Sailor Hopes to Open a Few Eyes

With the aid of a “talking computer” and a Braille compass, Jim Dickson set sail from Portsmouth, R.I., in pursuit of a dream: to become the first blind sailor to cross the Atlantic alone. Dickson, 41, of Washington, D.C., bade farewell to about 70 relatives and friends, attached himself to a life belt and set out in his 36-foot motorized sloop Eye Opener. Dickson, who suffers from retinitis pigmentosa, has been legally blind since he was 7. He said he was undertaking the solo voyage to show what blind people can do with the help of modern technology. Two experienced yachtsmen accompanied Dickson out of Narragansett Bay to guide him under the Newport Bridge and help him avoid lobster pots and other vessels, but 10 miles into Rhode Island Sound he was on his own on a journey expected to take 28 to 32 days. When he reaches the English Channel, he will be escorted to Portsmouth. Dickson, who had never sailed more than an afternoon at a time by himself, said: “I think I’ll find out what my stress level is. I’ve always thought that I liked myself and enjoyed my company. I’ll know for sure in a month.”

--When matador Luis Reina made the traditional opening tour of the bullring in Plasencia, Spain, in his glittering traje de luces (suit of lights), he was greeted with more jeers than cheers. The reason? The word AKAI embroidered in bright red silk along his blue sleeves and pants, an ad for the Japanese cassette tape company of the same name. Reina, who received 2 million pesetas ($16,000) for the plug, defended his decision to carry advertising. He said: “As the 21st Century nears, I think it’s important to inject something new into bullfighting.” But Francisco Corpas, vice president of the Madrid-based Syndicate of Matadors, said: “It’s fine for soccer players and cyclists to wear advertising on their uniforms--that involves sports. But bullfighting is an art, and something much more serious.” Undaunted, Reina performed bravely with his cape and red flannel, or muleta, and received both ears--which showed the crowd’s esteem. He failed to impress with his second bull, however, and the crowd was silent.

--Britain’s Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, turned 87 amid a shower of flowers, cards and gifts. Hundreds of well-wishers gathered outside her London home, Clarence House, and serenaded her with “Happy Birthday.” The “Queen Mum,” who wore a turquoise-and-white chiffon dress and matching hat, is known for her love of floral hats, frills and chiffon.