Bruce Kerridge's photostream  

Modern style Australian 18 foot skiff “Infinity” screaming under spinnaker on a broad reach on Sydney Harbour, Australia.

These “Aussie 18s”, with their virtually unrestricted class design rules, are believed to be the fastest monohull sailing boats in the world. They are one of the few types of boat that can sail faster than the windspeed and can plane when going upwind. Speeds well in excess of 30 knots, or about 50 km/hour are achieved on a regular basis.

Not surprisingly, sailing these boats involves a highly dangerous game of brinkmanship with nature. The high speed makes it hard to handle and requires extremely fast reflexes and a broad awareness of surroundings in order to anticipate changes. Major accidents can occur with inexperienced and experienced sailors alike.

Nikon D700 FX | 500 mm lens | ISO 400 | 1/2000 sec @ f 6.3

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A blustery day on Sydney Harbour, with a yacht experiencing an unintentional gybe (jibe), with unfortunate consequences.

Because the rudder is completely out of the water, the yacht is out of control.

The spinnaker is now starting to fill with water, which slows down the righting of the boat.

The cause of the gybe would have been too much weight in the bow, the spinnaker strapped down too hard, and helming issues. Note that the rudder is hard over, thus being ineffective even if the blade was in the water.

A crewman’s leg can be seen extreme left of image, and another crews arm over the stern.

Nikon d700 FX | 500mm | ISO400 | 1/2000 @ f 6.3

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Protester amidst the silliness of the “Occupy Sydney” protest in Martin Place, Sydney, just outside the HQ of the Reserve Bank of Australia.

Nikon D700 FX | Nikon lens @ 145 mm | ISO 200 | 1/80 sec @ f5.3

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Martin Place, Sydney, Australia. One of the characters in the "Occupy Sydney" protest, standing outside the Reserve Bank of Australia, demonstrating his superior negotiating style.

Nikon D700 FX | Nikon lens @ 200 mm | ISO 400 | 1/100 sec @ f8

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EXPLORE # 237
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Pelicans at The Entrance, NSW, Australia, in late afternoon winter light.

Nikon D700 FX | Nikon lens @ 38 mm | ISO 400 | 1/250 sec @ f8

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