In the December 2007 issue, out now…

From the Editor
How weather forecasting has changed since the Great Storm of 1987.

On the Wind
Ferocious storms hit the Med – we report from Cannes and the Rolex Middle Sea Race; solo racers set out after Ellen MacArthur’s record; top names join America’s Cup and Volvo; mystery Russian found off Ireland.

Walrus
‘It takes an aroused man to make a chicken affectionate’ – The danger of translating slogans…

Letters
Fastnet – who should take the risk? Keel failures – are racing boats compromising on safety?

Robin Knox-Johnston
Lessons in swinging the lead.

Moment in The Times
Edward Gorman looks back on Mike Golding’s disastrous encounter with a shoal off New Zealand.

Gear
Christmas special – upper class iPod and how to keep it dry; fluffy Crocs; mugs, calendars and silver towels.

Leading Edge
How a gecko and a mussel can solve the problem of underwater adhesives.