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Around the World of Sailing
1 August 2001
This weeks features:
Finish Line
Trans Superior Finish Times (Top 4)
1st to Finish: Earth Voyager 1738 Sunday
Colt 45 0223 Monday
Stripes 0333 Monday
Everest Horizontal 0805 Monday
Water Level Update
Here is an informative feature that used to appear in the
Friday edition of Sailing Daily. Below you'll find water level
info that pertains to Lake Michigan and Huron.
For information on other lakes see:
http://huron.lre.usace.army.mil/levels/weekly.html
Reference Point
Inches below Chart Datum 0
Difference from last month 2001 -2
Difference from last year -3
Difference from long term average for July -24
Difference from Record High -54
Difference from Record Low +10
Forecast for 27 August 2001 0
Rowing Reporter
The Rowing Reporter is a weekly column of commentary and
observations by Ike Stephenson, Marine Informationist. It
concentrates on the home waters of Around the World of
Sailing, Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake.
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Around Alone 2002-03 Developments
Reports from England indicate that 3 USA cities are being
considered for an Around Alone stopover. However, Charleston
which has previously hosted the start and finish of the race
has pulled out of contention. Perhaps the race will return to
it's roots in Newport RI? Could it be Baltimore, which has
both a Volvo Ocean Race stop and one in the upcoming Open 60
event- the EDS Atlantic Challenge?
The possibility exists that Around Alone could mount a joint
effort with the Route de Rum, the French single handed race.
This would make Around Alone a 6 leg event. The start would
be in the USA and thence to France. Here the Around Alone
fleet would join up for the Route de Rum which sails to
Guadeloupe. Then it would be from Guadeloupe to traditional
Around Alone port Cape Town. Then to Auckland which is also a
traditional leg, then Punta Del Este and a return to the USA.
This would essentially give the Around Alone a new stage in the
Atlantic and then a second half with a traditional Southern
Hemisphere route. Seems like a progressive project to pursue.
Three sailors expected to be on the starting line are Brad Van
Liew, Viktor Yazykov, and Kip Stone. All three will be
entered in Class II for 50 footers.
Van Liew and Yazykov competed in the last Around Alone.
Yazykov is building an Owen Clarke design Open 50. The boat
is being built in Italy.
Kip Stone is a Maine based sailor. However, he chose the
British design firm Owen Clarke. The boat will be built in
Australia at Mconaghy's yard.
Brad Van Liew recently purchased Magellan Alpha that finished
2nd in Class II with Mike Garside sailing it. Van Liew
believes he has the fastest boat, and will name the craft once
he secures a main sponsor.
**********************
Crew Overboard Situation in EDS
On the 17th of July as Alpha Graphics sailed Leg 3 of the EDS
Challenge crew Asia Pajkowska was swept overboard. Pajkowska
has emerged from the cabin to have a look on deck. As she
looked out she felt conditions might be improving.
Almost instantaneously a wave broke over Alpha Graphics and
Asia was overboard. She was not clipped via her safety
harness. Nor was she wearing any type of flotation. After
20 minutes and 6-7 approaches the crew managed to save Asia.
This case was dramatic and due to modern technology reported
in near real time. However, it probably goes in the files
under lucky rather than good.
The ORC special regulations for offshore sailing read that
boats should be equipped so crew are able: "to clip on before
coming on deck and unclip after going below." In any event
Pajkowska chose not to clip on.
Further she was not wearing even an inflatable PFD.
Yet another reminder that onboard safety is a combination
of the gear available and how it is used.
*******************
Tall Ship Notes
With the flipping of calendar to August we are now officially
in the month of Tall Ship in Muskegon. Only 8 days until the
20 ship fleet is berthed at Heritage Landing for the weekend.
That's one of the first points- Heritage Landing will be ready
to host the festival. Perhaps not all planned improvements
will be done, but contrary to inaccurate reports Heritage
Landing will be the ready for action venue.
The honor of 1st ship to arrive will go to the Tecumseth.
This 125 foot replica of a British warship will arrive this
Friday. Tecumseth will change over crew and then on the 7th
take a day sail on Lake Michigan.
The public will not be allowed to tour the ship during this
time. However, you maybe able to get some early picture taking
during the ship's sail.
Next week Around the World of Sailing will have a full preview
of the weekend's events.
*****************
Boating Deaths Decline
Often this column writes about boating safety issues. The
ultimate downside of unsafe boating is death. On this front
there is 100% positive news. The Coast Guard Office of
Boating Safety projects final boating fatalities numbers for
the year 2000 will be approximately 700. If this projection
holds up that would be the lowest number ever, even under
1999's 724 deaths.
Looking at the longer term this would be a 19% decline since
1990. Once of the contributing factors is PFD's which have
reduced deaths via drowning. In addition to less fatalities
there have been ever more boaters on the water. Anytime you
can combine more enjoyment and less death...
it's a good note on which to end a column.