A section of upper New York harbor, just north of Ellis Island, has been taken over for the Red Bull Air Race World Championship. Huge 20 meter air filled pylons sprang up over a three mile course and small, brightly colored planes flew between and around them at dizzying speeds, their engines whining in the wild loops and turns. At times it sounded as if the harbor was under attack by giant mosquitoes. As fans watched from the Liberty State Park shoreline and from a flotilla of boats, large and small, in the harbor. Fifteen pilots competed at speeds up to 230 miles per hours. Yesterday was the qualifying round. It was nothing short of breathtaking as the planes raced, one at a time, through the winding course. The race continues today. A quick video:
Old Salt Blog
a virtual port of call for all those who love the sea , hosted by nautical novelist Rick Spilman
It’s often entertaining to watch (from a safe distance) someone doing all the things your flight instructors told you never to do yourself!