AsianYachting May
2004
News and Views
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CONTENTS
1.
Editorial - Presidents
Cup results closing up the
rankings
2. "Unluckiest sailors of the month" - Some
China Sea Race competitors
3. Austral - Asian News - Next
up...
AYGP
final - Koh Samui (23rd -
29th May)
4. International News - Omega
AYC
- Star Sports broadcast dates/times
5. World Speed Records - Ellen's
B&Q in NY on STANDBY
RED...
Browse past News & Views - Web Editions click on: May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb March April
1.
EDITORIAL
Presidents
Cup results closing up the
rankings
Neil Pryde's Hi-Fidelity (2004 Omega AYC winner) made a return
to the top of the regatta podium at the Presidents Cup, after a close
tussle with Ray Ordovesa's re-measured Karakoa and a consistent
effort by Fred Kinmonth's crew on Stella earned them third place.
This leaves Karakoa sharing equal first with Peter Ahern's Yo!
on 7 points after 8 AYGP
Events and lurking only
one point behind is Neil Pryde's Hi Fidelity and Sam Chan's Ffreefire
sharing 6 points with Ray Roberts trailing on 5 points being the only
skippers within striking distance of the leaders going into the final
regatta at Koh Samui.
The annual AY Grand Prix Champion will be receiving a tailored Royal Navy Blue Blazer suitably embroidered at the final prize giving party and as at other Grand Prix events the usual champagne in a Perpetual Cup to proudly celebrate. So you better come along for the ride after a long and arduous season to see who gets measured up by one of Koh Samui's famous tailors at the end of May on their website www.samuiregatta.com
In
light of the rapidly diminishing racing fleet in SE Asian waters, rumors
are already running thick and fast on just who will be competing at Ko
Samui and on which yacht. As often is the case when solving mysteries
in Asia, a glimmer of hope comes from a most unlikely source - the Lost
Idols of Borneo in the darkest jungles of Sarawak may
well have a solution.
Troy Yaw has decided to prepare his custom Sydney 46 Ulumulu (ex Luna Nuova) and invited Asian Yachtmasters over to train a mostly scratch local crew and head for Koh Samui to experience what it takes to put a racing campaign together and compete against the regions top grand prix racers. They also plan doing a west coast tour afterwards and looking at training more local crew in big boat handling skills along the way up to Phuket to compete on the inaugural Phuket Race Week from July 10 to 17th which officially kick starts the 2004/05 AsianYachting sailing season...
Take
a look at the new look 2004-05 AsianYachting
Calendar that has been compiled so far with the remaining
Grand Prix events of the 2003/04
Championships to run at: http://asianyachting.com/asiancalendar.htm
Race committees and regatta organizers are asked to update their entry
details and send the forth coming dates to: info@asianyachting.com
A trail webpage mock up of the AY
Pin-up Calendar that we promised
earlier can be found at: http://asianyachting.com/Jan.htm
See if you can recognize one of our budding Asian yachtswomen that is
ready to continue her International sailing career by embarking on a Mini
Transat campaign. We are still waiting for more daring sailor girl photos
to be submitted and next season will be asking the onboard photographers
to focus more attention on this exciting subject for us to publish throughout
the year.
With
the arrival of Tracy Edwards huge catamaran in Doha, Qatar the spotlight
on racing the giant "G" class multi and monohull yachts (usually
the domain of our European counterparts) will be switching to Asia next
year. As time is quickly running out before the £38m Qatar
sponsored non-stop, round the world Oryx
Cup blasts off from Doha in March 2005 this months AY
Grand Prix Brokerage features: Ellen's
giant catamaran Kingfisher 2 or Bruno's
world record breaking ex-Orange
presently back in the UK and being offered to prospective racing teams
for between $2.1million and $2.9million, depending on the state / inventory
and stage in time of sale. We are happy to act as intermediaries to discuss all options with
seriously interested parties (especially from Asia) in more detail. E-mail:
info@asianyachting.com or
browse more details at Yachts
for Sale
The
first place prize of US $1 million is considered the biggest cash prize
in sailing history and the initial designs for the Oryx Cup trophy by
William Asprey, the renowned London jewelers can be found at: http://maidenoceanracingqatar.co.uk
The recent trend by developing nations of hosting top end sporting events
through International partnerships is designed to bring further investment
and globally market their region using sports tourism. So
if you are looking for a unusually large,
fast moving advertising billboard to
expand your companies global reach
and posses a spirit of adventure
to keep one step ahead of the market then we could be in for a "no
limits" ride of our lives.
Happy sailing
where ever you are
Capt Marty
2.
"Unluckiest sailors of the month" award
We often receive criticism for not including more local contestants for this coveted award, and as many Hong Kong and Philippine sailors have complained that their heroic yachting achievements over there, often go un-noticed by the International media, we dedicate this months award (Edited from the Omega AYC Summary) to some of the competitors on the recently completed China Sea Race.
As
Thursday 8th April dawned, crews faced a blustery and overcast Hong Kong
as a record number of elite racing class yachts gathered for the start
of the regions classic off-shore race the 22nd running of the China Sea
Race, that see's the fleet travel 565 miles from Hong Kong across the
South China Sea to Subic Bay in the Philippines. This years race is the
fourth and final leg of the four-stop Omega Asian Yachting Circuit. After
three races (in Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore) Ray Ordovesa's Clariden
Karakoa from the Philippines was in the driving seat – sitting
three points clear of Fred Kinmonth's Stella Minter Ellison and
four points clear of Neil Pryde's Omega sponsored Hi Fidelity.
The pre-race briefing by the Hong Kong Observatory told the assembled crews to keep an eye on a strong monsoon system in the Western Pacific that will give them fresh winds and large seas for the first two days and power the fleet south across the open expanse of the South China Sea but expect these winds to fade as the fleet heads further south and on approaching Luzon how tactical decisions linked to local wind patterns and currents will come into play.
So
it was an excited fleet that poured across the startline with colorful
spinnakers flying in 15 knots of breeze and headed south. Within the first
20 minutes a number of spectacular broaches where seen including Frank
Pong's new 75-ft Jelik – the line honours favourite with
Sam Chan’s 68-foot Ffree Fire close on his keel. Fred Kinmonth's
Stella Minter Ellison and ‘Moonblue II’ reported
they shredded their kites already and it was clear that this could play
a detrimental part in the final stages and dash their overall chances.
And
then, 8 hours into the race there was sudden drama as news was radioed
to the Race Office that race favourite Karakoa was retiring.
The leading boat on the Omega Asian Yachting Circuit was suddenly bailing
water as a rudder stock had failed and the rudder was now unstable. Ordoveza
said “We brought the sails down and did damage control by jury rigging
the rudder to make sure we didn't lose it. There were 10-foot seas and
the winds were gusting to 30 knots. It was wild, rough and wet”.
Word reached the sailing office in Hong Kong that they would be safe,
but that they were turning around and heading back to Hong Kong.
This virtually handed Neil Pryde and Hi Fidelity the Omega Asian Yachting Circuit trophy and by securing second place was enough to earn them the worthy Title of 2003/04 Omega Champion. Pryde said afterward "We’re proud to have won the Circuit this year and it’s been a fantastic season. Obviously it's bad luck for Ray and it certainly helped us win the title but as I said before the race, that's the thing about Ocean Racing - preparation is the key, but anything can happen. We look forward to defending it next year.”
3.
Austral - Asian News
3.1
Omega AYC - STAR Sports broadcast
times
Andrew Owen advises TV viewers interested in following Asian racing that
STAR Sports has revised
broadcast dates and times for each 1/2 hour show in the Omega
AYC in the S-E Asian region (Including Singapore, Malaysia,
Thailand, Hong Kong, and the Philippines). If you miss the original broadcast
there will be repeats so check your local listings.
Raja Muda Regatta: Mon 17 May @ 1930
Phuket King’s Cup: Mon 24 May @ 1930
Singapore Straits Regatta: Tue 1 June @ 1900
China Sea Race: Tue 8 June @ 1900
3.2 What is Russell
Coutts cooking up in the Middle East?
A word from America's Cup super star Russell Coutts on the new youth training
program during the Dubai International Sailing Week and other things he
is cooking up. (Check local WATERSPORTS WORLD/HOT WATER time slots on
the following global networks - ESPN - Star, Foxsports and JSkyB Japan).
3.3
Learn to Sail
with Asian Yachtmasters
anyone?
The next 2-Day AY
Introductory Sailing Course for participants interested
in becoming Competent Crew
on sailing yachts will be run over the weekend 15th & 16th May at
the Royal Selangor Yacht Club
in Port Klang. To enroll simply contact Khairul
Sharil the RSYC
Sailing
Center Manager
on 03-3168 6964 H/P 012 3899498 or
Email: info@rsyc.com.my
You can also goto the complete AY
Syllabus
and when the next Courses
are starting from: http://asianyachting.com/AYmasters/classes.htm
3.4 Sunsail charter division
at Koh Samui?
The world’s largest yacht charter organisation is moving a fleet
of yachts and catamarans around to Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand which
are available for charter and may have their own class during the 3rd
Koh Samui Regatta 23rd - 29th May. At other times they can be chartered
on a daily, weekly, or fortnightly basis from the new base which opens
up another fantastic cruising area in Asia that includes, the Ang Thong
National Park, Koh Tao - a world class diving destination, and Koh Pha
Ngan, the home of the famous full moon party. For further information
contact: Sunsail Thailand at: sales@sunsailasia.com
or call them on +66 (0)76 239057 for more details.
3.5
Yachts Asia-Pacific magazine
stops publication
The Yachts Group has announced that it is closing down publication of
its Yachts Asia-Pacific
magazine. According to Bruce Maxwell, president and managing editor for
the last two years the magazine has been published on a far higher print
run and with a much more targeted circulation, than has never been attempted
in the region. ‘Unfortunately, doing this properly also requires
higher ad rates than the region is used to which incurs heavy Asia-Pacific
distribution costs,’ Maxwell said. ‘In recent circumstances,
it is difficult to continue this course economically, and Yachts Group
CEO Michel Karsenti does not want to lower our levels, or see his excellent
European and North American publications compromised, to deal with problems
arising in this often volatile market.’ Maxwell will remain as a
feature writer with the Yachts Group, and as in the past, will handle
some Asia-Pacific advertising and promotions. http://www.ybw.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20040319102258ibinews.html
3.6
The Quantum
Sail Design Group in Malacca, Malaysia have reported
tremendous success with the weight for strength
ratios of their Carbon Kevlar
Fusion sails
and super fast spinnakers
they produce here for the world wide market has resulted in a few America's
Cup challenge teams making approaches. Place your order at: http://www.quantumsails.com
or obtain a obligation free quotation from Bruce Anson at: banson@quantumsails.com
or Phone ++60-6-231-6145
3.7
One out of the ordinary
John Reed Secretary to the WSSR Council reports a Performance Certificate
for Around Bahrain, singlehanded,
with assistance has been awarded to Sami
Kooheji sailing a Laser dinghy on 1st / 2nd April 2004
with a Elapsed time of 27 hrs 1 min 22 secs covering a Distance of 86.4
nm. Situated in the south-western corner of the Persian Gulf, between
Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar, Bahrain is an archipelago of 36 islands
with a total land area of 706 sq. km. The waters in this area of the Gulf
is generally very shallow with numerous offshore coral reefs just below
the surface in many places. The tidal range being seldom more than one
metre the use of very small escorting power boats must be used for such
a circumnavigation to be undertaken. The argument still rages whether
a larger, faster boat that will have to travel a much longer distance
be quicker?
3.8
Summer Sailstice global
sailing holiday
June 19 & 20th will be the fourth anniversary of Summer
Sailstice - the global sailing holiday founded by John
Arndt in 2000 which every year increases in both sailor participation
levels and geographic distribution. In 2003 over 1,400 people signed up
with Summer Sailstice from 12 countries, 40 states in the US, 5 Canadian
provinces and sailed as far North as Alaska and as far South as Venezuela.
The furthest East and West was Tel Aviv in the Med and Tokyo in Japan!
One early bird sign up for 2004 will be sailing in Croatia. Sign up online
at www.summersailstice.com
and you could be in line for the grand prize of a week long charter courtesy
of The Moorings in the British Virgin Islands or a $500 shopping spree
at West Marine and 100's of others on the website.
4. International News
4.1
Get wired up for the 2004 Olympic
Games
ATHENS 2004 announced that the 2004
Olympic Games will be the first Games ever to offer access
via mobile phones to the Internet and wireless information system of the
Games. Olympic Family members can receive in real time information on
Games results, records and medals, together with news of any developments
of their interest. Using their mobile phones, users will also have access
to Games competition schedules, data and photos of the Venues, athletes
CV's, even summaries of the rules of each sport, all of them enhancing
the users' enjoyment of the events they are following. All from http://www.sailing.org/olympics2004
4.2
Offshore racers
hotting up for a action packed summer
DK Yachts are warning all offshore racers in the world
to watch out when one of their Malaysian built Mum 30, Farr 40, 52, 520
or Mark Mills DK46 lines up on your starting grid. One to look out for
in Aussie is Matt Allen’s Farr 52OD Ichi Ban while 2 worlds
away in Europe Vicente Garcia's new Farr 520 Plis Play are presently
on winning streaks. Sailors in the UK will not be spared as Ray Roberts
ex-Hollywood Boulevard rocks up and expected to join Mike Greville's
new DK 46 Erivale on the podium. Serious
Yachts for Serious Sailors
can be found at http://www.dkyachts.com
4.3
America's Cup - Getting ready for Valencia
2007
At a recent three-day workshop for 18 America's
Cup Teams the CEO of Valencia
2007 José Salinas explained the massive transformation
scheduled for the Port of Valencia, in order to prepare for the America's
Cup. Work will begin shortly, and the Port will be ready to accommodate
Teams for this years Valencia Louis Vuitton Acts scheduled in October.
Team bases will be available for occupation in the Spring of 2005. Regatta
Director Dyer Jones announced the racing program for 2004 and beyond,
and gave details about the Meteorological Data System (MDS), a shared
weather data system that will make the weather over a small portion of
the Mediterranean Sea the most analysed 'microclimate' in the world. More
AC News at: http://www.americascup.com
4.4
Even South Africa having
a go these days!
South Africa has launched
its entry to the America's Cup
yacht race - the most prestigious sailing event in the world. This is
the first time an African country has entered the race, which will take
place in Valencia in Spain in 2007. As the team's training yacht, Shosholoza
(meaning "Go Forward") was was unveiled
and launched in Cape Town harbour by Salvatore Sarno, an Italian businessman
and managing director of South Africa's challenge revealed a artistic
design based on traditional Zulu, Xhosa and Ndebele patterns in colours
of the South African flag. More on this proud entry at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3640355.stm
5. World Speed Records
5.1
Ellen's B&Q in NY on STANDBY
RED...
The 75-foot trimaran B&Q
arrived in New York after an overnight delivery from Newport, Rhode Island.
Having sailed on B&Q halfway round the world from Australia to the
US, Ellen MacArthur will
be attempting to set a new solo west-east
transatlantic record from Ambrose Light to the Lizard
currently held by Frenchman Laurent Bourgnon at 7 days 2 hrs, 34 mins
and 42 secs.
The state-of-the art 75-foot trimaran was designed by Nigel Irens and built for one objective - to try and set new solo sailing speed records. The transatlantic record is notoriously hard to break, relying totally on ideal weather systems and minimum breakage on board a boat that is being pushed to its limits - the current record has stood for a decade. You can follow their progress at: http://www.teamellen.com
5.2
NEW KITESURFING Speed
Record
Frenchman Manu Taub has
set a new speed record for kitesurfing, beating American windsurfing legend
Robbie Naish's previous record by more than a knot. Sailing at the Mondial
du Vent at Port Leucate, on his second run he posted
a speed of 39.79. Naish's previous record stood at 38.47.
http://www.seasailsurf.com/seasailsurf/actu/article.php3?id_article=3055
5.3
SailRocket
to break the 50 knot
barrier?
One of the most original yachting machines created was recently unveiled
in Southampton. If designer Malcolm Barnsley, and pilot plus instigator
Paul Larsen have got their
concept right, then SailRocket could be one of the most significant
vessels of all time.
That is because the aim is to break the world speed sailing record, timed over a 500m dash, currently held by the Australian Yellow Pages team with 46.52 knots set in 1992. Larsen hopes to break the 50 knot barrier - sailing's four minute mile - and go beyond. This would mean 60mph in a wind propelled machine. "This is such a new thing there's not even a name for it," said Larsen, a Southampton-based Aussie. http://www.sailrocket.com
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