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AsianYachting - June 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. Robert Youngjohns’ San Francisco based DK46 Zephyra won Class 1 of the 2007 Yachting Cup, run by the San Diego Yacht Club for the second time in a row. Zephyra turned in a consistent set of results to take the Big Boat class from some of the best West Coast boats and sailing talent, including her sistership Valkyrie where the two DK 46’s are the smaller boats in the fleet. After five straight bullets in last year’s event they had to work even harder this year after being moved up a class. Serious Yachts for Serious Sailors can be found at http://www.dkyachts.com

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AsianYachting.com is now a major yachting news provider in Asia which averages over 3000 page views per day.

CONTENTS

1. EDITORIAL - "Go Kiwi's Go!" - Frank Pong & Jelik AY GP Skipper and Yacht Champions for the season...
2. TEAM NEWS - What's in store for next season? Admiral Frank Pong's plans - Hi Fi - YO! 2
3
. AUSTRAL - ASIAN NEWS - Regatta round-up and all the sailing news from the Austral-Asian region
New time slot for Royal Langkawi Regatta (Jan 5 - 11) - Sail Indonesia biggest event in Asia...
4. INTERNATIONAL NEWS -
ISAF SAILING WORLD CUP - Speedsailing becomes an International Class
Up next - Follow the Calais Round Britain Race and Geoff Holt's 'Personal Everest' here
5. WORLD SPEED RECORDS -
Franck Cammas Groupama triumphs on first two outings
6. "Unluckiest sailors of the month" - Tough final day at Melges 24 worlds... LASER SB3's turn it on...

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 predicted back in the April News and Views those ingenious Kiwi's have made it through to the America's Cup final and with their bold determination likely to take the Cup back home after demoralizing the defender Alinghi. Who would of thought that Larry Ellison's highly fancied BMW Oracle Team and especially CEO Chris Dickson would implode with such dramatic effects. Also Italy's Luna Rossa lack of speed and covering tactics let them down and could not produce the semi final performance to make a close outcome of the finals. Are the Kiwi's really head and shoulders above the rest? Emirates Team New Zealand may have led around every mark and across the finishing line in all five races to become the first team to win the Louis Vuitton Cup without suffering a single defeat but can they go on to complete the job? Despite many yachting pundits and doubting journo's going with the favourites Alinghi, here at AY we are sticking to our original prediction and congratulate the Kiwi's for becoming the challenger plus expect to see the "Go Kiwi Go!" do or die attitude carry them through to lift the Cup in a few weeks time.

Meanwhile here in Asia we also experienced a block buster of a final at Koh Samui. After eight regatta's the 2006-07 AsianYachting Grand Prix Championships came down to the final race of the season where Frank Pong's 75ft Rachel Pugh Jelik narrowly took the lead from Neil Pryde's Farr 52OD Hi Fi to be crowned the Skipper and Yacht of the Season. This is no easy task as Frank campaigned Jelik at six of the eight annual events and only scored valuable podium points at four of them. A 3rd place (1 pt) at the China Coast Regatta in Hong Kong, 2nd place (2 pts) at the Royal Langkawi Int Regatta, 1st place (3 pts) at the Presidents Cup in Boracay and 2nd place (2 pts) at Koh Samui to come up with the grand tally of 8 points. The awarding of points has become the best way to grade competing Skippers and Yachts ability to successfully run a racing campaign in Asian waters over the Season. Our congratulations go to Frank and the crew for taking out such a magnificent victory from the jaws of defeat the day before.
Happy racing
Capt Marty Rijkuris

2. TEAM NEWS

2.1 What's in store for next season?
Brief discussions with Admiral Frank Pong revealed tentative plans for the coming year. Jelik maybe shipped off to compete at the Big Boat Series in San Francisco. The Juan K designed TP52 Mui Mui may make her debut at the China Coast Race Week and the 115ft Maiden Hong Kong next outing could be on the 356nm Hong Kong to Hainan Race. When Jelik returns she will be race readied for the Raja Muda, King's Cup and possibly Langkawi if they include some passage races. After Russell Coutts visit last month it is rumored that the fleet is expanding with two RC 44's on order, so the eager crew can get involved with International match racing events. The inevitable question was asked - How do you manage to keep up with all the boats? Franks reply "It's easy, you just have to create a monthly program were you use one boat at a time at different events." Certainly a enviable position to be in and a valuable asset on the Asian circuit.

2.2 Hi Fi and off to work we go...
It is also rumored that as Neil Pryde has difficulties in finding a buyer for his Farr 52OD Hi Fi that UK designer Hugh Welbourne flew into Koh Samui and discussions on seriously modifying the hull, keel and rudder configuration will be carried out to make her go even faster. Readers may remember back to the hull replacement job on his former Sydney 46 Hi-Fidelity (See photo page)

2.3 YO! 2 Going for it...
Peter Ahern's Farr 40 YO! 2 is back in Pt Dickson and a new keel bulb is in the making as well as some other go fast changes and new sails are on the drawing board. An appearance at the Western Series in Singapore and the King's Cup in Thailand is on the cards.

2.4 Eleven Teams going around the British Isles
The third edition of the Calais Round Britain Race set off on 3rd June for a 1,850 mile sprint across the English Channel, the Irish Sea, the Atlantic, the North Sea and finally back into Pas de Calais. Eleven 60 foot monohulls are taking part, including four new prototypes. Follow all the action at: http://www.calaisroundbritainrace.com

3. AUSTRAL - ASIAN NEWS

3.1 New time slot for Royal Langkawi Regatta (Jan 5 - 11)
In a bold effort to capitalise on the resounding success of previous years the 6th Edition of the Royal Langkawi International Regatta 2008 takes on the earlier time slot from January 5th to 11th. International yachts still around after spending Christmas and the New Year in the region can now participate in a top class event and venue when fresh North Easterly winds are expected. As it previously clashed with other events in nearby Thailand the date change seems to be a natural progression of events after December's King's Cup and before the Straits Regatta in Singapore latter in January. For more information and the Schedule of Events, kindly visit the web site at http://www.langkawiregatta.com

3.2 Sail Indonesia biggest event in Asia..
The Darwin to Kupang Rally starting on July 21 is the beginning of Sail Indonesia, a combined series of events to coincide with the rally's visit on a three month journey through Indonesia, then to Singapore and finally to Malaysia finishing at the island of Langkawi in late November. Participants can attend a series of Cultural Festivals at six different locations through Indonesia on the islands of Alor, Lembata, Flores, Sulawesi, Bali, Java, Borneo and finally on to Batam just south of Singapore. At each location they will be able to experience different cultures, different arts and crafts and even different languages. The rally is fully booked with 110 yachts confirmed and 14 waiting to join, making it the largest sailing event held annually in South East Asia. Go to http://www.sailindonesia.net/news/entries.php to browse the entry list and follow the links for more info
.

3.3 Royal Selangor announces Youth Championship
The Royal Selangor Yacht Club in association with its Sailing Academy and the Royal Malaysian Navy are holding a one design class fleet racing championship for youth sailors on Platu 25's in Pt Klang. The competition will be held over 3 days, the 8th, 9th & 10th June with two races expected each day. June 7th has been set aside as a practice day to allow all competitors to spend some practice time in what might be unfamiliar boats as well as unfamiliar waters. The event is the first of a double header of events planned for 2007, which are also hoped to become annual events. In August (23-24th), the Royal Selangor Yacht Club will host the inaugural Selangor Gapurna International Youth Match Racing Championships, another first for the state, hopefully bringing some of the world’s top youth match racing teams to our state and country to compete at this second prestigious event.

3.4 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.

3.5 Bidding for the ISAF NATIONS CUP 2009
ISAF is now accepting bids from yacht clubs and Member National Authorities (MNA) around the world to host Regional Finals and the Grand Final of the 2009 ISAF Nations Cup, one of ISAF's premier events designed to promote match racing around the globe amongst the world's top match racing nations. The bids should comply with the Bid Document and received by the ISAF Secretariat no later than 15 June 2007. The Nations Cup was first introduced in 1991, with the inaugural event won by the USA team led by Ed Baird, currently helmsman for the America's Cup Defender Alinghi. The Nations Cup had a very successful rejuvenation in 2006, hosting more than 50 nations in eight Regional Finals held around the world. The top teams in the Regional Finals met at the Grand Final at the Royal Cork Yacht Club, with France winning both the Women's and Open divisions, led by skippers Claire Leroy and Mathieu Richard. The Regional Finals will begin shortly after the completion of the Olympic Games in 2008 and will continue into 2009. Event Description is at: http://www.sailing.org/nationscup/nations_cup_09_bid.pdf and more info at: http://www.sailing.org/nationscup

3.6 Sunsail Asia opening up new destinations...
Sunsail Asia are adding more yachts to the Asian fleet. New Sunsail 43's and Sunsail 39's are already available in Phuket and Langkawi. Nha Trang, Vietnam opened in May with an increased the fleet size. A new base is planned for Koh Chang in the Gulf of Thailand. They now operate 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

3.7 Singapore Immigration changes...
from a disgruntled sailor
For your information, yachts arriving in Singapore out-of-hours will hence forth be strictly quarantined until cleared. Clubs entitled to clear yachts have been instructed to provide armed guards to ensure no one (or nothing) leaves boats until properly cleared. Negotiations on this are continuing, but visiting yachts are advised to contact the destination club in advance and confirm arrangements. It seems a bit draconian in nature but probably inline with their anti pleasure boating policy.

3.8 TOTAL Lubmarine continues with 2007 China Coast Regatta
Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC) is delighted to announce that the Title Sponsor TOTAL Lubmarine Asia Pacific of the 2006 China Coast Regatta have not only renewed their support for 2007, but has extended that support to include the associated offshore race to Hainan Island, in China. The China Coast Regatta 2007 is an inshore event that will take place in Hong Kong waters from 12-14 October. Around 35 yachts are expected to compete under IRC or HKPN handicap in a series of races featuring windward leeward, islands and geometric courses. The TOTAL Lubmarine Asia Pacific Hong Kong to Hainan Race will start on Thursday 25 October, featuring a 355nm 'downhill slide, full of gybes' to Sanya on Hainan Island, renowned as a playground for China’s jet set. The target time for Hong Kong’s racing fleet to break records is 29h 55m 03s, set in 2000 by Sam Chan’s 70’ ULDB Sled, Ffree Fire.

3.9 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

4. INTERNATIONAL NEWS

4.1 ISAF SAILING WORLD CUP
In January 2008, the sailing sport will get its own world tour - the ISAF Sailing World Cup. This was agreed by the International Sailing Association (ISAF) at the ISAF Midyear Meeting in early May in Paris, France. The ISAF Sailing World Cup is a Grand Prix-style scoring system that comprises the Sail Melbourne (Australia), the Miami Olympic Classes Regatta (USA), the Princess Sofia Trophy (Palma/Spain), the Sémaine Olympique Hyères (France), the Holland Regatta (Medemblik / Netherlands) and the Kieler Woche. The intent is that winning the World Cup will become every sailor's second most important goal after winning the Olympic Games. AY begs to differ that in future years winning the World Cup will become bigger than winning the Olympics.

4.2 Geoff Holt's 'Personal Everest'
Quadriplegic sailor, Geoff Holt (GBR), has resumed his attempt to be the first disabled person to sail around Great Britain. Geoff, aged 41 from Shedfield, Hampshire sailing his 15 ft Challenger trimaran, Freethinker, sailed past the South Cardinal marker in Southampton Water at 17:05 on Sunday 20 May to start his round Great Britain challenge, which he describes as his 'Personal Everest'. -- Follow Geoff's progress round Great Britain at: http://www.personaleverest.com

4.3 Quantum Sails just keep getting better!
Quantum Sail Design Group designs, engineers and manufactures sails for racers and cruisers who demand the highest levels of quality and performance. Have you ever noticed that more and more photos of winning boats at top events are wearing the familiar green Q on their sails. That is because winning sailors now prefer top quality products supported by a high level of personalized customer service, recognized expertise, professionalism and a company with the 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

4.4 2008 Olympic Qualifying
Only the host country is guaranteed entry to the Olympic Games; all other countries must qualify to participate in each class. The principal qualification regatta for the 2008 Olympic Sailing Competition is the 2007 ISAF Sailing World Championships, taking place in Cascais, Portugal from 28 June-13 July. There 75% of all national places for the sailing events at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be decided. The remaining 25% of national places will be allocated at the respective Olympic Class World Championships in 2008 and the dates for these Worlds have now been finalized. Full details at: http://www.sailing.org/

4.5 Speedsailing becomes an International Class
The sport of Speedsailing has taken another leap forward with the news that it has been approved by ISAF (International Sailing Federation) as an international class. Primarily this will enable this exciting discipline, to achieve a greater profile and credibility on the world stage. The Speed Windsurfing Class Association, formally the International Speedsailing Association has been working hard over the last year defining agreements with international sailing associations to achieve this coveted recognition. The 2007 Speedsailing world tour starts in June on the idyllic island of Karpathos in Greece. A very popular venue on the tour as it is renowned for high wind’s and warm azure blue waters. This is followed in July by Sotavento on the island of Fuerteventura which has a long history of speedsailing dating back to the early 70’s. The final premier event on the tour is Walvis Bay in Namibia. More details on http://www.speedsurfing.org

4.6 Solar-powered transatlantic boat arrives in New York
A Swiss crew have sailed a solar-powered catamaran Sun 21 across the Atlantic. They claim that it is the first motorized vessel to cross the Atlantic without oil or steam power. The 46ft, 11-ton craft carried 3,600lb of batteries to store power drawn from the sun via a canopy-like roof of 48 silicon cells. A power of about 1kW drove the boat at typically 3.5 knots. Two electric engines are fitted. Launched in Basel in Switzerland, the boat was brought down the Rhine into the Mediterranean. The crew then set off to follow Columbus's route to Martinique, with a stopover in Morocco. They left Chipiona, Spain, on 3 December and docked at Staten Island on 4 May. On 9 May, the crew were met by the Swiss Consul General in Manhattan.

4.7 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...

4.8 ISHARES CUP EXTREME 40 SAILING SERIES
The iShares Cup Extreme 40 Sailing Series for 2007 was officially confirmed when Ellen MacArthur sailed up the River Thames onboard an Extreme 40 catamaran. The iShares Cup Extreme 40 Sailing Series will comprise of four premier regattas and will showcase some of the world's most exciting racing, at Europe's leading sailing venues. Up to seven high-performance Extreme 40s will do battle on race courses set close to the shore, providing awesome views and thrilling racing for spectators. Racing officially started from 25-27 May at the popular sailing destination of Lake Starnberg. Known for it's maritime history, Marseille, France will host the second stage on 7-9 July. The fleet then heads to Cowes, UK at the start of Skandia Cowes Week 3-5 August with the added bonus for spectators of some exhibition racing later in the week right in front of the public. Racing will finally draw to a close in Amsterdam, the Netherlands where the Extreme 40s will compete on one of the cities biggest canals and where the overall winner of the iShares Cup will finally be determined. More info and news of the endurance races at: http://www.ocevents.org

5. WORLD SPEED RECORDS

5.1 Groupama triumphs on first outing
Franck Cammas and his crew have taken the first of their planned record attempts, the east to west transatlantic record. Having left Cadiz on April 24, at 0747 GMT, Groupama 3 crossed the finishing line at San Salvador on Tuesday, March 1, at 1846 GMT, having covered the 3901 mile course in 7 days 10 hours 58 minutes and 53 seconds. WSSR Council have ratified that they have taken the Discovery Route record by 2 days 2 hours 31 minutes. Groupama 3's average speed for the course was 21.79 knots, compared to Playstation's 16.92 knots. http://www.cammas-groupama.com

5.2 Making a real Mean Machine out of her
Friday 18th May, the VO 70 Mean Machine (formerly Pirates of the Caribbean) smashed the record of the North Sea Race, organized by the Royal Ocean Racing Club and part of the ABN AMRO North Sea Regatta. Skipper and CEO Peter de Ridder's 70-footer broke the previous record by more than eight hours, setting the new mark in 11 hours, 3 minutes and 50 seconds for the 185 nautical mile course between Harwich (UK) and Scheveningen (Netherlands) It never happened before that the winner of the line honours started and finished on the same day. Due to a strong southwester of 16 up to 32 knots, 6 out of 76 competitors broke the former record. -- http://www.nsr.nl

5.3 Another one for Franck's crew on Groupama 3
One month after taking the Discovery Route record, Franck Cammas and his crew on the maxi-trimaran Groupama 3 have absolutely pulverised the Miami to New York record, held by Steve Fossett with his catamaran Playstation. The all French crew left Miami, on Sunday at 1131 UTC, and reached crossed the finishing line at the Ambrose lighthouse at 2236 UTC on Monday, to cut a staggering 18 hours off Fossett’s time. The new record (subject to WSSRC ratification) is 1 day 11 hours 5 minutes 20 seconds. Groupama 3’s average time was 26.77 knots, compared to 17.57 knots for Playstation. Shortly after the finish, Franck Cammas said “It was a stressful record run, but a great end result. We took advantage of a good weather window and a solid crew exploited a great boat to the full.” More at http://www.cammas-groupama.com

6. "Unluckiest sailors of the month"

6.1 Tough final day at Melges 24 worlds...
How tough was it on the last day of the 2007 Fullpower Melges 24 World Championship? So tough, with Monterey Bay cranking up 30 knots of howling chaos, that Dave Ullman, the winner, said, 'We weren't racing at the end, just surviving.' So tough that 19 of the 58 starters did not finish. Othmar Mueller von Blumencron of Great Falls, Va., lost half his mast on the last leg but still finished the race with what was left of his rig to win the Corinthian Division. Four or five other dismasting's, a few blown-out spinnakers, one man overboard (recovered by another boat). Those were the prices paid for sailing when the wind hits Force 7, with gusts to 35 (gale-Force 8) and five-foot seas form stair-steps up 10-foot swells. That's what greeted the fleet when it cruised out to the race course shortly before noon, and from then it got really nasty. More images can be found at: http://www.melges24.com/photogalleries.asp

6.2 LASER SB3's turn it on...
All those taking part in this event will remember it for the weather, the exhilaration and fear of Saturday's 19th May wonderful Southwesterly blow. Only two races were completed but within those few hours there was a near sinking, three dismasting's and enough broaches to fill the display window of a Bond Street Jeweler. Most of the fleet coped well with the conditions, the beats were bearable, the reaches furious and the gybes frenetic. It was on the second downwind leg that the first dismasting occurred. A collision during the starting sequence of the second race caused a further postponement. Ian Hunt's 'Ship 4 Brains' suffered major structural damage and with the help of the support boats and the RNLI was put ashore at Lee-on-Solent and returned to Hamble by road. By the time the race did start the wind was starting to build and with the tide turned the waves were becoming distinctly unfriendly. For many each gybe seemed to be a trip into the unknown, very few managed it without a broach of some sort and a third of the fleet decided to seek the comfort of the clubhouse. With gusts of 30 kts being recorded on the Committee boat it was time to call it a day and hope that more moderate conditions on Sunday. Event photos courtesy Eddie Mays at: http://www.eddiemaysphotography.com

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Come on girls! - Let's 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. Plus a Real-Estate page to promote the ever increasing
residential Condominium, Resorts and Marina developments the region has on offer. Browse the full AY advertising rates and find other things for-sale including the Fastest Sailing Gloves on the Planet in the AY Shopping Arcade here...

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Need some fast and effective advertising?
Want to get a last minute promotion out quickly in Asia or market your products to a diverse marine oriented audience, around the globe? NO Problems! Join some of our regular advertisers DK Yachts, Quantum Sails, Raimon Land and Sunsail just to mention a few, who have successfully negotiated and wisely chose to use AY marketing tools and advertising space to get their message out. For obligation free quotes E-mail info@asianyachting.com
or browse the full AY advertising rates at: http://AsianYachting.com/Mall/Advertising.htm

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Tel: 6 06 6477701 Email: info@asianyachting.com

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