Rally defies economic gloom: ARC entry list full for 2009
Entries closed by early summer for this year’s Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC), the 24th edition of the world-famous annual transatlantic rally. The organizers, World Cruising Club, have now opened a waiting list after accepting 225 entries. There are 28 countries represented in this year’s event that starts November 22 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and ends at St. Lucia. The 2700 nautical mile passage on the NE tradewind route takes typically takes between 14 and 21 days until the fleet reaches the finish line in Rodney Bay. Better sign up now for 2010! www.worldcruising.com
Network of providers plans expansion
SuperyachtGLOBAL (SYG) is an affiliation between selected companies creating a network of professional and reliable service providers to offer vessels shore side support in key locations globally. SYG has members covering the Indian Ocean and a large part of the Mediterranean. The affiliation is currently looking for members in the Americas. The goal of SYG is to offer a professional high quality service encompassing vital local knowledge to ensure all yachts and crews get the best out of each individual cruising ground. For more information contact Christoph Schaerfer, [email protected]. www.superyachtglobal.com
Steven Lageveen rules in Sardinia’s Starboard Prokids Freestyle worlds!
During six days with wind conditions and gusts ranging between 0 to 60 knots, competitors from all over the world pulled out all their best tricks on the clear blue water in front of the packed beach in Porto Pollo, Sardinia for the much craved title of Starboard Prokids World Champion Freestyle 2009. Steven Lageveen from Aruba, now living in Curacao, placed first in the U13 class (under 13 years) and also participated in the strong U15 competition where he ended up third. –reported by Els Kroon.
Le Phare Bleu team donates to Grenada charities
The team at Le Phare Bleu (the blue lighthouse) located at Petite Calivigny Bay in Grenada has offered easy-on-the-wallet promotions all summer and continues to look for ways to help friends and neighbors affected by the recession. Through November, take part in their Friendship Fund while dining at the marina’s restaurant Västra Banken – 5% of all bookings will be donated to the Rotary Clubs of Grenada or the Ministry of Social Development to help people in need. www.lepharebleu.com
Round the World Clipper Race returns to Jamaica
For the third time, Errol Flynn Marina will play host to the Around the World Clipper Race in May 2010. Likely dates are the May 15-20 period. Errol Flynn hosted the group in 2008 and 2006. Port Antonio will be on the race leg from Panama. From Port Antonio, racers will head for New York and then for Liverpool.
Revere Acquires Safegard USA life jackets
Revere Supply in June announced the acquisition of Safegard USA, a leading manufacturer of recreational and commercial life jackets. “With the acquisition of Safegard, coupled with the very recent acquisition of Imperial International combined with our extensive product offering that includes rafts, inflatable PFDs, EPIRBs and PLBs, and pyrotechnics, Revere has put itself in a very unique position to become that one-stop safety solution for recreational and commercial dealers and distributors alike,” said Jim Cermak, Vice President of Sales.
Save the date
November 8 – 13, 2009 – 10th IGFA Offshore World Championship, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
International fishing’s most prestigious billfish tournament will host nearly 50 winning teams from 19 countries on six continents who have been invited after winning one of over 130 qualifying events held in 2008. For more information or to find out more about registering a tournament as a qualifier, contact Lynda Wilson at [email protected].
Passages
Bryan W. Tomasetti
A member of the All at Sea family and editor of Crew Life Magazine, Bryan William Tomasetti, age 34, died unexpectedly on June 17 in Tacoma, WA of a brain aneurysm. He served as First Mate on the Continental Drifter III, a yacht owned by a private celebrity, from November 2007 to October 2008. He also served as captain of the Lady Deborah in 2007. Bryan was commissioned an officer in the Merchant Marines in 2008. He achieved the rank of Captain.
Along with his love to travel the world, Bryan loved to tango and danced in various countries as well as the US. His true love was the sea.
A cause that was close to Bryan’s heart was preservation of the ocean waters. Donations in his memory can be made to a cause he supported, International SeaKeepers Society, 4101 Ravenswood, #128, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312.
Louise Rice Baker
Lou Baker, who grew up in a well-known sailing family in the New York area and lived for many years in the Caribbean, died quietly in her sleep on April 5 in Florida with her husband Marty and family by her side after a long battle with cancer. Lou was an accomplished woman who excelled at everything she did, from flying to sailing to competing in numerous regattas. She held a US Coast Guard Captain’s license for vessels up to 50 tons and was a highly-respected sailing instructor at the Annapolis Sailing School on St. Croix in the 1990s.
