July eBook pages 1-91 (16.1 MB) - Latitude 38

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Page 22 • Latitude 38 • July, 2010
LATITUDE / ROB
LETTERS
her autopilot resulted in her fi rst Nereida going up on a beach
in Mexico while she slept.
⇑⇓SAN FRANCISCO FLUBBED IT
My family and I recently returned to England, having visited
San Francisco to watch the Clipper Round the World yachts
complete the 5,680-mile Race 7 from Qingdao (China) to San
Francisco. The competitors had to endure the most arduous
and diffi cult weather the Pacifi c could throw at them, with
very strong winds and tumultuous seas.
During the race, California, the State of California's representative,
was dismasted and required assistance to get to
San Francisco. Because she was escorted the last 2,000 miles
by Hull & Humber, Spirit of Australia, and latterly Edinburgh
Inspiring Capital, four boats arrived in San Francisco at about
9 p.m. on Sunday, April 4.
We and our family and friends had assembled at the Golden
Gate YC to receive the crews after their 35 days at sea. So
what a disappointment it was to fi nd that the yacht club had
not opened their bar, and no offi cials were present to welcome
the crews and visitors. There was further disgust when the
crews had to wait another 3½ hours for Immigration offi cials
to allow them to enter the country. Further, the boats were
moored on both sides of the harbor, so some of the crews
had to walk the very, very long way around the harbor to get
to the yacht club, which was their base. It appears that San
Francisco virtually ignored the presence of these racing vessels
and their crews.
When it came to a welcoming attitude and generous hospitality,
San Francisco comes at the bottom of the list!
I note in your magazine that San Francisco is hoping to
host the America's Cup. The city has had the opportunity
to show what it can do, and fl ubbed it. In my opinion, San
Francisco does not even deserve to be considered for hosting
such a prestigious event.
I was pleased to read the article on page 92 of the May
issue by Rob Grant. At least your magazine showed some
recognition.
Brian Trelivijg
Ex-Royal Navy
Brian — That you would rate San Francisco at the bottom of
the list for hospitality shown to the Clipper Race boats doesn't
particularly surprise us. Nor do we think it's unfair. Despite the
fact the San Francisco
was largely
built on sailing, and
was once the sailing
gateway to trade
with the Orient, the
general population's
primary interests lie
elsewhere. That's
just the way it is, as
you can't make people
like something.
Further, just because
Not overly satisfi ed with their reception in
San Francisco, the Clipper Race fl eet blasted somebody puts the
out the Gate.
name 'California
' ' on
the transom of a vessel doesn't necessarily mean that Californians
are going to identify with her.
If you look at the facts, the Clipper Race is undeniably
a tremendous sailing adventure. Yet for whatever reason, it
hasn't captivated the imagination or hearts of California sailors.
Maybe it has something to do with its being a for-profi t