Part NASA projectile, part James Bond fantasy, now wholly reality, the XSR48 is the world’s fastest production diesel-powered boat. Twin 800-horsepower Isotta Fraschini diesels, coupled with a lightweight Kevlar and carbon fiber monocoque hull, push speeds of 100 mph, but — here’s an important difference — unlike other boats built for speed, the XSR48’s exceptional design means no whiplash for passengers. XSMG Marine of Lymington, England, brought in some of the top names in boat design, producing a vessel of supreme performance, comfort, cost, and exclusivity. One hundred will be made, at more than $2.3 million each. www.xsmgworld.com — Ken McAlpine
FITNESS
MARATHON MAN
The marathon is the Olympic’s marquee event, and Californian ryan Hall could make this summer’s race on August 24 in Beijing very, very exciting. Hall is young (25), relatively untested, and very fast — his marathon best is 2 hours, 8 minutes, and 24 seconds, the fastest marathon debut for an American runner. An American man has not won an Olympic marathon gold since 1972, but many believe that drought may end.
CL:How does it feel to be competing in your first Olympics?
Hall: it’s a pretty gratifying feeling to know that on August 24 i will be living my lifelong dream.
CL: Does the fact you’ve only run two marathons matter?
Hall: it’s good and bad. since i’m relatively new to the marathon, there’s lots of opportunity for growth. i do need to get more experience against the athletes i’ll face in Beijing, so i’ll do some of the races they’re doing to prepare for the Olympics.
CL: How will the fact that the Olympics are in Beijing affect the race?
Hall: Beijing will most likely be hot and humid, with a chance of pollution. getting ready for the heat and humidity will take some unique preparation. For one thing, i’m sure i’ll be wearing lots of layers during training to prepare for the heat.
CL: American men haven’t won a gold medal in the marathon since 1972.
Does that put any pressure on you? Hall: not really. i have always believed that it is in me to win a gold medal, but there are some things outside my control. My personal identity won’t be built upon whether i win gold. But it will be exciting to just go out there and take my swing at the win. — K.M.
Bike Aid
Portable navigation systems are becoming almost ubiquitous for bicyclists, and they all tend to tout the same features (GPS, heart rate, speed, directions, etc.). The Garmin Edge 705 is laps ahead of the pack, offering the standard features and then some on a color display. Want to know how hard you trained? Use the power data feature. Care to share a great ride with a cycling buddy? Just hit “Transfer Data” and it’s done. Now you can prove you really did go 26 miles up 2,000 feet. $542. www.garmin.com — Lori Stacy
Adventure Bound
Adventure races — events that might include running, mountain biking, route finding, and even subway riding; in short, everything but the kitchen sink (though you may be required to carry it) — are booming, namely because they offer something your average 10K doesn’t — fun. Here are two to try.
THE OYSTER RACING SERIES. Urban adventure racing is one of the hottest tickets in town. Three-person teams run, bike, kayak, in-line skate, hike, stair climb, map read, and solve puzzles along America’s commute in races that last roughly half a day. This year features events in Denver (August 16), Seattle (September 21), San Francisco (September 28), and Austin (October 26). www.oysterracingseries.com
ADVENTURE XSTREAM. Adventurers have two options: a “sprint” race of 25 to 30 miles or a 12-hour, 50- to 60- miler. Whichever you choose, you’ll paddle, mountain bike, hike, and navigate through the breathtaking (literally and figuratively) White River National Forest outside Vail, Colorado. You can go it alone, or as part of a twoor four-person team. Race day is September 6. (970) 259-7771, www.gravityplay.com — K.M.
GOLF
 Prepped for Play
Get back into the game with the latest golfwear and accessories.
A. LIJA’s spring line, from designer Linda Hipp, includes 51 Runway Luxe pieces with a French navy base mixed with cranberry, honey, and mist in sophisticated designs. (888) 263- 1191, www.lijastyle.com
B. For walkers who don’t like to carry, the BAGBOY Navigator ($1,700, 800-955-2269, www.bagboycompany. com) serves as a remote-controlled electronic caddie. And for those who simply like the wind in their face, ride into the future with the SEGWAY x2 Golf. $6,175. (866) 473-4929, www.segway.com
C. TAYLORMADE GOLF beefs up its popular r7 club series with a complete game improvement line. The eyepopping red CGB MAX driver leads the fairway charge. $600. (800) 888-2582, www.taylormadegolf.com
D. Davis Love III favors the thicker frame Hard Kore; Robert Allenby wears the thinner Kore. Both look like stars in KAENON polarized sunglasses. $209. (949) 574- 7918, www.kaenon.com
E. As Woody Austin demonstrated at the President’s Cup, ZERO RESTRICTION’s rain play system will keep players dry even when submersed. From $500 for hat, jacket, and rain pants. (800) 367-0669, www.zerorestriction.com
F. Player demand helped redesign the ever-useful BUSHNELL laser rangefinder; the new vertically configured Tour V2 model is ready for play. $349. (800) 423-3537, www.bushnellgolf.com
G. The relentlessly chic may yearn for a $6,600 Hermès golf bag, but relentless walkers who like to carry may find the waterproof SUN MOUNTAIN H2O Tech bag a lighter, dryer tote. $205. (800) 227-9224, www.sunmountain.com. — TOM BEDELL
RESTAURANTS
 DINING OUT
When the chill of winter is finally gone, nothing beats al fresco dining. Here is a collection of U.S. restaurants with some of the choicest outdoor tables. BY NICOLE ALPER
With a 1,000-square-foot patio featuring shiny patent leather pearl-white wingback chairs and red Murano glass chandeliers, DEVITO SOUTH BEACH (pictured above left) is as eccentric as Miami itself. Savor a global steak flight with Japanese Kobe beef, Australian Wagyu rib chops, and American Wagyu boneless ribeye. And don’t miss Danny DeVito’s very own Limoncello — perfect on a warm evening. (305) 531-0911, www.devitosouthbeach.com
At the LAKEHOUSE restaurant in Calistoga, California (open only to guests of Calistoga Ranch and its sister property Auberge du Soleil), outdoor patio tables are strategically placed around a giant coast live oak tree and overlooking Lake Lommel. Showcasing nature is a menu strategy as well; dishes such as duck confit with peach purée, spring onions, and wild arugula pay homage to Napa Valley and Northern California farm ingredients. (707) 254-2800, www.calistogaranch.com
Soaring 64 floors above the action of the Las Vegas Strip on the top floor of THEHotel, the outdoor terrace at MIX at Mandalay Bay delivers a virtual galaxy of twinkling lights — not including the stars. It features cuisine by Alain Ducasse; dine on Dungeness crab salad followed by a chocolate dome with mango chutney and passion fruit sorbet as you survey the bustle below. After dinner, amble over to Mix Lounge for another spectacular terrace. (702) 632-9500, www.chinagrillmgt.com/mixLV
Always a class act in Dallas, the ROSEWOOD MANSION ON TURTLE CREEK (pictured above right) is even more dressed to impress. A comprehensive restaurant and bar renovation now lets guests choose from multiple dining options, including a beautifully enhanced patio. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, or evening cocktail service outdoors amid copper lanterns from San Miguel de Allende, with soft jazz tunes playing in the background. Signature cocktails include the Blazing Turtle with champagne and smoked ancho chiles, and the Ginger-rita, a ginger-infused margarita. (214) 443- 4747, www.mansiononturtlecreek.com
At the Bay Area’s beloved LARK CREEK INN in Larkspur, dine surrounded by towering redwoods (in the eve, heat lamps keep you toasty). Getting seasonal farm produce from the Marin County Farmer’s Market and cattle, lamb, and quail from local ranchers, the restaurant offers the best of California cuisine. A local favorite for brunch, it offers Earl Grey golden raisin scones and twice-baked Maytag blue cheese soufflé. (415) 924-7766, www.larkcreek.com
The new 70-seat outdoor sidewalk café at A Voce in New York, aptly named AL FRESCO AT A VOCE, feels straight out of Italy. Light blue Herman Miller Caper chairs are paired with Terrazzo tables and surrounded by lemon trees, potted herbs, and flowers. The focus: antipasti. Sit at the bar and linger over a cool cocktail. (212) 545- 8555, www.avocerestaurant.com
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STYLE
 Design Victory
They say behind every good man is a woman, but DEBE DOHRER has a whole NFL team — or three, in fact — relying on her to make them look good. The Nashville-based custom clothier scored big when she became one of the NFL Coaches Club’s sanctioned clothiers, allowing her the advantage of dressing coaches and players for their many interviews and off-field public appearances. When she was asked by another clothier to do a fitting with one of the Tennessee Titans, Dohrer admits, “I didn’t know anything about football at all.” Dohrer and her company, Custom Rags, now wardrobe the coaches and players for the Titans, Arizona Cardinals, and the St. Louis Rams, in addition to other well-heeled clients across the continent. (615) 463-0000, www.customrags.com — WILLIAM KISSEL
ARTFUL DUO
Tabletops that seem to float on air and small desks on five legs — four on one side, one on the other — defy explanation in furniture maker William Hoehne’s and designer Susan Clark’s eponymous gallery in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. The business partners began making their topsy-turvy designs, which are actually quite sturdy, in 1999 after Hoehne (pronounced hoe-ny) was injured in a truck accident and could no longer return to his work as a home restorer. Custom furniture-making is not new to the craftsman, however. Hoehne actually apprenticed in the late 1960s under the iconic designer George Nakashima. Among his and Clark’s one-of-a-kind pieces is a cocobola and ebony Chenin table (pictured above), $2,300, and a maple, koa, and sycamore “Maple Pie” desk (pictured left), $7,200. (215) 262-7240 — W.K.
WIND MATES
The new DAVEK umbrella (pronounced dah-vek) is actually named for David Kahng (Dave K, get it?), who had you in mind if you’re one of those people who have ever been caught in the rain with your umbrella inverted. The mechanical engineer turned the rainy-day object of scorn into a weatherproof work of art by fashioning it with a carbon WindFlex frame, of super-resilient flexible carbon polymer ligaments, to prevent breakage or rib distortion in gale-force winds. The collapsible umbrellas sell from $95 to $149 at Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale’s and come with a lifetime guarantee. (212) 749-8746, www.davekny.com — W.K.
TRAVEL
 CHIC COURTS
James Sherwood, the founder and chairman of Orient Express Hotels Ltd., loves tennis. So when you travel to some of the world’s most luxurious Orient Express hotels, it should come as no surprise to find some very attractive courts. THE COPACABANA PALACE sports the only rooftop tennis court in all of Rio (011-55-21-2548- 7070, www.copacabanapalace.com). Take a break from strolling along Venice’s canals for a game at the city’s only centrally located court nestled in the HOTEL CIPRIANI’S beautiful Venetian garden (011-39-041-520- 7744, www.hotelcipriani.com). And for the ultimate match with a view, LA RESIDENCIA, on the island of Mallorca, showcases two tennis courts surrounded by the spectacular Tramuntana Mountains, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. 011- 34-971-63-90-11, www.hotellaresidencia. com. (800) 237-1236, www.orient-express.com — NICOLE ALPER
Antiguan Escape
When British hotelier Gordon Campbell Gray wanted to expand the fitness offerings at his property CARLISLE BAY, one of the Caribbean’s most elegant resorts, he looked across the pond to enlist fellow Londoner and yoga guru Maya Fiennes. The Antiguan luxury hotel now hosts Escape Weeks (the next of which is May 3 to 10) during which this former model, actress, singer, classical pianist, and Kundalini yoga expert will get your chakras singing as she leads you in a series of chants, meditations, and poses to the backdrop of her own musical creations. $3,360 per person, four nights. (268) 484-0000, www.carlisle-bay.com — N.A.
JEWELRY
 Spring Bling
A kiln-fired glass used to enhance myriad luxury goods, enamel is a decorative tradition dating back to the 13th century B.C. Over the years, new processes have emerged, adding durability to traditional methods. Whatever the exact process used or the individual item, these products all reveal the same thing: extraordinary bursts of color and an elegant, often whimsical flair.
Rings, from left to right: a trio of Wellendorff rings, including blueberry, $13,800, rainbow, $10,600, and black silk, $13,900, www.wellendorff.de;
Frey Wille Helios ring, $1,520, (310) 260-2639, www.freywilleusa.com;
Hidalgo rings, including jaguar, $1,056, diamond guards, $1,600 each, toucan, $990, and multicolor enamel ring, $836, www.hidalgojewelry.com; bangles, clockwise from center, left: Hidalgo tiger bangle, $688; Frey Wille Paradise Moonlight bangle, $1,140; Hidalgo animal print bangle, $688; Frey Wille Sphinx bangle, $1,115; Hidalgo bangles, $688 each; Frey Wille Joy of Life bangle, $815; Hidalgo animal print bangle, $688
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN SMITH
STYLING BY LORI HELLANDER
ACCESSORIES
Bright Ideas
Whimsy and quality merge seamlessly in playful designs for cufflinks and pens. Cufflinks, from top to bottom: Aaron Basha 18k frog cufflinks with diamond crown and bow, $6,500, www.aaronbasha.com; David Oscarson Pierrette collection cufflinks, $3,000, www.davidoscarson.com; Frey Wille Brooklyn Bridge cufflinks, $590, www.freywilleusa.com; and Aaron Basha 18k white gold fi sh cuffl inks, $8,400; David Oscarson limited writing instruments, from top to bottom: Winter collection fountain pen in translucent white, $4,500, ivory Pierrette fountain pen, $4,900, and azure blue Celestial collection rollerball pen, $4,300, www.davidoscarson.com
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN SMITH
STYLING BY LORI HELLANDER
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