AsianYachting - May
2007
News and Views
Warning
to all offshore racers.
DK Yachts are warning all offshore racers to sit up and
take notice when one of their World Champion Mumm 30, Farr 40 or Mills
DK46 lines up on the starting grid. They just keep turning up and sailing
away with all the major prizes. Not only limited to major regatta's but
now more are trying their hands on ocean rallies and trans ocean events.
Check out Phil Coombs and Peter Walsh progress on the DK46 Dekadence
during the Melbourne Osaka Race and how Ray Roberts on Quantum Racing,
became the most successful DK46 ever built so far. The Executive Chairman
Khalilur Rahman Ebrahim has commissioned a new DK46 that will be available
for charter this year at major events in SE Asian waters. Serious
Yachts for Serious Sailors
can be found at http://www.dkyachts.com
Distribution: Emailed to over 2700 recipients on all points of the compass. Known to be read by sailors as far north as Iceland to the extremes of the Southern Ocean. Also found hidden away (For future consumption) on computers operated by some of Europe's business elite to visiting royalty at posh oriental Clubs in the far east.
AsianYachting.com is now a major yachting news provider in Asia which averages over 3000 page views per day.
CONTENTS
1.
EDITORIAL - AY
Grand Prix Skipper
and Yacht Championships
is reaching a climax...
2.
TEAM NEWS - ACM
2007 makes a mockery of TV media coverage
-
How
to follow the AC action
3.
AUSTRAL
- ASIAN NEWS - Regatta
round-up and
all the sailing news from the Austral-Asian region
Up next - Top
of the Gulf Regatta
and
Koh Samui Regatta
4. INTERNATIONAL NEWS - IMOCA
leads the way in ocean racing class events
Up next - VELUX
5 OCEANS coming
to a conclusion - Calais
Round Britain Race kicks off early June
5. WORLD SPEED RECORDS - L'HYDROPTÈRE
claims two Speed Records
6.
"Unluckiest sailors of the month"
- Dalton
down and now out... Sailrocket overcomes
difficulties in capturing the record
Goto Archived AY News & Views and Race Reports 2006-07 2005-06 2004-05 2003-04 2002-03 2001-02 2000-01 98-99
1. EDITORIAL
As
the month of May brings a change of monsoon seasons, racing now swings
over to the peninsulas east coast, in particular the Gulf of Thailand.
The Top
of the Gulf Regatta will see over 250 local and international
yachts racing off Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Pattaya. Three trophies will
be on offer – The prestigious Coronation Cup for the Platu 25 Class,
TOG Regatta Trophy's for nine racing classes and the Optimist National
Championship for young sailors aged between 8 and 15 years. Three weeks
latter the season ending Koh
Samui Regatta gets underway amongst the picturesque
Thai island archipelago. Organizers Image Asia report that commercial
sponsorship and partnership opportunities has reached record levels as
the regional players become fully aware of the promotional benefits derived
by having an International event on their doorstep. The huge media interest
this regatta stimulates is a testament to how sailing event’s have
the ability to consistently deliver a return on investment for sponsors
and partners alike.
Meanwhile
the annual AY
Grand Prix Skipper
and Yacht Championships
is reaching a climax... After suffering from a series of breakages at
earlier events Sam Chan's Ffree Fire 52 finally enters this years
rankings with a resounding victory on the San
Fernando Race. Second and third placed
Chris Mead Halcyon Daze and Steve Manning on Walawala
are the tenth and eleventh skipper and yacht to score points this season.
At the top of the leader board three top skippers Frank Pong, Neil Pryde
and Paul Winkelmann are
all tied on six points with only the season ending Koh
Samui Regatta to go. This year, there is no run away leader
with several skippers and yachts only one regatta win away from the leaders.
Fred Kinmonth and Nick Burns owned Mandrake (five points) are
closest to the leaders and Ray Roberts DK46 Quantum
Racing on four points is well within striking distance. It's anybodies
guess who will be receiving the embroidered Amarni Blue Blazer and chilled
champagne to fill the Perpetual AY
Cup at the Koh Samui prize
giving party, held on the
magnificent lawns of the Central Samui Resort at Chewang
Beach this year? In event off a tie on points, the winner of the last
event on countback will become the 2006-07
Champion. So Sam's Ffree
Fire 52 (3 pts) still has a outside chance. Check out
how your favourite racing team is going here..
The
Learn to
Sail with Asian
Yachtmasters
- Discover and Introduction
to Keelboat
Sailing courses are gaining momentum at the all new AY
Center in Pt Dickson. The
aim is to provide a place where interested people can come together and
enjoy some friendly hospitality or serious sailors can develop the skills
to go on and successfully compete at regional regattas and match racing
events. Being the closest beach resort and marina complex to Kuala Lumpur
it is also an ideal spot for competitive sailors wanting to form racing
teams or make a career out of sailing to exchange ideas.
So if you want to TRY SAILING,
or planning a trip to SE Asia soon, start by flying to KLIA (PD is less
than a hours drive from the airport) and make a point of calling in to
test sail our signature Miri
Magic 8
racing yacht or enroll in our sailing courses by going to http://asianyachting.com/AYmasters/classes.htm
A wide variety of accommodation exists and budget flights around Asia
can be arranged for the rest of your stay.
Happy Sailing
Capt Marty Rijkuris
2.
TEAM NEWS
2.1
ACM 2007 makes a mockery of TV media coverage
Despite the crew and their machines being ready to race it is strange
how the weather or lack of it so often plays a big role in determining
the outcome and success of a racing event. Scuttlebutt fired the first
warning "After 4 days of postponements and seeing countless photos
of high-priced America's Cup talent sitting all day under cockpit biminis,
lounging in the stern cut out or napping on the foredeck, had corporate
sponsors fuming and impatient television broadcasters pulling the plug
on live coverage". It makes you wonder why it works out this way.
There may be one good reason that there hasn't been any wind. You may
remember that +39 broke its new mast during Act 13 which gave the shore
team time to repair the broken mast and keep them in the event. Being
an Italian team, maybe someone above is taking care of them.
Meanwhile
the agitation amongst the teams and sponsors grew, sending broadcasters
crazy trying to figure out how to handle their audiences. AC Management
were blasted for the poor showing and conspiracy theories abound. Now
keen followers are relying on the internet to get their fix. (See below)
Listening to the radio and reading the Tack by Tack blog reminds me of
the late 60's, early 70's when I was a kid secretly listening in the wee
hours of the morning to a crystal radio hooked onto the metal louvers.
Sea winds are one of the few vital elements that the high-tech, multimillion-dollar
teams in the competition cannot buy. So weak breezes not only played havoc
with sponsors marketing plans, but when racing did get underway most matches
finished out as one may have predicted. Apart from a couple of early upsets,
the big teams have risen to the top but little can be taken for granted.
It is these frequent upsets - like China
Team defeating BMW Oracle - along with the fact that 7 teams will
be eliminated by May 9th - that is providing daily intrigue at the 32nd
America's Cup. Scheduling television coverage at future sailing events
may take some convincing. Full reports available at http://www.americascup.com/en/news/index.php
2.2
Where to follow the AC action
In Asia there are regular television updates daily on Eurosport and CNN
news. Try Mark Chisnell's blow by blow coverage during the racing at:
http://www.tackbytack.com
and listen to Live
AC Radio or wait till the next day for free TV highlights at http://www.sail.tv/
Interesting reading is Magnus Wheatley's blog where he takes no prisoners
at: http://www.rule69blog.com/
The internet certainly leads the way with Scuttlebut's
Blog and of course AC veteran Bob Fisher's daily reports at http://www.sail-world.com
are not to be missed. Pay to view live coverage during the finals can
be obtained by logging onto http://www.americascupanywhere.com/eu/
Good news from 1st May, Eurosport channel is being beamed over satellite
TV in SE Asia which hopefully will dramatically improve the coverage.
Just for your convenience all these links are accessible from the AsianYachting
homepage.
2.3
What the crews have been up to...
Despite the lack of wind the crews have kept themselves thoroughly entertained.
See United Internet grinders Stefan Großmann, Oliver-Sven Buder,
Henning Sohn and Dominik Neidhart towing Finn Daase, their chaseboat driver,
on his wake board at Here...
Also some of the best underwear models in the world took part in a fashion
show organized at the Desafío Español 2007 team base. See
Here...
2.4
New fleet available at Sunsail Asia
Get ready for a flood of activity at Sunsail
Asia with
new yachts being added daily to the Asian fleet.
New Sunsail 43's and Sunsail 39's are already available in Phuket and
Langkawi. Nha Trang, Vietnam reopens in May and will have an increased
fleet size. A new base is also planned for Koh Chang in the Gulf of Thailand.
They now operate a fleet of over 30 yachts with monohulls ranging from
33' - 50' and Catamarans from 39' to 41'. All yachts are available bareboat
or as crewed yachts on a daily, weekly or long term basis. For the less
experienced, they also operate a RYA
Sailing School offering 5 day sailing courses
from their Phuket base or join a MileCatcher
voyage to gain some valuable sea miles. For many years now they have lead
the way in opening up new Asian destinations and are proud to give you
a chance to discover some of the most intriguing and unspoiled countries
in the South East Asian region. Be the first to charter a new boat by
Calling +66 76 239057 Fax: +66 76 238940 Email: newyachts@sunsailasia.com
and sales@sunsailasia.com or
visit http://www.sunsailasia.com
3. AUSTRAL - ASIAN NEWS
3.1
Keelboat sailors can sigh with relief...
After reading with interest that since 2006, ISAF have conducted frequent
Anti-Doping tests on approx 375 AC crews with no missed tests and no adverse
analytical findings. I decided to quiz the AC bloggers during the race
coverage. Does that mean alcohol is not tested or on the banned substance
list to be considered performance enhancing enough? I could not believe
some of the crew that I know have gone without a drink after work, especially
in their fancy hospitality pavilions. Perhaps they knew when the testing
was going to take place. Both Mark Chisnell and Magnus Wheatley replied
with "Fortunately alcohol is not a banned substance on the testing
list. No-one would pass the test if it was!!!" Thank god for that.
As I know a few skippers that like nothing more than starting with a hangover
as all they can do is stare at the telltales or instruments and steer
the boat accordingly without any distractions. That could be misconstrued
by the men in suits as performance enhancing. One comment said that match
racing skippers are not allowed to have alcohol but the crew are free
to party all night. If anyone can add some more to this debate email info@asianyachting.com
3.2
Explaining Singapore's Success Story
Singapore’s sailors have been on a rapid rise to the top over the
last few years and 2006 was their most successful season yet, with World
titles and medals galore at the Asian Games. With the 2008 Olympic Games
in China, the Volvo Ocean Race heading to Asian ports and China Team lining
up for the Louis Vuitton Cup, Asian sailing has never had a higher profile.
Within this growth area for the sport, Singapore’s recent success
has been particularly remarkable, especially for a nation of just 4½
million people who only managed to qualify one sailor for the 2004 Olympic
Games. Whilst on a visit to the Inter-schools Championships in 2005, ISAF
President Göran PETERSSON (SWE) was so impressed with Singapore’s
ability to promote and organize the sport that he commented, 'Sailing
should be like this in all countries.' So how have they done it? Connect
to Sailing speaks to Edwin LOW, Secretary General of the Singapore Sailing
Federation. Find out more http://www.sailing.org/default.asp?PID=20629
3.3 Alex - Team MacAdie claim Melbourne Osaka Race honours
After 34 days of racing Melbourne father and son duo Jock and Hamish MacAdie
have sailed their Jones/Hart 14m yacht Alex - Team MacAdie to a line honours
win in the 5,500 nautical mile Melbourne Osaka double handed yacht race.
Finishing on April 27 with an elapsed time of 32 days 18 hrs 12 mins 02
secs. Contesting their first ever Melbourne Osaka, the two might not have
broken the race record of just under 27 days set by Grant Wharington in
1995, but they did steal the race from under the nose of the Japanese
16m schooner, COCORIN interland, taking the lead in the final stages of
the race. Their win is even more notable, as a broken boom forced the
55 year old and his 22 year old son to head into Bundaberg in Queensland
on the afternoon of April 2 for repairs. They returned to the race in
the early hours of April 4. After being piped on the tricky approaches
to Osaka COCORIN’s Itaru Matsunaga and John Bankart were around
10nm behind Alex at the time of her win and finished shortly thereafter.
Gusto, being single handed by Brian Pattinson (Vic) fell back to third
after breaking the forestay and was 121nm from the finish when Alex got
line honours. Catch the rest of the finishers at: http://www.osakacup.com/home.html
3.4
Jeremy Wilmot to skipper Morning Light on Transpac Race 07
Jeremy Wilmot, the 21-year-old progeny of a world-class sailing clan from
Down Under, is the unanimous selection by his Morning Light TP52 teammates
to lead them in their campaign on the 2,225-nautical mile 44th Transpacific
Yacht Race from Los Angeles to Honolulu in July. "I'm happy about
it," Wilmot said as the team's fourth and final Hawaii-based training
session wound down this week. "It's good that they trust me. I can't
wait to lead them and get better. It's a pretty unusual circumstance being
21 and the skipper of a 52-foot yacht." The whole Morning Light project
from team selection through training and the race will be the subject
of a documentary film produced by Roy E. Disney and Leslie DeMeuse of
Pacific High Productions in association with Disney Studios. Wilmot from
Sydney, Australia is the son of Jamie Wilmot, (Capt Sparrow) a veteran
of big-time ocean racing, including the annual Sydney-Hobart Race and
a regular on the Asian regatta scene since 1995. More at www.pacifichighproductions.com/
and www.transpacificyc.org
3.5
Quantum Fusion M just
keeps getting better!
Quantum Sail Design Group designs, engineers and manufactures
sails for racers and cruisers who demand the highest levels of quality
and performance. They are leaders in the sail making industry by offering
top quality products supported by a high level of personalized customer
service, recognized expertise, professionalism and a passion for developing
the sport of sailing. Ray Roberts on Quantum Racing is a shining
example as they have won nearly everything in their path both in Australia
and Asian waters over the last few years. The fastest sails are now available
at 55 lofts throughout the world.
So now, more than ever, you can count on Fusion M delivering great boat-speed
and reliability. Goto: http://asianyachting.com/news/QuantumSails.htm
3.6
Ghost yacht found of Queensland coast
The search for the three men, missing after their 9.8m catamaran was found
drifting 80NM off the coast of Queensland, Australia has been called off.
Police, initially convinced they were dealing with accidental drowning,
have had their theories drowned out by scores of others, including kidnapping,
piracy and murder. The yacht was found with dinner utensils and food on
the table, the saloon lights on and the sails set - with damage only to
the jib, which appeared to have flogged itself on the inner forestay.
When rescue workers boarded Katt II, they found the engine running, a
laptop set up and switched on and the radio working. The vessel's emergency
beacon and three life jackets were still on board, along with a dinghy.
On deck, a fishing line was out, sunglasses and a pile of clothes lay
undisturbed. Down below, a wallet was out on the table in full view. The
fenders were out, which would suggest another boat had come alongside.
One theory is that the three men may have witnessed something incriminating
that has landed them in serious trouble. http://www.ybw.com/auto/newsdesk/20070324095539pbogeneral.html
3.7 Two Platu 25's For Sale - THA
106 & THA 129
Length:
7.3m - Beam: 2.62m - Sail Area: 32.5 sqm - Displacement: 1,325 kg
These
two boats are the best and possibly
the
only Platu's for sale in Asia. The hulls have been totally renovated -
stripped and epoxied with new standing and running rigging installed in
2005. Ideal for National authorities looking to train keelboat racing
teams for the SEA Games in Pattaya this December that will be contested
on Platu 25's. Goto the full listing and comparative inventory page at:
http://asianyachting.com/boats/Platu25.htm
3.8
CHINA SIGNS UP for VOR
China has officially been confirmed as a stopover for the 2008-09 Volvo
Ocean Race and the deal will include a Chinese entry in the race as part
of the event's expansion into new territories. A number of Chinese coastal
cities will now vie for the right to be selected as host port when the
race visits Chinese waters in February 2009. Glenn Bourke, CEO of the
Volvo Ocean Race, was joined by representatives of the China Water Sports
Administration Center (CWSA) and the China Yachting Association (CYA)
in making the announcement in Beijing. The race organizers and the CYA
have also entered into a co-operation agreement to promote sailing in
China. The stopover will include an in-port race. A number of events are
planned for the three-week duration of the stopover. The agreement is
the culmination of months of negotiations with the Chinese authorities
to bring the race to Asia. Further talks are continuing with government
and port representatives in the Middle East, India, Malaysia and Singapore
with further announcements expected in the coming months. -- Event website,
full story: http://tinyurl.com/ytkpzf
3.9
VOR STOPOVER IN INDIA
The Volvo Ocean Race has moved forward with its plans to bring the 2008-09
event to India and it now looks likely that the major Port of Kochi will
be the stopover on the new race route through the Middle East and Asia.
Race organisers signed a Letter of Intent with Kochi on 26 April as a
major first step in ongoing negotiations towards a full port agreement
to host the world's premier offshore ocean marathon which starts in Alicante,
Spain, in mid-October 2008. The Kochi Port Trust, which will be responsible
for organising the stopover, with the full backing of the Kerala Tourism
Department, welcomed the signing of the Letter of Intent and were confident
that the stopover would give the port great exposure. After sailing from
Spain via Africa, the fleet goes to the Middle East,India and Southeast
Asia before a stop in China ahead of its longest leg of 12,000 nautical
miles to South America. It then stops in on the U.S. East Coast and Europe
on the way to a Baltic port finish. More at: http://www.volvooceanrace.org
3.10
Bubble boat revolutionary view the underwater sights
The launching of Peter Arnold’s innovative ‘bubble boat’
boasts 'enormous global applications' according to the Federal Minister
for Tourism and Small Business, Fran Bailey. Bubble Boat is an electric-powered
craft with a central hull and outrigger support hulls. Its electric drive
system, operated from batteries charged by photo voltaic calls built into
its roof, is totally pollutant free, a boon for environmentally sensitive
coral reef areas. The bottom of the boat has a submarine section, which
allows two people to sit below decks and view the underwater sights through
forward and side windows. With a maximum speed of 6 knots, the Bubble
Boat is licensed for self-drive and can also be driven from the submerged
position below the waterline. For further information contact Wayne Hickson,
telephone (07)5591-2556 http://www.sail-world.com/news_std.cfm?Nid=32986&rid=1&sc=arc
3.11
Raimon
Land
has your retirement home in Thailand
Few
real estate companies in Asia enjoy the success of public-listed Bangkok-based
luxury property developer Raimon
Land. The company
has positioned itself as the developer of choice for buyers and investors
who seek the best in lifestyle developments that posses a
excellent track record of delivering quality residential projects.
From Bangkok to
Pattaya and Phuket the company has projects in all the
most sought-after areas
which proudly achieve high yield holiday rentals through their professional
management team. One aspect
that distinguishes Raimon Land
from its competitors is the company’s clear commitment to lifestyle
events and have made
a strong commitment to the yachting scene in Thailand by sponsoring
the Top
of the Gulf Regatta, Evason
Phuket
Race Week the prestigious Phuket
King's
Cup Regatta and
now the Koh
Samui Regatta More at: www.raimonland.com
or goto AY
Real-Estate page...
3.12
Earthrace blows engine - Next stop Singapore
The bio-diesel fueled, radical wave piercing 78 foot trimaran, Earthrace
has now limped into Koror in the Caroline Islands after suffering engine
damage. The ground crew has reported that Cummings Mercruiser was coming
to the rescue, with an engineering team flying from Hawaii with the replacement
parts. On March 10th Earthrace left Barbados aiming to break the Cable
and Wireless around the world record of 75 days set in 1987. However they
have lost as much as 20 days out of 40, first suffering propeller damage,
then being involved in a fatal collision off the Guatemalan coast, with
her crew being detained for ten days before being cleared of liability,
then spending another five days in San Diego repairing collision damage.
As soon as her repairs are completed, Pete Bethune, the New Zealand skipper
will depart for Singapore another 2200 nautical miles away and half way
there, she will reach the half way point in this epic journey around the
world. Check out the
Captains blog at http://www.earthrace.net/
3.13
Russian to set benchmark for Antarctica Cup
Serial Russian adventurer-sailor Fedor Konyukhov is to set a benchmark
for sailing solo, non-stop around the Antarctica Cup Race Track, starting
in December 2007. The 55-year-old from Moscow has an unrivalled history
of adventure behind him, including the Around Alone and Vendee Globe races,
a solo trans-Atlantic rowing record and arctic dog-sledding. The Antarctica
Cup was created in 2002 by Perth based Aussie sailor and sports promoter
Bob Williams, to provide a spectacular yacht race through the most challenging
waters of the world, the Southern Ocean. Fedor will sail his 27 m boat
Alye Parusa non-stop around the challenging Antarctica Cup Racetrack to
set a benchmark for others to break. Although the race has been on hold
for a few years Chairman of Antarctica Cup Management, Bob Williams, is
confident that by setting a benchmark Fedor will inspire future competitors
and establish the Antarctica Cup Race Track as a challenge either as a
record to be broken, or for a full-on race. "Now that the Volvo Ocean
Race has deleted the great Southern Ocean from their future events, the
Antarctica Cup Yacht Race Offers blue water ocean sailors the supreme
yachting challenge." More info at: www.antarcticacup.com
3.14
Destination China! 2008 May 2-11th
A spectacular pre-Olympic festival of sail is being scheduled 90 days
before the start of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Destination China! 2008
is a 10 day international sporting and star-studded media event timed
to showcase China and the Olympic Sailing City of Qingdao to the world.
This event is expected to attract a large contingent of keelboats and
multihulls that will be divided into classes for the competition. Information
in terms of cruising permits, location, venue and facilities are available
plus an Invitation to participate in this inaugural regatta are at: http://www.dc8global.com/invitation.html
3.15
What's holding back marina development in Asia?
ICOMIA IMC Marina News
Marina development in Asia is not measuring up to potential demand, according
to an investigative report recently published by International Herald
Tribune Properties. Why? Commonly, property developers do not understand
the boating market potential well enough. Anxious to capitalize on their
investment as soon as possible, they have focused on projects linked to
luxury condominium developments, which only serve well-to-do yacht owners.
However, even in such cases, an early return on investment is often frustrated
by outlays needed for breakwaters, piers, pontoons and technical facilities.
It is hard to make marinas profitable in a few years. Consequently, some
developers are scrimping on facilities in order to save money, and that
is taking its toll. In one popular coastal resort city in China, for example,
a marina’s docking system was damaged by a severe winter storm because
the concrete breakwater was not large enough. In Malaysia, slip holders
often complain that their boats rock uncomfortably at the docks, and marina
basins are subject to severe silting, because the facilities lack adequate
breakwaters and wave attenuators. To compound matters, many new projects
are stalled in city planning offices where government people unschooled
in proper marina design are more concerned with the aesthetics of how
a facility fits into the community than with a marina’s functionality.
4.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
4.1
VELUX 5 Oceans coming to a conclusion
The third and final leg started on Wednesday April 18, following a postponed
start in Norfolk due to severe weather conditions on the eastern seaboard
of the United States. Progress initially was hard in strong adverse winds
and washing-machine seas, kicked up by the Gulf Stream. Swiss skipper
Bernard Stamm leads the fleet in the trans-Atlantic sprint to Bilbao,
Spain and is in line to win consecutive races. Close astern of Cheminees-Poujoulat,
Japanese skipper Kojiro Shiraishi tried valiantly to not let Stamm break
away. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston also experienced calmer conditions and managed
to bail 41 buckets of water from his bow section. He was reassured to
know that Stamm and Shiraishi shared his thinking over getting as north
as possible during the first week of Leg 3. Early position reports revealed
that Saga Insurance had yielded further miles to third-placed Pakea -
RKJ stuck to his guns in the belief that his more northerly route will
come good when the new westerly winds arrive. When it did the Basque sailor
Unai Basurko has yielded back advantage to Saga Insurance, although he
is relishing the close battle with Sir Robin on the final few days into
the finish. For all competitors finishing in Bilbao will be a massive
achievement regardless of what place they finish. They will become part
of the elite band of sailors to have circumnavigated the globe alone.
Follow the race to its conclusion at: http://www.velux5oceans.com
4.2
IMOCA leads the way in ocean racing class events
The annual general meeting of IMOCA (Open 60 monohull class) was held
in Paris on April 19th, where it was noted that at least 24 boats are
expected to race in the championship in 2007. IMOCA continues to attract
new French and International entries, confirming its status as the only
ISAF international ocean racing class. The class has confirmed its World
Championship program for the coming year and the vision for its future
development. In 2007, the focus is in Europe, with destinations further
afield under consideration for the future. Events scoring for the IMOCA
2007 World Championship are:
End April: Velux 5 Oceans (Bilbao) - solo, round the world with two stops
June 3: Calais Round Britain Race - fully crewed, without stops
June 12: Rolex Fastnet Race - two-handed, 608 mile race in England
Nov 3: Transat Jacques Vabre - two-handed from France to Brazil
Nov 11: Barcelona World Race - two-handed, non-stop round the world race
The 2008-2012 program will be based on its round the world solo and two-up
races.
Full report: http://www.imoca.org/uk/default.asp?m=da&id=3811
4.3
Calais Round Britain Race kicks early June
The third edition of the Calais Round Britain Race (3rd June start off
Calais) promises to be decidedly animated on a number of levels. Given
the complexity of the 1850 mile course around the British Isles, through
maritime traffic, drilling rigs and tidal currents… we’re
certainly going to see some action! In short, there are a lot of unknowns
in this race, including the weather and the new prototypes. Alongside
the proven forces like Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux), Roland Jourdain
(Veolia), Bernard Stamm on Jean-Pierre Dick’s former boat (Cheminées
Poujoulat II)… are the brand new Imoca boats which have everything
to prove like the Farr designs of Jérémie Beyou (Delta Dore),
Vincent Riou (PRB II) and Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia). Added to this list
is Dominique Wavre’s Owen Clarke design (Temenos II) which already
has a Route du Rhum under its belt, or Yann Eliès new Finot design
(Generali). New skippers to the Imoca circuit are going to be cutting
their teeth on this middle-distance course such as the British sailor
Dee Caffari (Aviva), compatriot Jonny Malbon (co-skipper of Team 888 in
2003) now the new skipper of Artemis Ocean Racing, Arnaud Boissières
and Jean-Philippe Chomette (Akena Vérandas). Some of them are already
in preparation for the Vendée Globe and all of them are on honed
and optimised machines. The race website will be accessible throughout
the race it will provide information, photos, video clips and 3D animation
and analysis, as well as the rankings and cartography for the race in
real time will enable you to regularly trace race developments. Website:
http://www.calaisroundbritainrace.com/index-uk.php
5. WORLD SPEED RECORDS
5.1
L'HYDROPTÈRE claims two Speed Records
On Wednesday 4th April 2007, in the South of Lorient (France), l'Hydroptère,
helmed by Alain Thébault and six crew, were sailing in 25-knot
North-East winds and quiet sea conditions on Quiberon Bay, France when
they claimed speeds of 44.8 knots over 500 meters and 41.69 knots over
one nautical mile. These are the exceptional speeds, which were in the
presence of Michael Ellison - official timekeeper at the WSSRC - that
have enabled l'Hydroptère to beat two world records, officially
ratified by ISAF/ World Sailing Speed Record Council. The crew of Navarin/Columbo
on the Catamaran "Techniques Avancées" were the original
holders of the amazing speed record in category D since 1997, together
with Bjorn Dunkerbeck, who beat the absolute speed record on one nautical
mile in 2006. -- For photos and video goto: http://www.hydroptere.com
5.2
GROUPAMA III on FIRST RECORD ATTEMPT
Franck Cammas' new Groupama III multihull crossed the start line at Cadiz
Tuesday 24th April at 7:47:17 local time enroute to San Salvador on its
first record attempt, the Discovery Route. Named after the historical
track taken by Christopher Columbus, Cammas and his team are gunning for
the record currently held by Steve Fossett and his maxi-catamaran Playstation:
9 days, 13 hours, 30 minutes and 18 seconds. To achieve a new record,
Groupama III will need to arrive at the finish line by May 3 at 21:17:35.
Follow their progress at: http://www.cammas-groupama.com
Position tracker is at http://cammas-groupama.geovoile.com/cadix-sansalvador/
6. "Unluckiest sailors of the month"
6.1
Dalton Down and now out...
After being plagued by a number of huge problems onboard A Southern Man
AGD, brave solo skipper Graham Dalton finally arrived in Norfolk, Virginia
(USA), on Wednesday April 25 - 102 days after leaving Fremantle (Western
Australia), in what has been an epic battle to complete Leg two of the
Velux 5 Oceans race. Because he has completed the leg beyond the time
and date stated within the rules, he will not be able to complete Leg
three and will therefore be classed 'Did Not Start Leg 3'. Dalton will
not be classed as a finisher in the Velux 5 Oceans 2006-07. However, after
a journey that has captured the imagination of sailing fans and people
from all over the world, the determined skipper will still sail back to
Bilbao to complete his own personal journey and a monumental solo circumnavigation
that is a testament to his character and conviction. Whilst at sea, he
showed great pace but was battered by extreme weather and strong winds
that would have tested the nerve of the hardest of competitors. To read
this extraordinary story of a man with iron resolutions goto: http://www.velux5oceans.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,12345~1016526,00.html
6.2
Sailrocket overcomes difficulties in capturing the record
Since the Sailrocket team moved to the speed strip at Walvis Bay, Namibia
to continue their quest to claim the title of Outright Fastest in the
world of speed sailing (48.7 knots), they have learned that if they are
to achieve their goal, they will have to overcome the teething pains of
their craft, including rudder steering problems and a missing start mooring.
Earlier this week, they felt the conditions were ripe for a record run...
until they experienced a "flat tire." Watch the frightening
video (2:28 minutes) to understand what that means, and see the comments
that driver Paul Larsen provided following the events of the day at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/media/07/0409
6.3
A trying day and the fun has only just begun...
On the second day of Louis Vuitton Act 13, race 2 got underway in about
16 knots of wind and a lumpy seaway. Two teams experienced a sudden end
to the third race when United Internet Team Germany and the Italian +39
Challenge had a collision. Just before the first mark the masts of the
two yachts touched and the mast of the Italian yacht broke halfway. Forcing
the two boats to retire: +39 with a broken mast, United Internet Germany
with rig damage after the two rigs touched approaching the first mark.
Lorenzo Rizzardi, president of the Italian Challenger explained "I
feel terrible for what happened to the guys, all the work done has been
burnt in a second. We will not give up. We are here and we want to stay
here. I also wish to thank those who offered their help." Keep up
with the +39 team news at: http://www.piu39challenge.it/ita/
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