ws lirakis – Page 143 – stephenlirakis.com

RAMBLER 100 CAPSIZES, FASTNET UPDATE

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Rambler 100 capsized in the Irish sea after rounding the fastnet rock. Everyone has been rescued.

This was unexpected in the conditions which were relatively mild. Rambler a very powerful but lightly built boat.boat.Sailing her has always been about slowing down appropriately as conditions warranted.

rambler at the start of the transatlantic race

Banque Populaire finished the race in 32 hours and 48 minutes setting a new record. Snow Lion is about 30 miles from Fastnet Rock. Click here for the tracker.

FASTNET RACE START TODAY

Track the boats with yellow brick, the same system used for the transatlantic race. There have already been several withdrawals from the race. Click HERE to read race updates. The buzz is for the big boats to break out and finish quickly while the smaller boats would be left with light air to contend with the the tide gates returning from fastnet rock. Looking at the weather it is a beat out of the solent and along the south coast.

NEWPORT TO HOST AMERICA’S CUP FINAL

Newport, RI will host the final event in the world tour of the America’s Cup in June 23 to July 1, 2012. This will be in the same AC 45 catamarans that are being sailed now; and the last event in these boats before the 72 footers will be sailing in San Francisco for the America’s Cup Event itself. Big news for Newport and tourism. I am anxious about the “improvements” that will likely take place at Fort Adams in preparation for the event.

This event will follow the Newport to Bermuda race which starts on June 15 from Castle Hill in Newport. We will all have to hustle back if we want to watch any of the action.

THE FASTNET RACE STARTS TOMORROW. This is probably my favorite of the 600 mile races in the world. The others being: the Bermuda race, Sydney-hobart race, the Middle Sea race.

fastnet 2003110 — fastnet rock on the bow

NICE VIDEO

Now that I have a go pro and another waterproof video camera. I am always impressed with the video that others are able to shoot and edit. The emphasis being on edit. I am still struggling with this aspect; but enjoying video more every day.

AMERICA’S CUP, CASCAIS

Here is the update from America’s Cup racing in Cascais, Portugal. Dean Barker of team New Zealand seems to have adapted quickly to multihulls. I am told he has been working with Glen Ashby; who started with James Spithill but left team Oracle to work with Barker. My friend Larry Suter, a sailing coach himself, has long said that Dean Barker was the best of the helmsmen in the group racing for the America’s Cup. He is off to a good start.

LOS ANGELES AT MY FEET

JUGGY’S TRANSATLANTIC VIDEO

Rambler 100 was first to finish and set the course record. Her passage is sharp contrast to our crossing.

COWES WEEK SAILING

I had intended to post about the america’s cup, but this event in Cowes is worth seeing. Honestly, it is surprising that more collisions don’t occur during cowes week. I have been amazed how well ships and boats seem to co-mingle on the solent. Obviously this is one time where things did not go so smoothly. No blame should be put on the ship.

FELIX ARRIVED EARLY

We are grandparents for the second time this year. Luc was born exactly six months to the day earlier. We knew Felix was due to arrive soon. But as with much of life, not as predicted. Mother and boy are healthy and happy. We missed the occasion but hope to see everyone soon. I cannot wait to see and photograph the newest addition to the family.

WOMEN IN SAILING

This bears no resemblance to the sailing I have done. Where did I go wrong? I was going to post something about the America’s Cup; however I believe video will have more hits than anything substantive I could possibly post.