The Earthist Chronicles

This is called payback:

JERUSALEM (AFP) – An Israeli diver hunting swordfish off the coast of Tel Aviv was taken for bait, was reportedly attacked by a shoal of his prey and then skewered in the face by one fish’s swordlike jaw.

The unlucky fisherman somehow managed to fight free of the angry fish and reach shore, where he was taken to a hospital in the nearby town of Kfar Saba.

The man had a 20-centimetre (eight-inch) section of the fish’s “sword” stuck in his face and protruding from each cheek, the Yediot Aharonot newspaper reported.

Now that makes for an interesting emergency room tale…

“If I ever get out of this, I swear I’m going to spear the next motherf*cker that comes anywhere near me…”

Finally, some pics of ABN Amro 1 arriving in Cape Town. Volvo has a gallery. And so does ABN Amro, here. Arriving in Cape Town must feel great. Arriving first, even better…

“Get out your credit cards, boys…”
(Photo: Team ABN Amro)

I don’t really get it, but the people who play it–including some of the best divers in the world–are fanatical about it. The 2006 World Championships recently wrapped up. And if you want to know more about this eccentric sport check out the FAQ, where you learn the psort was invented by Brits (no surprise there) and originally called Octopush (say what?). Intrigued? Then check out this video and learn a little more (particularly if you speak Spanish). I wonder if there are lots of fistfights…

“Hey guys? I think I’ll stay out here on the wing. My wife will kill me if I lose any more teeth…”

Mike Sanderson and his boys just cruised into Cape Town to take leg 1 of the Volvo Ocean Race. No big surprise, since they’ve been spanking the fleet for days, but still notable. Read the report here. I’d post a great picture of the arrival, you know of a sleek VO 70 ripping through the seas under the shadow of Table Mountain. Except, err, there isn’t one (or at least one that I can find). Volvo has ’em, because they’ve got some small shots on the site. But just try to get one of a decent size. Talk about a lame website. Due in next: ABN Amro 2. And limping in by container ship, air freight, and sea (with a crippled keel), a lot of Farr boats. Err, Bruce? Time to recalibrate your engineering software….

ABN Approaches: “Good thing we’re about to arrive. Because this fu*ker seems to be sinking…”

So what if temps in the northern hemisphere are plunging, and most sailboats are high, dry and winterized? As appropriately named reader David Frost reminds me, frigid temps mean hard water, which in turns means the fastest sailing in the world. I’m talking about iceboating, of course. And to catch the chill, you’ve got to drop in on Iceboating.Net. And when you do, make sure you check out the killer iceboating video on the site. I give this one a Wetass Video Music Award nomination for the offbeat and excellent soundtrack. Nice work…

“Uh-oh. Rough ice ahead. Better slow it down to 60…”

Came across a great surfing site called “Swaylock’s Surfboard Design Forum.” Yes, it’s nirvana for anyone who likes to get down and dirty about fin shapes and resin qualities (and you know you are out there…). But it’s also got some great discussion threads, and I came across this picture in a thread where members are posting their surf photos.

What makes this picture hilarious is the photographer’s note:

“One of the more amusing pictures I think I’ve taken was of this guy sitting on top of the wall at the Venice Breakwater parking lot. His buddy is dropping into big post-storm waves, while he is basically a cheerleader. He is unknowingly sitting on top of a “Team Pussy” that my friend Jamie graffitied into the wall with some of her surf wax. The wave in the distance is a triple overhead set, pretty rare for Venice!”

Nice. And here’s one other interesting shot, taken at Long Beach, Aichi, Japan. Reminds me of the Tokyo subway…

Good Thing The Japanese Are So Polite…

Turns out Wilma (see post below) wasn’t the first hurricane Mr. Laser took advantage of. He was also out for Hurricane Frances, and they’ve got that video over at Adventure Online TV too. More wild and woolly wetness…

“Yeah, Baby! Looks like great Laser-sailing weather to me…”

is another man’s Laser-sailing opportunity. Check out this nice vid of post-Wilma action from Brian Karr at Adventure Online TV. Don’t know how hard it’s blowing in the wake of the storm, but the guy spends a lot of time in the water (and looks alot like me sailing a Laser…in 12 just knots). Perfect Wetass action…

“The sky is dark. The wind is up. Suddenly I’m wondering whether this is such a good idea…”

If Donna Lange’s modest 28-foot ride (see below), doesn’t do it for you, maybe you’d be interested in a 110-foot catamran that tops out near 40. If so, you are in luck, because Ellen MacArthur’s failed record-breaking toy is up for grabs. That is, if you happen to have three quarters of a mil burning a hole in your pocket. And if you do, go here and here. Sure, the mast fell down for no explicable reason. And, yes, the record breaking days are probably over for this first generation maxi-cat (though you could have fun following Olivier DeK around, breaking all the irrelevant records he is putting up..). Or you could just head to the Caribbean and pack alot of fat, sunburned, tourists on those big, bouncy nets…

“Ooops. Was that a 28-foot Southern Cross we just ran over…?”

Have I been seduced by the glitzy, big money, sailing programs? According to an anonymous reader I am getting away from my Wetass roots. Here’s what he/she had to say:

Ya know, I’m beginning to yawn at all these “program” boats and the ‘excitement’ they supposedly generate. Give me the guy or gal (and you do on occasion) who have to sail the world on a $40K beater and I’m there. When you’ve got a zillion bucks and a shore crew, and a rolex gang to cheer you on, well, where’s the real excitement? I’m all for tech boats setting the pace, but for us lone wolfs out here, hope you don’t forget the rest of the story.

Fair enough. As my penance I offer the story of one Donna Lange, a forty-something mother and musician, who earlier this month set out from Rhode Island with the intention is sailing solo around the world. Her ride: a 28-foot Southern Cross. It’s name? “Inspired Insanity.” First (intended) stop? New Zealand.

Donna is clearly an unusual character (example: two of her sons are named “Ptarmigan” (get beat up much?) and “Keel” (nust have been drunk). You can read all about her here, and keep up with her updates here.

Donna appears more experienced than the most infamous recent solo seniorita, one Roslin Forrest. But she has potential. Right now she seems to be doing a slow circle in the North Atlantic (time to jump in, Anarchists…). Stay tuned…

“Goddam autopilot! I said New Zealand, not Ireland…”