Around the World of Sailing

28 November 2001

This weeks features:

Finish Line

Finish Line
Available on line at:
http://www.torresen.com/atwos/2001/no/1128/frw.htm
Several Chicago sailors recently competed in
the Caribbean 1500 cruising rally. Loren Thompson and
Al Grigalunas sailed on the J42 Eight Bells which was
1st in Class 3. Patrick O'Brian also competed.

Water Level Update

Weekly Water Level Update
Available on line at:
http://www.torresen.com/atwos/2001/oc/1024/frw.htm

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

Difference from Chart Datum 0
Difference from last month 0
Difference from last year +5
Difference from long term average for November -16
Difference from Record High -54
Difference from Record Low +15
Forecast for 23 December 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.
****************
VOR Ringer
Recently I was re-reading an information booklet
that came with a CD from Kingfisher challenges. One small
statement caught me eye. It said February-April possible
Volvo Ocean Race Leg for Ellen Macarthur.
This would make Macarthur a possible VOR ringer from
Rio De Janeiro on. Nothing to boost a campaign like the
reigning world champion ocean racing sailor.
Need a helmsman, person to climb the mast, fair the
weather, do the navigation then she is the sailor for you.
So, the possibility at least exists. What boat might we
see her on?
I'd rule out the all women Amer Sports crew. They
have not shown top form. Needn't sail on a back of the
pack boat.
Both Tyco and News have significant British
contingents. These could be a natural. Herve Jan who
sailed on the Open 60 Kingfisher in the EDS Atlantic
challenge is on Assa Abloy. Neal Mcdonald is skipper
only for Leg 2, how about bringing Ellen in to skipper?
Amer Sports One skipper Grant Dalton's brother Graham is
building an Open 60 for Around Alone based on Ellen's
Kingfisher. Perhaps a connection there? In training for
the Vendee Glove Macarthur worked with Djuice navigator
Jean Yves Bernot.
Certainly for the North Atlantic phase of the
race which runs Miami-Baltimore-La Rochelle-Kiel-Goteborg
Macarthur would be a huge ace for a team signing her.
She's got an unmatched record on this ocean and by
signing on at Miami could take part in 4 of the 9 legs.
With her record of success and the high stakes a move
such as bringing her onboard can't be ruled out.
***************
Safety at Sea Story is Exaggeration
In the most recent issue of Sailing World a
story ran in regards to Safety at Sea Seminars for
Chicago-Mackinac sailors. The implication was that
these would be required attendance for Mac racers.
This statement was puzzling for a couple of reasons.
One the nearest seminar was in Annapolis MD, making it
a budget buster. Two, there was to be an emphasis on
SSB radio communications. Perhaps essential for the
Bermuda race but almost unheard of in Mac races.
After reading this and contemplating the degree
of difficulty I checked on the veracity of this story.
The answer is: no- attendance at Safety at Sea Seminars
will not be required. This is not all in Chicago Yacht
Club's plans currently.
So, those who were turning this over in their
minds can move this from their required list. Attending
such an event and learning about man overboard techniques,
distress signals, and seeing safety gear in action is not
a bad thing. For a list of planned seminars see
http://www.ussailing.org/safety/Seminars/index.asp.
*******************
Readers Write
Reader Wayne writes in, "Thank you for the news.
Well done. Fair winds and following seas. Best of life and love."
As a best man I made a similar toast once. The marriage ended
in divorce. Here's to better results for ATWOS and Rowing Reporter!
Ben Herrington writes, "I was just writing to you to
ask you for all the round the world sailing records. I was
hoping that you may be able to get them all including the
multiple circumnavigations, by anyone from all over the world."
No such comprehensive list exists to my knowledge.
As more and more circle the globe it'll get to be a harder
list to keep.
However, recently in doing research for another project
I came across something that might help Ben out.
Check http://www.sevenoceans.com/SoloSailingCircumnavigation/SoloSailingCircumnavigation.htm. This list contains 43 solo circlings dating from Captain Slocum from 1895-1898.
Simon McEvoy writes, "Please tell me if their is a
24 Hour Distance record for Dinghy's and if so how far it is,
What sort of Dinghy and when I look forward to your reply."
There is no separate 24-hour record for a dinghy.
Depending on if you had say a 49er or a Tornado you would be
within the mono or multi hull category.
As the 24-hour rules currently read, "Position reports
must be via GPS. These timed GPS position reports must be
collected and forwarded without any action by the crew of
the vessel." Obviously this required that there be a GPS
and transmission equipment which is not a practical set up
on dinghies. Simon may need to do some pioneering to see a
24 hour sailing record for dinghies!
*************************
Attend NORTH U to stay Sharp
Again, this winter North U will pay a visit to
Muskegon. North U will be presenting their Performance
Racing Tactics seminar at MYC on Saturday, February 9, 2002
from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Instructor will be noted J 24 sailor
Geoff More.
The cost of the seminar is: $125 for skippers,
$100 for crew, $50 for college and high school sailors.
Lunch is $7.00. Muskegon Yacht Club members are entitled
to a $25 discount off the skipper or crew fee.
You can register online for this course at
https://secure.northsails.com/northu/enrollment.taf.
North U will also have a Tactics Seminar March 2 and
3 in Chicago with a Cruising and Seamanship seminar in
Chicago 9 March.
Full schedule at:
http://www.northu.com/TacticsSchedule.htm and
http://www.northu.com/CruisingSchedule.htm
***************
What is Emergency Equipment? Informal Survey
Illbruck made a fast pit stop at Eclipse Island
off Australia to pick up what was deemed emergency
equipment. Their pick up list was as follows, "The
supplies included materials to make a safer repair to
the broken bow inspection hatch, the bracket to reinstall
the wind instruments at the top of the mast, parts to
repair the Satellite B, materials to repair the steering
pedestal, navigational lights, an important safety feature
of the racing boats, and medical supplies."
I'd be curious which of these items meet your standards
for emergency equipment. It would seem that almost nothing
on the list is of an emergency nature. Even navigation lights,
shouldn't you have battery powered backups?
Answers to ike@torresen.com.