The halfway point on leg six of the Volvo Ocean Race has been reached and long-term leader, Telefónica Blue is in the enviable position of being able to watch the battle unfold over 100 miles behind them.
‘We have been keeping pace with the guys behind which gives us some comfort, although we are still pushing hard to maintain our position,’ noted helmsman Simon Fisher.
Telefónica Blue is at the same latitude as the island of Trinidad, but 1000 nm to the east and 1100 nm from the Caribbean island of Antigua.
Behind them, the closest racing is between Ericsson 3, now in third place, just holding off Ericsson 4 who is a mile behind, and Puma who is three miles behind. Thirty-three miles back, Telefónica Black and Delta Lloyd are also … Details
The next challenge for the bio-diesel fuelled 78 foot trimaran wave piercer Earthrace could be helping to save whales in Antarctica.
In June, 2008, ‘Earthrace’, with owner/skipper Pete Bethune and a volunteer crew circled the globe in 60 days, 23 hours and 49 minutes, slashing the previous record for a powerboat by an astonishing two weeks! During the long ocean legs Earthrace with a six tonne biofuel load powered up to 2,000 miles at 20 knots.
Bethune now has the New Zealand designed and built boat on the market for $1.5 million and its currently on a final tour of New Zealand after last year world record.
Powered by two 540-horsepower Cummins engines have a short range cruising speed of 30 knots and a top speed of 40 knots.
Earthrace could have a new future as a secret strike weapon against Japanese whalers in the Southern Oceans if the Kiwi skipper has his way…Â Details and PictureÂ
One by one the visitors filed into Victory Lane, eager to pay their respects to Mark Martin.
Jimmie Johnson pushed past a throng of fans to get there, while NASCAR president Mike Helton weaved through the grandstands and across the track. Tony Stewart set aside his disappointment from finishing second to make his visit, and Jack Roush stopped by with heartfelt happiness.
Race fans annually vote Dale Earnhardt Jr. as NASCAR’s most popular driver, but after Martin’s win Saturday night at Phoenix International Raceway, it was obvious the honor truly belongs to the beloved veteran.
“There’s nobody that dislikes Mark,” said second-place finisher Stewart. “Mark has taught us all a lot about what it takes to be not only a good driver in this series, but a good competitor and somebody that everybody respects.”…Â Details
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This weekend, learn more about sharks in a special project called Shark Weekend.
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If you live in Florida, the odds for a shark attack are much higher. Luckily, Texas statistics have dispelled some of the fear of shark attacks by illuminating that apprehension with knowledge. While most people suffer from Selachophobia (fear of sharks), for Texas surfers it is the panic of missing out on a good wave on any given day. It is true that sharks put the goosebumps in surfing and other water activities. Surfers have even named the insanely big surf spot in Hawaii, Jaws, (like the movie). Of course, crazy-good surfers take on that danger with enthusiasm and adrenaline. So, how safe are the waters of Galveston? Hearing the theme song from Jaws in your head, yet (Da dum Da dum Da dum)?
Here are some facts you should be listening to, instead:…Â
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