Welcome
to the Wonderful World of 100th
Edition |
|
Monthly
Photo Gallery
|
Quantum
Sails just keep getting
better!
Have you ever noticed that more and more photos of winning
boats at top events are wearing the familiar Green
Q on their sails. Quantum Sail Design Group designs, engineers
and manufactures sails for racers and cruisers who demand the highest
levels of quality and performance. The new Botin Carkeek-designed TP 52
Quantum Racing is competing with distinction on the 2008 Audi Med-Cup
Circuit. The project showcases the new generation of Quantum sails, using
the TP52 class as a platform. Owned and campaigned by partners Fred Howe
and Doug DeVos, the boat was built by Longitude Zero, uses Hall Spars,
and is skippered by Terry Hutchinson (USA). The fastest sails are now
available at 55 lofts throughout the world.
So now, more than ever, you can count on Fusion M delivering great boat-speed
and reliability. Goto: http://asianyachting.com/news/QuantumSails.htm
Distribution: Emailed to over 2700 recipients on all points of the compass. Known to be read by sailors as far north as Iceland to the extremes of the Southern Ocean. Also found hidden away (No doubt for future consumption) on computers owned by some of Europe's business elite to visiting royalty at posh oriental Clubs in the far east.
AsianYachting.com is now a major yachting news provider in Asia which averages over 2000 page views per day.
CONTENTS
1.
EDITORIAL -
100th edition of the monthly AY
News and Views - Ray Roberts and Quantum Racing
become the 2007-08
AsianYachting Grand Prix Champions - XXIX
Olympic Games - AY Race Reports
- Monthly Photo
Gallery
2 .
AUSTRAL
- ASIAN NEWS - ISAF
News - Internet blamed for opening up worldly debate
- ISAF World Cup now firmly on course to become a reality - S.V.
Vega sails on humanitarian relief missions - Invitation to Singapore's
Classic Boat Regatta - China Team Assets to be Auctioned - Gitana
13 completes successful Asian tour
Up next - Six
Senses Phuket
Raceweek
3 . INTERNATIONAL NEWS - Fifteen Teams to Contest 2008
Rolex Commodores' Cup - Puma unveils New racing boat in Boston Harbour
- Adrian Flanagan completes first solo vertical circumnavigation - Team
Russia's VO 70 splashed - Boat
with no hull expected to fly - Transpac
Raises Limits
4. WORLD SPEED RECORDS
-
Fedor
Konyukhov sets inaugural Antartica Cup record - Double Record for PEYRON
in ARTEMIS TRANSAT - Hugo
Boss sets new 60ft Monohull 24 Hour World Record - Leopard
sets new Transatlantic crossing world record
5. "Unluckiest sailors of the month"
- Michel Desjoyeaux
"It's my first offshore race retirement" - Keel failure aboard
PRB - Vincent Riou abandons ship - BMW ORACLE find themselves in the drink
- Alinghi capsize again, this time in a X40 - TP52 carnage on Audi MedCup
Circuit
Goto Archived AY News & Views and Race Reports 2007-08 2006-07 2005-06 2004-05 2003-04 2002-03 2001-02 2000-01 98-99
1.
EDITORIAL
Welcome to the big 100th edition of the monthly AY News and Views. What a milestone to remember. The sailing world has come alive in Europe with the iShares Cup Extreme 40 Sailing Series, RC 44 Circuit, the six regatta Audi MedCup Circuit for TP 52's and the World Match Racing Tour in full swing. In Asia, just as the season ending Koh Samui Regatta comes to a successful conclusion the Six Senses Phuket Raceweek kicks off the new 2008-09 Season in July. Amongst the many things that have kept AY covering Asian sailing events is the generosity shown by boat owners, crews, race organisers and sponsors in helping foster local community growth and development by holding Internationally recognized yachting events in their region. Over Baht 200k was raised for a children's charity at the final gala Koh Samui prize giving ceremony and several groups have pledged boat support for John Stall's junior sailors from the Samui Junior Sailing Squadron. A highlight of the afternoon was watching the juniors receiving their trophies from Frank Pong, Bill Bremner and the famous yacht designer Juan K on the layday.
Well it finally happened, Ray Roberts and Quantum Racing became
the 2007-08
AsianYachting Grand Prix Champions after coming very close
over the six seasons the annual championships have been contested. A double
win to cap it all off, Ray hoisted high the beautiful Waterford Crystal
KSR perpetual bowl and then donned the ‘Blue Blazer’ and indulged
in the traditional AY champagne ceremony at the lavish dinner on the magnificent
lawn setting in front of the Centara Grand Beach Resort. In fact, Ray
Roberts has successfully campaigned a number of boats at Asian regattas
since 1995 plus at the same time runs another top level racing campaign
at home in Australian waters. Race organisers must be grateful to the
loyal boat owners who have formed racing teams and return to contest their
events year after year. Where would we be without Neil Pryde, Frank Pong,
Sam Chan, Fred Kinmonth, Nick Burns, Bill Bremner, Peter Ahern, Judes
Echauz and more recently
Chris Mead and Ben Copley joining the frey and swelling the racing class
fleet? All things going well, the future looks bright indeed and we can
anticipate some exciting racing and new developments over the years to
come.
With
less than 60 days to go before the Beijing
Olympic Games and all the media accreditation completed,
AsianYachting
has began compiling some material for the Daily Race Reports. Fourteen
days of intensive competition is expected and while taking in all the
action and covering the class winners we will be concentrating on the
achievements of Asian sailors. If any companies would like to help us
out we are offering advertising space in the XXIX
Olympic Games - AY Race Reports
at very generous rates. Email info@asianyachting.com
for further details. Also if you
know anyone that would like to receive the daily reports (For free)
get them to Subscribe
Online to the fully automated AY Circulation List click
on: http://asianyachting.com/subscribe.asp
then
fill in the details and
submit.
We will take you on a journey you wont forget.
Safe and happy sailing
Capt. Marty Rijkuris
2
.
AUSTRAL
- ASIAN NEWS
2.1
ISAF
News - Internet blamed for opening up worldly debate
Amidst what some might call an overload of information, a massive open
debate raged since the ISAF Annual meeting in November 2007, when Council
members voted on events for the 2012 Olympics and eliminated the Tornado
catamaran. This caused an immediate outcry by the multihull sailors and
a call for action by their supporters. Eventually an e-petition with 6000+
signatures was prepared and presented to the International Olympic Committee.
The response was amazing and proved invaluable in persuading first the
RYA to take the lead, then Yachting Australia and New Zealand to follow
and a record 15 countries to make formal submissions to ISAF in only 10
days before the March 15th deadline. After allot of media wrangling and
wild accusations by the mid-year meeting the argument had switched from
favouring national medal prospects to identifying disciplines within the
sport and what is the best outcome for sailing as a whole. In his opening
address ISAF President Göran Petersson expressed concern at the level
of negative personal attacks made against ISAF and ISAF Council members
in publications, blogs and websites since the decision was taken in November
2007. All to no avail, as the required two-thirds majority could not be
reached so the Council reaffirmed the 2012 Olympic events that were voted
on during their Nov 07 Annual meeting stands. All done and dusted? Well
you would think so... or is it?
The Good News is that the
ISAF World Cup is now firmly
on course to become a reality, with the announcement to Council that all
event organizers have signed the memorandum of intent and that a management
company has partnered with ISAF. Set to launch in 2009, the ISAF World
Cup will include the following existing events, together with an event
in the country to hold the next Olympic Games: Sail Melbourne, Rolex Miami
OCR, Princess Sofia Trophy, Semaine Olympique Française, Holland
Regatta, and Kiel Week. Additionally, the ISAF World Sailing Championship
will now be held every two years, with effect from the earliest in 2013.
-- With over 100 entrants at class World Championships they maybe much
harder to negotiate a win, but the intrigue of the Olympics is always
omnipresent. It also captures the imagination of so many young sailors
it cannot be swept aside. For the complete ISAF report Click
Here...
The first Youth Olympic Games being held in Singapore in 2010 will see sailing on the program for athletes in the age range of 15-16. ISAF has received bids from eight dinghy and two windsurfing manufacturers to supply the equipment for the four events - girl’s and boy’s single person dinghy and girl’s and boy’s windsurfer. The selected equipment will be announced by the end of July 2008. With a limit of 100 athletes, ISAF is targeting participation from 52 nations.
2.2
S.V. Vega sails on humanitarian relief missions...
The 118 year old historical vessel Vega has become a familiar sight around
South-East Asian waters over the past few years as she transits our area
between humanitarian relief missions. Currently Vega is finishing up an
intensive re-fit preparing for an extended mission to the South Pacific.
That mission will be dedicated to assisting the Solomon Islands Ministry
of Health to refurbish existing isolated island health posts and helping
villagers to build new health posts where none now exist. This effort
should bring much needed health care to those isolated islands that currently
not only lack health posts to provide the most basic of health care, but
in most cases also lack even the most basic of educational facilities.
No need to mention, we always welcome any form of support for our mission.
Please contact Capt. Shane at Vega@sailvega.com,
always mentioning Solomon's in the subject line. More on the website http://www.sailvega.com/vega/vega.html
2.3
Singapore win the Trofeo
Marco Rizzotti in Venice
Singapore, fielding three of the sailors who won silver at last year's
IODA World Championships’ team racing event, were utterly invincible
at the first major team racing event of 2008 winning all 22 of their matches.
Belgium came in second followed by Italy in third place. The second Singaporean
team, made up of a group of younger sailors, finished in eighth position.
Eighteen teams from twelve nations participated including USA, Puerto
Rico, Austria and Sweden. SINGAPORE TEAM 1 Darren CHOY, Russell KANG,
Rachel LEE, Luke TAN. Together with Andrew Tang they will represent Singapore
at the upcoming IODA World Optimist Sailing Championships in Turkey from
14 to 25 July 2008. Website: http://www.rizzottisail.it/english.htm
2.4 Raimon
Land
- Thailand's Award Winning Property Developer
Few
real estate companies in Asia enjoy the success of public-listed Bangkok-based
luxury property developer Raimon
Land. The company
has positioned itself as the developer of choice for buyers and investors
who seek the best in lifestyle developments that posses a
excellent track record of delivering quality residential projects.
From Bangkok to
Pattaya and Phuket the company has projects in all the
most sought-after areas
which proudly achieve high yield holiday rentals through their professional
management team. Raimon
Land’s impressive list of completed projects includes:
The Lofts Sathorn, The Lakes, The Legend Saladaeng,
Northshore (Pattaya) Kata Gardens (Phuket)
and
The
Lofts Yennakar More
at: www.raimonland.com
or goto AY
Real-Estate page..
2.5
Invitation to Singapore's Classic Boat Regatta
It's that time of the year to sweep off the dust and polish the deck...
and showcase your beautiful 'ladies' in this annual classic yacht event
held at Raffles Marina. You are hereby cordially invited to participate
in the Singapore National Day - Classic Boat Regatta on 9th August. Once
again, we are fortunate to have the support of Royal Selangor for this
fabulous event. All non-resident yachts participating in the Classic Boat
Regatta will receive complimentary berthing from 1 August through 17 August
08. In addition, please also view this as an invitation to the 11th Western
Circuit Sailing Regatta that is on the 17th , 24th & 30th August.
If you have further queries, please contact Prakash Reddy at: prakash@rafflesmarina.com.sg
or telephone: +65 6861 9000
2.6
Earthrace back on track...
(June 9, 2008) Earthrace, the a 24m tri-hull ecoboat, successfully underwent
massive repairs in Singapore and will set off on the next leg to Cochin,
India, where it is expected to arrive on June 13th. Earthrace is on day
42 of its attempt to break the world record for a powerboat to circumnavigate
the globe. Despite the delays for repairs, the boat is still 1,556 miles
ahead of the world record pace, set by the British Cable and Wireless
team in 1998, despite sustaining significant damage in Palau and having
to complete the last leg of the journey on one engine. Follow the progress
at: http://www.earthrace.net
2.7
Warning to all offshore racers.
DK Yachts are warning all offshore racers to sit up
and take notice when one of their World Champion Mumm 30, Farr 40, Farr
52 or Mills DK46 lines up on the starting grid. They just keep turning
up and sailing away with all the major prizes. If your looking for proof,
just ask Ray Roberts how Quantum Racing won four Asian regattas
and placed second at two other events to become the 2007-08
AsianYachting Grand Prix Champions and don the ‘Blue
Blazer’ at the lavish Koh Samui Regatta gala dinner and awards ceremony.
This successful result confirms that DK46's are still head and shoulders
above the rest, be it for offshore or inshore racing. Have you ordered
one yet? Serious Yachts
for Serious Sailors can
be found at http://www.dkyachts.com
2.8
China Team Assets to be
Auctioned
Roll up! V5 AC yachts at bargain basement prices! China Team has announced
today that it is to auction the bulk of its assets used during the last
America's Cup. Additionally, new material not previously used is to be
sold. Among the key items included in the catalogue are two America's
Cup Class yachts used during the competition, the CHN79 and the CHN46.
Additionally, a catamaran and two RIBs are to be sold. To bid, the user
must register on the GoIndustry-DoveBid webpage at http://www.goindustry.com
Once details of the new registrant are accepted they may begin bidding
for the items on sale. Bidding for this auction ends on 23 June.
2.9
Gitana 13 completes successful Asian tour
The World Sailing Speed Record Council announced the ratification of a
new outright world record from Taipei to Hong Kong by skipper Lionel Lemonchois
(FRA) on the fully crewed maxi catamaran Gitana 13. Traveling the distance
of 465 nm on May 30-31, 2008, the team covered the distance in 24 hours
45 minutes 59 seconds for an average speed of 18.8 kts. The previous record,
which will remain as the Monohull record was "Johan II" Philippe
Grelon, FRA, Dec 06, 2d 15h 40m 42s This is the fourth and penultimate
record the Gitana 13 crew have set in Asian waters recently. They set
a new reference time between Qingdao and Taiwan, covering the 680 mile
course in 3 days 52 minutes and 15 seconds. Other records include Dalian
– Qingdao: in 23 hours 50 minutes and 20 seconds, Yokohama –
Dalian: in 3 days 20 hours 19 minutes 11 seconds (May 2008), North Pacific
Crossing (San Francisco – Yokohama) in 11 days 12 minutes 55 seconds
(April 2008) Route de l’Or (New York – San Francisco, via
Cape Horn): in 43 days 3 minutes 18 seconds (February 2008) There next
plan is to return to Hong Kong and set off on the Tea Route. More at:
http://www.gitana-team.com
2.10
Own
the Sunsail 43
Own
a charter yacht in the largely undiscovered paradise of Asia. Sail through
soaring peaks, past the lush rainforest vegetation, anchor off deserted
islands, dive into true blue waters and relax on pristine beaches. As
Sunsail Asia is constantly expanding there fleet and opening up new cruising
grounds, the best way to economically explore South East Asian countries
is by chartering one of there family friendly sailing yachts. The Sunsail
43, built by world renowned Beneteau, is available with a 3 cabin, 3 head
layout or a 4 cabin, 2 head layout. This monohull features twin wheels
that both aid the helmsman maneuvering in tighter spots and also ensure
good access to the swimming platform when at anchor. The modern fractional
rig, with large main and smaller genoa, offers exceptional light wind
performance to delight both seasoned sailors and the less experienced.
Click
here to view the Online
Brochure Choose from there five SE Asian bases in Phuket,
Langkawi, Koh Samui, Koh Chang & Nha Trang in Vietnam to
explore any of these spectacular new cruising grounds. For
the less experienced they also operate a RYA
Sailing School offering 5 day sailing courses
from their Phuket base or join a MileCatcher
voyage to gain some valuable sea miles. Check them out by Calling
+66 76 239057 Fax: +66 76 238940 Email: sales@sunsailasia.com
or visit http://www.sunsailthailand.com
2.11
Advanced Crewing Techniques course
Demand
for team building exercises and as pressure is on to form racing teams,
a 2-day Advanced Crewing Techniques
course has been introduced
to compliment the existing Introduction
to Sailing course. This Advanced
Crewing Techniques Course concentrates on crew roles, spinnaker
handling and teamwork. Participants should have completed or be familiar
with the basic sailing techniques covered in the Introduction
to Sailing syllabus before proceeding onto the advanced course.
Further
info on AY
sailing courses, directions to PD World
Marina, links to the entire AY
Syllabus and Online
Registration
can be found at: http://asianyachting.com/AYmasters/classes.htm
Overseas
participants planning a trip to SE Asia, that
would like to receive a brief taste of what sailing is all about or looking
for a more hands on approach to racing should incorporate a course into
their travel plans. Start
your trip by flying to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (Port Dickson
is less than a hours drive from KLIA). A wide variety of accommodation
exists and budget flights around Asia can be arranged for the rest of
your stay.
3 . INTERNATIONAL NEWS
3.1
Fifteen Teams to Contest 2008 Rolex Commodores'
Cup
June 29 - July 6, Cowes, Isle of Wight, UK
First held in 1992, the Rolex Commodores' Cup is an international offshore
regatta for three-boat national teams. Organised by the Royal Ocean Racing
Club, this biennial event is held over seven days at Cowes, Isle of Wight.
The Rolex Commodores' Cup is designed to test the teams over a variety
of inshore and offshore courses. Team challenges must be endorsed by Member
National Authorities and strict nationality rules apply to the crew, along
with limitations on the number of professionals allowed on each boat.
Such is the competitive nature of the racing that more often than not
the title is only decided on the last day. At the Close of Challenges
6 nations and 15 teams have entered. Event Organisers, are understandably
delighted with the increase in interest. The participation of Spain and
Hong Kong is extremely positive and, alongside the strong, multiple challenges
from Ireland, France, The Netherlands and the UK, bodes well for some
intense action on the water. Full details of the teams comprising these
Challenges will be posted to http://www.rorc.org/comcup/index.php
and http://www.regattanews.com
shortly.
3.2 Puma unveils New racing
boat in Boston Harbour
Five months before the start of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009, PUMA Ocean
Racing had its new racing boat christened “il mostro” by Oscar-nominated
actress Salma Hayek in a waterfront ceremony at the Institute of Contemporary
Art/ Boston at Fan Pier on Monday, May 12th. The evening included the
ceremonial breaking of a bottle of champagne across the Volvo Open 70’s
bow by Hayek, the boat’s ‘godmother’ and short speeches
by Chairman and CEO of PUMA, Jochen Zeitz, Chief Marketing Officer Antonio
Bertone and PUMA Ocean Racing Skipper Ken Read. Il mostro was designed
by the team of Botin Carkeek and built at Goetz Custom Boats in Bristol,
Rhode Island in conjunction with Customline Yachts, before being launched
at the Newport Shipyard in Newport, RI, in late April. PUMA Ocean Racing’s
training base will be in Newport throughout the next four months, as the
team prepares for the 10-month, 37,000 mile race around the globe. The
new boat design is one of the new cutting-edge, second-generation Volvo
Open 70s that are the world’s fastest monohulls. Its graphic details
include a unique PUMA twist with il mostro resembling a virtual 3-D “flying
shoe,” inspired by PUMA’s popular style of the same name.
3.3
Adrian Flanagan completes first solo vertical circumnavigation
Adventure sailor Adrian Flanagan has just completed a boyhood dream to
circumnavigate the Globe - vertically through the icebound North East
Passage! His efforts aboard the 38ft stainless steel sloop ‘Barrabas’,
is not recognised as a record by the World Sailing Speed Record Council
because he was forced to break the voyage twice along the way, but there
is no doubt that this was a voyage of epic proportions. ‘Barabbas’
is now up for sale for £130,000 as Adrian looks to fill the large
financial hole that the trip has left. Speaking a week after arriving
back on shore, Adrian said that his immediate plans are to finish the
‘Over the Top’ manuscript and to promote the expedition at
the upcoming London and Southampton Boat shows. Further on from that,
he aims to teach his two sons, aged 6 and 9 to sail. For more info visit:
http://www.alphaglobalex.com
3.4
Team
Russia's VO 70 splashed
May 26, 2008 -- Team Russia's new Volvo Open 70 yacht made a spectacular
entrance into the world today, appearing in public for the first time
hovering high over the boat sheds of builder's Green Marine Lymington
(UK). On a day that started extremely wet and blustery, a break in the
weather around high water enabled the hull to be safely lowered by a massive
200 Tonnes crane into the Lymington River. With this maneuver safely executed
the boat was then checked, unhooked and positioned to wait for the tide
to fall. Spectators from the shore and on RIBs hovering around the boat
were quick to notice some of the innovative features Lymington designer
Rob Humphreys had incorporated into his first Volvo Open 70 design. Most
notably, the double spray rails at the front, the bluff bow and powerful
stern design had people rushing for their cameras. -- Read on: http://teamrussia.org/article.asp?id=16021
3.5 Boat
with no hull expected to fly
Geneva, April 29, 2008 - The brand new sailing boat Mirabaud LX was presented
to the media at Société Nautique de Genève, in Switzerland.
Supported by the Banque Mirabaud & Cie banquiers privés, this
project is the result of Thomas Jundt's creativity and experience with
highly competitive sailing boats. Aimed at flying on its hydrofoils, this
33-foot prototype has a very special characteristic: it has no hulls,
although a marginal floatability remains, aimed at preventing the boat
from sinking until it reaches flying speeds (approx 8 knots). Conceived
around a structure of carbon fiber tubes, weighing only 330 pound, this
boat is a concentrate of high technology. Every single element has been
optimized in order to reduce the overall weight and allow it to fly on
its foils as quickly as possible. As of today, it is the only "hull
less" boat on earth. -- Full story and photos: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/08/0429
3.6
Transpac
Raises Limits
The TPYC board of directors has posted an Advance Notice of Entry Requirements
for the 45th race from Los Angeles to Honolulu next year with two key
changes: a maximum length overall (LOA) extended to 30.48 meters (100
feet) for fastest elapsed time or course record contenders and the free
use of stored energy for sail hoisting, trimming and adjusting---essentially,
ending a Transpac ban on powered winches. Entry chairman Bill Lee said,
"We wanted to set a limit consistent with the major races in the
rest of the world, and 30.48 is where it's going. This should include
all of the modern 100-foot racing boats, and is consistent with the International
Maxi Association's maximum size for racing boats." Also Transpac’s
home in Hawaii is on its way to complete restoration after recent years
of decay and disrepair, thanks to the release by Gov. Linda Lingle of
nearly $6 million in the past few months for major infrastructure improvements
at Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor. More rule changes can be found at: http://www.transpacificyc.org
4. WORLD SPEED RECORDS
4.1 Fedor Konyukhov sets
inaugural Antartica Cup record
Albany Western Australia - 7th May 2008 Russian solo circumnavigator Fedor
Konyukhov returned to Albany, Western Australia, a hero, throwing down
the gauntlet to yachtsmen around the world to break his 102 day record
around the Antarctica Cup Racetrack. Setting out from Albany on his Open
85ft monohull Trading Network Alye Parusa at 18:21:40 UTC (10:21:40 WST)
on Australia Day – 26th January to take on yachting’s last
great frontier. He braved a succession of storms, freezing temperatures,
the ever present threat of icebergs and collisions with wales. Konyukhov
came through it all unscathed, returning to King George Sound at 02: 56:50
UTC (10:56:50 WST) to record a time of 102 days 01 hours 35 minutes 50secs
for this 16,400 mile circuit of Antarctica. To commemorate this inaugural
voyage, Bob Williams, Chairman of the Antarctica Cup Race Management announced
that they will name Gate 12 (0º W - 0º E) within the Racetrack
as the Konyukhov Gate. Fedor’s solo circumnavigation has sparked
considerable interest around the world with entries now planned from the
USA, Europe and Australasia. The Antarctica Cup Racetrack will be open
each year from December to March for races and record attempts. More news
and photos at: http://www.antarcticacup.com/
4.2
Double
Record for PEYRON in ARTEMIS TRANSAT
Loick Peyron on board Gitana Eighty crossed the finish line of The Artemis
Transat at 03:15:35 GMT on Saturday, 24th May (00:15:35 local time). His
arrival in Boston, USA, marks an historic achievement for this legendary
French sailor. He is now the only sailor in history to have won this race
three times (1992/1996/2008), exceeding the two-time record he shared
with another French sailing legend, Eric Tabarly. Beginning in Plymouth,
England on May 11th, Gitana Eighty finished the 2,982-mile course of The
Artemis Transat in a time of 12 days, 11 hours, 45 minutes, 35 seconds
(based on corrected time including the deduction of the 2.5 hour time
allowance awarded by the jury for his rescue of Vincent Riou). In doing
so, he has beaten the existing monohull record of 12 days, 15 hours, 18
mins and 8 secs set by Mike Golding onboard Ecover in 2004, by 3 hours,
32 mins and 33 secs.
4.3 Hugo Boss sets new 60ft Monohull 24 Hour World Record
The World Sailing Speed Record Council has announced the ratification
of a new 60ft Monohull 24 Hour World Record set by Alex Thomson and Andrew
Cape onboard the Open 60 Hugo Boss on December 6-7, 2007. Sailing a distance
of 501.3 nm at an average speed of 20.9 kts, this record was established
during the Barcelona Double handed World Race 2007, but had only recently
sought ratification. The previous record was set by Alex Thompson in 2003.
-- http://www.sailspeedrecords.com
4.4
Leopard sets new Transatlantic crossing world record
The World Sailing Speed Record Council announced the ratification of a
new transatlantic crossing world record (Powered Sails - WSSR rule 21c)
by skipper Chris Sherlock (GBR) on Mike Slade's fully crewed 30m monohull
Leopard. Traveling the distance of 2925 nm on May 27-June 3, 2008, the
team covered the distance in 7 days 19 hours 20 minutes 49 seconds for
an average speed of 15.6 kts. The previous record was by Phocea, led by
skipper Bernard Tapie (FRA) in July 1988 (8d 3h 29m). -- More at http://www.leopard3.com
5.
"Unluckiest sailors of the month"
5.1 Michel Desjoyeaux "It's my first offshore race retirement"
At 14h45 GMT, Thursday May 15 2008, Michel Desjoyeaux contacted The Artemis
Transat Race Direction to inform the team he had hit a whale and had to
withdraw from the race. His position at the time of the impact was 46°24.59
N 30° 40.33 W. The boat was hit in her front section, and around the
starboard daggerboard area, and Michel Desjoyeaux is concerned about the
state of the lower part of the daggerboard casing. The skipper is unhurt,
the boat is still safe and seaworthy. In order not to take any risks neither
for the skipper nor for the boat, in agreement with the sponsor Foncia,
decision has been taken to retire from the race.
5.2
Keel failure aboard PRB - Vincent Riou abandons ship
Vincent Riou reported hitting a large sea mammal while reaching rather
fast, between 15 and 18 knots at 3:00 AM 21st May, but his initial assessment
was that the damage remained superficial... By the afternoon he realised
that one of his keel pins was missing, and that the appendage was only
held by the ram used to cant it. With an approaching storm, Vincent Riou
decided he had to abandon ship and requested assistance. PRB dropped her
sails, filled her ballast tanks to increase her stability even if the
keel was to drop out from the hull. PRB is in 2.5 metres of swell, in
10 knots of NW wind, in light fog and is 530 miles from Halifax (Nova
Scotia). Loick Peyron onboard Gitana Eighty has been directed towards
PRB by the Race Direction team, and took Vincent Riou aboard at 17:25
GMT. Loick made an approach and I climbed aboard Gitana Eighty. I don't
really know what to say, it's like my arms just fell off... Now all I
can do is make some phone calls to organise the salvage of the boat, which
should be done in 2 or 3 days." Now this singlehanded transat is
taking a peculiar turn aboard Gitana Eighty, but of course Vincent is
not allowed to participate in any maneuvers! The jury have decided on
how long the whole operation lasted and have awarded the appropriate time
allowance "
5.3
BMW ORACLE find themselves in the drink
21st May: During BMW ORACLE Racing’s in-house training regatta off
Valencia in their two Extreme 40 catamarans, one of the boats capsized
during an exciting downwind luffing match in 17-20 knots of wind. Whilst
no-one was hurt during the capsize, team CEO/Skipper Russell Coutts (NZL)
sustained a minor injury while the crew were attempting to right the boat.
His leg was cut, and required nine stitches. The other crew that were
on board with Coutts were helmsman Franck Cammas (FRA), Jonathan Macbeth
(NZL) and Alberto Barovier (ITA). There were no other injuries. During
the retrieval of the catamaran, the mast broke. The boat and mast were
towed back to the team base for repairs. Read all about it by Tim Jeffery
in the Telegraph, plus view a photo sequence of the capsize: http://abe5.com/4ax
5.4
Alinghi capsize again, this time in a X40
The first race of the first event of the 2008 iShares Cup season in Lugano
certainly lived up to expectations, delivering plenty of drama out on
the race course and the first capsize of the season. The fleet set off
on a reaching leg to the top mark, most opting to use their gennakers
and flying one hull to lay the first mark on port tack. On the second
lap a sudden and big squall swept through the fleet. Alinghi skipper,
Ed Baird: "We were sailing in light winds, we had a good race going,
we were in third and looking at passing into second... A squall came through
just after we rounded the windward mark the second time and most of the
fleet was still going upwind when we got hit with this very violent front
edge of the squall. The two boats in the worst of the velocity were us
and Holmatro because we were both so close together neither of us had
an escape route. We both went up and we both put the noses in. It was
a case of wrong place wrong time. We went from racing to survival in an
instant..." Alinghi also broke their mast whilst trying to upright
the boat but with the boat and mast towed ashore, the Alinghi team worked
through the night to be back out on the race course using the event's
spare. To see video footage of Alinghi capsizing Click
here...
5.5
TP52 carnage on Audi MedCup Circuit
A big wind shift accelerated the arrival and suddenly favored a pack coming
from the left at the buoy, while those with right of way on starboard
tack slowed and struggled momentarily. Lightning quick reactions and bold
decisions were required from the line up of port tack boats. Sadly Matador
(ARG), CxG Caixa Galicia (ESP) and Mutua Madrileña (CHI) all sustained
damage and had to retire. Caixa Galicia’s bow was badly smashed
after they hit Mutua Madrileña which sustained a one metre gash
in her hull side just below deck level, while in a related crash Mean
Machine(MON) hit Matador, who have much of their aft port quarter crumpled.
There
were six protests from the incidents, all three boats are seeking redress,
but CxG Caixa Galicia’s owner Vicente Tirado confirmed this evening
that the damage to the bow of their boat is such that he is presently
looking for a suitable replacement boat to continue the Audi MedCup season
with. It was the first ever winning gun for the German boat Platoon which
is owned by Harm Muller-Spreer (GER) and helmed by Schuemann with Rod
Dawson (NZL) calling the tactics. Only swift avoiding action by the helm,
who saw at the last minute what was happening, saved Platoon from becoming
involved in a nasty series of crashes and near-collisions when the leading
pack converged at speed at the first windward mark. “I think these
things happen sometimes because the boats are so evenly matched for speed
but Mean Machine crushed Matador’s stern right in front of us and
I had to do something quickly or we would have done the same thing.”
recalled Schuemann
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