QUANTUM Key West 2012 delivers top tier competition
Top-of-the-line IRC 52 racing is alive and well and headed for Quantum Key West 15-20 January. A strong fleet of eight 52-footers will compete in the 25th anniversary edition of the renowned midwinter regatta held off the southernmost tip of the continental United States. Included in the class are brand new IRC 52 designs from Reichel-Pugh and Judel-Vrolijk. Key West annually attracts a who's who of big-name professional sailors. Most of those "rock stars" will be congregated in the Mini Maxi, IRC 52, Farr 40, Melges 32 and Melges 24 classes. Terry Hutchinson will be competing at Key West for the 16th time and takes a break from the Artemis AC team's training camp in Spain to serve as tactician aboard Quantum Racing, a TP 52 being entered by the regatta's title sponsor and skippered by Doug DeVos. Quantum Sail Design Group, which captured the TP 52 World Championship in 2008, 2010 and 2011, and the Audi MedCup in 2008 and 2011, is bringing a star-studded crew to Key West. For proven performance and repeatable shapes, think smart. Think iQ Technology from Quantum. http://www.quantumsails.com Event information, results & photos: http://www.Premiere-Racing.com

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CONTENTS

1. EDITORIAL - Welcome all our friends & extended family to 2012
2. AUSTRAL - ASIAN NEWS - Opti Worlds underway – New ISAF 2012-13 Offshore Special Regulations - Indonesia relaxes superyacht regulations - Yacht Racing Image of the Year - Clipper Race 7 Gold Coast to Singapore - Calling all women sailors in Asia - Women's Match Race Championship - Singapore sailors gain Olympic qualification - Final Olympic Qualification Places - Chris Draper leaves Team Korea - Somali pirates get Life for murder of cruising sailors
Up next in Asia - Royal Langkawi Int Regatta - Singapore Straits Regatta - 15th Bay Regatta - Neptune Regatta - Subic Bay to Boracay Race & Boracay Cup
3. INTERNATIONAL NEWS - No Medcup For 2012 - US SAILING’s Rolex Miami OCR - 2012 Extreme Sailing Series - 2012 Soto 40 European Championship
Follow the: Volvo Ocean Race - Global Ocean Race - Clipper Round the World Yacht Race
4. World Speed records - New B class World Record for Paul Larsen on Vestas Sailrocket 2
5. "Unluckiest sailors of the month" - Ainslie causes fracas on media boat – Close Quarters Sailing in Fremantle Harbour Race - Nico & Frans Budel dismasted in GOR - Broken D2 rigging forces Sanya out again

1. EDITORIAL

Welcome all our friends & extended family to 2012
This year the mystery of the Mayan Long Count calendar will come to fruition. According to the ancient calendar, this year's winter solstice marks the end of a 144,000-day cycle. This cycle, which begins at the mythical Maya creation date, has already been repeated 12 times. The 13th will end in 2012, capping a full 5,200-year Mayan cycle of creation. Many doomsday believers point to Dec. 21, 2012 as evidence of the coming apocalypse — anything from a rogue planet smashing into us to our world spinning end over end. However, being the eternal optimist the world should expect nothing more than the winter solstice, the longest night of the year. As there is no scientific evidence to support the doomsday theory surely its the end of one calendar and the beginning of the next. Or is it?

Regardless the sailing community forge ahead with a vigorous racing program over the next couple of months. By popular demand the 'Champagne Run' from Phuket to Langkawi (Start 7th Jan) has been reintroduced as a feeder race to the popular Royal Langkawi Int Regatta (Jan 9-14). Twelve days latter the reinvigorated Singapore Straits Regatta (Jan 26-31) makes a welcome return to Singapore waters for the first few days before crossing the Strait to Batam, Indonesia to complete the racing and social program.

No let up in February as the 15th Bay Regatta (Feb 1-5) takes Phuket based yachts through the spectacular scenery of Phang Nga Bay and Krabi to a new anchorage each evening and holding award parties in a wide variety of different locations.

Straight after is the Neptune Regatta (Feb 5-11) billed as the World's only sailing regatta and motor yacht rally that centers around a race to the equator. Last year the inaugural event was so popular that the momentum has carried on through to this year, with a new racing program and social activities in a remote part of Indonesia.

Then its across the South China Sea to the Philippines for the 200 mile offshore run from Subic Bay to Boracay Race (Feb 24-26) and the popular windy Boracay Cup (Feb 28 - March 3rd) comprising four days of Windward / leeward and long distance races around nearby islands. Full details on all these events and more can be found on the Asian Sailing Calendar.

The Royal Langkawi Int Regatta, Singapore Straits Regatta and combined Subic Bay to Boracay Race & Boracay Cup are all pointscoring events in the newly revamped AYGP Championship. Already 168 skippers and 155 yachts have scored valuable points and placed themselves in the running for the 2011-12 Skipper and Yacht of the Year. The hunt is on to secure Title and Trophy Sponsors for the AYGP and company's looking to increase their exposure in Asia are invited to look at the Sponsors entitlements and rights Here.... Search the updated 2011-12 AYGP Pointscore by Overall Skippers - Yachts - Regatta Results

For those that missed the action packed 67th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race we posted five daily updates during the event which can be accessed Here.... 2011 was notable for an unexpected winner of the coveted line honours trophy, a worthy overall winner and a slow passage home for the smaller boats.

On the International scene - Spare a thought for sailors at sea over the festive season - Go to tracking Volvo Ocean Race Leg 2 sprint to Abu Dhabi starts Wed 4th, Loick Peyron's Banque Populaire V is about to set a new World Record, Leg 2 Global Ocean Race is finishing in Wellington, NZ and the Clipper RTW Race continues on with the lengthy Gold Coast to Singapore Race. For convenience all these events along with prominent yachting video channels are linked on the AY Homepage and the latest news from these organisations and much much more can be found below.
Wishing all a happy and prosperous New Year
Capt Marty Rijkuris

2. AUSTRAL - ASIAN NEWS

2.1 Opti Worlds underway
01 Jan 2012: After delays caused by concerns about competitor seeding and light winds, the competitors were led out of the harbour by the Maori waka Nga Tukemata O Kahungunu for the first days racing. This provided a great spectacle to onlookers and followed on from the great feedback received from competitors and supporters following the official welcome and competition opening ceremony. 210 competitors from 48 countries are divided into 6 groups resulting in three fleets per race and a spectacle on the start line with seventy boats per race - After two days of racing they have completed five of the 15 scheduled races. The Netherlands hold the early lead, with Bart Lambriex and Philip Meijer in first and third respectively. The United States also looks strong with Wade Waddell in second and Williman Marshall in fifth. Ryan Lo of Singapore is in fourth. Racing continues to January 9th. A full list of provisional placing's, images and film footage from the racing is available at: http://www.optiworldsnz.com Photo Credit: Matias Capizzano

2.2 New ISAF 2012-13 Offshore Special Regulations
The ISAF Offshore Special Regulations are used by race organisers to provide uniform minimum equipment, accommodation and training standards for monohull and multihull yachts racing offshore. A number of changes made at the recent ISAF Annual Conference affect the new 2012-13 edition of the Special Regs. Unless otherwise specified the amendments are effective 1 January 2012. It should be noted that national prescriptions may take priority over the ISAF text and you should check with your relevant authority. The complete Offshore Special Regulation can be viewed at http://www.sailing.org/20140.php It is intended that the individual extracts file and details of first aid training requirements are available on http://www.sailing.org/specialregs For a brief summary of significant changes Click Here

2.3 Indonesia relaxes superyacht regulations
Government keen to stimulate coastal economies. Indonesia's president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has passed new laws that he hopes will ease the country's restrictive maritime tourism regulations and encourage visits from foreign superyacht's. The current requirements — including the need for yachts to set up cash bonds and apply for temporary importation licence's— will be swept away and replaced with simplified cruising permits and visas. The new rules — aimed at stimulating investment in facilities and infrastructure — are likely to reduce the costs of visiting Indonesia by superyacht and prevent local agents and officials soliciting for bribes. The changes are the result of consultancy findings by Indo Yacht Support & Yacht Support Group — a private sector-led concern co-founded by former superyacht captain, Cilian Budarlaigh. The Indonesian government is also hopeful that the changes will open up Indonesia to visiting superyacht's as a vital gateway between the Pacific and Indian oceans. Contact Richard Loftshouse for questions/further information regarding PIB Customs Bond in Bali Phone: + 62 (0) 811 340 0668 Email: bali@asia-pacific-superyachts.com Website: http://www.asia-pacific-superyachts.com

2.4 Two DK 47's on show in Langkawi
After taking 2nd place at the Raja Muda Regatta, two all new carbon fibre DK 47's owned by the Royal Malaysian Navy will be tackling the Royal Langkawi Int Regatta this month. So if your serious about forming a racing team and joining the racing class at major regattas in the region, this could be the boat to do it. DK Yachts 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

2.5 Yacht Racing Image of the Year
The annual 'Yacht Racing Image of the Year' is presented during the World Yacht Racing Forum in December to the photographer whose image best portrays the essence and excitement of yacht racing as a sport during the year. The 2011 award was presented to French photographer Thierry Martinez. The spectacular award-winning photograph features Nathan Outridge, Moth and 49er world champion, racing the Moth world championships in Belmont, Australia in January 2011. Thierry Martinez has been photographing yachts since 1987 and has covered almost every sailing discipline over the years from dinghies to the Volvo Ocean Race and the America's Cup. This is the second year running that Thierry has won the award.

2.6 Clipper Race 7 Gold Coast to Singapore
The very ambitious 4,600-mile leg will take the ten 68-foot yachts up the east coast of Australia, outside the Great Barrier Reef and north around the top of Papua New Guinea before picking up the monsoon trade winds to speed them between Borneo and Southern Philippines ultimately towards Keppel Bay, Singapore on 28th Jan. The crews will be among the first people on earth to see the sun rise on a new year and, for the round the world crew, Race 7 will also see them return to the northern hemisphere as they cross the Equator. The founder and chairman of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to sail solo and non-stop around the world in 1968-69, said, “This is going to be a fascinating leg. No other race has tried this route before, but the Clipper Race is always innovative, exploratory and exciting. That's why it is such a special adventure. Good luck to all the skippers and crews. I shall be following their adventures rather enviously.” Taking over the mantle of home port skipper is Ben Bowley, from Winchester in the south of England. He is skippering Singapore, who shot away from the pack at the start of Race 7 to lead the sprint down the coastline past Surfers Paradise to Burleigh Heads. Ben said, “The real challenge on this race is going to be the heat and the length of the journey. It’s one of the longest we’ll be doing and the last few we’ve done have been relatively fast. It’s not just about the mileage – it’s going to be pretty light, drifty conditions so that will slow us down and will be combined with stifling heat and humidity.” Full positions are updated every three hours and can be found at http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com

2.7 Calling all women sailors in Asia - Women's Match Race Championship
Royal Varuna Yacht Club, Pattaya will be holding the Women's Match Race Championship in Thailand on the weekend of 18-19 February 2012 and invite women sailors and teams to join this event. This is the first time they will be holding Womens Match Race in Thailand, and will be racing on short fun courses right in front of the beach bar of the yacht club. 8-10 crews can take part, and the boats are 4 identical RS Vision type boats which are ideal for women sailors in crew of three (or four if the team-members are Optimist dinghy sized). This event will be suitable for women/girls of all skill levels, from teams who have competed together for years, to individuals who just are interested in fun and competitive sailing and networking with other women sailors. If you would like to participate, but do not have a team, please get in touch with the organizers anyway; we will be pleased to help you find team-mates for this event. Also – if you have not tried the exciting match racing before, we plan to run through the few changes from the regular racing start and rules before start of racing. You can find the NOR and more information on http://matchracethailand.com, and contact the organizers on matchracethailand@gmail.com addressed to Khun Mink (Sinsupa Wannasuth).

2.8 Surprise someone with a Sunsail Holiday
Thinking about buying the perfect gift but don't know what to get? Why not surprise a loved one or a friend with an idyllic Sunsail getaway by getting them a Sunsail Gift Voucher and 20% discount. Learn more about the types of gift vouchers you can get by calling 1800 803 988. 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 2012 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

2.9 Singapore sailors gain Olympic qualification
A second berth has been secured for Singapore at next year's Olympic Games sailing regatta. National sailor Scott Glen Sydney clinched one of the 11 places available in the silver fleet of the men's Laser Standard class at the 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships in Perth. The men's Laser Standard were split into a 73-strong gold fleet and 74-strong silver fleet after five races, and 35 places were available overall for the 2012 London Olympics. Scott, 20, finished the final two races 9 and 10 in seventh and 34th place, respectively, to steer Singapore to 31st place out of 35 and clinch a spot at the 2012 Games. Last week, team-mate Elizabeth Yin booked an Olympic spot for the Republic in the women's Laser Radial class. With places secured in the two Laser classes, selection trials will be held before the 2012 Games, which is scheduled from July 27 to Aug 12, to decide which sailors will represent Singapore at the Olympics. Scott, who is coached by former British Olympic coach Ian Clingan, who is also behind Yin, said: "It's still open, anyone of us can still be picked, but this regatta has given me confidence going into the trials, whenever that may be."

2.10 Final Olympic Qualification Places
As the fleet racing came to an end at the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships, 45 nations have qualified their country to compete at the London 2012 Olympic Sailing Competition. On the penultimate day of racing at Perth 2011 the final Laser spots and the Men’s RS:X and Women’s 470 places were taken ahead of the Medal Races. Twenty four nations had already qualified in the Laser and after the Silver fleet completed racing a further 11 have joined them. Belgium, China Finland, Norway, Russia, Singapore, Slovenia, Switzerland, Turkey, Uruguay and US Virgin Islands all put in the big performances when it mattered to qualify their nation for London 2012. In the Women’s 470 14 nations qualified at Perth 2011. Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Spain, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Slovenia, Sweden and the USA all came through to take the qualification places. With 29 nations in the Men’s RS:X Gold fleet the battle for one of 28 places was tight. Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Spain, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lithuania, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Switzerland, Ukraine and the USA all qualified. And for the remaining nations vying for an Olympic spot they will have to try again at their respective World Championship in 2012. Goto ISAF Microsite http://www.sailing.org/isaf-worlds-2011.php

2.11 North Sails arrive with strength in Asian waters
North Sails Asia is the regional division of North Sails including the countries of China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. North Sails has become the world leader in sailmaking through an ongoing commitment to making sails that are faster, lighter and longer lasting than any other sails in the world. Whether you race or cruise, North Sails is committed to designing and building sails that are just right for you! When performance matters, the choice is clear. North Sails builds more cruising sails and racing sails than any other sailmaker in the world. All North sails are manufactured to the highest standards using the latest technology and premium fabrics from North Cloth and other quality suppliers. Whether you race or cruise, North Sails has the widest variety of products in the world to meet the needs of Sunday afternoon cruising sailors and America's Cup teams alike. Our team of designers, sales and sail care personnel have one common goal: to build a sail that is right for you. Email: info@asia.northsails.com or check out their website at: http://www.northsails.com/

2.12 Chris Draper leaves Team Korea
The reasons for Draper's exit are not revealed in the announcement by the team. Draper is a twice world champion in the 49er class, the Olympic skiff, and also won a Bronze medal in the same event at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. After doing a start up campaign for Team Korea in 2011, using the prototype boat for the AC45 class, Team Korea performed very well indeed, finishing fourth overall at the end of the third and final event for 2011 in the America's Cup World series. Reflecting on his involvement with the team Chris said, 'Being part of Korea’s first Americas’ cup challenge has been an incredible experience. I am very grateful to Kim Dong-Young and the other members of the team for putting so much trust in me and providing such a great opportunity to perform on the water. It has been a huge experience and one that I will always look back on with pride, however there are other opportunities that I cannot overlook, and so I would like to wish Team Korea all the best of success and good luck for the future.' Team Korea CEO Kim Dong-Young added, ‘’Chris has done a superb job and been very valuable in helping us grow through the first ACWS events. From the start we agreed we would review our respective goals on completion of these regattas and review the lessons learnt from both sides, and I have nothing but the highest admiration for what Chris has achieved for us. It has been a pleasure working with him, and I wish him good fortune in his next challenge. In the meantime our plans progress and we shall be making further announcements shortly.'

2.13 Somali pirates get Life for murder of cruising sailors
The leader of the thirteen pirates who were captured and pleaded guilty to the murder of four American cruising sailors has, along with one other pirate, been found guilty and sentenced in US federal court to life in prison. Mohamud Hirs Issa Ali, a 32-year-old also known as Sanadaaq, had pleaded guilty to piracy and hostage-taking resulting in death, while 20-year-old Jilani Abdiali, known as Ilkasse, had pleaded guilty to piracy in Eastern District Court of Virginia in the city of Norfolk. Californians Jean and Scott Adam, were sailing their vessel around the world and planned to visit sites from India to Crete when they were hijacked by 19 men off the coast of Oman. On board they had cruising friends Bob Riggle and Phyllis Macay of Seattle. According to the Navy, pirates launched a rocket-propelled grenade and, as US forces headed to the hijacked yacht, shot the four sailors, who had not offered provocation. The attack was by far the most serious pirate attack in the long and sordid and tragic story of Somali piracy. The four cruising sailors, traveling in a rally around the world, became the first Americans to die in the raft of hijackings over recent years off the Somali coast. Most incidents have been resolved through the payment of ransom, albeit sometimes after protracted negotiations. The sentences were the latest in the attack on the Quest yacht. The first life sentences were handed down in August

3. INTERNATIONAL NEWS

3.1 No Medcup For 2012
Madrid, Spain: World Sailing Management (WSM), organizers of the MedCup sailing circuit, the official international competition of the TP52 and Soto 40 classes, regrets to announce to all those involved and interested in this prestigious circuit, that it has decided to suspend the 2012 season. This difficult business decision was taken for the following reasons, all of them related to the economic and financial crisis affecting the whole world and Europe in particular:
1. Serious uncertainty regarding the number of boats, mainly in the 52 Series (TP 52 class), willing to commit to compete in all of the events comprising the circuit with the risk of an insufficient number of competitors to ensure the competitive level reached by the circuit in previous seasons.
2. The lack of financial resources available to local authorities in their bid to become potential venues for the events of the circuit, which limited the ability to address their usual obligations and maintain the circuit's level of quality.
3. Together with the abovementioned factors, a decrease in the support needed from AUDI AG, which has been the circuit's title sponsor, has led WSM to terminate, early and peacefully, the sponsorship deal linking both companies.
In brief, WSM believes that it is more rational to suspend the Circuit than let it continue with falling standards. Nevertheless, WSM will continue to work during 2012 in order to overcome these difficulties, confident that it will be able once again to provide the sailing world with the spectacle that the MedCup Circuit has always been. More at; http://www.medcup.org

3.2 US SAILING’s Rolex Miami OCR January 22-28
Established in 1990, the annual Rolex Miami OCR, organized by US SAILING, is sailed on Biscayne Bay and features elite-level competition in the classes selected for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Foreign teams are attracted by the traditionally tough competition offered, plus the fact that the regatta forms the second of seven events on the ISAF Sailing World Cup. A long-time ISAF Grade 1 world-ranking event as well as a US Sailing team qualifier, the Rolex Miami OCR will celebrate its 23rd anniversary when it returns to "The Grove," in Miami. Follow the action at: http://rmocr.ussailing.org/

3.3 2012 Extreme Sailing Series
The same award-winning format, but two new countries and three new venues will accompany five proven Host Cities from the highly-charged 2011 circuit. The ‘ISAF Special Event’ circuit continues its 9-month globe-trotting tour as it enters its sixth year of competition, with 8 events spanning 3 continents – once again in the GCC region, Europe, Asia and new for 2012, South America. The circuit will start in Muscat, Oman and this time conclude in Brazil, home of the 2016 Olympics. The host venues represent a mix of iconic cities, established sailing venues, and new markets where professional sailing remains in its infancy. “The circuit continues to represent perfectly the developments in the world at large, with its balance of east and west, different cultures and languages, and variety of conditions,” said Mark Turner, Executive Chairman of the organising company OC ThirdPole. “Year on year the commercial value of hosting the event for the Host Cities has increased, and this is reflected in the 2012 developments.” More at: http://www.extremesailingseries.com
2012 Calendar & Host Venues:
Act 1 : Muscat, Oman 28th February-2nd March?
Act 2 : Qingdao, China 19th-22nd April?
Act 3 : Istanbul, Turkey 7th-10th June?
Act 4 : Porto, Portugal 5th-8th July
Act 5: UK August?
Act 6 : Trapani, Italy 13th-16th September?
Act 7 : Nice, France 18th-21st October?
Act 8 : Brazil 29th November-2nd December

3.4 2012 Soto 40 European Championship
The annual meeting of the European Soto 40 class owners was held in Valencia on the 13th of December. The balance of the 2011 season was made, and the future of this exciting One Design in Europe was discussed. Looking ahead at the next season European Soto 40 class owners unanimously agreed to create for 2012 the Soto 40 European Championship. It will consist of five events, including Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre in Palma de Mallorca in mid-July, and the European Finals with double scoring in the Port America's Cup of Valencia in late September. This competition will crown two winners: the Soto 40 European Champion and the Soto 40 Owner Driver European Champion. The meeting also sealed the creation of the European Soto 40 Owners Association, an ongoing project that has been under development since September. It will serve to govern the interests of its members by promoting the class in Europe and tie bonds with other international associations, especially with the International Soto 40 Class.

4. WORLD SPEED RECORDS

4.1 New B class World Record for Paul Larsen on Vestas Sailrocket 2
The WSSR Council announced the ratification of a new B Division (from 150 sq.ft up to and inc. 235 sq.ft) World Record (49.19 knots) by Paul Larsen. AUS on Vestas Sailrocket 2 over a 500 meter course. The venue Walvis Bay, Namibia on 30th November 2011. Paul Larsen also held the previous record (47.36 Knots) set in 2008 on the original Sailrocket 1 also at Walvis Bay. Although the main aim is to set the outright world speed record they need to overcome foil cavitation problems to achieve this and are presently working on new foil designs and expect to be back better than ever. It is only a small step away! Follow their progress at: http://sailrocket.com/

5. "Unluckiest sailors of the month"

5.1 Ainslie causes fracas on media boat
Photo Credit Mick Anderson, Go to complete gallery Click Here
Ben Ainslie's campaign for a sixth Finn World Championship title came to an end on Saturday (10 December) after he was disqualified for both of the day's two races after an incident with a media boat driver on his course. Ainslie's progress was impeded by the boat on the final downwind leg of race nine of the World Championship series in Perth, and after the race finish he boarded the media boat to voice his unhappiness at the boat driver's actions. A jury hearing late on Saturday night found fault from both parties, but disqualified the Skandia Team GBR sailor from both of the day's races for gross misconduct. With the disqualifications not able to be discarded from his race series, Ainslie will end the regatta in 11th and will not feature in the final medal race on Sunday.

5.2 Close Quarters Sailing in Fremantle Harbour Race
From Yachting WA Newsletter
A close encounter of a different kind marked the 2011 Fremantle Harbour Classic which was held in ideal conditions on the last Sunday of November, providing a spectacular display of close quarters sailing. The spectacular display of the 63ft Limit hurtling around the confined harbour water space with the mêlée of boats maneuvering about at speed was both colourful and impressive. However, it was the gruesome thrill of an accident and damage which enthralled the largely uninitiated crowd who watched with baited breath as the drama between Limit and Wyuna played on centre stage. On course sailing photographer Rick Steuart provided the following account: Limit – owned by Alan Brierty (skippered by Paul Eldrid) and the largest yacht on course, set out like a rocket ship and was looking to knock off the old record of the fastest lap by Garth Curran's Walk on the Wild Side. On the second time up, she managed to fall foul of 34ft Wyuna driven by Dennis Vincent, on the northern side near the container wharves. A quick indication of the speed that she had up her sleeve was the ability to catch up with a front starter (not a slouch by any means) and was looking to slip past her on the beat before the next lap began. As Limit worked her way up toward the tack point, the two boats were perilously close – almost in slow motion the connection was made. The outline of the masthead of Wyuna could be seen, almost picture perfect on Limit's sail before the rip was clearly etched on Limits foresail. Wyuna’s stern was lifted high out of the water - for 8 perilous seconds, Wyuna's fate hung on the decision of Limit's helm. Go to port, go to starboard? Going to port would pull the boat locked into their shrouds over with them and probably break the remaining shreds of the shrouds holding the mast in place. Going to starboard would push Limit into Wyuna and then into the container ship beside them both. The best choice was to let Limit do nothing and simply absorb the weight of Wyuna as she slowed both boats down to a standstill before assessing and (in Limits case) withdrawing with a damaged headsail and shredded shrouds. Wyuna appears to have no more than some damage to the crane at the top of the mast and possibly some other mischief to the wind instruments. She certainly sailed away and completed the race under full canvas to finish 8th.

5.3 Nico & Frans Budel dismasted in GOR
(November 30, 2011; Day 2) - After 14 hours of racing in Leg 2 of the double-handed, Class40 Global Ocean Race 2011-12 (GOR), the Dutch father-and-son team of Nico and Frans Budel dismasted shortly before rounding the Cape of Good Hope and entering the Indian Ocean. Sailing in around 17-21 knots of breeze and a rough sea-state, the Dutch duo tacked inshore 19 miles off the appropriately-named Mast Bay carrying the Solent with one reef in the mainsail. As the tack was completed, the starboard shrouds failed and the mast toppled over the boat’s port side. “We had the backstays on and I was just moving across the cockpit to release the old backstay when there was an enormous bang,” reported 41 year-old Frans Budel The two sailors responded calmly and quickly in the pitch black night: “The sea was pretty rough, but we tried to pull the sails back on board and save them, but it was too dangerous with the broken mast hitting the side of the boat,” explains 72 year-old Nico Budel. The rod rigging, backstays and forestays were swiftly cut away and the duo contacted the GOR’s Race Director, Josh Hall. Both the Budels are uninjured and have returned to Cape Town unassisted with their Class40 Sec. Hayai The Budels have just completed a hectic stopover in Cape Town, removing their Class40’s keel to replace the keel bolts and only relaunching Sec. Hayai the day before the start. “It has been tough getting the boat back into racing trim, but we were in very good shape for the Indian Ocean,” confirms Frans Budel. Despite this dramatic setback, Nico Budel, who suffered keel failure on Leg 2 of the 2008-09 GOR competing in the single-handed division of the event on is Open 40 Hayai and was forced to abandon the yacht, is determined to rejoin the GOR. “It is very disappointing, but we’re already in touch with mast makers and will have a solid plan in place by the end of today,” predicts the indomitable Dutchman with a broad, confident smile. “Sec. Hayai will be back, trust me!” -- Full report: http://globaloceanrace.com/?page=news&news_id=576&lang=en

5.4 Broken D2 rigging forces Sanya out again
When Sanya broke away from the six-boat Volvo Ocean Race fleet and headed north towards a tropical depression containing brutal headwinds, it was a moment of big risk, big reward. A day later, the reward was a 200+ mile lead on the fleet. But two days later the risk was rig damage. Risk won. With their D2 shroud separated from the spreader terminal, Sanya suspended racing and headed to Port of Ehola in southern Madagascar in order to assess the damage and make a repair plan. "We were just out of the major breeze and changing sails from the J4 to the fractional zero and were in wind speeds of around 12-14 knots when we noticed a vital piece of rigging loose from the mast (D2)," said Sanderson. Race rules mean that Sanya will still score points for Leg 2, the In-Port Race in Abu Dhabi and the first stage of Leg 3 if they cross the finish line at the safe haven port under racing conditions at some point. Sanya's goal will be to repair the boat, complete the first stage of Leg 2 and then rejoin the fleet when they return by ship after the first stage of Leg 3, which will take the fleet on to the team's home port of Sanya on Hainan Island China. More VOR news at: http://www.volvooceanrace.com

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