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Stop, Go
While five different boats in the Transat Jacques Vabre double handed race from Le Havre to Itajaí revealed over the course of today (Monday) that they will make technical pit stops, the race for the IMOCA Open 60 fleet became more tactical as they seek the best lanes of breeze, gybing downwind 150 miles north of Madeira and the pair of MOD70s were passing the latitude of the Canary Islands still making regular speeds of 23-25kts.

After capsizing in gusty, shifty tradewinds when they broached 220 miles west of Lisbon late on Sunday night, the French co-skippers of Arkema-Region Aquitaine, Lalou Roucayrol and Mayeul Riffet, dived under their upturned Multi 50 trimaran today to free their broken mast and tidy what they could with a view to being towed towards Lisbon.

Express pit stops were signalled today by the class leaders in both the Multi 50 class and Class 40. The fact that both Actual (Yves Le Blevec and Kito de Pavant) and GDF SUEZ (Sebastien Rogues and Fabien Delahaye) extended their respective leads in the Multi 50 and Class 40 divisions will certainly help their challenge when they stop to make fast repairs. Actual which leads the Multi50 fleet now by 68.4 miles ahead of FenetreA-Cardinal (Erwan Le Roux and Yann Elies) have said they plan to stop in Madeira and had less than 60 miles to the island on the 1500hrs UTC ranking this afternoon. They aim to replace their wind instruments at the top of their mast.

That is the same key repair that the Class 40 leaders aim to complete on the NW Spanish coast. They were about 60 miles off the coast on the same 1500hrs ranking but were making 9 kts.

Three other Class 40's announced during today that they will stop too. Alex Pella and Pablo Santurde on the Spanish designed and built Tales Santander 2014 in eighth place are heading into La Coruna with a rudder problem.

The British-American duo on 11th Hour Racing Hannah Jenner and Rob Windsor are returning towards Lorient after their forestay failed dumping their Solent headsail into the water. Luckily they managed to save their rig.

There were lucky escapes too for both BET1128 which also dropped their mast when their Solent hook failed, and also for the British duo on Caterham Challenge, Brian Thompson and Mike Gascoyne, who were racing close enough to the Italian-French duo Gaetano Mura and Sam Manuard that they had to alter course to avoid BET 1128 when the mast fell backwards.

BET 1128 re-set their mast using a combination of halyards and lines but will also make a halt to repair the failed swivelling hook and some damaged electrical cables inside the mast.

www.transat-jacques-vabre.com

Kitesurfing Speed Record Shattered
Photo by Beneteau Gregory, www.aqua-terra.info. Click on image to enlarge.

Today Alexandre Caizergues shattered the World Sailing Speed Kitesurfing Record over 500 metres with a blinding average of 56.62 knots in the "Salt and Speed" Volkswagen Transporter Arena located in Salin-de-Giraud, France. In so doing, he has improved on the previous record set by American Rob Douglas by 0.97 knots. The Provençal rider once again makes history in his sport and in the domain of sailing speed records.

"I'm delighted. It's great, it's remarkable!" says a thrilled Alex Caizergues. "We've validated the capacity of our speed spot and the "Salt and Speed" event. We've known for a while that this was a possibility and that we were capable of going very fast. Today, in a northerly wind of between 45 and 50 knots, I did at least 15 runs and each time I was doing over 50 knots. I made the most of a solid gust to accelerate and the result is immensely satisfying. Everything is set up in the salt marshes so that we can go even faster.

The "Salt and Speed" team has done a fantastic job in tough conditions so thanks to everyone. Rob Douglas opted to skip this particular attempt at the start but right now, the next gale can't come soon enough".

Alex has earned himself the title of the fastest kitesurfer on the planet once again. He was also the first man to break the legendary 100km/hr barrier back in 2010. The "Salt and Speed" team made the decision to open the racecourse yesterday evening, though the original plan was to open Act 3 of the event on Wednesday. It paid off and Caizergues was able to benefit from a perfect weather situation this 11 November to rack up a very, very fast performance and show off his talent as a extraordinary sportsman.

Christophe Simian, the WSSRC observer (World Sailing Speed Record Council) was on location. This record is now awaiting definitive ratification by the body.

"Salt and Speed" is an event that was first run last year.

https://www.facebook.com/SaltAndSpeed

RORC Seeks Deputy Racing Manager
The Royal Ocean Racing Club based in London is world renowned for the organisation and support of the most prestigious offshore yacht races around the world, including its signature events the Rolex Fastnet Race, the Antigua based RORC Caribbean 600 and the inshore IRC team event the Brewin Dolphin Commodores' Cup.

The club is inviting applications from suitable candidates for the post of Deputy Racing Manager to support an energetic race management team who are responsible for all RORC races.

Reporting to the RORC Racing Manager the role is to assist with the development, planning and execution of RORC races and events in the UK and abroad.

The successful candidate will have a background in a dinghy or keelboat race management, a proven record in managing people, projects and budgets and good communication and interpersonal skills.

The post will involve some travel primarily between the UK and mainland Europe and on occasions to support RORC events around the world. Time off in lieu will be given for work outside normal hours.

Salary negotiable according to experience.

A more detailed job description is available on request:

Send CV by post to:
Royal Ocean Racing Club
20 St James's Place
London SW1A 1NN

Happy Anniversary IRC -- Celebrating 30 Years
2014 marks the 30th Anniversary of the introduction of IRC under its original name, CHS.

CHS was first introduced in 1984 to offer a rating system appropriate to the cruiser/racers of the day that were disenfranchised by the IOR rule. CHS grew dramatically through the 1980s and 1990s before being re-named IRC in 1999.

IRC was granted International Rating System status by the International Sailing Federation in 2003 and continued to grow in popularity, reaching a peak of 7,740 boats rated in 2008.

Today, IRC remains the rating rule of choice for close to 7,000 boats of almost every shape, size, style and age imaginable, and for a huge number of high profile and many less well-known events in approaching 40 countries around the world.

The IRC Championships provide a focus for celebration in Great Britain and in 2014 there are more events than ever for sailors to enter. To mark this anniversary year, Spinlock, the sponsors of IRC in Great Britain and France, are generously offering a special prize at each of the GBR Championships.

Championships will be held all over Great Britain including two additions to the calendar, with the inaugural Channel Island Championship being contested at the UBS Jersey Regatta, and a new Double-handed Championship to be held in the Solent.

A full list is published at www.rorcrating.com/irc-rating-gbr/irc-regional-champs

www.rorcrating.com

Garmin Hamble Winter Series
After weeks of gales, it was with some trepidation that the Garmin Hamble Winter Series fleet nosed out of the river on Sunday in time for their start. Fears of wintry weather were misplaced, however, and some hours later the fleet returned with grins on their faces. 'Awesome day on the water' and 'Champagne sailing conditions' were some of the phrases heard bandied around the clubhouse after racing by competitors sporting that most unseasonal of things - sun-kissed faces.

15-18 knots from the north-west provided some delightful but testing sailing conditions for the assembled racing yachts, with big shifts offering up big gains for some competitors with their eyes out of the boat and big losses for the less fortunate. One race was sailed.

In IRC 0, James Gair's Localletterbox Zero II continued their winning streak with another first, finishing ahead of Paul Aisher's Tangent Minus 1. In IRC 1, Allie Smith's Puma Logic beat Andy Uren's Winston to add another bullet to their scoreline and consolidate their position atop the class.

In IRC 2, Mike Bridges' Elaine also scored another first, beating Robbie and Lis Robinson's Hot Rats to extend their overall lead.

Nick Munday's IndulJence won IRC 3 ahead of David Greenhalgh's J'ronimo and Chudziak, Horner and Malas on Wee Bear. Toby Gorman's Sigma 33 Stan the Boat finished ahead of Quarter Tonner Menace and Impala 28 Trudi to extend her lead over the IRC 4 class.

In the J/109s, it was Ivan Burden's Jacobi who won, ahead of David McLeman's Offbeat. David & Kirsty Apthorp's J-Dream topped the J/111 class.

Nigel Goodhew's Persephone won the close-matched Sigma 38 class, ahead of Rob Denning's Light in second and Chris and Vanessa Choules' With Alacrity in third.

www.hamblewinterseries.com

85-Year-Old Gnome Not Hiding In The Garden
Photo by Peter Campbell. Click on image to enlarge.

The Derwent class yacht Gnome, launched 85 years ago, is the oldest yacht racing in the Hobart Combined Clubs Harbour Series on the River Derwent.

On Saturday the Huon pine built 24-footer showed she is still competitive against modern yachts, finishing third in Group six and moving up to be equal point score leader in the group.

Skippered by current owner Derek Adams, Gnome has finished fifth and third on corrected time in Group six so far this season, yesterday sailing an excellent race in the fresh to strong southerly breeze, which earlier in the afternoon gusted to 25 knots.

Gnome was launched in 1928, one of the original of the D-classers which became the first one-design class to race on the Derwent, still racing a class in the 1950s. Among Gnome's pre-WWII owners was the late Les Gabriel, later to become a Commodore of the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania. -- Peter Campbell

www.sail-world.com/index.cfm?nid=116525

Derwent Sailing Squadron: dssinc.org.au

New - D12 99 and D12 Max 99
Photo by Pedro Martinez, www.martinezstudio.es. Click on image for photo gallery.

Throughout our history Marlow have always embraced innovation, technology and advancement in materials and that philosophy continues at METS 2013 where we will be showcasing our all new D12 99 and D12 Max 99 products.

Manufactured using new Dyneema SK99, these new products join our Grand Prix Series as the highest strength for weight products on the market. 20% stronger than SK78 and 7% stronger than SK90, SK99 is the strongest fibre ever made by DSM.

Our Grand Prix Series customers rely on us to manufacture performance running rigging that can make the difference between winning and losing - whether it needs to be lighter, thinner, stiffer, softer. Winning margins are miniscule, but our partnership with DSM Dyneema means one thing that can be relied upon is the performance of the rope to get the most out of the crew and the boat.

Our network of Grand Prix Riggers demand the best for their customers and we deliver.

Visit our stand 03.031 in the British Pavilion at METS to find out more about D12 99 and D12 Max 99.

www.marlowropes.com

Campbell-James Wraps Up Latest RYA Match Racing Triumph
Paul Campbell-James booked his place in the grand final of the 2013 RYA National Match Racing Championships as his crew clinched event honours at the final qualifier event of this year's Series.

The Southampton based sailor skippered his team of Chris Draper, Sam Richmond, Dan Gohl and Archie Goodwin to RYA National Match Racing Qualifier 1 triumph at Queen Mary Sailing Club (QMSC) this weekend (9-10 November).

The West London venue, was hit by light winds on Saturday, which meant no racing was possible for the eight teams competing for Championship honours, leading to an intense round-robin schedule on Sunday when conditions had improved to an average 5-10 knots. Campbell James, who is a three-time RYA National Match Racing Champion, was in clinical form at Queen Mary on Sunday enjoying seven round-robin race wins with his four other team mates.

Campbell-James and his crew are now poised to make their assault on the overall 2013 RYA National Match Racing Series title when the Grand Final takes place at QMSC between 22 - 24 November 2013.

2013 RYA National Match Racing Qualifier 1 results:

1: Paul Campbell James, Chris Draper, Sam Richmond, Dan Gohl, Archie Goodwin
2: Ali Hall, James Boadle, Ashley Rudd, Chris Webber
3: Mark Lees, Kelvin Matthews, David Bedford, Toby Mumford
4: James Goss, Will Morgan, Pete Gray, Nick Wilkinson, Hermione Stanley
5: Daniel Wray, Matt Haslam, Jack Kilburn, Piers Strong, Eleni Morus
6: Chris Taylor, Ed Roberts, Callum McCullough, Emily Nagel, Evie Clemance
7: Alexander Macpherson, Rob Thomas, Ollie Mellor, Olivier Moreau
8: Sam Strover, Jessica Houlgrave, Jeremy Pocock, Duncan Syme

www.rya.org.uk/racing

Industry News
The catalogue for METS 2013, incorporating the SuperYacht Pavilion, is now online in advance of the event taking place this month in Amsterdam

The organiser of the METS marine trade event, Amsterdam RAI, and the show's official magazine, IBI, will again send out advance digital copies of the METS catalogue.

View it online: content.yudu.com

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Whilst some classes have a number of different builders producing boats, the Squib has been built since 2009 by BP Sailboats based in Essex. Unfortunately, there have been a recent series of events which have led to the RYA having to withdraw the licence issued to BP Sailboats.

Bas Edmonds, RYA Technical and Racing Services Manager explains: "The purpose of the RYA's involvement within classes such as the Squib is to protect its design integrity and to ensure that any developments within the class are controlled and considered before being voted on. However it came to light that BP Sailboats had modified the keel pattern without approval and when the RYA came to arrange an inspection we were informed that the company were no longer trading in the UK. We had no alternative but to initiate a one month cancellation clause within our licence with BP Sailboats which will prohibit BP Sailboats from building Squibs."

"It has come to light that as part closing down the moulds, which we and the NSOA firmly believe belong to the Squib Class, have been moved to an undisclosed location."

This leaves the Squib Class with no licenced builder and no knowledge of the whereabouts of its moulds.

www.rya.org.uk/newsevents/

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The UK's National Boat Shows (NBS) has confirmed that Jeanneau sailboats will be making an appearance at the 2014 London Boat Show after a one-year hiatus.

Parent company Beneteau and its UK dealers pulled out of the 2013 event in order to focus on the PSP Southampton Boat Show instead.

"We are extremely pleased that Jeanneau will be returning to the 2014 London Boat Show," says NBS managing director Murray Ellis. "It signals the brand's continued confidence in the event and reaffirms the vital role that the show plays in the global boating calendar.

"We are continuing to build on the success of the 2013 event and are delighted with the commitment from the whole breadth of the industry, ensuring an expansive range of boats and brands for our visitors to experience."

Jeanneau's UK dealers will be showcasing the Sun Odyssey 439, 41DS, 409 and 379 models. The boats will be located on their own boardwalk in the heart of the show in January next year.

IBI News:
plus.ibinews.com

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The French boatbuilder has reported an operating loss of - €1.3m in the Boat division for the year ended August 31, 2013 - a much better figure than initially forecast

French sail and motorboat builder the Beneteau Group has released details on earnings for its 2012/13 financial year.

Sales in the Boat division were up by 2.4 per cent to €624.4m for the full year ended August 31, 2013, compared to fiscal 2012. Operating income came to -€1.3m versus an initial forecast of -€5.5m, thanks to business exceeding the targets set and a positive trend for margins on direct costs.

Beneteau expects the 2014 season to mark the global boat market's first growth in five years, with a slight increase forecast of around 3-5 per cent.

IBI News:
plus.ibinews.com

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The ISAF Training and Development department is happy to announce that a recommendation for full accreditation of the Federazione Italiana Vela (Italian ISAF Member National Authority) National Sail Training Programme has been successfully approved.

The 'Recognized Training' audit visit took place from 19 - 24 October and included a comprehensive review of the national programme management, combined with visits to a range of Training Venues including the Yacht Club Italiano, Genoa and Club Nautico, Loano.

A full report on the Italian audit visit will soon be available on the ISAF website.

www.sail-world.com

Letters To The Editor -
Letters are limited to 350 words. No personal attacks are permitted. We do require your name but your email address will not be published without your permission.

* From Eero Lehtinen: While the ISAF decision makers are gathered at the annual meeting of our beloved sport, I would like to raise an urgent issue from the background.

International top sport, including sailing, is getting more costly year after year. At the same time the financial drought in the world is making sponsor funding harder to find. Various sports, teams and events compete for the same resources. Demands for contents and quality are understandably getting harder. The (Olympic) sailing sport needs a better concept to sell. The ISAF World Cup events should be able to match the offerings of events like Grand Slam Tennis, Golf PGA Tour, FIS Ski World Cup etc.

Today, we have no product to sell at the ISAF WC events, no venues to buy tickets to, no show or ways to participate for the sponsors. We have to create it all by ourselves, team by team, sailor by sailor.

The successful companies are increasingly multinational and they operate globally. A sticker on the national sailing team's boats, sails and bibs is no more good enough as "the product". We need our World Cup events and championships to become more spectator friendly and the supporting companies must be able to buy themselves unique experiences in these regattas. The answer is not the endless tuning (and complicating?) of the scoring/formats of the events. Rather, we need to make the points system really easy to understand and bring the sponsors and fans closer to the sailors.

If we don't see fast development here, we will keep losing sponsor funds to sexier sailing events like the brilliant Extreme Sailing Series, match racing events, Grand Prix races like the Volvo etc., not to mention other (more sponsor friendly) sports.

So far my questions to ISAF on this subject have remained unanswered.

Featured Brokerage
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Brokerage through S.D.Marine Ltd.: www.sdmarine.co.uk

Complete listing details and seller contact information at uk.yachtworld.com

The Last Word
All that remains is the faces and the names of the wives and the sons and the daughters. -- Gordon Lightfoot

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