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Tour De France a la Voile: New Route and an Amateur Fleet
Amaury Sport Organisation unveiled the route of the Tour de France a la Voile 2014 at the opening day of Paris Boat Show.

Eight cities will welcome the fleet this year. From Dunkirk to Nice, the teams will cover a total of 900 miles. With 24 inshore races, 6 offshore legs and 4 nights at sea, the rhythm will be gruelling and the race will take place over three weeks only instead of four. "A three-week event makes for a denser and more exciting race for the fans and suits the teams' budgets. We also chose to move the Tour de France a la Voile a week later in July so that it starts with the summer holidays," said the event director Jean-Baptiste Durier.

The fleet will stop in Dunkirk, Dieppe, Granville and Roscoff before crossing over to the Mediterranean side, starting from Roses in Spain, Gruissan, Hyeres and Nice.

In 2014, the key change will be the presence of the Grand Surprise boats within the fleet. This one-design boat will be sailed by young and amateur teams, next to the professional teams sailing the M34s. "One of our objectives in 2014 is to re-establish the Tour's history, an event always open to both the professionels and the amateurs. We had to make sure the conditions would be favourable for young and amateur teams to join - they are part of the Tour's DNA. For different reasons, including economical ones, they almost disappeared from the start line in the past years. That's why we are adding the Grand Surprise as the second one-design fleet of the Tour 2014," said Yann Le Moenner, A.S.O. general director.

www.tourvoile.fr

Two Interpretations...
From SFGate.com:

The America's Cup sailing races this year generated far less economic activity in the San Francisco Bay Area than projected, and have cost taxpayers more than $5 million, a newspaper reported.

Draft figures from the Bay Area Council Economic Institute reviewed by the San Francisco Chronicle (bit.ly/J2c6UL) show the races generated at least $364 million in economic impact. That figure rises to $550 million if the construction of a new cruise ship terminal is factored in.

That is far below the $900 million projected just a few months before the races were set to begin and the $1.4 billion originally estimated in 2010.

Based on figures from Mayor Ed Lee's office, the newspaper also reported the races have cost city taxpayers more than $5 million so far despite private fundraising and a boost in city tax revenue.

The numbers come as Lee prepares to submit a proposal by Dec. 22 to host the next Cup.

"While the economic boost fell short of initial expectations, it's definitely worth a modest city investment to generate hundreds of millions of dollars for our local economy," said Board of Supervisors President David Chiu. "The race ended up being pretty exciting, too."

www.sfgate.com

From AmericasCup.com:

The preliminary economic impact report on the 34th America's Cup is in and the numbers are substantial. The independently commissioned report shows an economic impact to the city of $550-million dollars and over 3,800 jobs created.

"Hosting the 34th America's Cup in San Francisco showcased our beautiful City to the world and brought thousands of new jobs, long-overdue legacy waterfront improvements, international visitor spending, and a boost to our regional economy," noted San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee in a statement. "Our investment brought in significant revenue to the City and the lessons we learned will help us deliver even better world-class events in the Bay Area in the future."

America's Cup events ran from July through September this summer with racing on San Francisco Bay. The America's Cup Park and America's Cup Village venues along the waterfront attracted nearly 1-million visitors, with another million taking in the action from various sites along the city front.

The preliminary economic impact report was provided to the City by the Bay Area Council Economic Institute (BACEI), who will issue a full report before the end of the year.

www.americascup.com

G.L. Watson - The Art And Science Of Yacht Design
The genius of yacht designer G.L. Watson shines through Martin Black's profusely illustrated biography. Watson was born in 1851, the year the schooner America led the cream of British racing yachts round the Isle of Wight. By age 22, he opened the world's first yacht design office in Glasgow.

Designing four challengers to bring the America's Cup home might be a lifetime's work for mere mortals, but during the Golden Age of yachting G.L. Watson became widely recognised as the greatest all-round designer.

From racing cutters and schooners heavy with clouds of canvas, via pro-bono pioneering work on lifeboats, to sumptuous steam yachts - the super yachts of their day - and America's Cup challengers, Watson's adage: straight is the line of duty, curved is the line of beauty... was consistently evident.

Perhaps uniquely, the book also describes the emergence of the modern independent designer, of any discipline. Watson's career spanned a seminal period of transition from instinctive and evolutionary craft work to the application of disciplined technological innovation, using new materials and tank testing.

It's a passionate combination of knowledgeable sleuthing, high production values, sheer good looks and a rattling good yarn.

496 pages, over 300 images, €89 including worldwide shipping.

Delux Nappa leather-bound limited edition, €300 including worldwide shipping.

www.peggybawnpress.com

ISAF World Sailing Rankings
The ISAF World Sailing Rankings for 9 December 2013 have been released.

Top ranked sailors in each class are:

Laser: Tom Burton, AUS
Nacra 17: Moana Vaireaux / Manon Audinet, FRA
Laser Radial: Mathilde De Kerangat, FRA
Men's 470: Mathew Belcher / William Ryan, AUS
Women's 470: Lara Vadlau / Anneloes Van Veen / Jolanta Ogar, AUT
Finn: Caleb Paine, USA
Women's RS:X: Bryony Shaw, GBR
Men's RS:X: Ivan Pastor Lafuente, ESP
49erFX: Martine Soffiatti Grael / Kahena Kunze, BRA
49er: Stephen Morrison / Ben Rhodes / Chris Grube, GBR

The full ISAF World Sailing Ranking lists, results from all ISAF Graded events, lists of Graded events throughout the year, Ranking release dates and the method of calculation for the Rankings can be found on the ISAF website at www.sailing.org/rankings

Safran and Guy Cotten Sponsor Guenole Gahinet for Figaro Beneteau
Safran and Guy Cotten companies announced on Friday at the Paris Boat Show their commitment to the Figaro Beneteau circuit for two seasons. A co-50-50 partnership between two companies will sponsor Guenole Gahinet, son of Gilles, twice winner of La Solitaire du Figaro. Their support will include the Transat AG2R La Mondiale, the regatta Le Havre Allmer Cup, the Solitaire du Figaro and the Transat Britain Martinique and Generali Solo.

"I have always worked in the marine environment. I started the Optimist when I was eight years old, says Guenole Gahinet. After three years at the firm of naval architecture VPLP, I had a strong desire to navigate and get into a career as a professional sailor, he says. I am delighted to be supported by Guy Cotten which had strong links with my father, and Safran, especially since I'm an engineer, and Marc Guillemot gave me his passion for racing. "

Marc Guillemot, skipper of 60 'IMOCA Safran welcomed the news: "This is a project that makes me really happy... When the Safran adventure began in 2005, my faithful partner Guy Cotten decided to join. Guy Cotten has become a privileged partner of Safran. I am also very happy for Guenole to take the helm. I almost saw his first steps on earth and have had the opportunity and pleasure to sail with him many times. "

18ft Skiff European Grand-Prix 2014
After the return of up to six or seven teams from the J.J.Giltinan in Sydney, the World's most prominent 18ft Skiff race and also the unofficial World Championship as Mark Foy Trophy 2014, the Premium Event of the 18ft Skiff Class, we will have lots of new experiences and knowledge in the European class.

Moreover Europe is recognized as venue of competitive 18ft skiff sailing and we will have some more participants from Down Under than in the past years. So the New Zealand crews and some from Brisbane were strongly interested in participating in some European Races.

We will start our Season 2014 on lake Balaton, Hungary between 22nd and 25th May, a venue that has been missed by lots of sailors in the schedule 2013. They have build a new ramp and so launching will be much easier than the years before.

Our European Championship will be held at the first European venue at all, the Yacht Club Campione on lake Garda between 29th June and 5th July.

After these events we will return between 19th and 22nd July to Germany's Travemunder Woche, the second biggest Sailing event of the world and a big chance for the class to present spectacular sailing to TV, newspapers and around 400.000 visitors. It's all a big Party around sailing.

The final will be held at the Dutch Grand Prix in Grevelingen between 28th until 31st August. -- Norbert Peter

www.18footer.org

Ramsgate Performance Sailing Suit - The Swiss Army Knife Of Sailing Suits
More than 22 years of experience and expertise are behind every functional garment designed by Marinepool. Cutting edge technology, optimized down to the smallest detail. Developed, tested and chosen by some of the world´s finest sailors and worn on the fastest yachts on the planet like giant trimaran Spindrift2, the MOD70 Oman Air and other leading offshore teams.

Marinepool's new Ramsgate performance sailing suit takes fabric innovations to the next level. Ramsgate is entirely made from Dermizax® NX membrane which is renowned for minimum weight, extreme breathability, highest waterproofness and ultimate elasticity. Indeed, the utilization of this NX membrane in sailing clothing is absolutely unique since the creator of the membranes Toray supplies Marinepool exclusively with fabrics made to the innovative NX formula.

Crucially, important but usually contradicting qualities are incorporated in one product without compromise. Despite ultimate breathability and enormous elasticity of the fabric, Ramsgate is extraordinarily durable and robust and indeed the perfect choice for the demanding conditions of ocean sailing when the going gets tough. 

Ramsgate jacket and trousers are available in two colours: orange and dark grey. Ramsgate convinces with a very dynamic, fashionable and attractive design that simultaneously meets the demands of professional sailing due to intelligent features. These include for instance highly abrasion resistant reinforcement patches on shoulders and sleeves, reflecive patches by 3M, a high offshore collar, an adjustable hood in signal yellow, smart eyelets and loops to fix equipment as well as a separate intelligent YKK zipper system for the integration of an optional fleece into Ramsgate jacket.

The new Ramsgate by Marinepool. Design. Technology. Passion.

www.marinepool.com

Datchet Flyer Online Entry Closes Midnight Thursday
With less than a week to go until the Datchet Flyer, on-line entry will be closing at midnight on Thursday 12th December.

Sailing Instructions are now posted on the SailJuice site. The pursuit race has been configured with an interesting twist to give the faster boats more time on the water. The fleet will be split into 2, around the same course, with the slowest class and the mid-fleet class starting at the datum time. There will be 2 separate sets of fleet results, each with double point scoring.

Olympian Luke Patience will be competing during the weekend in a Fireball with Nationals winning crew and Winter Series stalwart Richard Anderton. Saturday evening sees a black tie and posh frocks dress code, with Luke taking stage as guest speaker after the meal. The black tie is optional ... but only if you are wearing a frock. Will Luke wear his kilt? You'll have to be there.

In addition to Luke's talk will be the announcement of the winner of the 2013 GJW Direct Venue of the Year Award. Table bookings will be taken on request.

For the hardier campers (and glampers too) Datchet Water Sailing Club has a large open area suitable for tent and vehicle camping on site on the Saturday night.

Book online at www.sailjuiceseries.com

Crewsaver Abersoch Dinghy Week
South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club is proud to announce that Crewsaver will be the title sponsors of Abersoch Dinghy week in 2014.

There is dinghy racing for the Laser, Solo, Single Handed Mixed dinghies, Laser Radial and Phantom classes and a handicap race for Toppers, Tera's, Cadets, Mirrors, Miracles and Fevas in the morning. In the afternoon there is racing for RS 200s, Asymmetric Dinghies, RS400s, Fireballs, Slow Mixed Dinghies and Fast Mixed Dinghies.

For the younger beginner sailors there is Oppie and Tera training in the afternoon and for the younger more advanced Optimist sailors there will be coaching in the mornings with a national coach followed by racing in the afternoons.

Racing Starts on Sunday 20th July 2014 at 11am for the morning fleets and 2pm for the afternoon fleets. Races are usually 2 hours long and extended over 6 days with the normal 5 races to count.

Plans for a lively entertainment program are in motion with Dinghy Weeks favourite band Elephant Juice already confirmed, a paddle boarding competition, and a quiz night to test your physical and mental strength.

For further information about Crewsaver Abersoch Dinghy Week please contact:
Andy Teague: +44 (0) 7971 785527
Jude: +44 (0) 1758 712338
E:

Industry News
IBI news reports that Turk Loydu, a non-profit yacht standards association in Turkey, is under police investigation following a criminal complaint by the Chamber of Turkish Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. They cite a local website: www.denizhaber.com.tr

ibinews.com

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Paris Boat Show Hall 1 at the Porte de Versailles has once again been transformed into a big, beautiful marine space where the new features from the major yards rub shoulders with fabulously stunning yachts and emblematic craft of yesterday and today, which make up the rich tapestry that is sailing.

In this way, the Nautic is honouring Pen Duick II, Eric Tabarly's first yacht, winner of the Ostar in 1964, which shone a spotlight on one of France's greatest sailors and inspires so many of you to step aboard craft like the Muscadet, which is 'bottled' on the hard to celebrate her fiftieth anniversary. Doubtless the heir to the adventuring spirit and pugnacity of Eric Tabarly, we find exhibited in Hall 1 three craft from opposite extremes: Corentin de Chatelperron's Gold of Bengal on the one side, Franck Cammas' Groupama C and Hydros on the other. Gold Of Bengal, built from vegetable fibre, is synonymous with human adventure. Her skipper-come-designer lived aboard her entirely self-sufficiently for six months, covering 9,000 miles between Bangladesh and France.

Meantime, Groupama C is the result of a fantastic amount of teamwork masterfully carried out by Franck Cammas and his team based in Lorient, which enabled them to secure a win in the Little America's Cup. This craft is a catamaran equipped with a fixed wing sail and she is virtually airborne just above the surface of the water! The runner-up in this competition was Hydros (Swiss), which is also on display in Hall 1.

www.salonnautiqueparis.com/GB.htm

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The transformation of Sydney Harbour's Glebe Island industrial dockland into the city's newest exhibition centre is nearing completion as four large cranes manoeuvred the 150-tonne roof for the largest of the facility's exhibition halls into position last week. The hall covers about one-third of the 25,000sq m site, with the balance to be completed over the next six weeks.

Barring last-minute complications, the new Sydney Exhibition Centre @ Glebe Island will open as scheduled in February and be fully operational in time for the 46th Sydney International Boat Show, scheduled from July 31 to August 4, 2014.

The new venue will host the show's hardstand displays for the next three years while its permanent host facility, the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre in Darling Harbour, undergoes a substantial renovation in late December 2013, at the end of its 25th season. The boat show will then return to Darling Harbour in 2017. -- Craig Ritchie

IBI: plus.ibinews.com

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Olof Persson, CEO of Sweden's Volvo Group, presented details of how the company's planned strategy program aims to have a positive impact of three percentage points on the group's operating margin by the end of 2015, corresponding to a total of SEK9bn based on net sales of SEK300bn.

In November this year, Volvo Penta reported increased sales and improved profitability of marine engines in the third quarter of 2013, despite continued weak demand.

As of September 30, 2013, Volvo Penta's total order book was 29 per cent higher than the year-earlier period.

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Francois Gabart and the MACIF group have entrusted the construction of their new trimaran to the CDK Technologies yard, which is set to begin in February 2014. This new oceanic multihull of around 100 feet in length, and part of the Ultimate category, is designed for solo records for the benefit of special causes, as well as offshore races.

Plan for the proportions; Length: 30m - Beam: around 20m - Mast height: around 35m - Upwind sail area: 600m2 - Downwind sail area: 700m2

Featured Brokerage
2005 Cookson 50. EUR 475,000. Located In Hamble, Hampshire, United Kingdom.

Ex Chieftan, and winner of Fastnet, Caribbean 600 etc, etc...Top drawer IRC canting keel beast. So, so competitive offshore, and a dead cert to help you lift a trophy, all you need is the talent.

Brokerage through Berthon International: www.yachtworld.com/berthon/

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

The Last Word
Sometimes the most positive thing you can be in a boring society is absolutely negative. -- John Lydon

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