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Welcome to the Wonderful World of AsianYachting April 2008 News and Views

DK Yachts For race winning Mumm 30, Farr 40, 52 & DK 46 sailing yachts.

The Learn to Sail with Asian Yachtmasters keelboat training courses are constantly being improved. As demand for team building is increasing a 2-day Advanced Crewing Course will be introduced next month at the AY Center - Port Dickson. Dates for March, April Discover Sailing and 2-day Introduction to Keelboat Sailing courses are available at: http://asianyachting.com/AYmasters/classes.htm Further info on sailing courses, directions to find PD World Marina, register online and links to the entire AY Syllabus can be found there. Also if you want to TRY OUT for our AY Racing Team and interested in making up the core of sailors to go on and compete at regional keelboat regattas and match racing events, don't hesitate Email: info@asianyachting.com NOW!

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 owned 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 2000 page views per day.

CONTENTS

1. EDITORIAL - Ray Roberts DK46 Quantum Racing wins AY Skipper and Yacht of the Year - Monthly Photo Gallery
2 . AUSTRAL - ASIAN NEWS - IOC president Jacques Rogge rejects boycott call - Hong Kong to Qingdao Pre Olympic bash announced - SINGAPORE qualifies for BEIJING 2008 PARALYMPICS - WMRT 08 expanding heavily into Asia
Up next - ISAF Women's Match Racing World Championships - Top of the Gulf Regatta - Koh Samui Regatta
3 . INTERNATIONAL NEWS - Bernard Stamm IMOCA 2007 world champion - Is the America's Cup back on track? - Team NZ files lawsuits against Alinghi
4. WORLD SPEED RECORDS - Antoine Albeau smashes Overall 500 Metre record - New record for Michel Kleinjans on Open 40 - GITANA 13 now attacking North Pacific Record
5. "Unluckiest sailors of the month" - Double dismasting for Clippers - Alinghi capsizes - Strewth losses keel and safely returns to HK

Goto Archived AY News & Views and Race Reports 2007-08 2006-07 2005-06 2004-05 2003-04 2002-03 2001-02 2000-01 98-99

1. EDITORIAL

Despite the influx of foreign boats competing on the Rolex China Sea Race and President's Cup, Philippine owned yachts have reigned supreme in there own waters. National teams winning all three classes at there own regatta is very rare these days unless your looking at the Hong Kong sailing scene. You would have to go back to when Gotcha Lagi won the Raja Muda and Bill Gasson cleaned up at the King's Cup when sailors representing there respective nations have won there own major keelboat regattas. The secret of Judes Echauz success as President of the Philippines Sailing Association, he has over the years introduced young kids who are part of the Philippines Sailing Team to keelboat racing on his Sydney 46 Subic Centennial at the Manila Yacht Club. To keep a ten year old boat competitive in the top class racing fleet Aussie Jamie Wilmot has been appointed the senior coach and helmsman during the main events. By winning both the RCSR and PC they jumped up to third overall in the 2007- 08 AsianYachting Grand Prix Championships after contesting only two events during the season.

Second place for Ray Roberts on the DK46 Quantum Racing puts them five points in front of Frank Pong's R/P 76 Jelik. With only the Koh Samui Regatta left to run this season they have an unbeatable points lead and will be crowned the 2007-08 AY Skipper and Yacht of the Year at Koh Samui. This is no easy task as Ray and his very talented crew have scored three victories and two second places at eight of the selected top flight Asian events that make up the Championships. This is the first time they have won the coveted title in the five years it has been awarded, although they have come close on several occasions. Defending champion Frank Pong's R/P 76 Jelik started the season strong with two wins and a second place but failed to get on the scoreboard towards the end and has to settle on second spot this season. The annual AYGP Championships is the only system that fairly grades the competing Skippers ability to successfully run a racing campaign in Asian waters over the year. Check out how your favourite racing team has fared at: http://asianyachting.com/news/AYGP07-08.htm

Next up is the Top of the Gulf Regatta that have offered all sorts of incentives to lure some top class racing boats to the shores of Pattaya from 1st - 5th May to join in the fun they have been having at Ocean marina all these years. Foreign boats should consider combining the TOTGR in early May with the Koh Samui Regatta to be held early June. If you can't bring your own boat try chartering a boat or a Platu 25 for the prestigious Coronation Cup which is also the second event in the hotly contested Raimon Land One Design Platu Championship Series. For further info visit the regatta site http://www.topofthegulfregatta.com

Competition is getting stronger in the "Unluckiest sailors of the month" with the Double dismasting for Clippers, Alinghi capsizes, Strewth losses keel and safely returns to HK. See bottom of this newsletter or to view images goto Photo Edition...
Happy reading
Capt Marty Rijkuris

2 . AUSTRAL - ASIAN NEWS

2.1 IOC president Jacques Rogge rejects boycott call
It is rare for global politics to intrude on the sailing world, but the recent events in Tibet are threatening to break through the natural easygoing attitude of the sporting community. The heavy-handed crackdown by the Chinese authorities in Tibet has raised the prospect of the 2008 Olympics becoming a political football once again. The Beijing Games have already received criticism for the heavy air pollution, and several athletes have announced their withdrawal and teams are reported to be looking at ways to protect their athletes from prolonged exposure to the local conditions. Following the recent events in Tibet, the president of the European parliament has suggested a boycott of the Olympics in Beijing if the Chinese government continues to take a hard line attitude to the unrest in Tibet, but the European Union nations and Olympic committees, say they oppose a boycott of the Beijing Games. More at: http://www.sail-world.com

2.2 Hong Kong to Qingdao Pre Olympic bash announced
The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC) and the Chinese Yachting Association (CYA) are proud to unveil their plans for a major international yacht race of historical significance. To commemorate the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008, the RHKYC and the CYA are organizing an offshore yacht race from Hong Kong via Xiamen to Qingdao, PRC - the site of the 2008 Olympic Sailing Event. The race will start from Hong Kong on Friday 18 July with the fleet anticipated to arrive in Xiamen by the following Sunday. The second leg from Xiamen to Qingdao will start on the following Saturday (26 July) leaving Taiwan to starboard and arriving about 1 week before the Sailing Event Opening Ceremony in Qingdao which is scheduled for 9 August 2008. The event will be open to local Asian based and international yachts and multi-hulls in the cruising, racing, maxi/super yacht and/or other divisional fleets depending upon the entry list.

2.3 SINGAPORE qualifies for BEIJING 2008 PARALYMPICS
Singapore qualified for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games in thrilling fashion by winning the IFDS Two-Person Keelboat 2008 World Championship on the final day of racing. After some indifferent form in the last two races held, the host country team of Jovin Tan and Desiree Lim capped off the championship with a strong showing by finishing in second, first and third place in the final three races. This enabled Team Singapore to bounce back from their third place ranking to finish as Champions. China wasted its chances of winning the championship by incurring a false start during Race 9. They slipped to second place in the final rankings. Team Portugal finished in fifth place in the final race of the day to end off third in the overall rankings on 18 points. IFDS Website: http://www.sailing.org/disabled

2.4 MileCatcher Voyages with Sunsail Asia
,MileCatchers Voyages are a unique initiative to allow sailing enthusiasts the opportunity to accrue sea miles towards RYA qualifications and build confidence onboard a yacht while learning valuable offshore sailing skills under the supervision of Sunsail’s professional skippers. Starting April 20th, MileCatcher voyages travel from there Phuket and Koh Chang base to the seasonal bases on the island of Koh Samui and Nha Trang (Vietnam) Leg 1 consists of a 10 day voyage covering approx 700 miles. Departing from Phuket and heading south along the Thai/Malay peninsular, passing Singapore and finishing at Tioman Island, Malaysia on Wed 30th April. Leg 2 consists of a 7 day voyage covering approximately 500 miles. Departing from Tioman Island on 30th April and heading north along the Malaysian peninsular, stopping at the Perhentian islands, Redang, Tengol and finishing at Koh Samui on Wednesday 7th May. Leg 3 consists of a 10 day voyage covering approximately 700 miles. Departing from Koh Chang on the 23rd April and heading west along the Cambodian Coast, then following the Vietnam coastline north to the Nha Trang base. For more information Call +66 76 239057 Fax: +66 76 238940 Email: sales@sunsailasia.com or milecatchers@sunsailasia.com Visit http://www.sunsailthailand.com

2.5 Match Racers to take center stage
Following the rapid succession of Olympic Class World Championships early this year, it's time for the match racing world to steal the sailing limelight. The world's top women match racers are in Auckland, New Zealand ready for the start of the ISAF Women's Match Racing World Championship on 1 April. Defending champion Claire LEROY (FRA) heads into the championship as the world #1 skipper after she maintained her near three-year unbroken run at the top spot in the latest release of ISAF World Match Race Rankings. Also competing are World #2 Lotte Meldgaard Pederson (DEN), #3 Katie Spithill (AUS), #4 Christine Phileppe (FRA), # 6 Silke Hahlbrook (GER), and #11 Elizabeth Baylis (USA), who is also Executive Director of the Women's International Match Racing Association. Follow the action at: http://www.sailing.org/wmatchworlds

2.6 IOC honour former Malaysian Sports Minister
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) joined on International Women's Day and revealed the winners of its 2008 Women and Sport Awards. During the Opening Ceremony of the IV IOC World Conference on Women and Sport in Jordan, IOC President Jacques Rogge announced that the World “Women and Sport” Trophy has been awarded to the first female and youngest Minister of Youth and Sports in Malaysia, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. Azalina was honoured for boosting the number of women practicing sport in Malaysia – and this just under four years since her appointment. As the first female Minister of Youth and Sports in Malaysia, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said has completely revolutionised the participation of Malaysian women in sport. In addition to her role as Youth and Sports Minister, Azalina is a sports book author, a founder of a sports festival and a women's sport and fitness foundation and, last but not least, an enthusiastic sports woman. Full awards coverage at: http://www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=23581

2.7 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 Australian 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

2.8 WMRT 08 expanding heavily into Asia
Scott Macleod and his team have introduced a dedicated slate of 20 qualifying regattas, the winners of which will earn an invitation to one of the 10 major tour events. They're making serious inroads into what has the potential to become a booming Asian market, with a new tour event in Korea in June and an exhibition event in China in May (which will become a tour event as well in 2009). They're injecting new talent into the tour with the addition of up-and-comers Adam Minoprio, from New Zealand (who's found support from Emirates Team New Zealand), and young Aussie ace Torvar Mirsky who made their debuts at the Monsoon Cup. The new events in Korea and China are templates for what can be achieved in conjunction with tour events with a little creative thinking. In Korea, the regatta will be tied in to a boat launch--new 36-footers have been commissioned for the event, and a cruising version will be marketed to an emerging sailing public--along with an international boat show and the opening of several new marinas. The "Celebration China" exhibition is one facet of a multi-event carnival also featuring X-Games-type sports, concerts, and wine and food festivals. "Those places probably couldn't get a Farr 40 Worlds or a Volvo stopover, but a tour event is pretty easy to put on and bring to their market," said Macleod. As the 2008 season is just starting keep your eyes on: http://www.WorldMatchRacingTour.com

2.9 China Cup buys 20 more Bénéteau First 40.7s
China Cup International Regatta has purchased 20 new Bénéteau First 40.7s for this October's event in Shenzhen, southern China, increasing its fleet of 40.7s to 30 to attract more experienced international crews to the competition. Bénéteau will become the event's 'global strategic partner' for five consecutive years to 2012. The agreement will see Bénéteau bringing crews from around the world to the event, training Chinese sailors and awarding the Bénéteau Trophy at the China Cup throughout the five-year period. Last year China Cup bought ten 40.7s for the inaugural event, which attracted more than 60 teams representing 14 countries from around the world. Charter enquires Website: http://eng.chncup.com/ Email: info@chncup.com or Angel Zhou angelzhou@chncup.com

2.10 PNBR cash prize talk of the season
According to the March edition of SEA Magazine we are not the only one commenting on Steven Granville's unexpected announcement that Puravarna will award a US$20,000 cash prize to the overall Phang Nga Bay Regatta 09 winner. Race officer Andy Dowden visibly paled when the implications to the race and its committee set in. By the next morning emails began flowing in via the regatta's website and committee members decided to hold an emergency meeting with Steven to discuss the best and fairest way to not only minimize changes to the regatta's theme, but to make sure all competitors will have an equal chance at claiming part of the prize. So sailors never fear, a fair and just solution will be found and SEA Yachting will publish conditions in the next issue. All this will undoubtedly become the talk of the season...

2.11 Raimon Land - Thailand's Award Winning Property Developer
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. Raimon Land’s impressive list of completed projects includes: The Lofts Sathorn, The Lakes, The Legend Saladaeng, Northshore (Pattaya) Kata Gardens (Phuket) and The Lofts Yennakar More at: www.raimonland.com or goto AY Real-Estate page..

2.12 Phuket Optimist Regatta: Island Trophy scores a hit...
Seven kids from Samui Yacht Club Regatta joined nine from Phuket Yacht Club last weekend for the hotly-contested two-day inaugural Island Trophy Optimist regatta. The junior sailors completed seven races, with their best six results counting towards the awards. The wind arrived on Saturday morning as forecast, fluctuating between 7-10 knots, as the eager sailors rigged their boats and sailed out to the race area in Phuket’s Ao Yon (Yon Bay). The first day saw five races completed in close racing around a short windward/leeward course. Two races were scheduled for the second day, but on a dead-calm Sunday morning, competitors wondered whether there would be enough wind to get any racing at all. A quick rain squall saved the day and conditions improved with just enough wind to start the sixth race. After two exciting and challenging days for the kids, the overall Island Trophy was won by the visiting team from Samui Yacht Club Regatta against a strong challenge from the less-experienced Phuket sailors, who picked up a few well-deserved individual first and second places.

2.13 Maldives International Boat Show (28th - 30th April)
Maldives International Boat Show is back for its 2nd spectacular year and is the largest event of its kind in the region, showcasing a wide array of exhibits from kayaks to super yachts and the latest state of the art technology. It promises an adversity of marine products and services all under the one roof. So don't miss out on this great opportunity at the Dharubaaruge Exhibition Hall in Male' to get afloat in the leisure marine, tourism, fishing and other related industries in this Indian Ocean paradise. More info at: Tel: +96 033 145 95 Fax: +96 033 040 08 E-mail: boatshow@saexhibitions.com Website http://www.saexhibitions.com/boatshow/index.htm

3 . INTERNATIONAL NEWS

3.1 Bernard Stamm IMOCA 2007 world champion
Bernard STAMM (Switzerland), on his Cheminées Poujoulat has won the IMOCA 2007 world championship title at the end of a cliff-hanging season. He finished ahead of fellow country-man Dominique Wavre (Temenos) and the winner of the last Barcelona World Race, Frenchman Jean Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac). In autumn 2007, with two races remaining in the IMOCA world championship series (The Barcelona World Race and the Transat Jacques Vabre), none of the leaders could take anything for granted. Bernard Stamm, wreathed in the glory of his implacable win on the Velux 5 Oceans, still had to hold off the attacks of Jean Le Cam (World Champion Title Holder), Dominique Wavre and Jean Pierre Dick. With a third place on the podium of the Transat Jacques Vabre, Cheminées Poujoulat finally increased its lead and this for the second time in the history of the IMOCA championship. Indeed, Bernard Stamm also won this prestigious title back in 2003 and is one of five skippers that have won this prestigious title over the seven years it has been awarded.

5.2 Is the America's Cup back on track?
March 18, 2008: At last Justice Herman Cahn of the New York State Supreme Court issued an order confirming the validity of Golden Gate Yacht Club’s challenge for the 33rd America’s Cup and rejected a late-stage bid by the defender to re-argue the court’s earlier ruling in GGYC’s favour. “We are very pleased with this decision. The Court has ruled that our challenge complied fully with the Cup’s Deed of Gift, and we are now keen to keep moving forward towards the next regatta,” Tom Ehman, the club’s spokesman said. In its order today the Court reconfirmed its November 27 decision that GGYC was the valid challenger for the Cup. Now its a matter of what sort of match racing will be held and where and when. As the defender Alinghi made it clear it did not wish to take up GGYC’s offers made before and after the court’s ruling in November of a conventional regatta with rules agreed by mutual consent and involving all teams, a Deed of Gift match conforming to the original challenge lodged in 90ft x 90ft boats is to be held. Now the hard part when and were? BMWO can be ready by July - Oct 2008, Alinghi want July 2009. This will need to be amicably settled (If that's possible) before the where can be decided by Alinghi. Both parties have maintained they would "like to settle this on the water" but as they could not reach a solution Alinghi have returned to the NYSSC for Justice Cahn to settle the stalemate.

5.3 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, Farr 52 or Mills DK46 lines up on the starting grid. They just keep turning up and sailing away with all the major prizes. Andy Rasdal's DK46 Valkyrie, scored first place from 7 boats in Division 3 on the 1000nm San Diego to Puerto Vallarta Race, where he reports "spectacular sea life (whales, turtles, seals, flying rays and friendly birds) and a great finish fiesta of margaritas, beers, mariachis, and sombreros to top off a great adventure!" This successful result confirms that DK46's are head and shoulders above the rest, be it for offshore or inshore racing. Have you ordered one yet? Serious Yachts for Serious Sailors can be found at http://www.dkyachts.com

5.4 Team NZ files lawsuits against Alinghi
06 March: Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ), holders of the America’s Cub sailing trophy from 1995-2003, filed lawsuits in New York Supreme Court and United States District Court charging current Cup defender Alinghi, the Swiss team owned by Italian businessman Ernesto Bertarelli, with deliberately delaying the next America’s Cup challenge to crush competition. The Kiwi sailors are seeking financial compensation from Alinghi, Bertarelli and Bertarelli-controlled AC Management for breaches of contract and trust, as well as violations of U.S. antitrust law. The 33rd defense of the world’s oldest international sports trophy was to have been held at Valencia, Spain, in 2009, but a series of actions by Alinghi have made it more likely that boats will not be in the water again until 2011. “The delay in staging the next America’s Cup is harming every challenging syndicate as they have to stretch budgets developed and approved for a two-year campaign over three or four years,” said ETNZ managing director Grant Dalton “Mr. Bertarelli had the chance to accept a reasonable proposal from Oracle, which was also signed by the majority of the challengers, and which would have allowed the America’s Cup to be held in 2009. We have already done an enormous amount of work on the design of the new 90ft AC class boat. Design work is continuing, although with less urgency,” said Dalton. “We are heading to court reluctantly, but have no option. We would rather be racing.”

4. WORLD SPEED RECORDS

4.1 Antoine Albeau smashes Overall 500 Metre record
Frenchman three times windsurfing world champion Antoine Albeau smashed on March 5th the 500 metre world record with an astonishing 49,09 knots (92km/h) on the Sainte marie de la Mer canal in Southern France. 14 "Masters of Speed" had answered the call of wind earlier this week. With the Mistral gusting up to 60 knots on the canal, conditions were perfect and Irishman Finian Maynard's time of 48,70 knots seemed doomed to vanish from the charts. Antoine Albeau did it on his second run of the day. Said the jubilant Frenchman "Conditions were rather rough, cold and far from perfect wind angle..." Swiss wind specialist Patrick Diethelm took also advantage of those great conditions and established a new world record in "series" category, reaching 46,57 knots. Frenchman Pascal Maka, organizer of the event concluded "The Fifty knots mark is more than ever at these guys reach..."

4.2 New record for Michel Kleinjans on Open 40
Michel Kleinjans (BEL) sets new singhlehanded monohull reference time between Marseilles (FRA) and Carthage (TUN)! on 1st & 2nd March 08. The Belgian sailor onboard his Lutra Open 40 monohull ROARING FORTY established a new record of 1d21h24m on the 458NM passage between Marseilles and Tunesia. At an average speed of 10 knots his new time is now ratified by the WRRSC - Roaring Forty is a 40ft monohull yacht but this is the "outright" single handed record - no previous attempt being successful. After winning the 2006 Route du Rhum and the 2007 Middle Sea Race, Michel Kleinjans is not only dreaming about becoming the first Belgian to sail single-handedly around the world in the Portimao Global Ocean Race for single and double handed 40 and 50 foot monohulls leaving from Portimao on 12 October, but also about winning it.

4.3 GITANA 13 now attacking North Pacific Record
Just weeks after its finish in San Francisco, where it racked up a new reference time from the Route de l'Or (New York - San Francisco via Cape Horn) in 43 days 3 mins and 18 secs, the crew of Gitana 13 have taken to the seas again. Lionel Lemonchois and his men are attacking the North Pacific crossing record between San Francisco and Yokohama; a record which today belongs to French sailor Olivier de Kersauson and his crew aboard a 34 metre trimaran Geronimo. The crew of Gitana 13 will have to better the reference time of 14 days 22 hours 40 minutes and 41 seconds to be able to add a new record to their conquests. Follow there exploits at: http://www.gitana-team.com

5. "Unluckiest sailors of the month"

5.1 Double dismasting for Clippers
First is was westernaustralia2011.com on March 5th the 11th day of the race from Qingdao to Hawaii had its mast snap approximately in half whilst sailing under spinnaker in approximately 10-15 knots. They set sail under jury rig towards Midway for re-fueling and re-provisioning. Then came the news on the 19th day of the 4,400-nautical mile Pacific leg that Durban 2010 and Beyond on March 13th was dismasted at deck level whilst sailing in approximately 20 knots. Although both yachts have suffered a similar fate, the race organisers say the causes are not thought to be the same. However, as an precautionary measure, and with 85 percent of the leg completed in the interest of the safety for the remaining crews, event organizer Clipper Ventures Plc, headed by renowned yachtsman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, has told the remaining eight boats to stop racing and to proceed to Honolulu. The Race Committee decided to shorten the course in accordance with the Clipper Sailing Instructions, and thus finished the leg at 0600 GMT, March 13, 2008 with two going to Durban's assistance. No injuries have been reported. Clipper Ventures is in the process of sourcing new mast sections and replacement rigging for all the yachts so that they can resume racing as soon as is practicably possible. More information on restart log onto http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com

5.2 Alinghi capsizes
Team Alinghi was training in 20 knots of wind when the loaned 60ft trimaran FONCIA they were sailing capsized outside of Lorient on Saturday 29th March. Ed Baird (USA) was at the helm, provides some insight into what happened: “As we were bearing away, always the highest risk situation on a multi-hull, both the leeward and the central hull dug into the water and the rudders came out. From then it was out of our hands and we capsized forwards. As the mast hit the water, it broke, followed by the rear beam.” He continues: “The crew reacted very quickly in getting everyone back on board, doing a head count and checking injuries before calling for help and beginning to secure the boat.”. Alain Gautier (FRA) skipper of trimaran was on deck working with some other crew. Two Alinghi members were heli lifted but three hours later it was confirmed that they are OK. Thierry Martinez images of them coming back into Lorient port after the capsize.

5.3 Strewth losses keel and safely returns to HK
From Sail-World Asia - Photos Guy Nowell
A very wet and weary Strewth crew appeared out of the murk at Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, at 1500hrs 22nd March, accompanied by the faithful guard ship Cloud, the RHKYC’s Kellett VI, and RIB M69. It was easy to tell which of the two yachts motoring up the harbour was Strewth – the one with the pronounced roll. Just 36 hours earlier she had lost her keel approx 170 nm south east of Hong Kong, en route to Subic Bay in the Rolex China Sea Race 2008. Owner Geoff Hill and skipper Ben Jonson told the tale: 'At 0300 watch-change yesterday (21 March), we were fine reaching at about 12 kts in 18 kts of breeze, and there was a loud crack. Several crew checked everything we could think of, but couldn’t see anything wrong. 20 mins later there was another loud crack, and 30 sec after that, she went…' 'The bow went down maybe 30 deg, and the boat rolled 45 or 50 eg – just enough to get the gunwhale wet – the main trimmer dumped everything, and we came upright again with a bit of a kick on the stern from the seaway. It was all very weird, we actually started to trim up and sail again, and were hitting 8-9 kts of boat speed, but the boat was way too tender and had serious leeway, and she was very, very light on the wheel. Definitely wrong.

So we rounded up, and checked the keel bolts – one of them was loose, so we thought maybe one had sheared, and the keel had swung out…' 'So it was everyone on deck, harnesses on, we ran through the safety routine. Richard Grimes went over the side to see what was happening down there, and came back and said, 'Nada. There’s nothing, there, it’s all gone.' Heck, we even sent him back for a second look just to make sure!' We removed the boom, took down all the halyards, and filled all the water tanks to try and get the boat as low and as stable as possible. We had the liferafts ready, the grab bags and flare boxes ready, and the crew ready and now staying on deck.' At 0800 we saw a boat on the horizon, we fired a white flare and they came towards us. It was Cloud, a Beneteau 47.7 skippered by Olivier Decamps, alerted to our situation by RHKYC Race Control. They had come to stand by as guard ship… we were very pleased to see them, and very appreciative of their company all the way back to Hong Kong.'

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Come on girls! - Let's go shopping?
As the South East Asian region is turning 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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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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