Wednesday December 23, 2009
Favorable wind conditions are set to produce a fast pace in this year's Sydney Hobart Yacht Race with Wild Oats XI's race record in danger of being broken.
But it may well be Wild Oats XI to break its own record.
The lead boat has to cross the finish line off Hobart's historic Battery Point by 7.40am Monday morning, December 28, to break Wild Oats' record set in the 2005 Sydney Hobart Yacht race when the Sydney maxi took the treble of line honors, fastest course time and the overall handicap win.
Stiff competition is expected from New Zealand's Alfa Romeo, line honors winner in 2002 and runner-up in 2005, and the UK's ICAP Leopard, runner-up in 2007.
Start time of the 2009 Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is 1pm, Australian eastern daylight saving time, December 26, in Sydney Harbour.
Photo: Wild Oats XI nears the finish line in 2008 © Rolex / Carlo Borlenghi
Wednesday December 23, 2009
Mainly in the coastal regions of New Zealand's North Island, the pohutukawa tree is in bloom. Because of its bright red flowers and the fact that it blossoms during the Christmas season, the pohutukawa is often referred to as New Zealand's Christmas tree.
And because it's Christmas in New Zealand, get ready for some hangi feasting and perhaps join the shepherds as they tend their flocks.
Or you can just go to the beach and have the Christmas swim of your life.
Photo: Flowering pohutukawa (Adventure Films, courtesy Tourism New Zealand)
Monday December 21, 2009
In just about five days' time, some 100 yachts will line up for the 2009 Sydney Hobart Yacht Race starting in Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day, December 26.
This year's race fleet will have crews representing the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Spain, the Netherlands, and New Caledonia, as well as every Australian state.
Defending line honors champion is four-time winner Wild Oats XI which is expected to face tough competition from Alfa Romeo. With new rules allowing entries of up to 100 feet, both Wild Oats XI and Alfa Romeo have been modified to this boat length.
Photo: Alfa Romeo with Sydney Opera House in the background © Rolex / Daniel Forster
Saturday December 19, 2009
A second miracle attributed to the intercession of Mother Mary MacKillop (1842-1909) opens the way to her canonisation as a saint in the coming year.
The formal decree recognising the second miracle was approved by Pope Benedict XVI in Rome today, December 19, Vatican City time.
When canonised, Mother Mary MacKillop will be Australia's first saint.
The approval of the decree affirming the authenticity of the second miracle has occurred in the centenary of her death.
Her remains are buried at the Mary MacKaillop Memorial Chapel in North Sydney.
