Transat Tieup–And Where’s Ellen: Brit Mike Golding, in his Open 60 monohull Ecover, finally scored a win in a big solo race, winning the Transat over the weekend. Golding has been out there fighting tooth and nail for years now, and this is his first big one. With it, he’s going to be a favorite in November’s Vendee Globe. You can listen to a post-race interview with Golding here. Frenchman Dominique Wavre nabbed second, and Kiwi (and Transat virgin) Mike Sanderson hung onto third despite his broken daggerboard. Yves Parlier finally turned up in his hydroplaning catamaran, and hopefully will set up for a solo North Atlantic record. Which brings me to the question: WHERE THE HELL IS ELLEN? And when will she and B&Q finally take off from New York on their record attempt? By now B&Q is going to be sinking under the weight of weed and barnacle she is accumulating in New York harbor. So bring it on, and get talking to Yves about a simultaneous departure. Now that would be a race really worth watching…



B&Q at Liberty Landing Marina: “Ships and men rot in port.” Even the fat cruiser has been out more often…