hi all,

ok. i know it is mono hull racing, but the around alone started today. if you want to keep up with it, take a look at the home page

at http://www.aroundalone.com/raceviewer/archive/ or take a look at the spirit of canada site at http://www.spiritofcanada.net/



thanx

On sunday, some of us at SHBCC will be going to see them passing by the NY strait and say them good by. Will try also some chase. It will be fun...

canadian hatfield on spirit of canada takes first in class II in the prologue race !!!!

www.aroundalone.com/raceviewer/archive/

New York harbor was transformed over the weekend into a spectacular venue for the start of the 2002/03 Around Alone race. The attached photo is Emma Richards (the only women in the fleet) sailing past the Statue of Liberty. I thought you might be interested to know 2 of us (1 Tiger and a Hobie20) from Sandy Hook Bay Catamaran Club went to meet the fleet and do some speed testing. Waiting at the Ambrose Channel between West Bank light and Romer Shoal we could see the fleet braking from the light fog under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. Sailing towards the fleet we could see 2 of the 60’s I would estimated they had about a 1mile lead on the fleet. Jacques on his Tiger tacked onto starboard between a beat and a close reach (escorted by the Coast Guard) and gave chase. Reporting later he stayed with them until the wind drop below 5mph. We waited for the others, which had separated by a considerable margin, giving us time to chase each of about 6 in the fleet one of which was Emma. She was very busy walking around deck and preparing for a possible spinnaker set which would take the fleet toward the end of Long Island and Torbay, England. Happy to report again between beating and close reach in 10-12mph of wind we could stay with the 60’s and pass the 50’s and 40’s slowly.

Great day of sailing.

Sorry about the attachment

spirit of canada is just plugging along. not bad for a 40 footer in a 50 foot fleet.

spirit of canada finishes second in the first leg to england!