Dr. Crash

The nonstop solo around-the-world race has been called the "Everest of the Seas." Like Everest, the Vendée Globe takes prisoners. As the miles left to the finish diminish, so do the number of boats in the race.

With 100+ A-Class catamarans racing at the World Championship in Islamorada, Fla., and breeze consistently between 20-25 knots on the first day, there was lots of carnage. Photos: 2012 A-Cat World Championship Facebook.

Dear Dr. Crash: I am having second thoughts about my open cockpit race version Bluenose Sloop. I know Roue' is Canada's most respected yacht designer and the yacht was originally designed with an open cockpit, but the McVay version self draining cockpit one that I also own made it through the 40 knot winds while the former did not. What should I do? Stop sailing in winds past 25 knots? I can hear my Nova Scotia cousins growling at the thought as I type these very words.

Her red hat is going to get wet! Event: J24 Fleet 43 Downeast Regatta 09-08-12 Photo by Ann-E Blanchard Host club Portland Yacht Club, Falmouth Maine Skipper/Helmsmen: Andrew Carey

Success! Event: J24 Fleet 43 Downeast Regatta 09-08-12 Photo by Ann-E Blanchard Host club Portland Yacht Club, Falmouth Maine Skipper/Helmsmen: Andrew Carey

Almost out of the water! Event: J24 Fleet 43 Downeast Regatta 09-08-12 Photo by Ann-E Blanchard Host club Portland Yacht Club, Falmouth Maine Skipper/Helmsmen: Andrew Carey

She is able to pull herself out of the water--not easy to do with so much pressure. Event: J24 Fleet 43 Downeast Regatta 09-08-12 Photo by Ann-E Blanchard Host club Portland Yacht Club, Falmouth Maine Skipper/Helmsmen: Andrew Carey

Notice the woman underneath the boom Event: J24 Fleet 43 Downeast Regatta 09-08-12 Photo by Ann-E Blanchard Host club Portland Yacht Club, Falmouth Maine Skipper/Helmsmen: Andrew Carey

During the J24 Fleet 43 Downeast Regatta last weekend one of the crew on "Mr. Hankey" fell overboard and as able to scramble back on board before the the boat righted itself. The woman was unharmed and "Mr. Hankey" finished 7th overall Event: J24 Fleet 43 Downeast Regatta 09-08-12 Photo by Ann-E Blanchard Host club Portland Yacht Club, Falmouth Maine Skipper/Helmsmen: Andrew Carey

Thierry Martinez catches a hairy top-mark situation with Australians John Harris and Joe Turner at the 2012 Moth Worlds on Lake Garda in Italy.

Click here to find more photos of the event.

Forklift spills boat into river CHELSEA – An oversized forklift placing a boat into the Hudson River at the Chelsea Marina on Front Street in the Town of Wappinger flipped forward Friday, dumping the craft into the water. Initial reports had said a crane had overturned and landed on a boat with one person trapped inside. But, when emergency services personnel arrived on the scene, they determined no one was injured and the incident involved the forklift.

Windy start of the Rockland to Castine regatta cause "Beausoleil" beautiful spinaker to tear.

Photo © Sara Proctor, www.sailfastphoto.com

Photo © Sara Proctor, www.sailfastphoto.com

Photo © Sara Proctor, www.sailfastphoto.com

Photo © Sara Proctor, www.sailfastphoto.com

Photo © Sara Proctor, www.sailfastphoto.com

2nd part of the pitchpole with the boat straight up in the air and the rudder horizontal. Still hanging on.

Pitchpole in the attempted Miami Key Largo race 2012.

 

Great photo of one of the racers (sail number 11533) trying to keep up with the water coming in over the bow of his Opti during the Portland Yacht Club and SailMaine Junior Olympic Sailing Festival Northeast in Portland Maine.

Photo by Ann E. Blanchard