If you thought that the America’s Cup controversy ended last February, then you’d be wrong. In a move which has shocked many and so far apparently pleased few in the world of sailing, it seems that the 34th America’s Cup racing will be anything but traditional, and quite likely even farther out of the reach of anyone but the super-rich than any non-DOG Cup race ever. For the first time in the cup’s history, the entire fleet will be on hi-tech winged catamarans, and the era of the America’s Cup monohulls may be gone forever.Â
Although the location of the next America’s Cup race has yet to be decided, we now know when it will be held, the boats which will be sailing, and the protocol for the racing. For fans of technology and speed sailing, the decision to race massive, monster multihulls may be welcome news.  For fans of tradition, however, this may be a death blow to the hopes that the America’s Cup would return to being a race that rewards national teams in accessible craft … Details & Pictures
Evolution of BMW Oracle’s 2010 Boat USA – America’s Cup Video For more about DoGziilla, aka BOR 90, aka BMW Oracle Boat USA
Local Organizations Host Family Beach Day as a Welcome to Her Arrival in Santa BarbaraÂ
On the afternoon of Saturday, September 4, a bright and breezy Goleta Beach saw the arrival of Margo Pellegrino, a 43-year-old outrigger canoe paddler who has been traveling along the Pacific Coast for more than two months. Pellegrino set out from Seattle in her 21-foot outrigger canoe on July 3, headed toward San Diego. The trip is a project of her Blue Frontier Campaign to call attention to the need for healthy oceans.
The trim and tan-skinned paddler showed up in a white tank top around 1:30 p.m. Along with her was June Barnard, Pellegrino’s friend from San Francisco who met her shortly before the Pacific Coast journey and traveled alongside her by truck every day to provide company and support … Details & Pictures
Most of the stories I read about wild orcas interacting with people are interesting, but usually aren’t verified, and are subject to misinterpretation. So I was a bit skeptical at first as I read the following account of how an orca behaved with two kayakers, but the event seems to have been verified by observers. Make of it what you will (keeping in mind that ascribing motive to an animal may or may not be valid), it does show how very interested the orcas can be in us!
This event took place recently just north of Vancouver, Canada off the Sunshine Coast  … Details & Pictures
Dee Caffari has done it, now Steve White is setting out to do it too.
He’s going to sail solo, round the world, non-stop and unassisted, AND the ‘wrong way’, AND break the current record.
The ‘wrong way’? It just means that the world’s wind in the Southern Ocean, where one must venture to round the globe without stopping, are all westerlies, so the logical way to go is to run before the wind, travelling ever to the east. Those who either have masochistic tendencies, are bored with their past circumnavigations or who just have something to prove to themselves, occasionally do it the other way … Details