Early Morning and Best Daylite

No wind today in Valencia for the first race of the controversial 33rd America’s Cup. On the bright side and since I was sitting in front of my Mac at 4 o’clock, I’ve got a bunch of stuff done.

My GTD (Get Things Done) list is far away from being empty though. Speaking about it: It has been a few weeks now since I started to use Daylite 3.0 to manage not only my general aviation business but all my other projects and activities and I’m really thrilled about it. This software made for Mac is by all means the best productivity, contact and task manager I ever tried. And I did try a few!

Add to it Daylite Touch for iPhone (and iPod Touch) and you’ll get the best cocktail to carry around your entire business, your entire life for a very affordable price.

Great applications from Marketcircle, Inc. in Canada!

2010
02/08
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2009 – 2010

In a few days, we are going to turn the page on 2009 and start a new year and a new decade.

I will begin 2010 in Freeport, Bahamas. I was selected as one of the two local judges for the International Jury of the 49er & 29er World Championships with my friend Lori Lowe. I look forward to this interesting experience.

After Freeport, I will be back to Nassau for a few days and then will be heading to Wellington, Florida. This is change #1 for 2010. The girls and I are going to travel back and forth between Nassau and Wellington next year. I want to give Stefany a chance for a better exposure to equitation and horse shows.

Standby for more changes and in the meantime, I wish you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR !

Happy New Year!

2009
12/27
CATEGORY
Family
General
Horses and Equitation
Sailing
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Is the 33rd America’s Cup Finally Moving Forward?

America’s Cup Defender, Societe Nautique de Geneve, in a letter addressed today to New York Supreme Court Justice Kornreich has confirmed Valencia as the venue for the 33rd America’s Cup in February 2010 with the offer of an Australian venue remaining on the table until November 13 provided the Golden Gate Yacht Club agrees to withdraw all legal actions. (more)

At the same time in San Diego, California, a big new wing sail was being lifted, moved into position and attached to BOR 90. At 1345 local time (2145 UTC) BOR 90 was sailing around the bay under wing sail for the very first time! (more)

Is the 33rd America’s Cup finally moving forward? ~ I would be a fool to try to answer to this question.

BMW ORACLE Racing is far away from being ‘ready to fly’ and from mastering its huge brand new wing sail and the technology that goes with it. ALINGHI is well aware of these facts and is now playing hardball to get the racing going in February, date that BMW ORACLE was pushing for initially.

What will be the next episode of the 33rd America’s Cup?

2009
11/10
CATEGORY
Sailing
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A Call for the Sake of the Sport of Sailing

When Alinghi won the America’s Cup for the first time in March 2003 in Auckland, I admit it, I was thrilled and very proud of what some of my compatriots just achieved in the sport of sailing. The Cup was returning to the European continent for the very first time since the inaugural race in 1851!

Then Ernesto Bertarelli and Team Alinghi put together what was probably the greatest and best sailing spectacle ever. Four years of intense and high-level competitions, four years that ended up with a second victory in a row for Team Alinghi in July 2007 in Valencia, I was speechless and truly impressed.

The Swiss organisation and the America’s Cup model initiated by Alinghi and Societe Nautique de Geneve under the impulse of Ernesto Bertarelli was a real success from which the sport of sailing benefitted tremendously. No one contests this fact.

Alinghi and BMW Oracle on the water

Since then, the Cup turned out being a legal duel. A legal duel between the America’s Cup Defender, Societe Nautique de Geneve (Team Alinghi) and the Golden Gate Yacht Club (BMW Oracle Racing team) or should I say between two high-profile team leaders and owners: Ernesto Bertarelli and Larry Ellison.

A lot is being said and written about the numerous rounds of litigation surrounding the 33rd America’s Cup, I will not go there, this is not the purpose of this post and I will leave this to lawyers, judges and other clever people who probably enjoy this as much as I hate it.

The purpose of this post is a call, a call for the sake of the sport of sailing.

Ernesto, Larry, Gentlemen: I realize the considerable amount of money involved in your sailing ventures. I even understand that it is difficult not to listen to and follow his amour propre in situations like yours today but please, give our wonderful sport a court break. Stop sabotaging the fantastic aura sailing acquired thank to the America’s Cup’s Challengers and Defenders prior to the end of July 2007. Return to the fundamental rules of the sport of sailing, return to the water to compete with fair play!

America’s Cup News on ISAF’s Web site

2009
11/03
CATEGORY
Sailing
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Mission Accomplished!

Nassau Yacht Club hosted a very successful Sunfish World Championship last week. 72 sailors competed in the event. The level of competition was really good although the wind and sea conditions were tough for everyone involved.

It was fantastic to see NYC opening its doors again to fellow sailors from 14 different countries!

2009 Sunfish Worlds, Nassau-Bahamas

2009 Sunfish Worlds, Nassau-Bahamas (Photo Robert Dunkley)

On a personal point of view, managing the races of this regatta was a very interesting experience. With 72 identical boats competing, sighting the starting line was quite challenging. Even the finishing line sometimes was crowded like downtown Nassau on Boxing Day and was not that easy to sight! A small army of 24 volunteers (24 friends!) and 9 boats were out on the water to run, support and judge the races every day and among these volunteers, a few local junior sailors and teenagers stepped in to reinforce the race committee contingent. Great thing to see happening!

Next international regatta I’m working on and that will take place at Nassau Yacht Club in April is the 2010 Star Western Hemisphere Championship. Meanwhile, I’ll be on the jury panel for the 29er & 49er Worlds in Freeport in January and have the firm intention to continue horseback riding with Stefany, my 12-year old daughter!

2009
10/26
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Sailing
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Alinghi 5 First Sail

Simply spectacular and beautiful ~ Congratulations Alinghi Team, congratulations Ernesto!

2009
07/22
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Showing the Love on Facebook Fan Page by Benet Wilson, Aviation Week

Bus Av Now Blog Article

Shared via AddThis

2009
07/08
CATEGORY
Aviation
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Just a proud parent ting…

I thought some of you visiting my blog would enjoy looking at the painting on wood that Celia, my two and half-year old daughter, loves doing using her hands, fingers and even a small brush.

Celia's painting, May-2009

Make no mistake about it. I don’t believe a second that she’s a painting prodigy. I just believe the result is good enough to be shared here.

Enjoy!

 

Celia's painting

2009
06/07
CATEGORY
Family
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When a private jet is not a private jet anymore?

This is an interesting question and I believe the answer is quite simple.

Couple and a jet

A private jet (or private aircraft) is private as long as one is sharing it with people that he or she knows, that are family members, co-workers, friends or even acquaintances.

But a private jet is not so private anymore if one shares it with unknown individuals.

Some air charter operators and brokers offer to arrange trips on private airplanes/jets on a per-seat basis with different parties on board sharing not only the plane but also the cost of the trip. This certainly sounds like a good concept and I will not argue on this, but by definition, this is not private jet charter or private aircraft charter anymore and should probably not be considered as and compared to private jet charter as we know and understand it.

2009
06/02
CATEGORY
Aviation
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The Prince’s Rainforest Project

2009
05/27
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