Ozzie sails faster than 60kts, another rescued by ship, strange Phocea
by Nancy Knudsen, Editor on 15 Nov 2012
Vestas Sail Rocket 2 with skipper Paul Larsen SW
In Namibia Australian Paul Larsen and the Vestas Sailrocket team have cracked their glass ceiling and are sailing amazingly fast – beating 60kts at times.
One of the routes long known by cruising sailors to be unpredictable – that between the South Pacific Islands and New Zealand - lived up to its reputation again this week.
AMVER also lived up to its reputation in that a Hong-Kong-flagged merchant ship steamed for a day out of its way to rescue the sailors who had been rolled in an unforecast storm. Then they went further out of their way to rendezvous with a New Zealand Navy vessel to drop off their unexpected visitors. Thank you, volunteer merchant ships of the world, for the many rescues carried out.
While cruising sailors generally appreciate their environment and tend to be green at heart, Australia's first Eco Boat Show is happening this Sunday. If you can reach Pittwater in Sydney, the show should be excellent. Read the story for more details. It's probably quite appropriate that the just-announced coveted DAME Award for 2012 is for a new, fast, silent electric outboard that we'll all be wanting on the back of our dinghies soon.
Strangest story of the week is of the oh-so-elegant sailing boat Phocea, who has spent most of her life in the fast-lane, and I am not talking of knots. Read her tumultuous history, not finished yet, as she is still full of mystery intrigue – and maybe skullduggery - today. She's not far away, in Vanuatu, but is hoping to leave before the cyclone season starts. She's a stunning yacht, the longest in the world until out-footed by Athena in 2004, so let's hope she heads west.
Much more too, so scan the headlines to find your interest.
Sweet sailing!
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