SIGHTINGS worthwhile winter reading Because we're wordsmiths by trade, you probably weren't surprised to read in last month's Sightings that we still like books — you know, good old three-dimentional hard copies. Having reviewed several worthwhile new nautical offerings last month, we'll pick up where we left off with a few more suggestions for your winter reading. The Legend Of The Sea — The Spectacular Marine Photography of Gilles Martin-Raget. (Gilles Martin-Raget, $45) — Anyone can take pictures of boats. Especially with today's 'smart' cameras. And if you shoot enough, even complete wingnuts will score nice-ish pics now and then. However, to elevate sailing photography to art — and do it consistently — takes a special dedication, a strong right brain and maybe a touch of genius. Not to mention an intimate knowledge of sailing and the sea. Gilles Martin-Raget has certainly earned his place among the lofty few at the top of this game. This book celebrates Martin-Raget's more than 30 years behind the viewfinder with images from all the great sailing venues; America's Cups past and present; and everything from cutting-edge new yachts to dinghies to centuryold classics. The images are so razor-sharp that we found ourselves bracing for the next wave, involuntarily ducking the spray, or wanting to slather on more sunblock. And remember, these are stills. Convergence (Sally-Christine Rogers, $24.95) — If you don't rec-
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Reliving glory days, left to right: Don Jesberg, Skip Allan, John Ravizza, Tom Wylie, Ron Holland (holding 'Imp's half hull), Bill Barton, Tad Lacey, Skip Steveley, Ragnar Hakansson, Steve Taft, Commodore Tompkins, Warren Wheaton and George Kiskaddon.
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imp crew Much laughter, but also emotional reminiscences, filled Tad and Ann Lacey's Belvedere home on November 5 at a reunion of the Imp crew. "Stories flowed into the night," said Imp's sailing master, Skip Allan. Ron Holland designed the innovative 40-ft IOR racer Imp for Dave Allen. The remarkable boat went on to glory, including wins in the SORC, the Fastnet, and the Big Boat Series in 1977. The crew featured a talented young group of Northern California sailors, many of whom are pictured below. In the disastrous Fastnet Race of 1979 — when 18 sailors perished — Imp was briefly thought to be lost with all hands. "The impetus for getting together started when Skip Allan said that Ron Holland would be in town," recounted Steve Taft, Imp's sailmaker and alternate watch captain. Holland now lives in Van-