ws lirakis – Page 116 – stephenlirakis.com

STAIRS

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staircases are for me like doorways an architectural statement.

SHAPES AND REFLECTIONS

OPEN 40 AND WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

Again I am re-posting from sailing anarchy. I had barely mentioned the Atlantic Cup and the Open 40 class; which have just finished sailing in Newport. This is an attempt to bring a European event to America. It is very cute to say the least. These boats are set up for offshore sailing so the inshore racing is more about the spectacle.

US SAILING ASKS “WHO IS THE GREATEST AMERICAN SAILOR?”

US Sailing has created a game & sweepstakes, something to argue over, much like american idol. Asking people to vote for their choice for the title “Greatest American Sailor” Good Luck.

CLOSE ENCOUNTER

I have hit two whales in my sailing career (and two basking sharks). I had a close encounter with a third whale much like the one shown here. It all happened so quickly there was never time to record the event.

IMAGES I LIKE

OUT ON BAIL AND OUT OF SURGERY

The Bermuda Race is only a few weeks away. The new Belle Mente had some teething problems, hopefully now cured. She has an ambitious program which does not have much time for rehab should an injury occur.

Rima had been arrested for DWI and is out on bail with a new keel 2 feet deeper and several thousand pounds lighter.

If I were writing a fictional novel about sailboat racing I could not have thought these things up.

The Open 40 class concluded the Atlantic Cup yesterday. Two of these boats had competed against us last year in the transatlantic race. They gave us fits for most of the race.

BLOCK ISLAND RACE

If any of you remember the forecast before the race,the actuality was even more complicated. local topography played, as always in long island sound, a big part. There were many small cells, both warm and cold that took turns moving over us. Even though we had a good forecast, the timing worked at the whim of nature. In the end the 2012 version of the Block Island Race was like almost every other race I have sailed. Click HERE for results.

LEG 7 VOR

ABU DHABI is at the front of the pack! See you all when I return from the Block Island race.

GIVING THANKS

If ever there was an example of how connected we are in the world, not since Chernobyl have consequences beyond one’s control have had such an impact. The debris field resulting from the tsunami in Japan heading across the Pacific Ocean towards our west coast. No one wants to talk a solution, if there is one,as it would likely be so costly it is difficult to discuss.

On a much lighter note, Memorial Day weekend is almost here and that means the Block Island Race for many. the weather should be very nice for those staying ashore and a puzzle for those of us racing.