Today's Sailing News 

The Race: 5 of 6 start on time

Years in the making The Race started on time at 1400 local time off Barcelona Spain on Saturday.  5 of the 6 boats started on time in 20 knot W/NW winds.  Team Legato was still undergoing safety checks and so did not start.

Warta Polpharma the fleets smallest cat, led over the line.  Team Adventure got the best of several inshore circuits for the benefit of spectators.

The first night saw some tactical decisions made.  Club Med, Play Station and Innovation Explorer stayed along the Spanish Coast.  Team Adventure aimed farther offshore.

After the first nite at sea Club Med was the leader with Playstation 7 miles back.

Monday morning @ 1000 Barcelona time Team Legato started.

This morning Team Adventure has the lead by 21 miles over Club Med.  Skipper Cam Lewis reports: "It's a bit tough to tell who's in front as the fleet tacks to windward in the Med. But as we line up to pass Gibraltar we'll get the first real feel for the relative performances of these big boats. Remember, we've never sailed against each other until now. First through the gate is in front. It's that simple."

2nd place skipper Grant Dalton gave his impressions: "We have had a front come through during the night with winds of up to 30 knots. It is really bumpy, none of the crew have really settled in yet, we haven’t been able to eat properly. Frankly it has been a tough start to the race."

The fleet should spend the day beating into a west wind.  Once past Gibraltar it's into the Atlantic.

  BT Challenge Update

Leg 3 is  Buenos Aries to  Wellington New Zealand via Cape Horn.  

Leader: LG Flatron by 2 miles

Best 24 Hour Run: Logica 214 miles

Position:  South Pacific with fleet heading north.

Current Weather: Force 6 North West

Weather Forecast: Westerly gales

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Today's Vendee Globe Report:   Electrical problems for PRB

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 Today's Sailing News 

Weather Report: December in Muskegon 

Writing a sentence to summarize the weather for December 2000 in Muskegon is not difficult.  Simply, the temperatures were consistently below normal and the snow above normal.

December saw one day with above normal temperatures, the 16th.  All other days had at or below normal temperatures.

Lowest temperature was -5 on the 28th.  Warmest was 39 on the 4th.

December had 18 days of measurable snow fall, topped by 10.8 inches on the 11th.

The average wind speed was 8.9, below the normal 10.3.  Most common wind direction was west. 

Such cold and snow weather may or may not help lake levels rise.  December is just one month, more similar will be needed before higher lake levels can be confidently predicted.

Times Clipper Update

Leg 5 is  from the Galapagos Islands to Hawaii, 4100 miles.

Leader: London Clipper by 2 miles

Best 24 Hour Run: London Clipper 140 miles 

Position:  Sailing along the equator

Current Weather: Light SSE winds

Weather Forecast: More of same