The announcement by Société Nautique de Genève that the 33rd America’s Cup, the Deed of Gift challenge between Alinghi and BMW Oracle, would be held in the tiny Emirate (Kingdom) of Ras Al-Khaimah struck many as odd, and sent sailing fans and journalists to their atlases to find the obscure little venue. As Alinghi 5 lifted off today for a helicopter ride to Italy, the questions on many’s minds were still surrounding this decision: Why would the Swiss choose to locate the race in the UAE? And of all the Emirates, why Ras Al-Khaimah?
Many of the Emirates have been working hard to host and promote international sporting events ranging from golf to motorsports, and the entire region has its collective eye on promoting yachting. With little oil, Ras Al-Khaimah’s infrastructure relies on …Â Details & Pictures
The Honda Formula 4-Stroke Association (F4SA) the World’s largest two class offshore powerboat race series is set to perform this August 29th in the Cowes Classic Powerboat Race which is Cowes-Poole-Cowes. This race forms part of the Cowes Powerboat Festival which will include the famous and legendary Cowes-Torquay-Cowes race. The Cowes Classic race for Honda boats will be for the fourth leg of the 2009 Championship season.
Originally founded by Sir Max Aitken, in 1961, the legendary Cowes-Torquay-Cowes race launched the sport of offshore powerboat racing outside the United States. The 49th Cowes Classic and Honda F4SA race will once again defy the current economic climate, and prove that Sir Max’s vision is still on track. The event, which is organised by the British Powerboat Racing Club (BPRC), will give the Honda crews their first taste of long distance non-multi-lap racing in seas that could prove troublesome… Details
DeLand, Florida, August 3, 2009 … MYSTIC Powerboats announces the debut of the famed Miss Geico MYSTIC C5000-R to Geico’s prestigious offshore racing program. The shores Lake Michigan at Michigan City, Indiana will showcase the historic revival of first MYSTIC C5000-R and the fastest offshore turbine in the world, to the Turbine Class in SBI/APBA. In the words of Team Owner and driver, John Haggin in a recent Channel 12 Television interview, “…It’s just euphoric, it’s just like you close your eyes and just like you’re almost in a dream… when you wake up you are in the fastest boat in the world…the fastest Offshore Race Boat in the world…” (YouTube of Miss Geico’s July Test) Throttleman Scott Begovich stated in another Channel 12 interview that John Haggin “…gives us the opportunity to buy the Best of the Best…” as he referred to his Miss Geico Turbine Powered MYSTIC Powerboat.
The recent addition of two new entries in the Offshore Turbine Extreme category, JBS (www.jbsracing.com) and Aqua Mania (www.g3racing.com) has put new found pressure on the Geico offshore team.(www.MissGeicoRacing.com) A loss in Biloxi AL to JBS and in Sunny Isles Beach FL to Aqua Mania considering the fact that both of these boats are MYSTICs, made it clear Geico would have to speed up the race prep on their MYSTIC to even have a chance to return to their dominance in the prestigious turbine powered class…Â DetailsÂ
Unlike flying across the lake on a jet ski or zooming at high speed in a boat, paddling along in a kayak offers time to not only quietly zip across Lake Tahoe but for many is an activity that once they try it they are hooked.
As an active kayaker Kathryn Dunning, pastor of the Kings Beach United Methodist Church, is always looking for others who share her passion. When she spots a car parked in the church parking lot with a kayak strapped on, it’s not unusual for her to ask who it belongs to during her service so she knows who plans on going kayaking that day…Â Details