-
Tags
Meta
Daily Archives: February 18, 2007
Pleneau/Hovgaard Islands
For the last few days we have been enjoying the spectacular scenery at the southern end of the Le Maire channel from a secure mooring spot. Tied up amongst numerous rocks and skerries that lie between Hovgaard and Pleneau islands (see photo) we have been treated to 2 days of perfect weather. A big rookery of Gentoo penguins nearby has enticed us to sit for hours and we have been observing the next phase of the breeding cycle. Although there are still a few young chicks to be seen, most are almost fully fledged and full of curiosity. The feeding chases have taken on a new intensity and often the adults lead the chicks all the way to the water’s edge and plunge in. This seems to be part of a training process to teach the chicks where to find food, as the adults emerge from the water within moments to feed the waiting chick. Older chicks sometimes follow the parent into the water at a run, only to halt in surprise and stand staring at the sea. Many adult birds now look skinny compared to their sleek, plump chicks, showing what a toll the raising of the young penguins takes on them. Once they part from the chicks they will spend some time at sea feeding themsleves before returning to molt. During the weeks of molting they cannot enter the water as their specially designed feathers provide insulation and waterproofing and without them they would not survive. All their energy is spent growing a new set of feathers as fast as possible, a process that normally takes about 3 weeks. Continue reading
Posted in General Sailing, Sailing Blogs
Leave a comment
UAE. Light airs cancels day 3 of UBS Dubai Defender Trials
With the scoreboard 3-1 to Ed Baird (SUI91) at the beginning of Race Day 3, there was everything to play for. Peter Holmberg and Baird swapped boats for the second half of the regatta, but unfortunately, the conditions … Continue reading
Posted in General Sailing, Sailing News
Leave a comment
Australia. Whitsunday Sailing Club championship: Africa, Idle Time & Wobbly Boot major contenders
Chris Nicoll confidently claimed the 2006 Whitsunday Sailing Club championship with his well prepared Bavaria cruiser/racer Africa. Nicoll has won the title before at the helm of Sandpiper but he and crew were clearly the masters over a … Continue reading
Posted in General Sailing, Sailing News
Leave a comment
Sailing Against the Wind
Someone was thinking outside of the box on this one. The 36 foot catamaran, Revelation II , is powered by 3 20-foot long carbon fiber propellers on a 30 foot rotating mast.
Comment Continue reading
Posted in General Sailing, Sailing News
Leave a comment
Canoes nearing Micronesia
MAJURO, Marshall Islands As the Hawaiian sailing canoes Hokule’a and Alingano Maisu approach Micronesia, plans are moving forward for welcoming celebrations.
Comment Continue reading
Posted in General Sailing, Sailing News
Leave a comment
Ferry officer ‘will deny’ Ouzo death charges
A FERRY officer accused of manslaughter of three sailors due to gross negligence has indicated that he will deny the charges.
Comment Continue reading
Posted in General Sailing, Sailing News
Leave a comment
Thailand. Phang Nga Bay Regatta: Spectacular start for 50 yacht fleet
Asia’s most scenic regatta started in spectacular fashion yesterday with a fleet of 50 boats sailing from Phuket and weaving their way through a maze of islands to Phang Nga Bay, where they dropped anchor for the night. There … Continue reading
Posted in General Sailing, Sailing News
Leave a comment
Marina del Rey to Puerto Vallarta: Inshore sailing pays off early Salsa leaders
The first two days of Del Rey Yacht Club's 19th biennial race to Puerto Vallarta looks like an inside job. The early leaders in the two Salsa Division classes—Gil Maguire's Tenacity in spinnaker and Peter Hirsch's Segue in non-spinnaker—sailed … Continue reading
Posted in General Sailing, Sailing News
Leave a comment
USA. Sperry Top-Sider NOOD Regatta: Britains John Pollards leads Melges 24 class
While warm sunshine was a welcome start for the eager competitors aboard 195 boats at the Sperry Top-Sider NOOD Regatta in St. Petersburg, Fla. this morning, the talk while leaving the dock was how the wind that wreaked havoc … Continue reading
Posted in General Sailing, Sailing News
Leave a comment
Australia. Marathon road dash for Seawind F18s to arrive at Yeppoon Queensland
A flurry of activity in the Rydges Capricorn F18 boat park at Yeppoon Queensland, as a 40 foot container was unloaded to cheers and claps after a marathon 4300 kilometre road dash across Australia. A happy ending to a … Continue reading
Posted in General Sailing, Sailing News
Leave a comment