Robin Engel at Songline traditional Indo cruisers has offered a berth onboard KLM Rima to anyone that donates 1000 USD to keep the Sandeq sailing culture alive and follow the Sandeq Race from the 10th to the 17 Aug. More at: http://asianyachting.com/news/SandeqRace.htm

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CONTENTS

1. Editorial
2. "Unluckiest sailor of the month" Award
3. Austral - Asian News
4. International News
5. World Speed Record

Browse past News & Views by clicking on:   Aug Sept Oct Nov  Dec Jan Feb March April May June July

1. Editorial

As a fleet of foreign yachts set sail for Asia using the annual SE tradewinds on the Darwin Bali Race local regatta organisers and yacht racers are gearing up for the forthcoming racing season. The 14th Raja Muda Int Regatta committee are pleased to announce that they are establishing a Darwin Bali Yacht Race / RMIR Participants Cup for Bali Race participants that choose to compete in any division on the annual RMIR island hopping bash up Malaysia's west coast in November. Trophies will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed best overall finishers in both events as well as being eligible for other awards from the RMIR prize pool.

A variety of local events get underway at marinas and yacht clubs during August (See Asian Section) for sailors to hone their skills before the major events start in October. Anyone contemplating coming to SE Asia to compete this year there is an exciting 03/04 Asian Sailing Calendar planned which can be browsed at http://asianyachting.com/asiancalendar.htm  Take a copy and book your sailing holidays if you are looking for any yachting action at your favourite tourist destinations in SE Asia.
Happy sailing where ever you are.
Capt Marty

"Unluckiest sailor of the month" Award

First up Chris Bowling's Hick 31 Redrock Communications on the recent Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race hit Black Rock which stands three metres out of the water near Coffs Harbour and sank soon afterwards, forcing the crew to take to their life raft. When the boat hit the rig became entangled in the rock and came crashing down, while underneath a hole was punched through the hull and water was pouring in. They were all subsequently picked up by the local Water Police and delivered safely to Coffs Harbour. As I almost hit Seal Rocks a few years ago I am surprised that other yachts have not suffered a similar fate as there are many such obstacles lurking in the dark along the way that has caught many navigators by surprise.

But this months winner is Pedro Campos and his crew on Telefonica Movistar the small boat of the Spanish team from the Real Club Nautico San Genjo during the recently held Admiral's Cup. After 2 days of racing the Spanish team led by King Juan Carlos held a commanding lead but a protest lodged by the British boat Dickies Yacht Sales not only disqualified them from race 3 and lost the Corum Trophy plus relegated the team down to third place overall and despite a brave comeback they never recovered. 

Worthwhile noting in the port/starboard incident that a starboard tack yacht can be disqualified so the protest committees findings and decisions are reproduced below as a warning to all racers when competing on windward / leeward courses especially at the top mark.

Protest Decision IMS Race 3
Protest by: Dickies and Movistar
Against: Movistar and Dickies

Facts found:
1. Movistar rounded the windward mark on starboard tack and hoisted her spinnaker while bearing away
2. Movistar was bearing away until she luffed to avoid a collision
3. Dickies was approaching the windward mark on port tack
4. Dickies luffed to try and go to windward of Movistar as she considered that a collision was about to occur
5. Movistar luffed to try and avoid Dickies
6. Dickies then bore away hard to avoid Movistar
7. When Movistar was approximately 2 and a half boat lengths from the mark a collision occurred
8. A crew member of Dickies was injured in the collision

Conclusions and rules that apply:
As starboard tack boat Movistar was obliged by rule 16 not to change course without giving Dickies room to keep clear
Decision: Movistar is disqualified for a breach of rule 16.

RULES - 16 CHANGING COURSE
16.1 When a right-of-way boat changes course she shall give the other boat room to keep clear
16.2 In addition when after the starting signal boats are about to cross or are crossing each other on opposite tacks and the port-tack boat is keeping clear of the starboard-tack boat the starboard-tack boat shall not change course if as a result the port-tack boat would immediately need to change course to continue keeping clear.

Austral - Asian News

1. For all those would be nautical scribes Boat Books Australia who have the biggest selection of nautical info for sale is sponsoring another Boating OZ Writing Competition. This year they have two categories: 1. Anecdote or Fiction 2. Poetry. A prize will also be given to the most humorous entry in both categories. For more details and conditions of entry go to: http://www.boatingoz.com.au/

2. The 6th Western Circuit Regatta will be held over the weekends 10th, 17th and 24th August 2003 from Raffles Marina in Singapore. Race Director MAJ (NS) Tan Hua Chiow promises it to be a fun, sun and rum regatta for keen racers as well for cruisers, with cups and sponsored prizes for all divisions. Keelboat sailors will be made very welcome and berthing is free for the duration of the regatta. They can also arrange all CIQP clearances for visiting foreign yachts.

3. The Ao Chalong Yacht Club in Phuket are pleased to announce that 20,000 baht in cash and prizes is up for grabs in each division at the inaugural Summer Regatta 2003 for all classes from August 22nd to 24th. Courses shall consist of inshore trapezoid's in Chalong bay and a ‘island course’ around the neighbouring islands. A extensive social program is also planned and interested participants are asked to contact Scott Duncanson or Andrew Craig,

4. Looking for increased performance this year? A Structurally Reinforced Membrane (SRM) from Quantum Sails - South Asia will set you onto some winning ways! Check out what's in store for you! at: www.quantumsails.com

5. India International Boat Show
Organisers have confirmed the dates (26-28 September 2003) for the India International Boat Show at the Le Meridian International Convention Centre in Kochi, South India which is an important maritime centre and headquarters of India's Southern Naval Command. It is also the nerve-centre of India's fishing industry. The organisers including Kerala Tourism and major Indian organisations and boat clubs have established an online information source for the show.

6. Sale Sale Sail!
Over 200 Marine items are on sale which can to be purchased online and delivered to your doorstep on time. For great deals click on the AY SailNet banner - Where Sailors Get It! including Marine Barbeques for $99.95

7. 20th Hahn Premium Race Week - August 16 to 23
Around 120 entries will be competing at the 20th anniversary celebration of the Hahn Premium Race Week to be held at Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays from August 16 to 23. The sailing will be competitive and the fun ashore includes a concert by top Australian rockers Jimmy Barnes and Diesel plus the famous Whitehaven Beach Party. My god, how time has flown by since the 1st regatta when the main resort building burnt down and Keith Williams opened his dream island resort.

8. Parasail is a innovative new design in spinnaker technology which combines the traditional theory and paraglider technology to improve safety, sailing comfort performance and sail longevity is now available in Australia after a successful launch in Europe by manufacturer Paramarine. The design comprises of a large aperture in the upper third of the sail and a free-flying wing foil at the front, so the wind effectively acts against the sail removing excessive pressure, improving stability lifting the bow and reducing roll. More information and orders can be obtained by visiting the EC Marine website.

9. The popular Mumm 30, Farr 40, 520s, Mills 46 and the long awaited Farr 36 are NOW! available from DK Yachts in Malaysia. Serious Yachts for Serious Sailors can be found at: http://www.dkyachts.com

International News

1. SKANDIA COWES WEEK (August 2-9)
The organisers of Skandia Cowes Week - Cowes Combined Clubs Ltd on the Isle of Wight have confirmed that Peter Harrison has accepted a challenge laid down by Kit Hobday's BEAR OF BRITAIN to have a America's Cup style match-race series with Harrison's simular Farr 52 CHERNIKEEFF during Skandia Cowes Week. Aussie Ray Roberts must be upset that the Hollywood Boulevard charter did not go through and he will be missing all the action here. 

The match-racing is scheduled to take place as soon as the RYS line is clear of the daily racing (between 1700-1800) and will be staged over the course of three evenings during the Week. Part of the challenge from Hobday is that the series loser hands over £5,000 to the Skandia Cowes Week Official Charity, Sail4Cancer. This is a poignant move, given that Hobday is himself fighting cancer. For up-to-date Cowes-watching, all the news and racing updates throughout each day, log onto the official website: www.cowesweek.co.uk

2. Ecover Half Ton Cup - Aug 18-23
The revival of the Half Ton Cup for old IOR yachts is having tremendous success with sponsors Ecover and 25 boats entered so it looks like fierce battles will be fought out between old rivals across the Flemish sandbanks from Nieuwpoort in Belgium between Aug 18-23. More on their the website at www.halftoncup.be

3. All the Yachts for Sale including Volvo 60's, the 120ft cat Kingfisher plus a variety of locally based racer cruisers and multihulls are on the AsianYachting site. Check them out at http://asianyachting.com/boats/yachtsforsale.htm Feel free to email back if you see anything that interests you and for any further info.

World Records

Steve Fossett at the helm of his 125ft (38.1m) maxi-catamaran will attempt to break the Jules Verne Round the World record for the fastest boat around the planet in January 2004. Cheyenne is the new name planned for the former PlayStation which is presently undergoing a refit in Norfolk, Virginia. An assault on the 24 Hour Record will be made during October with a goal of logging the first 700 mile day. More info can be found at: http://www.fossettchallenge.com For a rundown on The Race, Jules Verne and other world record attempts just click on: http://asianyachting.com/news/WorldRecords.htm