AsianYachting December
2005
News and Views
Building
onto the success of the inaugural Top
of the Gulf Regatta Ocean Marina's
very
active sailing Group in Pattaya, Thailand are eager to attract
serious racing yachts to next years event (May
4th to 7th 2006) Held two weeks before the Koh Samui Regatta
sailors can race in two top class regatta's in succession and in between
take full advantage of the great cruising grounds the Gulf of Thailand
has to offer. For more
info contact info@topofthegulfregatta.com
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CONTENTS
1.
Editorial - 2004-05
AY Grand
Prix Skipper and
Yacht awards
2. "Unluckiest sailors of the month" -
Transat
Jacques Vabre and Volvo
Ocean Race
competitors
3. Austral - Asian News - Monsoon
Cup, SEA Games
and King's Cup up next
4. International News - South
Atlantic Race from Cape Town to Salvador
5. World Speed Records - South
Atlantic Race from Cape Town to Salvador
Goto Archived AY News & Views and Race Reports 2004-05 2003-04 2002-03 2001-02 2000-01 98-99
Sing.jpg)
1.
EDITORIAL
After a busy month of attending sailing conferences and covering racing regatta's, one comes away with the realisation that sailing does a better job of allowing children to grow, mature and improve than many other popular sports. It fosters an appreciation for nature, risk management, leadership, courage, confidence, personal satisfaction, self-reliance, socialising, communication skills, general awareness and problem solving skills. Additionally, sailing skills gives greater access to the water in a special, unique way that fosters a heightening of the senses, appreciation of the maritime environment and the need to protect it. Competitive sailing creates better role models and sends a better message about sportsmanship and citizenship than many other sports.
With
all this on offer it comes as no surprise that sailing pursuits are being
embraced by Asian sporting authorities. To see that this sport is properly
introduced and give intending Asian sailors a chance to compete at local
events, the Learn
to SAIL with Asian
Yachtmasters training syllabus
has been accepted as a member of the International
Sailing Schools Association. The complete AY
syllabus is the only one available for free on the internet and is linked
to by several high school and university sailing organisations at: http://asianyachting.com/AYmasters/aymenu.htm
Moves are also afoot to establish an Academy in Malaysia by the middle
of next year.
During the RMSIR 05 prize giving ceremony the 2004-05 AsianYachting Grand Prix Skipper and Yacht awards were presented to Neil Pryde and his former stead Hi-Fidelity for their remarkable performance last season. After taking out the China Coast Regatta and the RMSIR with his new Hi-Fi Team Pryde they seem to be well on the way to repeating their performance for the second year in succession. To see how the championships are shaping up this year or how your favourite team is progressing goto: http://asianyachting.com/news/AYGP05-06.htm
Next
up is the Phuket King's Cup
where up to 100 yachts are expected to compete to make it one of the biggest
regatta's and most popular in the region. Press Releases and Race Reports
can be found at: http://asianyachting.com/news/PKCR05.htm
With all this sailing action taking place it is no wonder that the region
is fast becoming a favourite destination for cruising yachts and fly in
charters are proving the way to go.
Happy sailing
Capt Marty
2. "Unluckiest sailors of the month" The Week from Hell - Transat Jacques Vabre and Volvo Ocean Racers
For
the first 48 hrs the pace was relentless, starting with storm force gales
across the Bay of Biscay then a cold front passed over bringing 40 knots
on the nose, heavy seas with big waves of up to 4 metres high. The trimaran
Brossard, skippered by Yvan Bourgnon and Charles Caudrelier, was the first
to abandon the race as the central hull suffered a large crack at the
mast foot. A sign that worse was yet to come.
Then a sequence of
events that would send chills down the spine of any Race Committee.
1. ORMA 60 trimarans Sodebo (Coville/Vincent) reports the port float has
broken up and Orange Project (Ravussin) set off their EPIRB distress beacons
and Foncia's crew abandoned their boats.
2. Multihull Open 50 Branec IV heading for French coast and reports a
broken port hull
3. Cheminées
Poujoulat (Stamm/Elies) retired from the race to assess the damage to
their starboard rudder system.
4. 60ft multihull Groupama-2, skippered by French sailors Franck Cammas
and Franck Proffit, capsized possibly pitchpoled in a sudden squall 40
miles to the North East of Palma, heading towards the Canary Islands.
5. Multihull Open 50 Acanthe Ingenierie abandoned the race overnight after
dismasting off the African coast.
6. Italian team Giovanni Soldini and Vittorio Malingri capsized on the
ORMA trimaran TIM Progetto Italia 400m South West of Dakar (Senegal) Eight
boats in total have abandoned the race.
Volvo
Ocean Race
1. The gales that hammered the fleet over the first 48 hours caused the
leading Kouyoumdjian designed ABN Amro One to suffer a massive broach,
wiping out their leeward steering wheel, the steering pedestal and the
safety frame that goes around the wheel causing a hole in the deck where
the steering pedestal once was.
2. Pirates
of the Caribbean (Paul Cayard) and Movistar (Bouwe Bekking) both headed
towards the coast to effect repairs, while Sunergy and Friends limped
into port to fix their broken gooseneck.
Rob Greenhalgh, the British helmsman on the Dutch-backed ABN Amro One.
"It's the old adage of 'to finish first, first you have to finish'.
I think, for sure, there will be boats dropping out of legs with keel
failures." There is a price to be paid for this high-speed potential.
The trade-offs in yacht design mean that what works in the higher wind
ranges is less effective at the bottom of the range. "In under eight
knots of wind, these boats are dogs," Cayard said. "But over
eight knots they are missiles."
3.
Austral - Asian News
3.1
SEA Games
in the Philippines
Keep
up to date with the latest sailing results at the
23rd South East Asian (SEA) Games
(Nov 25 to Dec 4)
in the Philippines
for
Optimist dinghy and
other Olympic classes. Malaysia's
Alvin Yeow seems inline for the Optimist boys gold medal. A terrific battle
between Singapore, Philippine, Indonesian and Myanmar sailors is looming
in the 420, 470, laser and windsurfer classes. More info on the 2005 Games
at: http://www.seagsailing2005.cjb.net
3.2
Inaugural SMT
- Monsoon Cup 2005
Professional match racing comes to SEA waters as the Swedish
Match Tour celebrates its 50th event. Follow the final
stages of the exciting Monsoon Cup
(Nov 29-Dec 4) at Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia. Which of the worlds best
racing teams will sail away with the lions share of the MYR400,000 (approximately
us$105,000) prize purse. For news on the Monsoon Cup including celebrities
attending goto: http://www.monsooncup.com.my/
To keep up with the overall SMT 2005 results and news goto: http://www.swedishmatchtour.com/
AY
Race Reports with photos and overall results table goto:
http://asianyachting.com/news/SMT-MonsoonCup05.htm
3.3
Phuket King’s Cup Regatta bringing
back the crowds
’The feedback from sailors, spectators and sponsors has been exceptional,
and we are now keen to ensure that the Phuket
King’s Cup Regatta retains its position as Asia’s
top yachting event,’ said Khun Santi, President of the KC committee.
’At the same time, we are very much aware of our other obligations
– to help the local community recover from last year’s catastrophic
Tsunami by bringing more people to this lovely island.' KC
press releases and AY Race
Reports at: http://asianyachting.com/news/PKCR05.htm
3.4
LIMA on again
- 6th to 11th Dec
Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) '05 returns. LIMA
'05 promises something far better than the previous years'. Please visit
LIMA website at http://www.lima.com.my
Only information on the Maritime exhibition is available at http://www.limamaritime.com.my
which is being organised by RMN. This year, LIMA will be held from the
6th to 11th Dec 2005.
3.5
Anyone for Team Racing in India?
An ISAF
Team Racing Clinic will be held in Mumbai, India from 9-11 Dec 2005.
The clinic has been arranged in association with the Yachting Association
of India and results from a direct request to prepare officials for the
ISAF Team Racing World Championship which are scheduled to take place
in 2007. Ken LEGLER, Tufts University Sailing Coach, USA, has agreed to
run the clinic and will work with ISAF Umpiring and Race Management Officials
to put together a package for use at this clinic which can then be used
as a template in the future.
3.6 Sunsail Asia expanding the fleet into
Vietnam
Sunsail
Asia are very excited to
announce the launch of Vietnam as a new yacht charter sailing destination
for 2006. Leading the way in opening new Asian destinations, Sunsail brings
you interesting sailing along a stunning 96km stretch of awesome coastline.
From the top beach resort of Nha Trang, discover one of the most intriguing
and unspoiled countries in Asia… and do it soon! Also after a very
successful 2005 season they are expanding both Flotilla and bareboat charter
yacht fleet in Koh Samui during Mid May to Mid September 2006. Check out
the weekly RYA Courses and charters for the Phuket King's Cup in December
by Calling +66 76 239057 Fax: +66 76 238940 Email: sales@sunsailasia.com
or visit http://www.sunsailasia.com
3.7
Dare 2 be Different
- Charter a winner!
Following
on from a successful first event during August at the Billabong in Bo
Phut Bay, the Koh
Samui Regatta are now running weekend racing events each
month at Koh Samui from the Tradewinds Cottages on Chaweng Beach. The
Radical Bay 8000 - a production
8m tandem mast, bi-plane rigged catamaran built right here in South East
Asia is available for bare boat or skippered charter around Koh Samui
and the surrounding islands. So now YOU can find out what it is like to
sail the Phuket Kings Cup
2004
and Koh
Samui winner! Want to own one or see just how easy and safe
this radical new design and simple rig handles by going to the Coco
Sailing website: http://www.cocosailing.com
For more info on how to join in the fun as a participant, crew member,
spectator, on-the-water helper or partygoer, visit www.samuiregatta.com
3.8
IRC Rule changes for 2006
The RORC have announced the Changes to IRC Rules for 2006. The changes
are again generally not great and come into force on 1st January 2006
EXCEPT for countries where the certification year is June-May, come into
force on 1st June 2006. Of greatest relevance to owners are the changes
to the treatment of mainsail upper width in the interests of greater equity
across the fleets. Apart from this, changes have little practical effect
and are more of an administrative or informative nature. The full 2006
IRC Rule and changes can be found at: http://rorcrating.com
3.9
Looking at retiring in the tropical Asian region?
Raimon
Land PLC, are not
only the main sponsors at the Top
of the Gulf Regatta, Evason
Phuket
Race Week 2005 and Thailand's prestigious Phuket
King's
Cup Regatta but this Bangkok-based property
company has an excellent track record of delivering quality residential
projects in Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket which achieve high yield holiday
rentals through their professional asset management team. They
are also known for hosting the more lively and entertaining parties at
their sponsored events. More at: www.raimonland.com
3.10
Don't miss the best boatshow in Asia...
IMAGE Asia
- Organisers of the Phuket International
Marine Expo (PIMEX) have announced that despite Pkuket's
popularity as a major tourism destination they have just launched the
strongest Industry media campaign yet for the show’s third year.
Holding boatshows in developing regions were pleasure yachting pursuits
are relatively new, has shown that those who do come are like minded souls
and are seriously interested in growing the leisure industry in neighboring
countries. This has led to a number of International Marine and Yachting
Tourism players showing their wares and invited to work together with
local distribution agents and eventually even manufacturing their products
in SE Asia. For more information, visit www.phuketboatshow.com
or email boatshow@image-asia.com
3.11
Something for the rich and famous...
The annual PHUKET
INVITATIONAL is an exclusive Superyacht rendezvous, to
be held this year at the five-star Trisara Hotel, Phuket, Thailand on
the 19th & 20th of Dec. It's for Owners, Guests, Captains and Crew
of Superyachts visiting the Phuket area in the run-up to Christmas. Regular
features of the rendezvous are a fun sailing event, afternoon cocktail
parties onboard the participating Motor Yachts and a gala dinner party,
complete with superb buffet and live entertainment, hosted by the five-star
Trisara Hotel. More at: http://www.phuket-invitational.com/
4. International News
4.1
South Atlantic Race
The 3,500 nm South Atlantic Race from Cape Town to Salvador, (formerly
the Capetown to Rio Race) will set of on Jan 4, 2006. In the true spirit
of exploration and adventure, a new destination has been chosen for the
12th race. The city of Salvador, capital of the state of Bahia in Brazil,
will have the honour of hosting the finish. Although a slightly shorter
course, the route to Salvador has the makings of the most exciting race
yet. More info - www.southatlanticrace.co.za
4.2
Quantum's FusionM
just keeps getting faster!
With the southern summer coming on Quantum's
FusionM sails are gaining
a big foothold in the professional and grand-prix sailing circuits in
Australia and NZ. Asian
sailors should take advantage of having one of the world's leading edge
sailmaking factories in their own backyard. By
taking the knowledge gained from International events and applying it
directly to the sails they make, now, more than ever, you can count on
FusionM providing you with great boat-speed and reliability. Goto: http://asianyachting.com/news/QuantumSails.htm
4.3
CAFFARI sets sail on THE
AVIVA CHALLENGE
Round the World yachtswoman Dee Caffari departed on her bid to be the
first woman to sail single-handed, non-stop around the world against the
prevailing winds and currents. The 32 year old, former school-teacher
is sponsored on her 26,000-mile quest by Aviva, the international savings
investment and insurance group. Caffari will be sailing alone the 72-foot
yacht 'Aviva Challenge' which she skippered, with a crew of 18, in last
year's Global Challenge race. The yacht has been modified to enable her
to sail it single-handedly and it has been designed particularly to survive
the treacherous conditions she will face during approximately 80 days
in the Southern Ocean. Dee will be posting daily logs and you can follow
her progress at: http://www.avivachallenge.com
4.4
Featured AY Brokerage Listing
One racing boat that can quickly be bought up to speed is the
Farr 40 OD we have presently listed on the AY
Yachts
for Sale pages. This yacht comes complete with Cat 1 safety
equipment, so she can compete on the long distance races like the HK -
China Sea, Hainan and Vietnam events. Considering
the US175k asking price is well below second hand US and European boats
(220-250k) she would suit any foreign or local teams wanting
entry into the top racing class at the right price. View
the extensive inventory at: http://asianyachting.com/boats/Farr40OD.htm
Advice on running a full
blown racing campaign during the AYGP
Season
can also be obtained from: info@asianyachting.com
5. World Speed Records
5.1
RAW POWER
South
Atlantic 25th Nov - The raw power of the new Volvo Open 70s was demonstrated
in spectacular fashion when ABN Amro 1, skippered by Mike Sanderson, and
Seb Josse's ABN Amro 2 both broke the 24-hour distance record for a monohull.
Sanderson is now the holder of the outright record, having traveled an
incredible 538 nautical miles in 24 hours. With average speeds well over
22 knots - in just about 24 knots of wind - the Juan Kouyoumdjian-designed,
heavy weather boats have lived up to their billing.
Simon Fisher, navigator
on ABN Amro 2, in second position, 60 miles astern, described life on
board as the boat rampaged across 533 miles in a day. "Without doubt
this is definitely life at the extreme. The whole boat is shuddering and
shaking as we crash through one wave to the next. All the winches and
blocks are screaming and cracking like cannon fire under the load. Water
is pouring down the deck and into the hatch, so we have to bail out every
half an hour or so to avoid turning the leeward side of the boat into
a swimming pool. On deck it's like standing in front of a fire hose and
you have to hang on to stay in the cockpit. -- Edward Gorman, Times on
Line, complete story:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,4041-1894005,00.html
5.2
Warning to all offshore racers.
DK Yachts are warning all offshore racers to watch out
for when one of their Malaysian built Mum 30, Farr 36, 40, 52, 520 or
Mills DK46 lines up on your starting grid. As the summer unfolds a growing
group of DK46's and Farr 52's are knocking on the doors of success and
standing high on the podium. One to watch this season is Hi
Fi Team Pryde
who have already notched up their first wins at this years China Coast
Regatta and RMSIR. Serious Yachts
for Serious Sailors can
be found at http://www.dkyachts.com
5.3
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
Four days, 19 hours, 31 minutes and 37 seconds (Ratified by WSSRC) after
crossing the start line off Los Angeles, Cap Gemini and Schneider Electric's
maxi trimaran Geronimo has set a new record for the transpacific Los Angeles
to Honolulu Challenge . Crossing the finish line off Diamond Head in Hawaii
under a moonlit night sky on November 18, Geronimo and her crew now have
a hat trick of WSSRC sailing speed records. First it was The Challenge
around Australia record for the sydneyaustralia.com trophy, then the Tahiti
Nui Challenge record for Sydney to Papeete Tahiti passage and now she
has the Los Angeles Honolulu Challenge record for the transpacific 2215
mile passage; a trifecta in six months. -- www.superyachting.com
5.4
Records smashed on Transat
Jacques Vabre
French skippers Jean-Pierre Dick and Loick Peyron on Virbac-Paprec who
destroyed course record by an astonishing by 3 days and 4 hours when they
crossed the finish line at 23:19:02 GMT Friday as victors of the IMOCA
Open 60 class after 13 days, 9 hours, 19 minutes and 2 seconds at sea.
This is the second consecutive victory in the Transat Jacques Vabre for
the Farr Open 60 skippered by Jean-Pierre Dick, after he won the 2003
edition, with co-skipper Nicolas Abiven.
Banque Populaire Takes
Victory In ORMA 60 Banque Populaire (the old Bayer Crop-Science launched
in 2002) skippered by Pascal BIDEGORRY (FRA) and Lionel LEMONCHOIS (FRA)
crossed the finish line to take victory in the ORMA Multihull 60 class
at 1246 local time yesterday after 14 days, 1 hour, 46 minutes and 29
seconds racing at sea at an average boat speed on the direct route of
15.37 knots setting a new record set for the course between Le Havre,
France and Salvador, Brazil by over seven hours-- www.jacques-vabre.com
5.5
The WSSR Council announces the ratification of 2
new World Records:
Outright
Nautical Mile Record
Windsurfer Finian Maynard BVI on the 15th October 2005 at Walvis Bay,
Namibia
Time: 1 min 10.12 seconds Speed: 39.97 Knots. Previous Record: Bjorn Dunkerbeck
16th November 2004 at Aringa, 34.44 knots
Outright Women's Nautical Mile Record
Windsurfer Valerie Ghibaudo FRA on the 15th October 2005 at Walvis Bay,
Namibia.
Time: 1 min 46.92 seconds Speed: 33.69 Knots Previous Record: Britt Dunkerbeck
July 2003 at Arinaga 23.84 kts
-----------------------------------------------------
Come
on girls, lets go shopping!
As the South East Asian
region is expected to turn into a world-class yachting tourism destination,
AY
is expanding the Shopping
Mall to include a Charter
Yacht page for the popular "Fly
in, have fun, fly out" sailors with Sabah's recent
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and Marina developments the region has on offer. Browse the full
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