On February 5th the Qatar Philatelic Bureau issued a 4 stamp set commemorating the Oryx Quest. Pictured above is Doha 2006 the race leader.

During her round the world record Ellen Macarthur’s longest sleep was 2 hours in duration. On Day 11 Ellen said she was “trying to rest as much as possible.” 71 days without sleeping for more than 2 hours straight?! If that’s as much rest as possible, count me out.

Ellen Macarthur’s record time

Macarthur did finish under the time needed to capture the entirely hypothetical Nellie Bly award.

On her penultimate day one of Macarthur’s computers suffered a hard drive failure. Macarthur installed a new drive, set up the software and was back up and running in 7 minutes! Impressive when not on the ocean.

Ellen has given her 75 foot trimaran a nickname of Moby due to the size of the center hull.

Cheyenne stamp. The stamps are valued at 50 dirhams or approximately 50 cents. Cheyenne trails in the race and her outright record is under threat from Orange II.

The Great Lakes will have a new solo race this summer. The Trans Superior will add a solo division. It is now possible for lone sailors to sail both the Port Huron and Chicago Mac courses in addition to the Trans Superior. All events are sponsored by the Great Lakes Singlehanded Society.

Although still under the influence of snow and ice plans are being made for the 2005 sailing season. Accordingly Torresen Marine has posted a 2005 Lake Michigan Sailing Calendar. You can also pick up a printed version when visiting us in Muskegon.

Daedalus is in her 3rd decade. Not as old as the USS Constellation which recently appeared on a 150th anniversary stamp!

For those who are Boat Smart readers during the Michigan boating season there is this good news: Boat Smart author Chief Tom Rau will be publishing a Boat Smart themed book ‘Boat Smart Chronicles, Lake Michigan Devours its Wounded’ this October. Publisher will be Seaworthy Publications.

Geronimo is the only trimaran in the race. Unfortunately her checkered career continues as she has suffered damage and is en route to Australia. FYI you need 7 of these Oryx Quest stamps to send a letter to the Geronimo crew from Qatar to Australia.

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