AsianYachting November 2004
News and Views

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CONTENTS

1. Editorial - China Coast Regatta and Hong Kong to Vietnam Race
2. "Unluckiest sailors of the month" - Some China Coast Regatta participants
3. Austral - Asian News - Bring on your rules-related questions?
4. International News - Vendée Globe blasts off

Browse past News & Views - Web Editions click on: Nov Dec Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct

1. EDITORIAL

The 2004/05 AsianYachting Grand Prix Championships started with a bang last week at the China Coast Regatta (See Unluckiest Sailor Section) giving Grant Wharrington’s Don Jones 98 Skandia the IRC A title, just one point ahead of Neil Pryde’s 47ft Hi Fidelity and five ahead of Frank Pong’s Reichel-Pugh 75 Jelik. More at http://www.chinacoastraceweek.com Progressive pointscores or 2004/05 Rankings over the nine selected AYGP events held throughout the season can be browsed at: http://asianyachting.com/news/Rankings0405.htm

As expected Aussie Grant Wharington's 98ft Skandia also took line and handicap honours plus a whopping 19hrs and 11mins of Ffree Fire's record set in 1996 on the Vina Capital Hong Kong to Vietnam Race. The new elapsed time record of 42h 45m 41s will be a great challenge for future participants to beat. The brisk force 6 - 7 reaching conditions persisted and after applying IRC handicaps it ended up with Skandia 1st, Neil Pryde’s Hi Fidelity 2nd and Nick Burns Mandrake 3rd. More can be found at: http://www.rhkyc.org.hk/hkvietnamrace.htm

Next up this month is the Asean (3-7 Nov) and Raja Muda Int Regattas (19-27 Nov) which are the 2nd and 3rd AYGP events on the Asian calendar. The long awaited appearance of Frank Pong's 115ft all carbon Maiden Hong Kong is expected to compete on the 3 overnight passage races on the Raja Muda. In anticipation the RMIR race committee have dedicated a high speed power craft with the sole duty of setting the finish line before Maiden HK gets there.

Despite the ever expanding racing calendar the Phuket King's Cup (4-11 Dec) is still the most popular and well known event in the region. They are also one of the few events that continues to attract a main sponsor as it is a major contributor to the Thai King's charities. Whether cruising or racing is your pleasure check out the 2004/05 AsianYachting Calendar and AYGP Events at: http://asianyachting.com/asiancalendar.htm
Hope to see you out on the water
Capt Marty Rijkuris

2. "Unluckiest and Luckiest sailors of the month"

Two ORMA dismasting's within minutes.
Late last month onlookers were shocked to see two dismasting's in moderate winds during practice sailing for the Marseille Grand Prix. First Bank Covefi (Stève Ravussin) then Sodebo (Thomas Coville) dismasted within minutes of each other, in winds no more than Force 4. Thus finished Stève Ravussin's season as his mast tube broke after a forestay gave way. Coville's Sodebo was a bit luckier as it dismasted when a portside shroud gave way. The mast hit the water before it touched a pontoon and remained intact. The technical team managed to save the mast and the sails and were on the start line for the second day of racing.

China Coast Regatta demolition derby

During the first 2 days of the CCR the fleet experienced up to 25 knots of East North Eastly breeze with lumpy seas so the choices here are wide and varied ....

Neil Pryde probably gets the nod for two OCS's on Hi Fidelity which cost him the regatta title, but the following are also contenders! Lowell Chang's X99 Dexter for losing his mast in an encounter with Y K Szeto’s Mumm 30 Tornado, ruling him out of the first day's racing and after overnight repairs missed out on a possible 2nd place in IRC B.
CCR photos available from http://www.guynowell.com

Nick Burns Farr-Mills Mandrake forced to retire from race 4 after trashing two spinnakers, Skandia blew her spinnaker in the middle of a run, while Paul Bankowski’s Kerr 11.3, Jaywalker trashed her spinnaker in a spectacular broach on the finish line. Drumstick, Moonblue 2 and Relax all ripped mainsails, Outrageous broke the main traveler and Glenn Smith's Bewitched in HKPN lost their spinnaker then salvaged it from the water, only to rehoist it and shred it.

The luckiest sailor
The luckiest sailor is probably Rob Sallons who escaped with bruising after getting caught up round the neck with the lazy sheet on Marcel Liedts X612 Hocux Pocux 2 in IRC Premier Cruising. Having just hoisted the genoa the boat went into a tack and Sallons was aware only of a loop of the lazy sheet coming towards him, before finding himself lifted off the deck and over into the water. The crew promptly let off the working sheet and Sallons regained consciousness as he fell in the water. After a visit to A & E with Liedts in attendance, it was a relief to see Sallons back at Middle Island before the end of the afternoon with nothing worse than bruising around the neck, however the episode was a shock to the whole boat.

3. Austral - Asian News

3.1 Bring on your rules-related questions
Keith Moore from Quantum Sails South Asia has secured the services of one of Austral/Asia's top International judges to assist sailors getting ready for the upcoming Asian season. Graeme Owens has graciously agreed to answer any rules-related questions, so simply send them to kmoore@quantumsails.com who will forward them to Graeme for consideration. Don't worry your identity will be kept strictly confidential and Graeme's answers will be sent via a Quantum Update newsletter. The deadline for submission of questions is Nov 7, so please act quickly and don't hesitate to participate in this unique opportunity.

3.2 Phuket to Singapore Yacht Race
The non-stop 540 nm Phuket to Singapore Yacht Race (PSYR) is gearing up for its inaugural start on 8 Jan 2005. Organised by the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club (RSYC), the start is off Nai Harn Bay in southern Phuket and the yachts are expected to finish within 4 to 5 days in light winds conditions at an average 6 to 8 knots. Organising Chairman Kent Goeking said “Apparently the concept of a high profile, prize money, non-stop South East Asian yacht race has caught the attention of the international sailing community and all signs point to a successful event.” This is the prelude race to the Singapore International Yacht Challenge for the Singapore Presidents Cup, which will be taking place in 2006. For info email siyc@rsyc.org.sg or visit the website at: http://siyc.rsyc.org.sg

3.3 Hobie 16 for SEA Games 2005
Countries participating in the South East Asian Games have adopted the Hobie 16 open class as one of the events in the SEA Games to be held in the Philippines in Nov 2005. The decision mirrors the Olympic trend to put more focus on catamaran classes and is fitting that the class chosen should be the Hobie 16. Not only is it the largest catamaran class in the world, but more important, it is an "Asian size" boat. With an ideal combined crew weight (the weight of the skipper and crew combined) of 285lbs, large heavyset athletes are actually at a disadvantage. As part of the preparations, a "dry run" includes a "race management" training course for qualified personnel will be held this month from Nov 25, 26, 27 and 28 in Subic Bay. Contact Peter Capotosto, peter@sailing.org.ph 09178383726, or 8113183 if you are interested in attending the race seminar or providing logistics support.

3.4 Niel Pryde RS-X board for 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES
Following a series of evaluation events in Cadiz (ESP), Torbole (ITA), Hayling Island and Queen Mary Reservoir (GBR) the ISAF Olympic Windsurfing Equipment Evaluation Team recommended that the Niel Pryde RS-X board and associated equipment be selected for the 2008 Beijing Olympic regatta in Qingdao and other associated events.

The 14 test sailors represented a good cross-section of racing windsurfer sailors to develop the next generation of Olympic Windsurfing equipment. Standards ranged from Olympic medallists to Youth Squad sailors; weight from 60kg to 100kg; and sailor experience covered both Formula and long-boards. Final Report To Council at: http://www.sailing.org/technical/windsurfing_finalreport.pdf
RS-X Product Details http://www.sailing.org/technical/rsx_proddetails.pdf

3.5 Saito-san sets sail again on Shuten-Dohji II
At age 71 when most people are settling into their retirement years Japanese yachtsman Minoru Saito is attempting to become the oldest person to do a solo circumnavigation without stops. This incredible yachtsman left Japan on October 16 on Shuten-Dohji II again (also know as Shoot Your Doggie to his Around Alone cohorts). Donations are being accepted and a book containing Saito-sans racing exploits which includes 4 unsponsored Around Alone races is available at his official website at: http://www.canal-wt.com/~Challenge-7/english/index.htm

3.6 See Elaine Chua's mini Feng in Asian waters.
The Republic of Singapore Yacht Club would be seeing their sponsored mini very soon. Elaine Chua's Feng was completed in mid September and has had her first crossing from Mallorca (Baleares) to Tarragona (mainland Spain). The boat is currently on her way to Singapore on one of APL’s vessels and due to arrive early November. APL has sponsored Elaine in her previous race and they have come in to sponsor the shipping for this project. When back in Asia, the plan is to race the Asian Yachting Circuit double handed with the Raja Muda Regatta in November right till the San Fernando Race in March next year. In between the races, she would also sail her 1000nm qualifiers as the schedule was too tight. Sponsors are still being sought for the Asian season, the European season and the Mini Transat. More at: www.elainechua.com

3.7 Liverpool 08 Clipper officially launched
A 68-ft yacht promoting Liverpool as European Capital of Culture in 2008 was unveiled to officially launch a new round the world race fleet. The boat designed by Dubois Naval Architects and built by Shanghai Double Happiness Yachts in China is one of a ten-strong fleet to be raced by international teams comprising of 17 crew and a skipper. Sponsored by Liverpool City Council she has been built to compete in the 35,000 mile Clipper 05-06 Race, which sets sail from Liverpool (UK) on 18 Sept 2005. More at: http://www.clipper-ventures.com

3.8 Quantum's FusionM gets with the strength!
Asian sailors may be interested to know that one of the world's leading edge sailmaking factories is sitting in their backyard. Since it's formal introduction on May 10th this year, Quantum's FusionM has taken the world by storm. For a product update, including setting-up and gybing asymmetrical spinnakers on boats with ‘conventional’ spinnaker poles, plus an all important article on "The fine art of Crewing" goto: http://asianyachting.com/news/QuantumSails.htm

4. International News

4.1 Vendée Globe blasts off.
A total of 20 skippers have fulfilled the qualifying criteria to take part in the fifth edition of the 23,000-mile (approx 42,000 km) Vendée Globe which starts from Les Sables d'Olonne on the 7th Nov. This single-handed, non-stop, unaided race round the world race is a huge sporting celebration in France that is followed avidly by both the media and public. In the 2004/2005 race, the 20 skippers representing seven different nationalities (English, French, Swiss, American, Belgian, Austrian and Australian) includes two women and 12 skippers lining up for the first time gives the race a much wider international appeal.

Among the skippers are several young sailors (around 30-years-old) such as Sébastien Josse, Vincent Riou and Conrad Humphreys, Karen Leibovici who will be competing alongside more experienced single-handed yachtsmen including Marc Thiercelin, Roland Jourdain, Jean le Cam, Mike Golding - most of whom have already several round the world trips under their belt.

Aussie Nick Moloney the only entrant from the Southern Hemisphere will help extend the race's profile to reach the down-under side of the world. Nick has spent most of his time recently studying the weather patterns along the course, which he managed to fit into a already busy schedule of getting the boat race ready and attending his main boat sponsor Skandia promotional engagements.

In theory, the race could not be more simple. Competitors start and finish from Les Sables d'Olonne on the north-west coast of France, sailing around the world from west to east, on a route south of the three Capes (Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin and Cape Horn) all kept to port with Antartica to starboard.

In practice, nothing is harder. The route takes the skippers into the heart of the Southern Ocean, where gales are the norm, and storm force winds are expected. Icebergs, towering seas, and bitter cold are the real enemy here, on the most desolate part of the world’s oceans. The Vendée Globe Race Committee have issued obligatory passage points in the Sailing Instructions, in order to keep the boats a sensible distance to the north away from the icepack off Antarctica. Follow the race at: http://www.vendeeglobe.org

Entry list
Patrice Carpentier - VM Matériaux, Jean-Pierre Dick - Virbac – Paprec, Raphaël Dinelli - Sogal Extention, Mike Golding - Ecover, Conrad Humphreys - Hellomoto, Sébastien Josse - VMI, Roland Jourdain - Sill Véolia, Hervé Laurent - UUDS, Jean Le Cam - Bonduelle, Karen Leibovici - Benefic, Anne Liardet - Roxy, Nick Moloney - Skandia, Benoît Parnaudeau - Max Havelaar / Charente-Maritime, Vincent Riou - PRB, Bruce Schwab - Ocean Planet, Norbert Sedlacek - Brother, Joe Seeten - Arcelor Dunkerque, Marc Thiercelin - Pro-Form, Alex Thomson - Hugo Boss, Dominique Wavre - Temenos

4.2 IRC rules the waves
Major-event organizers and yacht clubs in the US have finally elected to trial the IRC rule to determine their mixed monohull fleet results over the next 3 years. They will establish USIRC Management, Technical and Promotional Committee's which are affiliated with US Sailing, the sport's national authority, that will process the certificates. The USIRC executive director Barry Carroll can be contacted at: sailirc@cs.com and to learn more about IRC and how the rest of the world including here in Asia are enjoy the racing visit the RORC rating site: http://www.rorcrating.com

The rating rule for cruiser/racer sailboats is owned and administered by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) Rating Office in Lymington, UK, and Union National pour la Course au Large (UNCL) in Paris. Presently there are about 6,000 yachts rated and racing under IRC in Europe, as well as in more than 30 other countries, including Australia, South Africa and Hong Kong. Most recently IRC was used for the first time in the US at the St. Francis Yacht Club's Big Boat Series in San Francisco, is used during the Fastnet Race in England and will be used in the next Sydney-Hobart Race in December in Australia. As always, if have any queries, comments or suggestions, please feel free to e-mail jenny@rorcrating.com

4.3 Will John Kerry sail off in the US presidential race?
The US Democratic candidate John Kerry has used his hobby of windsurfing as part of his campaign appeal to win over American voters. The tall figure of Kerry has been pictured leaning into the wind as he holds his board upright. But his Republican opponents have used the same images with the disparaging comment: 'John Kerry: whichever way the wind blows.'

4.4 Warning to all offshore racers.
DK Yachts are warning all offshore racers to watch out when one of their Malaysian built Mum 30, Farr 36, 40, 52, 520 or Mark Mills DK46 lines up on your starting grid. One to look out for in Australia is Matt Allen’s Farr 52OD Ichi Ban. While 2 worlds away in the UK and the US Chris Brown's DK46 Fidessa Fastwave and Robert Youngjohns newly acquired DK46 Zephyra have shown the fleet a clean of keels. Serious Yachts for Serious Sailors can be found at http://www.dkyachts.com

4.5 Featured AY Yacht Brokerage
Ross 7.80 mk.1 Trailer Sailor - Was US$15,999 NOW reduced to $13,500
Ideal for harbour racing and short coastal hops, this very popular class boat (still sailed extensively in Brisbane, Perth and New Zealand) is a genuine trailer sailor and surprisingly very stable compared to the newer sportsboats. 2003 IRC handicap 0.916. The present owners have kept the boat in top racing condition after they extensively refitted her at Fedara Yachts for the 2003 season. More Details at: http://asianyachting.com/boats/Ross780.htm

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