The Open Letter has been one of the tools of war in the 33rd America’s Cup.
Two more have been issued in the last couple of days. Their objective is two-fold. First to put information into the public arena, and secondly to encourage the public to see things their side’s way. The PR war is of equal import in off the water America’s Cup battles, mattering as much as exchanges between their respective ‘Learned Friends’ in front of the Bench.
These two letters are connected but separate. The first from Golden Gate Yacht Club, Challenger of Record, responds to two letters written by the Defender, Societe Nautique de Geneve.
Both state the position as they would like to have others see them. Whether that bears any relation to reality is quite another matter…Â DetailsÂ
Just after 1800 GMT today, Thursday May 21st, PUMA broke one of their two rudders whilst racing hard across the Atlantic Ocean. Mid-way through leg seven of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 from Boston, USA to Galway, Ireland, the Puma Ocean Racing team suffered the breakage whilst blasting downwind at speeds of up to 35 knots in heavy seas. The team, who are safe and in good spirits, have rigged up their emergency rudder system and intend to carry on racing to Ireland.
Given that the Puma Ocean Racing team had to physically stop, take down the sails, fix the rudder and begin sailing again, at the time, they were only 26 miles behind Delta Lloyd, then in first place. After an incredible day, which saw Puma move up the leaderboard several places from fifth to first place before the incident, the team currently have 1,097 miles to go and are expected to reach Galway, Ireland this Sunday…Â DetailsÂ
The American Sailing League (ASL) redefines sailboat racing with its second annual Championship Series at PIER 39 on San Francisco Bay. A series of races will take place on Saturday, May 30, 2009 and Sunday, May 31, 2009 from noon – 5 p.m., with teams competing just off the bay end of PIER 39.
These 18-foot skiffs are among the fastest and most exciting in the sport today. They can reach more than three times the speed of average sailing yachts. The races combine all of the athletic skill and daredevil stunts of the X-Games with the breakneck speed and spectacular wipeouts of NASCAR.
‘Last year was PIER 39’s first year of hosting the … Details & Pictures
My favorite place to enjoy a summer afternoon is Lost Isle in the California Delta area near Stockton, Ca. It is a very fun place. Their web site is: Lost IsleÂ
They may not open this summer and need our help and support in an unreasonable Operating Permit problem. Please go to this page at the Lost Isle web site and submit your comments.Â
Here is  a short letter from their management team:Â
To our Customers:
As the owners of Lost Isle we have elected to not open Lost Isle this year. Our decision was not made lightly and is based on several factors. The primary driver of our decision process is the lack of an acceptable Entertainment Permit through San Joaquin County. The county requires that in order for Lost Isle to allow dancing and provide music through a DJ or band, we must have a valid entertainment permit. This is a new ordinance approved by the Board of Supervisors in May of 2008. Prior to this change we were required to apply for an annual cabaret permit in order to offer the aforementioned activities. Another important factor is … Details
Lost Isle is scheduled to review their Entertainment Permit with the San Joaquin County Planning Commission:Â
June 4th, 6:30 pm, in the Public Health/Planning Auditorium
1601 East Hazelton Avenue, Stockton
My favorite place to enjoy a summer afternoon is Lost Isle in the California Delta area near Stockton, Ca. It is a very fun place.
Lost Isle is scheduled to review their Entertainment Permit with the San Joaquin County Planning Commission:Â