Welcome to the AsianYachting January 2002

NEWSLETTER

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1. Editorial
2. "Unluckiest sailor of the month" Award
3. Asian News
4. International

 

Well it is off down the Malacca Straits next week for the third regatta of the 2001 / 02 Asian Yachting Circuit to Singapore for the 8th Straits Regatta. Organised as a combined event by the Republic of Sing YC, Raffles Marina and Changi Sailing Club the racers cross the straits to Batam in Indonesia where the newly formed Raiu Yacht Club plays host at Nongsa Marina.

A new crew service inititive has been added to their website http://www.straitsregatta.com which has proved very successfull. Boat owners seeking crew or have available crew can log on or check in if its not to late.

The organising committees must be commended for their efforts in conducting these events annually lets hope the trend at the London Boat Show (see International Section) of buyers saying it's time to fulfil their dreams, regardless of the expense and global uncertainty continues on into Asian cultures.

New events to be included on your racing calendar are Ghangi Sailing Club's Monsoon Cup over the 2 weekends of (26-27 Jan & 2-3 Feb) and Bill Gasson reports on the preperations for the Inaugural Ko Samui Regatta on Thailand's east coast planned for April 21-27 2002 (More details? See Asian News section)

By all reports the NE monsoon has produced some favourable breezes for the past few weeks in Singapore and hopefully the wind gods are kind enough to continue blowing through out the planned regattas and not produce a repeat of past years drifting match that has caused several time slot changes over the years.

AsianYachting takes this opportunity to wish everyone on the circulation list a Happy New Year with clear skies and fair breezes where ever you are.

The AsianYachting award for the "Unluckiest sailor of the month" goes to Jean Luc Van den Heede (VDH) who set off on 12 October in an attempt to break the singlehanded round the world record the Chay Blyth way, ie westabout against the prevailing winds, but was forced to retire when, after rounding Cape Horn, he noticed that the yacht's keel trunk was working fore and aft. 'The keel which should be fixed, wasn't fixed anymore'. "Adrien is built to make this challenge, but we didn't have the opportunity to compare the calculations made for these longitudinal forces in heavy weather, because we didn't encounter this type of weather after launching the boat," VDH explained. The keel cracked at a welding point and a leak had developed. "I have to postpone my attempt - it makes me fume, but I have always said that I had three years to succeeed in this challenge." VDH retired at 0230 13 November and in an extraordinary feat of seamanship instead of putting into Chile, swung the nose of the boat back towards France.

 

VDH made a running repair to the keel structure but still 40-50 litres of water was leaking into the boat each day. As he headed back north towards France, he was constantly nursing the keel and sailing slowly as he tried, with the help of Lasnier, to find conditions that would not place too much load on the 15 tonne keel structure.

Hugely popular in France, VDH arrived in Les Sables d'Olonne to a hero's welcome, despite such a disappointing conclusion to his attempt. He intends to have another crack at this record in October 2002 and with any luck it will be third time lucky for this jovial former maths teacher. Imagine this waggling around of its own accord - then sailing 9,000 miles back to France...

Asian News

1. Jason Lim the Changi SaiLing Club GM has aked to help spread the word around about the inaugural CSC Monsoon Cup. This is an open event for the 'serious' racers around Asia & the Australasian region after the Singapore Straits Regatta. Eleven races have been planned, over two weekends on Saturday and Sundays (26-27 Jan & 2-3 Feb), with one or two discards depending on the final number of races sailed. The regatta will be open to all yachts with valid 2001 IRC certificates. All races will be sailed over windward/leeward and triangle courses. After each day's racing... the competitors and friends are invited to come and unwind at a true sailors' club and experience some Changi poolside hospitality in a very relaxed environment.

 2. Inaugural Ko Samui Regatta April 21-27 2002 Great winds and late morning starts are being planned with a mixture of passage and buoy racing, good parties and don't forget the world famous Full Moon Party 26th April. Bill Gasson reports Classes for racing and cruising depending on the entry lists. If six entries with HF 9.00 and above will have a class for race boats. Mooring at Chawang Beach off Tradewinds, Central Hotel and Poppies. Regatta rates being requested. A boat-watch service will be organised for yachts who arrive early (Christian Easter) and left unattended. Bangkok Airways direct flight from Bangkok, Phuket, Singapore. Initial contacts John Stall or Bill Gasson

3. The remaining events on the exciting 2001/02 Asian Yachting Circuit and their websites can be found below. Competitors and crew or just interested by standers can get more info by simply clicking on!

8th Singapore Straits Regatta - 16 to 20 Jan http://www.straitsregatta.com
Phang Nah Bay Regatta - 10 to 13 Feb http://www.bayregatta.com
RHKYC's China Sea Race 2002 - 28th March http://www.chinasearace.com
Philippine President Cup - 3rd to 6th April http://www.manilayachtclub.org/prescup/

International 

1. London Boat show beats recession blues January 4, 2002 By Tammy Oaks
LONDON, England -- The September 11 attacks have dealt a blow to leisure industries, but the European yachting sector seems buoyant as demand increases in the wake of an economic downturn. Sales have actually risen in the last year and more luxury yachts are being built than ever before. Evidence at the London Boat Show is that the luxury sport seems immune from the global slowdown.

The aftermath of the terrorist attacks have compromised job security, making people more cautious about travel. But some analysts say consumers have decided now is the time to fulfil their dreams, regardless of the expense.

2. On October 31 1999, aged 18, Jesse Martin became the youngest person in history to circumnavigate the globe single handed, non-stop and unassisted. Jesse's journey enraptured people from all walks of life as they followed his 328 day solo journey.  Over 25,000 people lined the shores of Sandringham in Melbourne Australia to welcome Jesse home after 11 months alone at sea.

Jesse Martin did this amazing feat aboard "Lionheart - a Sparkman and Stephens 34 foot sloop" - and with new plans afoot Jesse has offered the beloved 'Lionheart' for international tender! Interested parties who would like further information pertaining to the public sale of "Lionheart" for a full list of boat specifications, photos and seller details.  Don't miss this opportunity of a lifetime to purchase a piece of sailing history.

3. The latest prices, info and obligation free quotations for yacht deliveries in the SEA region can be found by clicking on http://AsianYachting.com/Deliveries.htm 

4. Double Victory for ASSA ABLOY 2002-01-04
Line Honours Sydney Hobart and 1st on Leg 3 of the Volvo Ocean Race. At 17.20.46 GMT, 06.20 local time, ASSA ABLOY was the first boat to cross the finish line of leg three in the early hours of January 4 in Auckland. The gold and blue boat enjoyed a fast spinnaker run down the Hauraki Gulf approaching Auckland, the City of Sails. With kiwi Richard Mason at the helm, the jubilant team crossed the finish line under full bright yellow spinnaker, accompanied by many spectator boats. As a tribute to Peter Blake the whole crew wore red socks coming in to Auckland and the smiling team members showed the red socks with pride during the arrivals ceremony.

5. Sail-World's summary, final results and full list of news stories of the 2001-2002 Strathfield Pittwater to Coffs Race series. While you are there you can also enter Sail-World's Wet Weather Gear competition to stand a chance of winning some fabulous prizes, do it now!

6. First time at sea for giant Orange - Boat’s preparation ahead of schedule…- The maxi-catamaran Orange cast off from the yard in La Ciotat on Saturday 29th December and has since been undergoing her first sea trials. The preparation phase onshore is now complete and was carried out thanks to the work and complicity of a team of twenty people assembled around Alain Gabbay and under the responsibility of Gilles Chiorri (Boat Captain) and Hervé Jan, who returned from Sydney especially to take part in Bruno Peyron’s new campaign round the world. The boat could be ready to start the Jules Verne Trophy as early as February 7th next. Down Marseilles way the pressure is rising and the public is already rising to the event in anticipation of the duel that could be be fought out by the giant from Marseilles and the giant from Brittany.

7. HOT WEBSITE If you're looking for information about a major regatta, the Regatta Dates Website is a resource that you definitely must bookmark: http://www.regattadates.com/