Jessica Watson passed the Cape, a rocky headland near the point where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, shortly after midnight GMT, marking the last landmark of her journey before she returns to Australia."
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Round-the-world girl sailor on home stretch
Jessica Watson passed the Cape, a rocky headland near the point where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, shortly after midnight GMT, marking the last landmark of her journey before she returns to Australia."
Saturday, February 20, 2010
San Diego Obvious Choice to Host America’s Cup
The Log.com News: "No sooner had the title of America’s Cup passed into the hands of BMW Oracle Racing, than the rumor mill began to spin about where the next cup challenge will take place.
With good reason, too. The influx of tourism dollars an event of this magnitude brings to its host city is enough to make even the most stalwart city councilmember giddy. Not to mention the economic benefit that comes from housing and feeding several dozen sailing teams for up to a year before the race.
It’s been speculated that the race would stay in Valencia since, after all, the teams are already established there with everything they need. Other sound arguments favor San Francisco Bay because Golden Gate Yacht Club is where BOR calls home and where the cup will be on display. But another worthy contender has thrown her hat into the ring: the fair city of San Diego.
Having already been the host city three times, San Diego is no stranger to America’s Cup. The last time the race came to San Diego was 1995, bringing with it an estimated $500 million in revenue to the local economy."
With good reason, too. The influx of tourism dollars an event of this magnitude brings to its host city is enough to make even the most stalwart city councilmember giddy. Not to mention the economic benefit that comes from housing and feeding several dozen sailing teams for up to a year before the race.
It’s been speculated that the race would stay in Valencia since, after all, the teams are already established there with everything they need. Other sound arguments favor San Francisco Bay because Golden Gate Yacht Club is where BOR calls home and where the cup will be on display. But another worthy contender has thrown her hat into the ring: the fair city of San Diego.
Having already been the host city three times, San Diego is no stranger to America’s Cup. The last time the race came to San Diego was 1995, bringing with it an estimated $500 million in revenue to the local economy."
Friday, February 19, 2010
Dolphins have diabetes off switch
"A study in dolphins has revealed genetic clues that could help medical researchers to treat type 2 diabetes.
Scientists from the US National Marine Mammal Foundation said that bottlenose dolphins are resistant to insulin - just like people with diabetes.
But in dolphins, they say, this resistance is switched on and off.
The researchers presented the findings at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in San Diego."
Scientists from the US National Marine Mammal Foundation said that bottlenose dolphins are resistant to insulin - just like people with diabetes.
But in dolphins, they say, this resistance is switched on and off.
The researchers presented the findings at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in San Diego."
Zac Sunderland at Los Angeles Times Travel & Adventure Show
"Zac’s next challenge? Maybe penetrating Panama’s infamously dense Darien jungle, he said. Or sailing the rugged Northwest Passage. But first … um, he’d like to get a driver’s license. Yes, the kid who sailed solo around the globe said he flunked his driver’s test. We’re betting he’s up to the challenge."
Thursday, February 18, 2010
America's Cup showcases latest sailing technology
This will have to do until we can get the internet live on our contact lenses: "When Australian helmsman James Spithill steers Oracle's giant trimaran, he wears futuristic dark glasses linked to a small laptop and battery which he carries in a small backpack that make him look like 'RoboCop'.
The high-tech glasses allow him to see vital information on wind, sail loads and other topics from wherever he stands on the boat, in addition to deflecting any glare from the Mediterranean Sea in Valencia where Oracle is facing defending champions Alinghi's catamaran in the 33rd America's Cup.
'The first time I used them I had a really difficult time. It actually takes a fair bit of your vision away. Like anything though once you start it you get used to it,' the 30-year-old said."
The high-tech glasses allow him to see vital information on wind, sail loads and other topics from wherever he stands on the boat, in addition to deflecting any glare from the Mediterranean Sea in Valencia where Oracle is facing defending champions Alinghi's catamaran in the 33rd America's Cup.
'The first time I used them I had a really difficult time. It actually takes a fair bit of your vision away. Like anything though once you start it you get used to it,' the 30-year-old said."
Plans unveiled for world's largest yacht
CNN.com: "The floating palace has been designed at a whopping 656 feet (200 meters) in length -- as long as two football fields end-to-end.
If built, it would surpass the world's current largest private yacht, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich's 'Eclipse,' by 99 feet (30 meters).
With a myriad of over-the-top luxury toys -- including a two-level cinema, a nightclub and helipad -- the yacht unsurprisingly comes with a hefty price tag.
Berkeley March, the yacht's naval architect, told CNN the boat could cost up to $1 billion (�650 million) to build, 'depending on the needs of the clients.'"
If built, it would surpass the world's current largest private yacht, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich's 'Eclipse,' by 99 feet (30 meters).
With a myriad of over-the-top luxury toys -- including a two-level cinema, a nightclub and helipad -- the yacht unsurprisingly comes with a hefty price tag.
Berkeley March, the yacht's naval architect, told CNN the boat could cost up to $1 billion (�650 million) to build, 'depending on the needs of the clients.'"
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Sailing faster than the wind.
I've always admired the physics of sailing: "Both the 113-foot American trimaran, USA 17, and 115-foot Swiss catamaran, Alinghi 5, have been clocked sailing at 15-30 knots (17-35 m.p.h.) in 5-10 knots of wind. And both are displacement hull boats that slice through the water like an aircraft carrier, rather than sliding across the top like a racing hydroplane.
The multihulls can do that because they are very light for their size, with a small amount of their hull surfaces in contact with the water; don’t have wide, heavy keels hanging underneath, and can carry huge amounts of sail area."
The multihulls can do that because they are very light for their size, with a small amount of their hull surfaces in contact with the water; don’t have wide, heavy keels hanging underneath, and can carry huge amounts of sail area."
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Marine Algae Found to Harness Power of Quantum Mechanics
OK this has nothing to do with boating, but when I'm sailing I'm often thinking about these things, physics and marine biology: "Scientists still struggle to understand and harness the spooky physics of quantum mechanics, but nature may have a head start on us humans. Tiny marine algae apparently use the mysterious phenomenon called superposition -- where a particle can be in two places at the same time -- to move around solar energy they harvest through the process of photosynthesis.
This astounding find suggests that biological creatures may have adapted quantum mechanics for survival billions of years ago. It also demonstrates that quantum mechanics can prevail over classical physics even at normal temperatures, given that the algae can send energy flowing through several alternate biological paths simultaneously."
This astounding find suggests that biological creatures may have adapted quantum mechanics for survival billions of years ago. It also demonstrates that quantum mechanics can prevail over classical physics even at normal temperatures, given that the algae can send energy flowing through several alternate biological paths simultaneously."
America's Cup: Billionaires' Lawyers Duel - DailyFinance
America's Cup: Billionaires' Lawyers Duel - DailyFinance: "Even by the standards of a rich man's game, the 33rd America's Cup is outrageous. Three years of courtroom warfare between Ellison and Bertarelli's teams of lawyers have produced a highly legalistic set of racing rules, an incredibly precise protocol that borders on the ridiculous. For example, competing boats may be up to 90 feet long and must be measured with water in their ballast tanks -- but the distribution of the water is open to interpretation."
Friday, February 5, 2010
Twiggy the water-skiing squirrel
Twiggy, a water-skiing squirrel, is appearing at the Atlantic City International Power Boat Show with handler Lou Ann Best. Lou Ann has been doing this for three decades -- and the world-famous squirrel is bringing crowds and smiles, along with helping Lou Ann accomplish a personal goal. Video by Press of Atlantic City digital reporter Dan Good.
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