Veritas CCI

Today's Truth:  My child has challenged me to a reading duel in 2012.  This is going to be a tight race ... 

Veritas CC

Today's Truth:  Blog of the day:  kanelstrand.  Going green is fun!

Veritas CXCIX

Today's Truth:  A piece of aluminum foil in the dryer helps to prevent static buildup, so your clothes can stay cling-free!

Veritas CXCVIII

Today's Truth:  Topical caffeine temporarily enlarges your blood vessels, improving circulation.

Exfoliating coffee body scrub

Mix 2 tablespoons of wet coffee grounds, 1 tablespoon of fine salt, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil, then massage the mixture onto the skin in a circular motion. 

Veritas CXCVII

Today's Truth:  If you truly love your child, try sending her a birthday gift - or at least a card!  (see last post about actions vs. words)

Veritas CXCVI

Today's Truth:  Actions speak louder than words.  Especially with your children.

Vertias CXCV

Today's Truth:  Being a Girl Scout leader is going to take up a good amount of time - but my child is worth it! 

Veritas CXCIV

Today's Truth:  The Future of Food

Veritas CXCIII

Today's Truth:  My child reads 2-3 books a week - minimum.  Takes after me!  ;)

Veritas CXCII

Today's Truth: 

How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it.

-- Marcus Aurelius

Veritas CXCI

Today's Truth:  How to Grow Herbs

Outdoors

Plants herbs in a sunny spot in quick-draining soil.

Indoors

Place in a sunny window.  Water just enough to keep plants from wilting.  Using potting soil mixed with perlite (5:1 ratio if you mix it yourself) to allow enough drainage.

Pick your herbs only as you use them, so they are the freshest possible!

Veritas CXC

Today's Truth:  If a parent tells his child he is going to do something, he should follow through.  If he cannot, he should explain why.  It's called common courtesy, and children deserve it too.

Veritas CLXXXIX

Today's Truth:  None of us are perfect.  Mistakes get made, but decisions can be changed. What cannot be changed are the words we use toward one another - once they are spoken, you can't change them. Once you publish them, they are out there forever for the world to view. 

~ me

Veritas CLXXXVIII

Today's Truth:  My girl is progressing so well in her horseback riding lessons that she will have the reins sooner than most.  According to the instructor, she is a "natural".

Veritas CLXXXVII

Today's Truth:  The girls make me smile when they Skype - so much laughter and silliness!

Veritas CLXXXVI

Today's Truth:  My [almost] 10-year-old is very intuitive; she knows rude when she hears it.  Even when it's the click of a hang-up.

Veritas CLXXXV

Today's Truth:  Not being perfect (indeed, far from it!), it is not for me to judge another.  That being said, perhaps we should judge ourselves and if we find something lacking, have the courage to fix it.

Veritas CLXXXIV

Today's Truth:  I love my job!  I do not love ironing clothes to wear to it.

Veritas CLXXXIII

Today's Truth:  I love my family, but sometimes they can be so unreasonable!  Try thinking of your children for once and not your petty animosity!  

Veritas CLXXXII

Today's Truth:  Lou Holtz and Rudy Guiliani - who'd have thought they were funny?  Steve Forbes, however, is as dry as expected.

Veritas CLXXXI

Today's Truth:  My child is a natural at horseback riding.

Veritas CLXXX

Today's Truth:  The world gets stranger yet:  I have an automated email response for my child's email account indicating email is not read every day so that people will not think they are being ignored.  Now I am accused of waiting 10 hours after every email just to send out a fake auto-response.  How crazy would that be?  I think I have more important things to do with my life.  I have no control over when they are sent, I just set it up to send every time.  Now I am starting to understand how conspiracy theorists get started ...

Veritas CLXXIX

Today's Truth:  Myrtle Beach is not that great.  Unless you are young and financially independent.  The girl liked it though, and that's what counts!

Veritas CLXXVIII

Today's Truth:

Veritas CLXXVII

Today's Truth:  Some people just refuse to be reasonable no matter how many chances you give them to do the right thing.  Or how many children it affects.  One child's therapist says their self-dug hole just keeps getting deeper.

Veritas CLXXVI

Today's Truth:  Life is terminal.

Veritas CLXXV

Today's Truth:  It's hard to type with a kitten on your keyboard.

Veritas CLXXIV

Today's Truth:  You can eliminate paint odor by mixing 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract into a gallon of paint.  Really.

Veritas CLXXIII

Today's Truth:  Online.  I feel better now.

Veritas CLXXII

Today's Truth:  Enjoying America's holiday with family - nothing better!

Veritas CLXXI

Today's Truth:  On July 1, 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg began in Virginia.   This 3-day battle was one the bloodiest of the Civil War.  Being at the battleground park is a sobering experience.

Veritas CLXX

Today's Truth:  After many rejected suggestions, Alexis has named our yard rabbit "Cabbage".  Cute.

Veritas CLXIX

Today's Truth:  No internet at home sucks.  Having a smartphone helps, but it still sucks.

Veritas CLXVIII

Today's Truth:  My girl is almost an official swimmer!

Veritas CLXVII

Today's Truth:  Three days of A's swimming lessons behind us and not one picture taken!  Shame on me!  (in my defense, I am assisting with an older group ...)

Veritas CLXVI

Today's Truth:  Paid my electric bill at the pawn shop!

Veritas CLXV

Today's Truth:  One word ... LOVE.

Veritas CLXIV

Today's Truth:  This is too hilarious:  My Drunk Kitchen

Veritas CLXIII

Today's Truth:  When celebrating this Memorial Day, please remember what it stands for.

Veritas CLXII

Today's Truth:  Artemis Racing led here for two days at the third Act of the Extreme Sailing Series™, yesterday Groupe Edmond de Rothschild from France took control.

Veritas CLXI

Today's Truth:  Use a dryer sheet to get baked-on foods out of pots. Fill a pot with water, add a dryer sheet  and let sit overnight, then wipe clean!

Veritas CLX

Today's Truth:  Go to optoutprescreen.com to opt out of pre-approved credit card and insurance offers.  Go to catalogchoice.org to opt out of unsolicited catalogs.

Veritas CLIX

Today's Truth:  Plastic vegetable storage bags with tiny holes are perfect for storing fresh-baked muffins. The muffins stay moist and yet not sticky. 

Veritas CLVIII

Today's Truth:  My sister became a Grammy for the second time today - congrats to Sean, Tiffany, and Grammy on the birth of Alexander Nicholas.  

Also, wishing a special Lady a special birthday ... hope it's great, Sam!!!  love you tons!

Veritas CLVII

Today's Green Truth:  Take everything that can be powered by a remote control or that has a  transformer on the power cord and plug them into a power strip, and turn it off when not in use.

Veritas CLVI

Today's Truth:  Life is as good as you make it.

Veritas CLV

Today's Truth:  At 18:58:32 We Are Water crossed the finishing line of the Barcelona World Race, opposite the W Hotel in the Catalan capital. Spaniards and also Catalans Jaume Mumbrú and Cali Sanmartí, ninth placed in the rankings, have become the final duo to complete the challenge of the double-handed race around the world. As such, successful Barcelona World Race draws to a close, with nine of the fourteen entries that took the start of the race on the 31^st December managing to finish in Barcelona.

We Are Water sailed an average speed of 7,94 knots across the theoretical 25,200 nautical mile course, although the true mileage was 30,282 at an average of 9.54 knots.

Sanmartí and Mumbrú have both completed their first round the world race. Mumbrú, a 45 year-old lawyer, has achieved a dream, following extensive experience in the Mini Class and an entry in the Round Europe regatta on the IMOCA Open 60 Optral in 1999. For 41 year-old industrial engineer Cali Sanmartí, this first Barcelona World Race is the latest in a career of various ocean challenges, including the Sydney-Hobart 2009. The yacht is Bernard Stamm's former Cheminées Poujoulat, a tried and tested Pierre Rolland design, launched in 2000, now with two circumnavigations under her belt.

For this Barcelona World Race, Mumbrú and Sanmartí have taken the We Are Water Foundation message around the world, to raise awareness in society about the consequences of a lack of adequate drinking water and the importance of suitably managing the world's water resources.

Veritas CLIV

Today's Truth:  WE ARE WATER is less than 75 nautical miles from Barcelona!

Update:  25 to go ... 

Veritas CLIII

Today's Truth:  WE ARE WATER is less than 300 nautical miles from Barcelona!

Veritas CLII

Today's Truth:  Local Family Festival today!  off to have FUN!

Veritas CLI

Today's Truth:  Is We Are Water ever going to make it back to Barcelona?  and why is the BWR website suddenly so silent on their progress?  inquiring minds want to know ...

Veritas CL

Today's Truth:  Great Chinese State Circus - Swan Lake

Veritas CXLIX

Today's Truth: Want a new fantasy series to read?  I discovered Frank Beddor's Looking Glass Wars last year:

The Myth: Alice was an ordinary girl who stepped through the looking glass and entered a fairy-tale world invented by Lewis Carroll in his famous storybook. The Truth: Wonderland is real. Alyss Heart is the heir to the throne, until her murderous aunt Redd steals the crown and kills Alyss' parents. To escape Redd, Alyss and her bodyguard, Hatter Madigan, must flee to our world through the Pool of Tears. But in the pool Alyss and Hatter are separated. Lost and alone in Victorian London, Alyss is befriended by an aspiring author to whom she tells the violent, heartbreaking story of her young life. Yet he gets the story all wrong. Hatter Madigan knows the truth only too well, and he is searching every corner of our world to find the lost princess and return her to Wonderland so she may battle Redd for her rightful place as the Queen of Hearts.

Veritas CXLVIII

Today's Truth:  You are more likely to see a tornado than win the lottery, but not by much.  This truth sponsored today by our local Tornado Watch.

Veritas CXLVII

Today's Truth:  Fòrum Marítim Català crossed the finish line at 21 17 24 hrs this Friday evening to finish in a creditable eighth place, a good result for a duo which had never met prior to their qualifying sail and which arrived into the race with very different background, ages and cultures.

The young Catalan Gerard Marin and Ludovic Aglaor completed their race in 112 days, 07 hrs 24 mins secs at an average speed of  9,35 kts for the theoeretical course of 25,200 miles. Over the course that they sailed of 28.662 miles they averaged 10,62 kts.

Veritas CXLVI

Today's Truth:  Very proud of my Honor Roll student!

Veritas CXLV

Today's Truth:  Hugo Boss has taken 7th, crossing the line at Barcelona.

Veritas CXLIV

Today's Truth:  HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

Veritas CXLIII

Today's Truth:  We get to host my brother and his buddy for a couple days ... can't wait for them to get here later today!

Veritas CXLII

Today's Truth:  Children's Museums are always fun!

Veritas CXLI

Today's Truth:  http://www.etsy.com/people/CarolinaCute4U

Veritas CXL

Today's Truth:  For Dee Caffari (GBR) and Anna Corbella (ESP) the remaining 220 miles to Barcelona are all that stand in their way before both chalk up another record in their respective careers and the second edition of the Barcelona World Race.

When Dee Caffari arrives in Barcelona this will be the fourth time she has successfully sailed around the globe – twice against the prevailing winds and currents, twice solo, three times non-stop, and once doublehanded – the only female sailor to have done so. Meanwhile for Anna Corbella, the local homecoming reception is expected to be especially welcoming, as she will become the first Spanish woman to have ever sailed around the world non-stop.

For GAES Centros Auditivos, currently around 25 miles off Alicante, it looks like a relatively strong northerly and north-westerly Mediterranean outflow will create upwind conditions for the last section of their race between Cartagena and Barcelona. With an easterly Levant breeze in the Alboran Sea, and north-westerly Tramontana breeze from the Gulf of Lyons, things could get very light for the sixth-placed duo as they cross the Gulf of Valencia around the latitude of Ibiza, although they may be able to pick up some extra breeze from the Ebro valley, as Neutrogena did, to reach along the coastline. Given the localized conditions, their ETA could yet vary from Tuesday evening through to mid-Wednesday.

Veritas CXXXIX

Today's Truth:  Had a great time at a birthday party for my nephew and his son (and his father-in-law and brother-in-law).  Happy Birthday!!!

Veritas CXXXVIII

Today's Truth:  I love a Saturday full of yard sales and flea markets.  Especially when combined with 4/$1 books!

Veritas CXXXVII

Today's Truth:  When Iker Martinez and Xabi Fernadez crossed the finish line of the Barcelona World Race at 0917hrs (UTC) today, the Spanish Olympic champions of 2004 took second place, having completed the 25,200 miles course in an elapsed time of 94 days, 21 hours, 17 minutes and 35 seconds.

Veritas CXXXVI

Today's Truth:  Breaking the finish line this Monday morning at 10hrs 20mins 36 seconds (UTC) Jean-Pierre Dick (45) and Loïck Peyron (51) have won the second edition of the Barcelona World Race on Virbac-Paprec 3, completing the 25,200 miles round the world race in 93 days, 22 hours, 20 mins and 36 seconds at an average speed of 11.18 knots.  Congrats, guys!

Veritas CXXXV

Today's Truth:  This evening race leaders Virbac-Paprec 3 are just 40 miles from Tangier, at the entrance to the Straits of Gibraltar.

Currently heading on a north, slightly westerly course as they tack through light airs off the Moroccan coast, Jean-Pierre Dick and Loick Peyron (FRA) have the Rock of Gibraltar in their sights, with MAPFRE 281 miles behind.

In third place Renault Z.E. have crept 70 miles closer to the leader over the past 24 hours, and at 14 knots this evening seem to have crossed the front into better pressure. Behind them in fourth Estrella Damm are also making good speeds, but less confident that they will be able to capitalize on the better pressure.

Veritas CXXXIV

Today's Truth:  You can tell a lot about a person by looking at their bookshelves.  

Veritas CXXXIII

Today's Truth:  Firefox 4.0 is now available!

Veritas CXXXII

Today's Truth:  Your children are still children, even when they are grown up.

Veritas CXXXI

Today's Truth:  Reading lets you travel.  It gives you someplace to go when you can't go anywhere.

Veritas CXXX

Today's Truth:  Dealer's Choice?  Whoever deals the cards for the Doldrums seems to have made sure Barcelona World Race leaders Virbac-Paprec 3 got the tough hand, MAPFRE got one to work with, and for the chasing peloton – the 3 Musketeers, a special preview of Doldrums type conditions some 700 miles early. 

Veritas CXXIX

Today's Truth:  HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my daughter ... 35 today!

Veritas CXXVIII

Today's Truth:  Alex Thomson Racing Team have confirmed now that the IMOCA Open 60 HUGO BOSS will now make a full technical stop in the Falkland Islands, expected to be at Stanley, the islands' capital.

Members of the HUGO BOSS shore team are reported to be en route to the city. Meantime Andy Meiklejohn and Wouter Verbraak have been in a holding pattern 50 miles off the east coast of the islands riding out the conditions and are expected to wait until the support team are in situ before they make their approach.  The duo has reported that they worked round the clock for more than 48 hours trying to effect the necessary repairs, but need additional materials to be able to set a decent sail plan.

Veritas CXXVII

Today's Truth:  By the Numbers:

A look at some key figures relating to Friday's 9.0-magnitude earthquake that hit northern Japan, triggering a tsunami that caused widespread devastation and crippled a nuclear power plant:

9.0: Magnitude of the earthquake that struck off the coast of northeastern Japan Friday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey and Japanese officials, revised from the USGS’s earlier estimate of 8.9. The new reading means the quake is tied for fourth on the U.S. survey's list of strongest earthquakes since 1900.
9.5: Magnitude of the world's largest recorded quake, which took place in Chile on May 22, 1960, according to the USGS.
8: Estimated number of feet that Japan’s main island shifted as a result of the earthquake.
2,475: The official death toll in Japan as of Tuesday morning, according to Japanese authorities. The number of dead is expected to go up as rescuers reach more hard-hit areas.
3,118: Number of people officially missing as of Tuesday morning, according to Japan’s National Police Agency.
9,500: Number of people unofficially estimated to be unaccounted for in the town of Minami Sanriku alone as of Sunday.
17,000: Number of people who normally live in Minami Sanriku.
450,000: Number of people living in shelters as of Monday, according to Japanese broadcaster NHK.
15,000: Number of people who have been rescued since the earthquake and the tsunami by Monday, according to Japan’s Kyodo News Agency, citing Prime Minister Naoto Kan.
200,000: Rough number of people – living near the distressed Daiichi nuclear power plant in Fukushima Prefecture – who have been ordered to evacuate because of radiation concerns at the plant, where three reactors' cooling systems have been damaged.
2.5 million: Estimated number of households without electricity as of Sunday, according to Ichiro Fujisaki, Japan’s U.S. ambassador.
45 million: Estimated number of people in Japan who will be affected by intentional, rolling power outages - designed to offset a power shortfall caused by damaged power plants - that are scheduled to last until April 8, according to Tokyo Electric Power.
$100 billion: Minimum estimate of losses of the quake, tsunami and fires, including $20 billion in damage to residences and $40 billion in damage to infrastructure such as roads, rail and port facilities, according to catastrophe modeling firm Eqecat.
$15 billion to $35 billion: Estimated amount of losses caused by the earthquake alone that may be covered by insurance, according to AIR Worldwide.
14% to 17%: The estimated amount of Japanese businesses and homeowners with earthquake insurance, according to AIR Worldwide.

91: Number of countries and regions that have offered post-quake assistance to Japan as of Monday, in addition to six international organizations, according to the Japanese Foreign Affairs Ministry.

$23 million: Donations to help Japan as of Monday, according to an early tally by the American Red Cross and the Chronicle of Philanthropy, a newspaper covering nonprofit organizations.

Veritas CXXVI

Today's Truth:  Inventory is 76% done, which is good because the muscles in my scanner finger are sore!

Veritas CXXV

Today's Truth:  HAPPY BIRTHDAY Lee Anna!

Veritas CXXIV

Today's Truth:  Whatever happened to the Golden Rule?  One would think it would be a simple goal to live by ... 

Veritas CXXIII

Today's Truth:  Wishing a happy and blessed birthday to my friend George. 

Veritas CXXII

Today's Truth:  My dear friend Jam is ok after the Japan earthquakes.  Thank God!  Please keep everyone in your prayers as this tragedy unfolds ... many lives are lost and families are in dire circumstances.

Veritas CXXI

Today's Truth:  My sister and I have decided to go into business together.  Stay tuned for our Grand Opening.

Veritas CXX

Today's Truth:  After stopping last night at Isla Nueva to make their halyard repair MAPFRE appear to be back on course but still are not back up to full speed. They have been making just nine knots compared with Virbac-Paprec 3’s 18 knots.

Veritas CXIX

Today's Truth:  The low pressure which was formerly Atu looks like it will send a sting in the tail of the Pacific for Virbac-Paprec 3 and MAPFRE. Current routings have Jean-Pierre Dick and Loïck Peyron there at between 0930hrs and 1030hrs UTC tomorrow just as this strong low pressure hits. Currently it seems like Virbac-Paprec 3 might just escape into the relative lee of the land while MAPFRE who might be expected at around 1400hrs to 1500hrs in the afternoon UTC, could see significantly more wind.

Veritas CXVIII

Today's Truth:  I didn't realize how much my child didn't like living in Arizona until we moved away.  The difference is amazing - she skips out of the school with a smile on her face and tells me often how she loves it here.  It so obvious that she is happier!  The only thing she misses is her sister, whom I miss also.  Added bonus:  I like it better here too.

Veritas CXVII

Today's Truth:  Prayers going out to all affected by the earthquake in Christchurch, NZ.  This is the hometown of my beautiful sister-in-law, Kay.  Thank God her family is safe, but others are not as fortunate.

Veritas CXVI

Today's Truth:  Legal advice is a generic term that covers the need for knowledge on legal matters. It entails using knowledge of the law to determine courses of legal action for those seeking such advice. In essence, telling another person what legal path they should take or even assisting them in drawing up legal documents. If legal advice is dispensed without the necessary attorney's license, it counts as the crime of unauthorized practice of law and is a criminal offense.  

Veritas CXV

Today's Truth:  There are two things I refuse to get into a debate on:  politics and religion.

Veritas CXIV

Today's Truth:  Undeniably, my favorite author is Hermann Hesse.  I'd love to own a copy of each of his writings. 

Veritas CXIII

Today's Truth:  "A Crack in the Edge of the World" by Simon Winchester - great book, full of interesting facts about earthquake activity in the Americas.  I can still remember feeling my first tremor in San Francisco, circa 1976.  I thought it was thunder until the crib started walking across the floor ... ;)

Veritas CXII

Today's Truth:  Groupe Bel has overtaken Estrella Damm to move into 3rd place at the 1500h update. Neutrogena also is now 16 miles ahead of Mirabaud in 6th place. 

Veritas CXI

Today's Truth:  To clean brass and copper, make a paste of a few tablespoons of white vinegar with equal parts salt and flour. Gently rub with a soft cloth, rinse, and dry.  It really works!

Veritas CX

Today's Truth:  Children who love their school and love to read will be successful in their studies.  My girl loves both, and is doing very well in her new school.  She is so much happier here and that is all that matters!

Veritas CIX

Today's Truth:  Valentine's Day is fun for children!

Veritas CVIII

Today's Truth:  Virbac Paprec 3 is still in quite unpleasant, tough conditions ahead of the front with NW’ly winds which will increase during the afternoon

Veritas CVII

Today's Truth:  At the moment the leaders, Virbac Paprec 3 and then MAPFRE and Estrella Damn are, or will be riding a low pressure east out of the Indian and into the Pacific. In time they will drop off that low with a fairly short, straightforward transition to the next low. This second low is tracking a little further south and so allows the high pressure in to the Tasman. Initially it sets up to the east of Australia. Overall this still seems to set a fairly simple course all the way to the entrance to the Cook Straits for Virbac Paprec 3.

Veritas CVI

Today's Truth:  the best part of a trip is coming home.

Veritas CV

Today's Truth:  Back on the race course this evening after the technical stop to repair their keel ram hydraulics: Central Lechera Asturiana!

Veritas CIV

Today's Truth: 

Virbac Paprec 3 is still 373 miles from the east extremity of the Crozet gate at 0500hrs UTC this morning and their prospects don’t look to have improved any in terms of the nasty low which is going to be hitting that point by Tuesday night.

Virbac Paprec 3’s lead is at 582 miles this morning over MAPFRE. The Spanish duo is sailing the much more direct course to the gate in more favorable breeze, and their gains have been consistent against the leaders who have been sailing fast but on a classic loop south and north between the last gate and this Crozet gate. 

Veritas CIII

Today's Truth: 

By late afternoon this Saturday, five Barcelona World Race teams will have passed the Cape of Good Hope milestone.

Veritas CII

Today's Truth:  Thanks to human intervention, Florida's Everglades is now half it's original size.  And dwindling.

Veritas CI

Today's Truth:  I have purple toenails!  Courtesy of a nine-year-old.

Veritas C

Today's Truth:  Virbac-Paprec 3 passed through the middle of the Agulhas ice gate, the second of the course, at around 0100hrs UTC this morning, and this morning leads MAPFRE by 608 miles.

Veritas XCIX

Today's Truth:  Finding the most accurate, profitable racing line to link up the ice gates will be key to success across the Indian Ocean. Timing will be critical, especially further down the track where current forecasts for six days hence are predicting the generation of very active, fast moving low pressure systems to emanate from between the two high pressure features which will set the agenda for the next few days.

Veritas XCVIII

Today's Truth:  Race leader Virbac-Paprec 3 passed the longitude of the Cape of Good Hope at 0135hrs UTC this morning, an elapsed passage time of 26 days 13 hours and 35 minutes.

This morning they were 175 miles west of the westernmost extension of Gate 2, the Algulhas gate, and was still making around 14-15 knots, starting to experience the gradual slow down but appear to still have around 18-20 knots of westerly breeze. 

As Virbac-Paprec 3 slows, the high pressure is moving east and south, set to take up station over the Kerguelen Islands, moves with them close to the center of it. And meantime it looks like MAPFRE especially will be making rapid inroads, in 30 knots of W'ly and possibly making 460-480 mile days, which could bring them gains of 180-200 miles on the leaders who have 579 miles on MAPFRE on this morning's 0900hrs sked. In short it looks like a great opportunity for MAPFRE, Estrella Damm, Groupe Bel and Renault ZE Sailing Team to catch up.

The requirements of the gates means that the passage across the South Indian Ocean, at least, has the propensity to become punctuated by constant fast, slow. That will make it especially hard for the leaders' nerves.

Veritas XCVII

Today's Truth:  Foncia's Michel Desjoyeaux (FRA) and Francois Gabart (FRA) contacted Barcelona World Race Course Direction at around 0349hrs UTC this morning to report that the top of the mast of their IMOCA Open 60 had broken at close to 0300hrs UTC .

Foncia, lying in second place in the race, had been sailing under mainsail with one reef and Solent in 30 knots of SW’ly wind.The crew of Foncia have reported that they are both OK and the duo are sailing towards Cape Town initially at around 10 knots.

The top of the mast is reported to have broken off between the Solent forestay and the staysail forestay.The broken section of the mast is saved on the deck, leaving around 24 metres of mast remaining. There is no other damage noted.

The position of the boat was at a distance from Cape Town of 619 miles.

Veritas XCVI

Today's Truth: 

The Race Directors have made modifications to the Barcelona World Race course due to the proliferation of icebergs and floating ice in the Indian Ocean. This safety measure replaces the former gate at Kerguelen (48º20S) with two new waypoints: Crozet and Amsterdam. Both are positioned at 42ºS, which means to say 380 miles further North of the previous gate.

The great number of icebergs and floating ice that have shown up on satellite imaging from the Indian Ocean have forced the Barcelona World Race Directors to bump up security measures for the regatta. In an official notice this morning, the skippers were informed that the former safety gate at Kerguelen at 48º20 S between 40º 30 E and 50º 30 E is no longer valid.

Veritas XCV

Today's Truth: The first boat in the BWR to approach the ‘Roaring Forties’ as the latitudes of usually strong westerly winds south of 40° latitude are known, is Virbac Paprec 3.

Veritas XCIV

Today's Truth:  Foncia in Ghost Mode.  I think they are all having fun with this new twist.

Veritas XCIII

Today's Truth:  This morning MAPFRE takes over as the fastest boat on the fleet as they pick up new breeze from a front which is curving north as it tracks east. Iker and Xabi are sailing at over 15 knots in this morning's 1000hrs update, and have gained over 20 miles on leader Virbac Paprec 3.

Veritas XCII

Virbac Paprec 3 back into the lead for the first time since they diverted to Recife in Brazil for repairs nine days ago.

Veritas XCI

Today's Truth:  Due to an accumulation of ice near the anticipated route of the BWR fleet, Race Direction have modified the position for the first Atlantic ice gate. 

 By moving the gate further north the competitors’ route is

restricted to outside the danger zones.

The position of the first gate after the Cape of Good Hope, the Agulhas Gate, has also been announced.

The new position of the Atlantic Gate is 40°30S and 001°00E-006°00E. The position of the Agulhas Gate is 42°00S and
23°00E-28°00E.

Veritas XC

Today's Truth:  Dog-opoly takes at least as long to play as Monopoly but is much more fun.  We started yesterday and are taking our second break so far ... first was to sleep, the second to go to an appointment. 

Veritas LXXXIX

Today's Truth:  Yesterday Foncia surged into first place, and now Virbac Paprec 3 joined them at second place.

Veritas LXXXVIII

Today's Truth:  Foncia has reclaimed the lead from Estrella Damm.

Veritas LXXXVII

Today's Truth:  The South Atlantic is serving up another speed hump to the BWR, with current leader Estrella Damm covering just over 23 miles since last night’s 2000hrs position report.

Additional truth:  Following the BWR makes me miss the Kwaj Beer Can Races ...

Veritas LXXXVI

Today's Truth:  Virbac Paprec 3 exited stealth mode today, and JP's smile in video-con today hints he's pleased with their new position ...

Veritas LXXXV

Today's Truth:  Virbac-Paprec 3 is now in Ghost Mode ... wonder what their plans could be?
 

Veritas LXXXIV

Today's Truth:  MAPFRE out of Ghost Mode and in solid third.

Veritas LXXXIII

Today's Truth:  MLK Day - time to step back and re-assess how you judge people you have never met.

Veritas LXXXII

Today's Truth:  Barcelona World Race is getting better ... MAPFRE is in Ghost Mode ...

Veritas LXXXI

Today's Truth:  God is good.

Veritas LXXX

Today's Truth:  Legal documents should be read before being contradicted.

Veritas LXXIX

Today's Truth:  If a parent REALLY wanted to reconnect with his child, he'd accept temporary supervised visitation without hesitation.

Veritas LXXVIII

Today's truth:  While being a parent can be a tough job, I love this girl so much and am blessed to have her in my life.  She is a beautiful soul.

Veritas LXXVII

Today's Truth:  Vicious lies will come back to bite you.

Veritas LXXVI

Today's Truth:  What goes around, comes around.  

Veritas LXXV

Today's Truth:  New Year = New Job = New Life.

Veritas LXXIV

Today's Truth:  Sometimes people think only of themselves and not what is best for the children.