Missing sailor's body found near Long Beach

VENICE, Calif. /*Tom Avrom Kirschbaum*/'s body was discovered in the water off /*Long Beach*/ Wednesday by people aboard a charter fishing boat. He was found wearing water resistant clothing and a life vest.

Authorities pulled Kirschbaum's body out of the water at around 7:50 a.m. Wednesday. Police say that there were no signs of foul play or obvious trauma.

According to the L.A. County coroner's office, an autopsy will be performed within the week to determine the cause of death.

Kirschbaum's 26-foot boat was discovered Sunday with its sails up. Kirschbaum is an accomplished sailor, having sailed across the Pacific to Hawaii. He was returning to the mainland after participating in a race that started in /*Marina del Rey*/, went around /*Santa Barbara Island*/ and ended at /*Catalina*/.

Kirschbaum reportedly left Catalina at around 9:30 a.m. Sunday, and his boat was found about six hours later. A gale warning was in effect that day, with winds blowing up to about 30 mph across coastal waters. /*Coast Guard*/ crews conducted searches throughout the day and into the next.

AP and CNS contributed to this report.

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