Ship-to-Shore

Three-way split as tactics divide fleet

Clipper Challenge — Mon Feb 06, 2012 10:00 am

Author: Clipper Challenge

Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2012 10:00 am

There has been a division in the Clipper 11-12 fleet racing from Singapore to Qingdao as the ten 68-foot yachts navigate through the South China Sea.

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Source: 20 Most Recent News Stories
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Teams prepare for gruelling challenge ahead

Clipper Challenge — Sun Feb 05, 2012 2:00 pm

Author: Clipper Challenge

Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 2:00 pm

The teams taking part in the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race are well aware of what lies ahead on this stage from Singapore to Qingdao. While the majority of the world’s longest yacht race follows the prevailing winds, this section of the 40,000-mile course is upwind, meaning the crews will be facing life at an angle for the next two and a half weeks.

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Source: 20 Most Recent News Stories
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Marigot Bay…Paradise

Jay Sea Dee — Sat Feb 04, 2012 10:00 pm

Author: Jay Sea Dee

Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 10:00 pm

An easy sail from Soufriere today leaving Grand and Petit Pitons behind us. We arrived in Marigot Bay to what looks like paradise. We arranged to have the bottom of the boat scraped and cleaned and headed for lunch. “Herman” finished the boat while we enjoyed our meal.

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Singapore drummers beat a tattoo as Clipper 11-12 Race flee

Clipper Challenge — Sat Feb 04, 2012 10:00 am

Author: Clipper Challenge

Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 10:00 am

After a week-long stopover in spectacular Singapore, the ten yachts taking part in the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race set sail this morning from the exclusive Marina at Keppel Bay, where they have been based since last Saturday.

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Source: 20 Most Recent News Stories
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Race to China gets underway

Clipper Challenge — Sat Feb 04, 2012 10:00 am

Author: Clipper Challenge

Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 10:00 am

At the start line for Race 8 from Singapore to the Chinese sailing city of Qingdao, the teams had 12 knots of breeze from the north east, making for a relatively sedate beginning to the 2,600-mile race.

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Source: 20 Most Recent News Stories
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Race of extreme conditions starts today

Clipper Challenge — Sat Feb 04, 2012 2:00 am

Author: Clipper Challenge

Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 2:00 am

Today the Clipper 11-12 Race fleet will start arguably one of the most challenging races of the 40,000-mile circumnavigation. Race 8, from Singapore to Qingdao, China will see crew members challenged by an extreme contrast in conditions.

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Source: 20 Most Recent News Stories
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A Rainbow of a day!

Jay Sea Dee — Fri Feb 03, 2012 6:00 pm

Author: Jay Sea Dee

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 6:00 pm

Sometimes rain can be sooooo annoying when you are out sailing but today it made for some beautiful rainbows to enjoy as we fought the North wind (yes, on the nose) of 30+ knots and BIG, ROLLY seas . We had to stop in Chateau Belaire to “check-out” of St. Vincent. The Captain took the dinghy ashore and had to wait for Customs to show up to work and then wait outside at Immigrations (the police) while they were interrogating a couple girls accused of stealing.

On our way here, we had a Police Water Craft approach us, hail us on the radio, ask us a few questions, and then leave again. We were really surprised that they would even be on the water after the seas and wind we were experiencing.

We are now in Soufriere Marine Park in St. Lucia. We are on a mooring (they no longer allow anchoring here as it is damaging the coral). in between the Pitons…what a sight to behold! We told a boat boy on the way in that we didn’t have money to pay him to help us with the mooring and that we would do it ourselves…didn’t work. He helped and we paid. Then more boat boys came to sell produce, tours, etc. Then the officers from the SMMA (Soufriere Marine Management Area) came to collect their share.

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Has anyone seen any pirates in these parts?

Jay Sea Dee — Fri Feb 03, 2012 6:00 pm

Author: Jay Sea Dee

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 6:00 pm

Today we had a short sail to Wallilabou Bay. We ducked in the bay prior to see if we could grab a mooring there but the swell was too much and so we moved on. The “boat boy”, named Sean, was at our side the whole way and even rowed his boat out to sea and back into Wallilabou to be able to get us our mooring line and earn some pay for the day. Because of the heavy swells you grab a mooring ball at the bow and tie a stern line to another buoy behind you to keep you from swinging. That way they can pack the boats in to a small space. After you settle in more “boat boys” come around wanting to sell their goods…necklaces that they claim to have beaded themselves or produce or a fresh catch of the day, etc. I bought a necklace made of Hematite from the Soufrier volcano for 20 EC which is about $8 US dollars.

We called Sam’s Taxi Tours on VHF channel 68 and arranged for an Island tour tomorrow…can’t wait! Later on, “Davis” stops by the boat to collect the 20 EC for the use of the mooring. Remember that we also had to pay the boat boy for his help…everyone has their hands out .

As night Falls we head to shore. We leave our dinghy at the dinghy dock and pay the “attendant” to watch it so that nobody steals it (the question is…how do we know he won’t steal it???). If you eat at the restaurant they will refund you the 20 EC mooring fee but we didn’t find the food very appetizing. There were lots of “no-see-ums” biting our ankles and bats (Yes, bats) flying around.

This Bay was a major site for the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies and the restaurant has a small museum of some relics that were left behind. The rock arch as you sail in was in one of the movies with 3 pirates hanging off of it…called “Elephant Rock”. John had to try out the caskets.

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Tour of St. Vincent

Jay Sea Dee — Fri Feb 03, 2012 6:00 pm

Author: Jay Sea Dee

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 6:00 pm

The taxi was on time and off we headed. First stop was The Vermont Nature Trail. The drive is half the fun for me. You pass through the real local atmosphere and on the backroads too. The two-mile circular trail has both gentle paths and steep, uneven inclines which made it a great workout. Our guide walked the trail with us to insure our safety from the “bush-men”. This area is most famous as the home of the St. Vincent parrot. We saw a couple fly away as we scared them out of their perches but nothing up close and personal.

Our guide showed us the “jumbie beads”. I collected enough to craft a necklace.

Next stop, Buccament Bay for lunch. I wanted to stop here as it looked so beautiful from the top of the hill as we drove to the trail. From the very beginning, things were a bit suspicious, however. We had asked our guide to join us and the four of us walked up to the entrance and were stopped immediately and asked what company we were with. “None” we replied and “No” we have no reservation. Well that created quite the stir and a phone call had to be made before we proceeded. After a long wait we were told it was now “OK” to go in. But we were still being escorted by a guard and taken to a large golf cart which would take us to the restaurant. The food was good and off we went again.

Next stop, Layou Petroglyph Park. The carvings originated around 300 AD by the Caribs. They are on a giant boulder down a short trail. Nobody really knows what they mean.

Last stop of our tour was the Wallilabou Falls. It was a bit disappointing as far as “Falls” go but it would be a beautiful spot to enjoy a picnic. Our guide picked some “Rose Plums” for us to try. They looked like red pears but smelled like roses.

A really beautiful Island with lots to offer although our guide filled us in on the REAL scoop as far as the government and Prime Minister’s affairs go. But then again, how do we know that he knows the truth.

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Petit Byahaut, St. Vincent all to ourselves

Jay Sea Dee — Fri Feb 03, 2012 6:00 pm

Author: Jay Sea Dee

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 6:00 pm

How lucky are we to find a piece of paradise and have it all to ourselves? When we arrived there was a French Catamaran in here, it’s crew snorkeling around but we found just enough space to fit in. The swells were making it a bit uncomfortable and within the first half hour we had swung around 180 degrees on our anchor…something the Captain just hates as it makes for a tenuous anchor hold. To fix our situation we pulled out a stern anchor and tied up to a tree on shore. Then the catamaran left and we are now enjoying this deserted piece of heaven all to ourselves once again…making up lots of stories about the deserted huts on shore and “banditos”. This afternoon was enjoyed by a snorkel around and then watching the two “blow-holes” right behind Jay Sea Dee as the tide came in. We watched a beautiful sunset too and saw the myth busting “GREEN FLASH”. Just around the corner is THE BAT CAVE. It is a cave for divers with two species of bats: the fishing bat and the St. Vincent fruit bat…I hope to see neither one tonight.

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Mount Gay Music Fest in Bequia 2012

Jay Sea Dee — Fri Feb 03, 2012 6:00 pm

Author: Jay Sea Dee

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 6:00 pm

This weekend the Island of Bequia held its 12th annual Mount Gay Music (Mount Gay is a rum made in Barbados)Fest. Yesterday we hiked over to Friendship Bay to the Bequia Beach Hotel for an afternoon of beautiful beaches, great people watching, and the Jazz and Blues Jam. What a perfect way to spend the afternoon! Can you spot the pirate in one of these pictures?…and yes, we are at 13 degrees North

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Polaroid sunglasses collection launch a huge success

Eric Boinard — Fri Feb 03, 2012 2:00 pm

Author: Eric Boinard

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 2:00 pm

Polaroid were overwhelmed by the fantastic number of journalists, celebrities, stylists, writers and bloggers who joined us for our 75th Anniversary and 2012 Sunglasses Collection Launch yesterday. Held at the elite No 5 Cavendish Square in London, the event gave a preview of our new sunglass collections, which will launch on the high street and [...]

Polaroid sunglasses collection launch a huge success is a post from: Polaroid Sunglasses

Sponsors embrace business platforms in Singapore

Clipper Challenge — Fri Feb 03, 2012 10:00 am

Author: Clipper Challenge

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 10:00 am

It’s been a busy week at the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race stopover in Singapore. Besides the crew and skippers doing essential maintenance onthe yachts ahead of the raceto Qingdao, and enjoying the sights and sounds of this vibrant island nation, the Clipper 11-12 Race sponsors have held a wide range of business events in Marina at Keppel Bay.

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Source: 20 Most Recent News Stories
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Hot Liquid lose RYA status

Yachting World — Thu Feb 02, 2012 6:00 pm

Author: Yachting World

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 6:00 pm

Company at the centre of 3 rescues in last year stripped of RYA status<div><table><tr><td></td><td></td></tr></table></div>

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Puma's net disappointment

Yachting World — Thu Feb 02, 2012 6:00 pm

Author: Yachting World

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 6:00 pm

Skipper Ken Read explains how his team got trapped in the nightmare others feared<div><table><tr><td></td><td></td></tr></table></div>

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