The Las Conchas Fire grew slightly to 139,592 acres [218 miles² 565 km²], generally because of backfires and internal burning. Containment is still at 40% because they are strengthening the lines around inhabited areas in anticipation of thunderstorms in the area.

Invest 96 is in the Gulf of Mexico West of Tampa, but there is no indication that it will do anything interesting before coming ashore in Florida’s ‘armpit’. There will be some much appreciated rain from the system.

In the Eastern Pacific they have their third named storm of the season, Hurricane Calvin, but it is heading West off the coast of Mexico, and is only a threat to shipping.

For Americans: There are some terms that you have to understand to know what the reporting is all about.

First off, Sky or BSkyB is British Sky Broadcasting, which similar to a combination of the US Dish Network, and a media company, like NBC. They provide TV via satellite to homes in Britain and Ireland, and have their own channels, like Sky News.

Next, Ofcom, [Office of Communications] covers most of the same areas of responsibility as the US FCC [Federal Communications Commission].

Finally, in British and European English, ‘undertaking’ normally has nothing to do with funerals. In business reporting it may refer to a ‘company’ or to a ‘promise or guaranty’.

OK, the news that the Sky Tour de France team lost its lead rider, Bradley Wiggins, and the White jersey is not the disaster it might have been, only because so many other things have gone wrong for the company this week, that have caused its stock to lose 8% of its value today.

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Le Mans – Chateauroux

Distance: 218.0 kilometers.

The last of the sprinter stages for a while and the climbers start to dominate. This a pure road race with no climbs worth a gear shift.

The good news is that Mark Cavendish is now tied for ninth overall with this, his 17^th stage win.

OTOH:

At the 180km mark, just as the pace had increased to around 60km/h thanks to a tailwind, there was a crash near the middle of the peloton. Involved were a range of riders including the rider in sixth overall Bradley Wiggins (SKY). He was forced to abandon because of injuries sustained. Others caught in the crash were Horner (RSH), Pauriol (FDJ) who also had to abandon because of his injuries, Boasson Hagen (SKY), Farrar (GRM)… only about 60 men made the front group. With 20km to go, the escapees were 30” ahead of the yellow jersey’s peloton that was led by Leopard-Trek and BMC. There was 1’33” between the front peloton and the second one. The escape was over with 12km to go. Liquigas, HTC and Leopard-Trek led the peloton at that point.

Both Wiggins and Pauriol have broken collarbones. at a minimum.

Thor Hushovd ( Nor – GRM – 051 ) [Yellow] 28h 29′ 27″
Jose Joaquin Rojas ( Esp – MOV – 088 ) [Green] 167 points
Johnny Hoogerland ( Ned – VCD – 204 ) [Polka Dot] 4 points
Robert Gesink ( Ned – RAB – 041 ) 10 [White]

Team: Garmin-Cervelo ( 051-059 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Mark Cavendish ( GBr – THR – 171 )
Combative: Yannick Talabardon ( Fra – SAU – 219 ) [Red numbers]

They’ve gone 1,194.0 kilometers [741.9 miles] at an average speed of 41.9 kph [26.0 mph] ↓.

OVERALL STANDINGS:
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Showing The Way 2

Come On!

[Editor: Ringo also ‘encourages’ me to go to her favorite feeding spot, although this wasn’t dinner time. She may have been conducting a dry run. While Tip walks to the side, Ringo is actually lashing my legs with her tail as we walk.]

Friday Ark