whale

Queensland, Australia - This well timed photo was taken at Hamilton Island Race Week in Australia. Some of the best joys of sailing are enjoying the nature and wildlife around you, even if you are speeding by on a sleek sailboat in a yacht race.

We could find no records of a race that was so affected by wildlife. As of last night, yet another boat (Sam Davies' Roxy) struck a whale: "I sailed into a whale - my starboard daggerboard took the shock and now I can only use half my daggerboard. Bit scarey! I was sitting at back of the boat fixing my mainsheed padeye and doing about 13 knots."

Just in From Michel Desjoyeaux aboard the open 60 Foncia: "About two hours ago, I was upwind doing 10 to 11 knots, I was in the boat and I heard a crack. I felt the starboard daggerboard hit something - it's probably broken. I can't get it up more than 1.5 meters. I hope there won't be a big leak.