Ready, Get Set, Sail! - Monsoon Cup qualifiers
Pulau Duyong, Kuala Terengganu, will be the place to be come October as aspiring match race sailors battle it out at the Malaysian Match Racing Championship (MMRC) October 7-10 and the Asian Match Racing Championship (AMRC) October 12-15. Registration is now open for the Monsoon Cup qualifiers, which will take place at the purpose-built match racing venue, Ri-Yaz Heritage Marina Resort & Spa in Terengganu. These qualifying races determine which team deserves the honour of representing Malaysia and the Asian region at the Monsoon Cup, the final and deciding leg of the World Match Racing Tour. Last year, 8 local teams took part in the MMRC and 9 teams from across the region in the AMRC. This year, the number of qualifiers is expected to increase, particularly with the introduction of an intensive match racing clinic taking place prior to the MMRC and allowing sailors under twenty five to participate in the AMRC and compete for a berth in competitive sailing’s richest event. Each participating team will feature five crew members on Foundation 36 (F-36) boats. The winners of the qualifiers will race against the best international match racing teams at the Monsoon Cup and also stand a chance to win almost RM1.5 million in prize money. Reigning MMRC champion, Jeremy Koo, is raring to make a comeback and even better prepared for the challenge of defending the championship title. More details at: http://www.monsooncup.com.my/ or at http://www.facebook.com/monsooncup#!/monsooncup

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CONTENTS

1. EDITORIAL - Competitive racing in Asia taking on a new dimension
2. AUSTRAL - ASIAN NEWS - Matchrace Thailand Challenge Sept 2-4 - Anyone know about Foxy Lady? - North Sails comes to Asian waters - Malaysian Match Racing Circuit is a go! - Krabi Marina to open in December - Life in prison for Somali pirates - Russia green lights Siberia-Alaska tunnel - Piracy threat forces VOR route change - Hyundai unveils largest vessel to date - One for the record books
Up next in Asia - Sail Indonesia - Sabang International Regatta - Sandeq Race
3. INTERNATIONAL NEWS - 30,000 miles Global Ocean Race - America's Cup Uncovered - Extreme action in Sicily - Floating Cities close to reality - New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup set
Follow the: AC World Series - Audi MedCup Circuit - Extreme Sailing Series - World Match Racing Tour - Volvo Ocean Race - Global Ocean Race - RC44 - Clipper Round the World Yacht Race
4. World Speed records - Solo Around Australia Record Broken - Records fall on Fastnet Race
5. "Unluckiest sailors of the month" - Artemis Racing gets T-boned - Rambler 100 capsizes – Big EX40 crash in, Cowes - Francis Joyon’s IDEC Capsizes - Cowes Week yacht collides with oil tanker

1. EDITORIAL

Competitive racing in Asia taking on a new dimension
First up, wishing all our Muslim sailing friends "Hari Raya Aidilfitri". Despite the fasting month coming to a conclusion and the Raya festivities presently in full swing, yachting news from Asian waters is coming in thick and fast. After only one year sailing, China's Teng Jiang He (Tiger) set his sights on inspiring a nation (See Video) and been chosen by Team Sanya to be the first Chinese sailor to contest the Volvo Ocean Race.

In the America's Cup World Series both Team China and Team Korea are looking at expanding their supporter base and offering their fans plenty of hospitality packages in Plymouth, UK (Sept 10-18) from base tours, to following the races on the water and guest racer positions on the AC45's during the races.

On the home front, top officials of the Malaysian Yachting Association (MYA) are poised for a trip to Switzerland, to attend the St. Moritz Match Race and while there, present Malaysia’s proposal for the sanctioning of a Malaysian Match Racing Circuit by the World Match Racing Tour organisers. Good to see this long awaited proposal finally coming into fruition and reassert Malaysia's position as the Match Racing Capital of Asia.

Meanwhile the Rally Season is in full flight with over 100 yachts on Sail Indonesia snaking their way through the extensive 15,000 island archipelago and the inaugural Sabang International Regatta sets sail from Phuket and Langkawi on Sep 15-25. After conducting road shows in Singapore, Phuket and Langkawi the organisers have attracted 15 to 20 entrants which depends on successfully completing CAIT formalities and receiving Cruising Permits in time. Don't worry AY will be there covering this inaugural event from start to finish.

Billed as "The world's fastest, longest and hardest race for traditional fishing vessels" the 300 nautical mile Sandeq Race runs from 5th to 16th September and has turned into one of Indonesia's best nautical events held each year!

The inaugural 2012 East Coast Yachting Festival and the Round Tioman Challenge in mid June next year has received MYA approval and an organising committee is being convened as we speak. Timed for 2 weekends after the season ending Ko Samui Regatta, we hope to persuade some boats returning to HK and Singapore to make a detour and have a go at setting the Round Tioman Speed Record. Be sure to mark 15-17 June 2012 in the diary as sideline events include welcoming sailors and pleasure craft owners into the South China Sea and officially open the Southern Gateway to the last great cruising playground in the world.

Big news for the racing class, Ludde Ingvall's powerful 90-footer with canting keel, is now rebranded as Audi Ultra (Formerly known as Nicorette and more recently YuuZoo) has arrived in Singapore and after conducting promotions at the F1 circuit will compete with a combined Singapore youth squad and regular racing crew at the China Coast Regatta, Hong Kong Vietnam race and King's Cup while they are here. Dramatic video of skull dragging her under the bridges to get into Marina Bay can be found by Clicking Here...

If the Press Releases from Audi Hamilton Island Race Week can be believed Marcus Blackmore’s all conquering TP52 Hooligan (Formerly ETNZ Audi MedCup champion) is being shipped to Singapore for the Asian IRC circuit. Blackmore's crew have won everything before them in Australia (Mostly all wins) and if they do arrive will be a formidable opponent to the rest of the racing yachts. Both Neil Pryde and Ray Roberts have not been taking the news lying down and are out and about on a test ride/shopping spree and sure to return faster than ever.

This season the 2011-12 AYGP Championship pointscore has been completely revamped and the Skippers and Yachts Overall Score can Now! be found Online. The easily accessed database can be searched Individually or by Regatta Results. Check out who is presently in line to scoop the AYGP Skipper and Yacht of the Year awards next June.

Busy month on the International scene. The next round of the crash and bash Extreme Sailing Series Act 6 is in Trapani, Sicily from 16-18 Sept. The slugging fests continue at the World Match Racing Tour St. Moritz Match Race runs from Augt 30 to Sept 4, the final regatta of the Audi MedCup Circuit, Conde de Godó - Barcelona Trophy from Sep 12 / 17 and the Adris RC44 Cup in Croatia 28 Sept - 2nd October. Gold Coast Australia has won Race 2 of the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race from Madeira to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil plus the Global Ocean Race Leg 1: Mallorca to Cape Town - kicks off on 25th September and the Volvo Ocean Race starts next month with the In-Port Race on 29 October in Alicante, Spain. The latest news from these organisations and much much more can be found below.
Enjoy!
Capt Marty Rijkuris

2. AUSTRAL - ASIAN NEWS

2.1 Matchrace Thailand Challenge Sept 2-4
Matchrace Thailand Challenge (Grade 3) sponsored by Siam Winery will kick off its last event of the year on 2-4 September 2011. Founded upon the purpose of being a training ground for Asian based match racers, Matchrace Thailand has drawn many up and coming teams to the Royal Varuna Yacht Club shore for the past two years. This effort has inspired other Asian Nations such as Hong Kong and Singapore to start their own match race arena and we hope more opportunities will arise for Asian based match racers. The exciting news for this September event is that Mink's all-Thai girls team will be joining in. Most of them have been in the National Sailing Squad and represented Thailand in many major events. Along with the girls, come the boys from all nations, including Morten Jakobsen's Team EM that have leaped forward in the World rankings to 206 and Malaysia's very own Jeremy Koo's Team Koo Racing will use the event to warm up before the Malaysian Match Racing Championship to qualify for the World Match Racing Tour’s season ending Monsoon Cup. One thing in common, all teams are after the fierce competition and fun event at which we are best. Fantastic racing, view from the beach bar, cold beer, good food and massage next door, who can beat Thailand and Royal Varuna YC for match racing water! More details on competing teams Click Here...

2.2 Anyone know about Foxy Lady?
Do you recognize this little yacht, photographed in early 1978 in Patong Bay? Canadian author Dave Kattenburg (Foxy Lady: Truth, Memory & the Death of Western Yachtsmen in the Cambodian Genocide) invites anyone who ever sailed on this little Malaysian double-ender -- Foxy Lady -- or who knew her crew (between 1950 and 1978: "Dominique," "Captain Thomas," Americans Art & Jan, Canadian Stuart Glass and Kiwi Kerry Hamill), or who sailed on another yacht called the Maid of Kellett in 1978, in the Strait of Malacca, to please contact him at kattenbu@mts.net Your memories will be enormously appreciated.

2.3 North Sails comes to Asian waters
As North Sails begin to establish their new network of sales and service centers throughout Southeast Asia, they are also bringing the ever popular North U Seminar Tour on both Sail Trim and Racing Tactics. You can spend a lifetime learning to be a better sailor. The North U. Asia Tour will accelerate the process and guaranteed to take you to the next level. The programs will be taught by North U. Director Bill Gladstone who successfully unraveled the mysteries on match racing at the Monsoon Sailing School a few years ago. To jump to course location, schedule and registration page, Click Here... – See the full schedule, below.
2011 North U Asia Seminar Tour
Mumbai, India 'Tour' 23-24 September - Trim and Tactics
Thailand, Ao Chalong YC; 25th September - Trim & Tactics
Thailand, Ocean Marina; 1st October - Trim
Singapore 'Tour'; 2nd October - Trim and Tactics
More on the North U Asia Seminar Tour

2.4 Come enjoy Sunsail's super discounts
IT'S TIME! Take advantage of Sunsail's fantastic end of year specials and book yourself a well deserved holiday! Push through those winter worries and let Sunsail customize the sailing vacation of a lifetime. The world is 70% water…make it 100% fun! Sunsail's South-East Asia bases are easily accessed by direct flights from all major Asian cities. The main base in Phuket is conveniently located at the Ao Po Marina, just a few miles away from Paradise Island and some of the most stunning beaches you can find. With 3 other great destinations including duty-free Langkawi, Koh Chang and Koh Samui, plus all your berthing, insurance and maintenance taken care off, by a team of Sunsail professionals, you can enjoy access to year-round, worry-free cruising. Check out the huge discounts each month on high-performance cruising yachts built for comfort and designed especially for the great sailing in Asia! Visit Sunsail Asia www.sunsailasia.com and pick up a copy of the 2011 Yacht Charter brochure and receive regular updates on Sunsail's activities in the Asian region contact Tel: +66 (0)76 239057 Email: sales@sunsailasia.com

2.5 Malaysian Match Racing Circuit is a go!
MYA plans to introduce a new event to their extensive sailing calendar, a Malaysian Match Racing Circuit, which will enhance the already successful KFC Regattas such as the KFC - Lumut Open Regatta, KFC - Selangor Open Regatta, KFC - Malacca Open Regatta and KFC - Johor Open Regatta. The circuit will cover a series of different states, culminating in the Malaysian Match Racing Championship, the qualifiers for the Monsoon Cup, in Terengganu. MYA and T-Best Events Sdn Bhd plan to join forces to promote sailing as a sport in Malaysia and elevate it to a higher standard. This strategic alliance brings together two of the most active supporters of the local sailing scene. T-Best Events will collaborate with MYA to educate and train sailors, and organise races and yachting events that are of world standard. The collaboration will help the association present a more professional image and commercial outlook to help boost the sport. These plans include adding a keelboat class to the current events, which will introduce sailors to match racing that is used in the Monsoon Cup. MYA intends to up skill and provide the local sailors a natural progression to bigger boats, such as the F36. This will widen the racers’ ability to adapt to different boats and prepare them for other international events besides the Monsoon Cup. President of the MYA, Tuan Haji Kamaruzzaman Abu Kassim, said, “With all these plans that MYA has in store, the future of sailing is looking very bright. This is indeed a great and commendable initiative by the MYA to further elevate the standards of sailing locally and improve the status of sailors in Malaysia.”. Full Press Release Here...

2.6 Krabi Marina to open in December
PHUKET: The development firm behind Phuket’s Boat Lagoon will open their second marina across the bay in neighboring Krabi province in November. Approved by Thailand’s Board of Investment (BoI), the Krabi Boat Lagoon project occupies 110 rai in Taling Chan. The first phase, covering 42 rai, will include 90 berths, 70 hardstands, workshops and commercial facilities and undercover quays for six yachts. The marina will be able to accommodate watercraft up to 23 meters in length. Phase 2, which is currently in planning, will comprise resort homes and a residential development. “Berths will be offered initially to existing owners in Phuket and an on-site sales office in Krabi will open next month,” Sales and Marketing Director Sriya Yongsakul said today. The reaction from many Krabi tourism operators has been enthusiastic, especially from nearby Koh Lanta, Ms Sriya said. “With the new marina only 12 minutes from the [Krabi] international airport, the resort island [of Koh Lanta] can be reached by boat in 30 minutes, dramatically improving existing access,” she explained. News of the Krabi Boat Lagoon comes amid a surge in development growth in the marine and yachting industry in Krabi, with the government-sponsored Krabi River Marina opening last year and the new Port Takola development currently under construction.

2.7 Raja Muda Regatta - New Penang stopover
This year they are moving the Penang stopover to the brand new Straits Quay Marina in Tanjung Tokong, Penang for the first time. Featuring a sheltered location with dredged entrance channel and modern, full facility pontoons, the marina is situated close to the area used for harbour racing at Penang. Safe berthing facilities are considered a priority by RMSIR organisers. Developed by the Eastern and Oriental Group, Straits Quay includes serviced apartments, shops and many restaurants, cafes and bars, some with tables and chairs overlooking the water. The Tanjung Bungah Beach Hotel and Naza Talyya Hotel are located close by and have good facilities including a sandy beach. Details of those offering special rates to Raja Muda participants will be posted on the Regatta web site. The online boat registration is now active, and, if you registered online last year, you can speed up the process even more by using and amending those details again for this year. Obtain an “early-bird” discount by paying the entry fees before 1st October. The website is continually updated so please keep http://www.rmsir.com book marked, or you can use the forum, with RSS feed and join the email subscriber list to ensure you are notified whenever there are changes or announcements.

2.8 Life in prison for Somali pirates
Two of the Somalis charged with murdering four Americans have been given mandatory life sentences. Two of the Somalis on trial in the US for their roles in the hijacking of a yacht that resulted in the death of four Americans have been sentenced to life in prison. Ali Abdi Mohamed and Burhan Abdirahman Yusuf both pleaded guilty to piracy in a Virginia court after hijacking the yacht Quest off the coast of Oman earlier this year. Nine other alleged pirates who also pleaded guilty are due for sentencing within weeks and 19 men altogether are implicated. The Americans — two men and two women — had been taking part in the Blue Water Rally but left the convoy to sail on their own. They were the first American casualties since the Somalian piracy crisis began.

2.9 Russia green lights Siberia-Alaska tunnel
In what could certainly be one of the boldest infrastructure developments ever announced, the Russian Government has given the go-ahead to build a transcontinental railway linking Siberia with North America. The massive undertaking would traverse the Bering Strait with the world’s longest tunnel – a project twice the length of the Chunnel between England and France. The $65 billion project aims to feed North America with raw goods from the Siberian interior and beyond, but it could also provide a key link to developing a robust renewable energy transmission corridor that feeds wind and tidal power across vast distances while linking a railway network across 3/4 of the Northern Hemisphere. The idea is actually not very new — Tsar Nicholas II dreamed of the railway and tunnel in 1905. The on-again off-again scheme would provide a vital economic resource for both Asia and Americas by providing an efficient link of not only goods and passengers but also fiber optic cables and transmission lines. The key is a 65-mile-long tunnel that would pass underneath the Big Diomede and Little Diomede islands in the Bering Strait. The tunnel, at a projected cost of $10-12 billion, is to be built in three sections and would cross the International Date Line, reconnecting the two land masses. The high speed railway and tunnel will be a private public partnership whose economic impact could be startling. 100 million tons of freight could be moved per year using the most efficient known way of transport. Proposed tidal energy plants could provide 10 gigawatts of energy and a string of wind power fields could churn a constant supply of clean energy, serving as a vital link to a worldwide energy grid. The tunnel alone would take fifteen years to complete — and an energy and railway network would take many more — but the project would significantly change the shipping and energy industry. In a time of austere measures by governments throughout the world we hear less and less of large-scale projects, but the economic and environmental benefits of developing critical infrastructure links is a key element to 21st century environmentally sound economic growth. Read more Click Here...

2.10 QUANTUM Shift Continues...
A new chapter of the green revolution was completed during the opening rounds of the 2011 Audi MedCup Circuit. Engaging in fierce battles up and down the order, in 25-30 knots and surfing seas, Quantum Racing skippered by Ed Baird and Iberdrola skippered by Jose Maria Torcida are leading the overall standings in the TP52 and the Soto 40 series respectively. Not for the first time on the Audi MedCup Circuit and likely not for the last time this season the common hue of the leading teams is green, and the complexion of those who are chasing in pursuit might already be a similar shade. Some sail makers save their best stuff for only the big boat programs. Not Quantum. Their iQ Technology is evident on every sail from the smallest dinghy one design classes right through to the TP52 and beyond. No matter what your boat size or sailing venue, find your speed at: http://www.quantumsails.com

2.11 Piracy threat forces VOR route change
The escalating piracy problem in the Indian Ocean has forced organisers of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 to redraw the routes for the second and third legs. The boats were due to have sailed through an East African corridor in the Indian Ocean on the second leg from Cape Town to Abu Dhabi and again in the third leg from Abu Dhabi to Sanya in China but after taking advice from marine safety experts and the sport's governing body, the International Sailing Federation (ISAF), the routes have been changed. The boats will now race from Cape Town to an undisclosed ‘safe haven’ port, be transported closer to Abu Dhabi, and then complete the leg from there. The process will be reversed for the third leg before the race continues on to Sanya. “This has been an incredibly difficult decision,” said Volvo Ocean Race Chief Executive Knut Frostad. “The solution we have found means our boats will still be racing into Abu Dhabi and competing in the in-port race there. “Abu Dhabi is a very important part of our plans, a real highlight being the race's first-ever stopover in the Middle East, and we will now have a really exciting sprint finish to the emirate over the New Year period as well." More VOR details at: http://volvooceanrace.com/

2.12 Hyundai unveils largest vessel to date
The Asan 62 is an ultra-modern motoryacht with maximum interior space. Hyundai Yachts in Seoul, South Korea, has unveiled its largest vessel to date — the 19m (63ft) Asan 62 motoryacht. Designed by Bill Prince of Bill Prince Yacht Design in the US, the Asan 62 is said to be the first yacht that truly takes advantage of the innovative, proven pod propulsion systems now available. With engines and mechanical systems mounted under the cockpit, optimal use of the high-performance hull form can be made for a luxurious two-level interior. The ultra-contemporary yacht has a full-beam main salon framed by the largest hull-side windows available in any yacht under 30m (100ft), says Hyundai. The interior has three staterooms and three heads on one level, a pilothouse sky lounge and an additional head on the upper level. Prince worked with the engineers at Volvo Penta during the design of the Asan 62’s hull, incorporating lessons learned from prior IPS installations to ensure optimum performance throughout the Asan 62’s operating range. Founded in 1975 as Kyungil Yacht Industry Co Ltd by Hyundai group founder ASAN Chung Ju-yung, Hyundai Yachts has built sailing yachts from 10m-13m (33ft-44ft) and Sonata 3100 and 5300 motoryachts. Today the company builds just one model, the Asan 45.

2.13 Sailmaking... Evolved
Evolution Sails are a Global Sailmaking Group and present plans include further penetration into the Asian region. They have a new way of doing things and new technology to share in an industry that could use a few new ideas. From durable cruising sails to regatta winning EM Membrane racing sails, they have found innovative ways to improve their product through advances in manufacturing, engineering and design. Whether your plans include cruising the Med or crossing the Atlantic, Sydney/Hobart or winning IRC Nationals, Bucket or Sportsboat competition, Dinghy sailing or One Design racing, or just a weekday twilight race with your friends, you must consider Evolution for your next sails. Check them out at: http://www.evolutionsails.com/

2.14 One for the record books.
British adventurer Graham Hughes is trying to step foot in every country in the world, without flying and looking for a sail boat owner that would like to join him and set their very own Guinness World Record: THE FASTEST SEA JOURNEY TO EVERY COUNTRY IN OCEANIA. We wish him every success on his mission to conquer the world. More at http://theodysseyexpedition.com/

3. INTERNATIONAL NEWS

3.1 30,000 miles Global Ocean Race
With only a few weeks remaining until the start of the double-handed, Class40 Global Ocean Race 2011-12 (GOR) on Sunday 25 September in Palma, Mallorca, nine teams are heading for the start line. The course takes in some of the roughest waters on the planet. Starting in Mallorca, Spain the race stops in Cape Town, South Africa; Wellington, New Zealand; Punta del Este, Uruguay and Charleston, USA before finishing back in Mallorca, a total of approximately 30,000 nautical miles. Following almost a year of intense planning and secrecy, the New Zealand duo of Ross Field and his son, Campbell, have officially entered the double-handed, round the world, Class40 Global Ocean Race 2011-12 (GOR). The duo represents a combined offshore racing background unrivalled in the GOR fleet and has successfully purchased the Guillaume Verdier Design Class40, Desafio Cabo de Hornos: the yacht sailed to second place in the double-handed class of the inaugural 2008-09 GOR by the Chilean duo of Felipe Cubillos and Jose Muñoz. Follow the race at: http://www.globaloceanrace.com/index.php?lang=

3.2 America's Cup Uncovered
A new weekly (video) magazine program 'America's Cup Uncovered' is designed to connect viewers with the people, places and stories that are the backbone of the America's Cup. Featuring behind-the-scenes sneak-peeks, athlete profiles and up-close action on and off the water, 'America's Cup Uncovered' will take an in-depth look at the 34th edition over the next two years, offering an exclusive window into one of the most prestigious events in sport. Each episode is 30-minutes in duration, and available from 08:00 PDT / 11:00 EDT / 15:00 GMT on Saturdays, each week. Each episode is available online for seven days, until the next episode is aired each Saturday, and from select international broadcasters, including... read on: http://tinyurl.com/AC-072811 Streaming video of the America's Cup World Series events in Plymouth, UK (Sept 10-18) and San Diego, USA (Nov 12-20) will be available online at the America's Cup website. Exact times for the Plymouth event to be announced next week at: http://www.americascup.com and don't forget the ACWS can be viewed live and have a splendid array of replays available on the AC YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/AmericasCup

3.3 Extreme action in Sicily
Trapani, the ancient Drepanon and its surroundings represent the western part of a unique, intriguing and varied Sicily. A multicultural place, containing ancient styles and traditions, where history and myth merge to provide an atmospheric setting for the Extreme Sailing Series for the second consecutive year. Racing will commence on the 14th - 14th in the 'open-water' format before moving into the stadium style of racing on the 16th - 18th September. Follow the action at http://www.extremesailingseries.com

3.4 DK Technology still on Top of the Podium
If your serious about forming a racing team and joining the racing class at major regattas in the region, there is a specially modified Mark Mills designed DK46's, that has won nearly every major event in the Austral-Asian region on the market. DK is one of the most technologically advanced composite manufacturing facility in the SE Asian region. The design office works on high performance IBM CAD/CAM systems which are data supply linked to production and directly command the five-axis milling machine that accurately cuts hull plugs and moulds. Contained within the 110,000 sq ft facility is a multi-cycle computerized temperature oven (25m x 5m x 3.5m), a spray chamber (18m x 6m x 5.5m), an engineering workshop and a dedicated laminating room. In addition, DK also has an in-house 40m long autoclave to cure carbon fibre and kevlar finished products. So what are you waiting for? Serious Yachts for Serious Sailors can be found at http://www.dkyachts.com

3.5 Floating Cities close to reality
Cities come in all shapes and sizes, but can they float? PayPal founder Peter Thiel recently invested $1.25 million to try to make that happen. By offering support to the Seasteading Institute, he has jump-started efforts to create city-state communities afloat on ocean platforms. In 2009, the institute held a 3D design competition to help people visualize what these sea-bound communities may look like (see photos above and below). The structures will be 12,000 tons, diesel-powered and carry around 270 people per unit, as reported by Details Magazine. The idea is to link the structures together to create ocean metropolises equipped to accommodate millions of people. But here's the kicker: Thiel hopes to place the structures beyond the coastal jurisdiction of existing countries and their laws. Call it a libertarian pipe dream if you will, but he hopes to experiment with different types of government styles. In some cases, he wishes to start up city-states without minimum wages and welfare, with fewer weapons restrictions and "looser" building codes, he says. Seasteading already has a team working on the legal issues involved. Floating pilots, which will include office buildings, will be placed off the coast of San Francisco as early as next year. More photos and rest of the story Click Here...

3.6 New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup set
Newport, R.I., USA – When racing begins on Tuesday, September 13, at the 2011 New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup presented by Rolex, most of the 22 participating yacht club teams will be fresh from racing at the peak of the sailing season in the northern hemisphere. However, three teams – the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Royal Cape Yacht Club and Yacht Club Argentino – which hail from below the equator, will be coming from winter to summer to race in Swan 42s for the championship title. An official practice for the 22 yacht club teams will take place on Monday, September 12, from 1300-1700, followed by the opening ceremony for the Invitational Cup. Five days of racing will ensue, with the first warning signal scheduled for 1100 each day. The winning team will be confirmed at the conclusion of racing on Saturday, September 17. Follow the racing at: http://www.invitationalcup.org/

4. WORLD SPEED RECORDS

4.1 Solo Around Australia Record Broken
25th August 2011: Solo sailor Bruce Arms, in his 14 metre catamaran Big Wave Rider, crossed the finish line at Mooloolaba on the 18th August 2011 at 9:41:06 am AEST setting a new round Australia record. Bruce, renowned sailor and two-time winner of the Solo Trans-Tasman yacht race, completed his solo, non-stop, and un-assisted sail around Australia in 38 days 21 hours 40 minutes and 42 seconds. This made Bruce the fastest solo sailor around Australia and the first to do so in a Multihull (Catamaran). Bruce broke the existing Performance Certificate held by Ian Thomson in SOS Ocean Racing of 42 days 5 hours 33 minutes and 55 seconds, by 3 days 7 hours 53 minutes and 13 seconds. The new time is subject to official ratification by World Speed Sailing Record Council (WSSRC). Check it all out at: http://www.brucearms.com/

4.2 Records fall on Fastnet Race
Records tumbled in the 2011 Rolex Fastnet Race, this year's event living up to its reputation as the most grueling and tactically challenging of the classic offshore races. As usual the 608 mile long course took the boats from the start line off Cowes, Isles of Wight towards the Fastnet Rock off southwest Ireland, back around the outside of the Scilly Isles off southwest England to the finish line in Plymouth. The first home in the record-sized 314 boat fleet was the 140 foot trimaran, Maxi Banque Populaire, skippered by Loick Peyron which set a new multihull record time of 1 day, 8 hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds. The world's fastest racing trimaran established a new outright record for the Rolex Fastnet Race - some 7 hours and 39 minutes quicker than that of the best previous time set by a multihull. After the terrible Rambler incident, Mike Slade's ICAP Leopard once again took the lead in the monohull fleet, but after rounding the Fastnet Rock and cracking off, the 100 foot maxi was rapidly overhauled on the leg back to the Scilly Isles by the three VO70s, Abu Dhabi, Groupama 4 and Team Sanya held the lead at some point, Groupama 4 led back from the Fastnet Rock only to be pipped at the post by the Farr-designed Abu Dhabi, skippered by double Olympic silver medallist Ian Walker - with just 4 minutes 42 seconds separating her from Groupama 4, skippered by French non-stop round the world record holder Franck Cammas. In the process, Abu Dhabi also broke ICAP Leopard's monohull record for the Rolex Fastnet Race with an elapsed time for the course of 1 day, 18 hours, 39 minutes.The main trophy for overall victory in the Rolex Fastnet Race, the Fastnet Challenge Cup, was awarded this year to Niklas Zennström's Rán and this was presented along with a Rolex Yachtmaster Chronometer. The Judel-Vrolijk designed 72-footer also won the Rolex Fastnet Race in 2009, making her the first back-to-back winner since Carina II in 1955/1957. More at: http://fastnet.rorc.org/

5. "Unluckiest sailors of the month"

5.1 Artemis Racing gets T-boned
The second day of fleet racing proved to be an eventful day at the RC44 Sweden Cup. Three different boats each won a race, Holland’s No Way Back took the overall lead and a collision between Artemis Racing (SWE) and Peninsula Petroleum (GBR) stopped the Swedes from being able to compete in the final race of the day. The collision happened just before the preparatory signal for the final race of the day. Inaki Castaner, tactician onboard Peninsula Petroleum, explained. “We were on starboard tack and we didn't see Artemis and they didn't see us.” The incident resulted in Peninsula Petroleum crumpling their bow crash box and left Artemis Racing with a hole on their starboard side and needing to be craned out. With limited damage the team on Peninsula Petroleum were able to compete in the final race of the day. Artemis Racing however will have a long night ahead of them looking to see if they can make a temporary repair that will give them a chance of racing tomorrow. Artemis Racing’s Torbjorn Tornqvist was having a great regatta in his home waters, lying second in the overall rankings, before the collision as he explained when he stepped ashore. “Artemis Racing had two good races this morning finishing third and fifth. Most unfortunately, prior to the start of race four we were involved in a collision with Peninsula Petroleum, which resulted in serious damage to our RC44. The boat has been hauled out and we are currently assessing the damage.” Full coverage at: http://www.rc44.com/

5.2 Rambler 100 capsizes – all Crew rescued
Royal Ocean Racing Club, issued 2053 BST Monday, 15th August 2011
The yacht Rambler 100 capsized between the Fastnet Rock and the Pantaenius Buoy. The Irish Coastguard services coordinated the rescue. The Baltimore RNLI lifeboat is on the scene. Two Sikorsky helicopters have been scrambled and an Irish Naval vessel is en route to the scene of the accident. All 21 people on board the vessel – 20 men and one woman – were rescued, with 16 brought ashore on an all-weather lifeboat, and the remaining five taken ashore on a local diving boat. It is thought that the boat, which had been among the leaders in the race at the time of its accident, lost its keel and overturned within two minutes. Earl Williams was at the helm of the yacht, while another four crew members were on the deck at the time. Williams said the mast hit the water and the yacht started to turn upside down quite quickly. “We didn’t have a lot of time to get out,” adding that some people were asleep at the time. When the yacht capsized, five people were swept away, said O’Sullivan, while the people who were caught below the deck had to swim out of the yacht. O’Sullivan described how five of the people who had been swept away “gathered together in a huddle and tied themselves to each other” to both buoy themselves up and also attract the attention of rescue boats. They were in the water for two hours before being rescued. Its on-board GPS unit, used to track its location in the race, had stopped broadcasting some time earlier. One member of the crew was airlifted to hospital in Tralee. Photo thanks to Carlo Borlenghi. Action from the event can be seen on World On Water.

5.3 Big EX40 crash on Day 2 Act 5, Cowes
In the fourth race on the second day of the Extreme Sailing Series Act 5 from Cowes, France’s Groupe Edmond de Rothschild ploughed into Sweden’s Artemis Racing at the top mark resulting in severe damage to both boats – bad enough to end their racing for the day. A busy night in the pit lanes is expected to get them racing again tomorrow. The breezy conditions on the second day of Act 5, with 20-25 knots steady breeze with bigger gusts earlier in the day, the 12-boat fleet was split into two groups of 6 and raced with reefed mainsails and no gennakers. The first group raced three races and the action was pretty spectacular as the Extreme 40 crews manhandled their boats around the tight stadium racecourse off Egypt Point, Cowes. It was in the first race for the second group that the collision happened between Artemis Racing and Groupe Edmond de Rothschild. Artemis Racing, helmed by Santiago Lange, tacked in for the top mark on to starboard in front of Groupe Edmond to Rothschild, who were on port. Artemis Racing went through the tack and Pierre Pennec attempted to bear away around her stern, but the boats crashed – two of the French crew were thrown into the water. The impact was heard by thousands of spectators along the shore – a record crowd in the history of the event - who have been experiencing amazing close up Stadium Racing all afternoon. As a matter of course, the jury held a hearing to determine the outcome. Check out the video on Capt Marty YouTube Channel

5.4 Francis Joyon’s IDEC Capsizes
The giant trimaran IDEC skippered by Francis Joyon overturned this morning around 7:00 (HF) off the coast of New York. He had crossed the start at 00 hours, 08 minutes and 10 seconds GMT (02 hours, 08 minutes and 10 seconds HF) in his attempt against the record for crossing the North Atlantic. Francis Joyon was about twenty miles off when his multihull was taken at night in a violent burst the passage of a storm. The trimaran was then the “web time”, with three reefs in the mainsail taken and CRO in the front, is the ideal combination to manage and some 25 knots of wind blowing from the south in the area. Through the wind, a sea still calm, Joyon was facing the most perilous conditions for a multihull. A violent and sudden squall capsized suddenly has the maxi trimaran IDEC on the side. Relief was immediately alerted. Francis Joyon is well. He is in contact with the router Jean-Yves Bernot. He will probably remain on board the boat overturned pending the arrival of a tug capable of towing IDEC back safely. A phone interview Francis Joyon is posted on web site (www.trimaran-idec.com) The main points are: He released the main sheet even before his heeling alarm system triggered. When he saw that was not sufficient, he went in the cockpit and released the traveler as well… but that was not enough. As the boat was turning over sideways, he fell off the cockpit but was able to stop his fall by grabbing the net. So he ended up trapped under the net when the boat ended up upside down. He started “crawling” under the net in a random direction and ended up at one of the beams after about 40 seconds, knowing that he did not have enough time to take a deep breath before it turtled over…

5.5 Cowes Week yacht collides with oil tanker
Jason Copping reports in the Telegraph, UK: The first day of racing in Cowes Week was disrupted on Saturday when the 124,000-ton Hanne Knutsen encountered a fleet of yachts. One of the racing vessels, Atalanta, was in collision with the 870ft-long Norwegian-owned tanker as it proceeded to the oil refinery at Fawley, near Southampton. The yacht, which normally has nine crew members on board, became entangled in the larger vessel’s anchor and had its sails torn off and mast snapped. The force of the collision sent two of its crew overboard. They were picked up by a rescue boat and a coastguard patrol boat from Southampton. One crew member was taken to St Mary’s Hospital on the Isle of Wight and treated for a head injury. Organisers said the regatta would continue as normal. The incident was captured by COWES.co.uk. Check out the video on Capt Marty YouTube Channel

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