Cat Capsizes

This year's Transpac had only 1 multi hull entry.  After an incident yesterday
there are no multi hulls left.

Early Wednesday morning the 76 foot catamaran Double Bullet II capsized 188
miles of the coast of Southern California.  All six crew were rescued via
Coast Guard helicopter.

The capsizing came at 0100 PDT.  It was a two stage event with the cat tipping over
and then rolling upside down where it remained.

Silver Bullet II's owner Bob Hanel was able to activate an EPIRB which alerted the
Coast Guard to the situation. 

Olympic medallist Randy Smyth who was onboard gave this account to his wife: "Randy said
he felt a bump, opened the hatch and looked outside to see the mast going into the water."

Mac Weather

Torresen Sailing Site has received several inquiries from Mac race followers wanting to know
where to get weather updates as the fleet sails up Lake Michigan.  Short of having your
own private mobile weather buoy we present the following suggestions.

First, check out the Torresen Sailing Site's weather links page.  This is located at:
http://www.torresen.com/weather.htm.   Good links to check for weather information
during the race are:

• N.O.A.A.-  Good for nearshore and offshore forecasts
  
  N.O.A.A. Buoy Data-  Good for real time data from buoys etc.

• World Wide Ship Observations-   Get commercial ship reports- need to know your lat/long.

• Intellicast Sailcast-  Nice color wind strength information.

• Go Sail-   Especially strong for southern Lake Michigan

Check back all weekend as Torresen Sailing Site provides coverage during the race.  TSS will
also have staff on Mackinac Island to provide post race coverage.