The International Snipe Class has built it’s 30,000th boat. The Snipe was designed in 1931 and published in Rudder Magazine by the designer of the Snipe, Bill Crosby. There are currently 861 Snipe fleets in 26 countries.
http://www.snipe.org
If you didnt manage to make it down to St. Maarten for the Heineken regatta this year, check out http://www.heinekenregatta.com for some great action shots by Tim Wright, who managed to get a scary shot of two boats just as they collided. Look carefully and youll see a completely airborne bowman. Luckily, he was recovered uninjured and now has photographic evidence for his latest “No kidding, there I was” story.
Anyone that saw the damage done to Tom Hills sled Titan XI during Key West Race Week must have been surprised to see the boat sailing and placing second behind Roy Disneys Pyewacket at the Heineken regatta. Fast repairs arranged by skipper John Spangos and a ship ride down to the islands allowed Titan XI to get to St. Maarten in time for the event and the rest of the CORT series.
The Bruce Nelson-designed Idler, an IMS 50 built for Admirals Cup 1999, was a dominant force in the 4-boat IMS 50 class at the 2002 SORC, winning nine out of nine races. “We had a better-prepared boat sailed by a team thats been together a long time, and it shows” said Ken Read, Idlers tactician for the regatta. “Conditions were difficult but George David (Idlers owner and helmsman) has come a long way and drives the boat well when its tough.” Uarshek II placed second in the class after a fierce battle with Javelin, the former Breeze, another Admirals cupper from 1999. http://www.acurasorc.com
Far from being discouraged, the other three IMS 50s understand that they are relatively new programs and are ramping up well. Their revenge could come soon as they are plotting a full schedule of races against Idler in the spring and summer. Theyll next meet in the Spring in Long Island Sound for the American YC Spring series and might be joined by Larry Dickeys new Ptarmigan, the former Virago, and a long-time nemesis of Idlers.
While youre online checking out the Volvo race, dont forget to monitor Bruno Peyron and the crew of Orange as they continue around the world at high rates of speed. As of Sunday, they were past the equator, beginning their plunge towards the high latitudes of the Southern Ocean. http://www.maxicatamaran-orange.com/site/en/index2.cfm
If youd like to see a preview of the upcoming Americas Cup, watch the results of the upcoming Steinlager Line 7 Cup in Auckland March . Magnus Holmberg, Peter Holmberg, Dean Barker, Gavin Brady, Rod Davis, Luc Pillot, Jes Gram-Hansen, and Ken Read are among the skippers taking part in this match racing regatta, the fourth event of the Swedish Match Grand Prix sailing tour.http://www.swedishmatchtour.com
