The loss of the Irish entry Cork in the Clipper around the World Race has raised some eyebrows. A few weeks back Cork T-boned another competitor at the start of the race in Cape Town. On Thursday she went one better and struck a reef in the Java Sea. Video footage released to the media showed the yacht high and dry just meters away from a small tower that marked the end of the reef. Obviously, someone is facing serious questions and clipper tells me that a full investigation is underway. Race founder Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said Cork was the first yacht they have lost in over two million miles of racing. Let’s hope it’s their last.
It’s been an amazing week for sixteen year old Australian Jessica Watson. On Wednesday, Jessica, who is attempting to become the youngest person to sail nonstop and unassisted around the world, rounded Cape Horn having covered almost ten thousand miles of her solo voyage. Lot’s of people, me include, expressed concern when Jessica announced she was setting off on her record attempt and I was even more concerned after she ran into a freighter during a training voyage in the dark. Well, you’ve got to hand it to her, as she seems to be proving us all wrong. Why the detraction? Because we wish it was us! Go Jessica …
Members and staff at the St. Maarten Yacht Club have come together to help the people of the devastated island of Haiti. Brad and Tara, who run the yacht club bar and restaurant, donated a percentage of Saturday’s bar receipts to the cause, and well know St. Maarten yachtsman Ian Hope Ross donated fifty buckets from his construction company. The buckets were washed out by volunteers, filled with goods, clothes etc., and given to the Red Cross for shipment to Haiti. The collection goes on all week and it’s nice to report that there is more to our yacht club than sailing and cold beer.
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