Albeau kills it

So he really did it: Antoine Albeau has broken Finian Maynard's record. It wasn't a huge jump - only about a half knot - but consider that the guy has just flown back in from Florida where he placed 3rd in the Calema Midwinters - in super light conditions. So he's probably still a bit jet lagged, it's only his third session ever on the canal, and he dominates (Finian, who rules the place, didn't get over 46 knots - so it's clear the conditions weren't exactly a cake walk). Hats off. Tomorrow's conditions are supposed to be good, too - perhaps there'll be more news to celebrate.

Inching closer to 50 knots

Antoine Albeau set a new 500 meter record today; I guess they're still trying to figure out whether it was enough of a margin over Finian Maynard's previous performance to ratify it as a new world record. It's definitely another step closer to the 50 knot barrier. Forecast for tomorrow is apparently good as well, so follow the action at Windsurf Journal's live event ticker. Damn, that's fast...

Sweet Saturday

Got up early, got some work done and still was able to get down to the bay by sunrise. Perfect formula conditions for the 9.9. Sailed up to the South tip of Eliza Island and noticed a pronounced shift in the breeze, from SSE to SSW. Uhoh..., I thought, as that can often indicate a fading breeze here due to the convergence of battling post-frontal clearing winds from the Straits of San Juan (SW) and the Straits of Georgia (NW). Started my downwinder thinking I might end up slogging back a good part of the way - to be surprised and delighted with clearing skies and the SSW filling in nice and solid. The ensuing ride back was just perfection, with solid breeze, the sun sparkling off the water, the views spectacular, and to cap it all, a bunch of porpoises doing their dance in mid-bay adding to the exhilaration. Back home by 9, in time to have breakfast with the family and then go to the gym to share a workout with my wife.