Today's Mississauga News carries an article on Bert's Sports Chalet in Port Credit and its owner Anand Mahabir.

TORONTO, Nov. 24 - The TORONTO BLUE JAYS are pleased to announce the 2009 SPRING TRAINING SCHEDULE, with 18 home games, highlighted by two visits from the NEW YORK YANKEES and contests vs. TEAM CANADA and TEAM USA prior to the World Baseball Classic. The World Champion PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES play in the lone night game in Dunedin, featuring post-game fireworks.

"Hot hot hot. 34 C inside the cabin so I will be quick today. As I sit here dripping with sweat, the trade winds are weak again today so a little slower progress. All is well and I have been able to make some headway with the charging system and I think we at least have a chance to fix the wind generator. I have to wait for a calm day to go out on the back of the boat to try the repair."

You can follow Derek's progress on the Vendee Globe (don't miss the Race Tracker ) or the Spirit of Canada Web sites.

Hello from Algimouss Spirit of Canada

What can I say about the first few days, wow what a beginning to a round the world race. Start day was fantastic with the big crowds and great send off. It is the most emotional thing I have experiencced in a sailing event, thousands of people cheering you on from the shoreline. I must admit to being nervous on the start line with 30 IMOCA 60's racing around chomping at the bit to be off. We knew the conditions would be lively the first few days and they lived up to the expections and then some. We all started off up wind with one or two reefs and the solent for a sail plan but it wasn't long into Sunday night that I was at three reefs and solent. At one point during the first night I spend about two hours going due north as the solent sheets totally wrapped themselves into a big knot after an unexpected wind shift tacked the boat and I found myslef lying on my side with the boat going sideways in 27 knots of wind. Monday was very unpleasant as the fleet headed due west to escape the Bay of Biscay and the unpleasant cross seas that pounded the boats. On Monday, winds were even higher with gusts into the mid forty knot range. I had changed to the staysail and during one violent rain squall of 55 knots I was attempting to put in the 4th reef in the mainsail when the mainsheet took away the wind generator. My worse case scenario so soon in the race; no wind generator and just enough fuel to go around the world hand steering with a hand held GPS to guide me. As the rules allow me to return to the start line, make repairs and restart without a penalty, this was the obvious choice. Reluctanly I turned back and watched the damage reports on the other boats come in. Back at the dock, Patianne and Team Pindar were waiting for me with all the resources needed to turn the boat around quicky. The damage to the mainsail track was only noticed once back across the line and I tried to take down the mainsail. The track at the second reef point had pulled away from the carbon mast. We realized immediately that we would have to take the mast down. Over the next few days the team worked day and night to work through the work list and take fix the broken mast. Around us on the dock, the carage from the storm started to appear. Maisonneuve with hull and deck crack problems, then Groupe Bel and Aquarelle.com with no masts at all. Hugo Boss arrived with long strands of carbon pulled from the hull. Bernard's boat was getting a new bow sprit after hitting a ship right after the start. Other competiors had already come and gone after quick fixes, Temenos and Foncia among them. I think in total, nine boats returned to Les Sables as a result of storm damage.

After four big days of fixing the long llist of things broken on Algimouss Spirit of Canada, I was ready to leave on the high tide Thursday night. I never really contemplated not leaving, as long as we felt the boat was safe and was fixed properly. A big thank you to Andrew Pindar and the Team Pindar team, especially Nick Black and Hanna White.

As I write this note, Cape Finisterre is visiable out the port side and I am just about to jibe to the south and continue chasing Bernard. I've been able to make some headway on him as I brought in the new wind from the north. I suspect though he will have slipped away after turning the corner as it is a much better wind angle as we head south. Next goal for me is to pass west of Maderia and to make some more time on the tail end of the fleet. More soon.

Take Care

Derek