from June 23 – 27. Tickets are available online at http://americascup.frontgatetickets.com and at the Newport Gateway Visitor’s Center. The AC Village opens at 11am each day, closing at 5pm (7pm on race days).

“Rhode Island has been working hard to prepare Fort Adams for high-performance sailing events and other acclaimed Newport attractions such as the Newport Folk and Jazz festivals,” said Governor Lincoln D. Chafee “Infrastructure improvements at Fort Adams State Park will showcase the spectacular natural assets of Narragansett Bay – assets that have made Newport one of the world’s most renowned sailing centers. Inside Fort Adams spectators can experience a number of activities including the Ocean Exploration Center, sailing education programs, and a racing center.”

To purchase tickets, go to: http://americascup.frontgatetickets.com