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Peninsula Petroleum The Early Leader at RC44 Virgin Gorda Cup
Photo by Nico Martinez, www.martinezstudio.es. Click on image for photo gallery.

As the fleet racing got underway at the RC44 Virgin Gorda Cup, it was another perfect Caribbean sailing day for the fleet. 12-17 knots from the east and flat water, allowed the race committee to lay a 1.1 mile course along the North Sound, and slot in four races. Each race produced a different winner, the shifting breeze added drama and passing lanes, but at the end of the first day, the two most consistent RC44 teams were Peninsula Petroleum and Bombarda Racing.

The new Italian team, Bombarda showed the fleet they meant business by winning the opening race, followed by two thirds and a sixth to end the day second overall, just one point off the lead. Owner Andrea Pozzi hadn't expected a race win on their first day of RC44 fleet racing, but admitted the conditions suited the team.

Day two of fleet racing at the RC44 Virgin Gorda Cup will see the nine boats complete a 30 mile long distance race, before the windward-leeward racing returns for the final two days.

Overall Fleet Race Ranking After four races

1. Peninsula Petroleum Sailing Team, John Bassadone (GBR) / Vasco Vascotto (ITA), 12 points
2. Bombarda Racing, Andrea Pozzi (ITA)/ Gabriele Benussi (ITA), 13
3. Synergy Russian Sailing Team, Valentin Zavadnikov (RUS) / Ed Baird (USA), 18
4. Artemis Racing, Torbjorn Tornqvist (SWE) / Iain Percy (GBR), 20
5. Team Aqua, Chris Bake (GBR) / Cameron Appleton (NZL), 20
6. Gazprom Youth Sailing Challenge, Vladimir Liubomirov (RUS) / Igor Lisovenko (RUS), 21
7. Lunajets Aleph Racing, Pierre Eric Destroyat (FRA)/ Mathieu Richard (FRA), 23
8. Team Nika, Vladimir Prosikhin (RUS) / Russell Coutts (NZL), 26
9. Katusha, Vladimir Sokolov (RUS) / Andy Horton (USA), 27

www.rc44.com

60 For 600
Class40 Tradition Guadeloupe, skippered by Willy Bissainte, was the 60th yacht to enter the 6th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600. Tradition Guadeloupe's sail number is also 6 so this may be a lucky entry for those with a superstitious nature!

In 2010, Willy Bissainte steered Tradition Guadeloupe through the finish line after the prizegiving. It was a slow race for all, but the tenacious Guadeloupian skipper had refused to give up and was the last boat to finish. In contrast this year the trade winds have been blowing almost continuously in Antigua since early December and the long term forecast for the 2014 edition of the race is for the strong easterly winds to continue.

The 6th edition has seen the largest ever entry for the RORC Caribbean 600, with a strong international cast and a huge variety of yachts racing under the IRC Rating system. The fleet of 61 boats will be flying the flags of 11 different countries: Antigua; British Virgin Islands; France; Germany; The Netherlands; Italy; Russia; Spain; United Kingdom and the United States of America.

On Monday 24th February the start gun will fire from Fort Charlotte, Antigua and the largest fleet of yachts ever to race offshore in the Caribbean will begin their high speed adventure.

caribbean600.rorc.org

Race The RORC Caribbean 600 On A Volvo 70!
Do you dream of sailing a Volvo 70? The keel fully canted. Flying a huge spinnaker with six of your crewmates grinding on the pedestals in tropical sunshine. Feeling the power as the boat accelerates down a wave at 25+ knots in warm Caribbean winds...

This could be you!

Monster Project, Team Russia's boat (Kosatka) in the 2008 Volvo Ocean Race, is the only Volvo Open 70 available for charter - a unique opportunity for amateur sailors to experience these amazing racing machines!

The RORC Caribbean 600 is the headline offshore racing event in the Caribbean. With a 600 mile course around 10 islands, it's an epic race to rival the Fastnet - but much warmer!

Join us on Monster Project for our RORC Caribbean 600 program:

- Tuesday 18 through Saturday 22 February: pre-race training at Falmouth Harbour in beautiful Antigua
- Saturday 22 February: Welcome Party, Antigua Yacht Club
- Sunday 23 February: final boat preparations / rest day
- Monday 24 February: RORC Caribbean 600 starts at 1050h
- Friday 28 February: Prize-giving Ceremony, Antigua Yacht Club

Monster Project's RORC Caribbean 600 package includes:

- Race entry
- Berthing fees
- Pre-race training
- Professional Racing Skipper and Crew
- Food and bottled water during sailing
- Monster Project race clothing
- Safety equipment (loan)
- Wet-weather clothing (loan)

Can't make it to the RORC? Monster Project also operates Caribbean, UK, European and Trans-Atlantic Racing and Adventure Sailing charters for groups, corporates and individuals.

See the Calendar on our website:
www.volvo70charter.co.uk
email:

Artemis Racing Welcomes Christian Kamp, Richard Kent and Chay Mcintosh
Artemis Racing announced today that it has secured the signature of Danish sailor and former Team Origin trimmer, Christian Kamp, as the team prepares for a possible 35th America's Cup bid.

Christian was part of Luna Rossa Challenge for the 32nd America's Cup in 2005 before joining Team Origin in 2007. For three years he campaigned with Iain Percy in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series, TP52 and the World Match Racing Tour, winning the World title in 2010. In recognition of his achievement, he was awarded 2010 Danish Sailor of the Year. Kamp's career highlights include three world championships, one European and three national titles, as well as more than 20 Grade 1 Level wins in match racing. More recently he sailed on board Team Aqua as trimmer in the RC44 circuit, winning the last three consecutive seasons.

Christian is joined by former ORACLE Team USA team member Richard Kent who will bring his expertise leading the Electronics unit. Kent is no stranger to the America's Cup having competed in the last four, winning the 33rd edition with BMW ORACLE Racing in 2010 and successfully defending in San Francisco last summer. Richard also ran the electronics departments for winning Volvo Ocean Race teams ABN AMRO (2006/2007) and Ericsson Racing (2008/2009).

Artemis Racing is also delighted to welcome back Chay McIntosh, who served as Shore Team Manager in the last campaign. Chay has found success throughout his career, winning the 29th and 30th America's Cups with Team New Zealand, and the 2008/09 Volvo Ocean Race with Ericsson Racing.

www.ArtemisRacing.com

Plans For America's Cup Warm-Up Off Maui, Lanai
Billionaire Larry Ellison is looking at bringing a preliminary race to the America's Cup to Hawaii.

The software mogul's representatives are speaking with state and county officials about staging a warm-up for the cup or holding another international sailing race in waters off of Maui, Molokai and Lanai.

Since buying the island of Lanai in 2012, Ellison has considered Hawaii as a venue for the overall cup and has looked at training his cup-winning Oracle Team USA off Lanai.

But in recent weeks, his representative have stepped up talks for holding a warm-up contest here, sources said.

"There's tremendous opportunity where the next venue for the America's Cup might be," said Gov. Neil Abercombie.

"I will certainly do my best to see Hawaii is favorably considered."

Sailing enthusiasts say an international race here could be a huge windfall for the state.

www.hawaiinewsnow.com

Dalton Says Skipper Knew About Decision But Was Ambushed In TV3 Interview
Team New Zealand say crew members were consulted about the decision to take a lay-day at a crucial time during last year's failed America's Cup campaign.

The comments follow skipper Dean Barker telling TV3's Paul Henry Show on Tuesday that he was not consulted over agreeing to a lay-day when Team NZ held a 7-1 lead.

The Kiwis won only one more race after the lay-day and blew an 8-1 lead, Oracle Team USA winning 9-8.

Barker also said a faction on the boat did not want Dalton as part of the sailing team, but there was no way to raise these concerns with the team's directors.

A Team NZ representative said there was consultation with the team about the lay day.

"It wasn't sitting around the boardroom table or anything, but [Dalton] had conversations with the sailors and shore team. Grant assembled the facts and made a decision and nobody dissented."

Dalton, who is in Russia to secure European sponsors for the next America's Cup, yesterday told Newstalk ZB that he thought Barker had been ambushed by the interview.

www.nzherald.co.nz/americas-cup/

Technical Designer - Temporary Position - Nasa Michoud Assembly Facility, New Orleans LA USA
The successful candidate will be responsible for creating, managing and maintaining CAD models of wind turbine blades, subcomponents and manufacturing drawings.

Basic qualifications
- Industry experience using two-dimensional CAD software (e.g. AutoCAD) is a must.
- Understanding of drawing standards and methods (e.g., orthographic projection, descriptive geometry, layout, geometric dimensioning & tolerancing, coordinate systems, etc.).
- Drawing management systems and design for manufacture experience are required.
- Associates or Certificate program with a drafting focus or bachelor's degree in engineering.

Knowledge in one or more of the following areas will be considered as a plus,
- Previous experience drafting composite structures and lay-up drawings.
- Tool, mold and jig design in the wind energy, marine or aerospace.
- 3D CAD (e.g. Solidworks, CATIA, etc.)

The role will require continuous interaction with the structural and manufacturing teams. Thus, this is a great opportunity to be part of an exciting company and to make a significant difference to wind turbine technology.

This is a temporary for an initial duration of six months approximately, but it might lead into a permanent position in the future.

Applicants must be able to provide documentation used to determine their eligibility to work in the United States.

If you would like to be a member of the Blade Dynamics Team, please submit your resume, covering letter and salary requirements to: making sure 'Technical Designer' is the subject line of your email.

bladedynamics.com

Nespresso Youth International Match Racing Championships
The waters of the Waitemata Harbour will see action from the world's best sailors this week. Eleven teams of talented youth sailor's line up for the NESPRESSO Youth International Match Racing Championships 2014 at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.

Today's weather conditions of at 15 - 20 knot south-westerly is expected for the duration of the event.

The event enjoys a strong link to the 34th America's Cup in San Francisco. Race Officer Harold Bennett comes to this event fresh from his role as On-Water Operations Manager and Assistant Race Officer for the last Cup.

Ryan Davidson, the highest ranked skipper in the event from Balboa Yacht Club (#67 on the ISAF World Match Racing Rankings), comes fresh from a successful year with a win in the Kintec Summer Match Race Regatta Canada and Chicago Match Racing Centre Grade 3 Spring Invitational; the latter granting him automatic entry to the Chicago Match Cup Qualifier, the only US stop on the Alpari World Match Racing Tour.

The highest ranked skipper of the two Squadron teams and 4th year member of the Squadron's Lion Foundation Youth Training Programme, Rawiri Geddes, was on last year's winning crew; however this will be his first time helming at this event.

This is the fourth time the event will be sailed in the Squadron's fleet of 10 Elliott 7 metre yachts used by the Youth Training Programme.

www.rnyzs.org.nz
www.facebook.com/RNZYS

Ensuring The Safety Of Irish Sailors At Rio
The Olympic Council of Ireland have responded to concerns raised about the water quality at the sailing venue for Rio 2016 by saying they are unaware of dangerous levels of pollution but will work to ensure the safety of Irish sailors.

Athletes, who have been to training camps in and around the Olympic course, have described water that was heavily contaminated with sewage and believe it is a health risk.

In a statement released to The Irish Times yesterday, the OCI said they will address the Irish sailors' concerns. "The Irish Sailing High Performance Team did not consult with the Olympic Council of Ireland on this matter so the OCI would need to ascertain the full extent of their concerns.

"However the president of the OCI, Pat Hickey, who is a member of the International Olympic Committee's, Rio 2016 Coordination Commission has not heard of this level of pollution.

"If there is any supporting evidence from the Irish Sailing Association we will ensure that the IOC Coordination Commission and the Rio 2016 Organising Committee and the International Sailing Federation and appropriate stakeholders review it within their due processes."

www.irishtimes.com/sport/

Joe Glanfield Announces Retirement
Double Olympic silver-medal winning sailor Joe Glanfield will not go for gold in Rio 2016 after announcing his retirement from the sport.

The 34-year-old won silver at successive Games in Athens and Beijing and returned to the double-handed 470 class in 2013 after a four-year break.

He had teamed up with London 2012 silver medallist Luke Patience in a bid to claim a first-ever British Olympic gold in the class at Rio 2016.

But despite a successful first year, including European Championship silver, fifth-place at their first World Championships together and podium finishes at three other World Cup and international regattas, Glanfield has opted to call time on his career.

The father of five will instead focus on his family as well as maintaining his interest in the sport through coaching.

uk.eurosport.yahoo.com

David Rockefeller, Jr. Named 2013 Yachtworld Hero
Dominion Marine Media, the division of Dominion Enterprises that operates YachtWorld, Boat Trader and boats.com, today announced its selection of David Rockefeller, Jr. as 2013 YachtWorld Hero.

Now in its third year, the YachtWorld Heroes initiative from Dominion Marine Media recognizes individuals and their organizations that have leveraged their love and respect for our oceans, rivers, lakes and streams into a higher consciousness among boaters and the general public.

David Rockefeller, Jr. was voted 2013 YachtWorld Hero from among five finalists by an independent group of boating journalists and marine industry members. He received his award at the opening of the Miami International Boat Show in Miami Beach.

Rockefeller was cited particularly for his founding and leadership of the ocean conservation non-profit, Sailors for the Sea. As a passionate sailor and lifelong friend of the environment, he set out in 2004 to create an organization that could speak with one voice for sailors' interests in protecting the ocean. Since then, Rockefeller has helped Sailors for the Sea find meaningful ways to take on the challenges that increasingly put marine life and coastal environments at risk. -- James Nolan

YachtWorldHeroes.com

Jimmy Cornell Starts New Rally
Ocean legend Jimmy Cornell has launched a new rally aimed at sailors heading from the Caribbean to the South Pacific. Starting in Martinique on 11 January 2015, the boats will head across the Caribbean Sea to the San Blas Islands. One week will be spent among the islands of this archipelago, home to the Guna community. Preparations for the transit of the Panama Canal will be completed at Shelter Bay Marina, a well-equipped facility with a boatyard, hoist and range of repair shops.

As docking or mooring facilities for visiting cruising boats are very limited on the Pacific side, Shelter Bay is a convenient place to prepare the boat and crew for the onward passage to the Galapagos Islands. This will start immediately on completion of the Panama Canal transit. The Galapagos landfall will be at Baquerizo Moreno on the island of San Cristobal. The fleet will be based there for a few days before sailing over to Puerto Ayora, the main settlement and touristic hub of the archipelago. Day excursions to the some of the islands of this world renowned nature reserve will be organised from one of those two ports.

A 3000 mile long passage will then take the boats to the Marquesas, with landfall at Atuona on the island of Hiva Oa. This scenic outpost of French Polynesia will be a suitable finale for this Pacific odyssey.

The boats sailing in the inaugural Pacific Odyssey in 2015 will leave Martinique in the company of the Blue Planet Odyssey fleet as it continues on its route around the world. The Pacific Odyssey will be an annual event, and will take place each year, independently of the Blue Planet Odyssey.

The Pacific Odyssey is organized by Jimmy Cornell's company Cornell Sailing Events. Anyone interested in joining the Pacific Odyssey should send an email to

www.yachtingmonthly.com

Penzance Around Scilly And Back
This annual race has been running since 1978 and is now made up of three legs held over the last full weekend in July, providing exciting sailing and the opportunity to relax and socialise in the beautiful Isles of Scilly.

In 2014 PASAB will be run between 25th and 28th July in three legs:

Leg 1: Penzance to St Mary's, Isles of Scilly - Friday 25th July
Leg 2: Around the Islands - Sunday 27th July
Leg 3: St Mary's, Isles of Scilly to Penzance - Monday 28th July

Organisers aim for the event to be a competitive yet fun event with a free day on the 26th July to explore the Isles of Scilly.

There are classes and prizes under Byron, IRC and MOCRA as well as the 'Petit Bateau' trophy for the first double handed competitor. Both Monohulls and Multihulls welcome.

Further details are available from www.pzsc.org.uk/pasab or by email to which will connect with the organising committee.

Featured Brokerage
2008 King 40. GBP 240, 000. Located in Hamble, United Kingdom.

Any sensible offers will be considered. Tokoloshe has been campaigned by the same owner since new and has had no expense spared in order to keep her competitive and looking good.

All sails by North. 3dl, 3di and panelled delivery sails.
34 sails in total including 2012 and 2013 sails.
Re faired and re painted 2010.
New deck paint 2013

Spare rudder, spinnaker pole and much more.

This yacht is very well equipped and prepared and is ready to sail.

Brokerage by Blue Marine Yachting: bluemarineyachting.com

Contact:
David Bartholomew
0778 086 0134

Complete details

See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/

The Last Word
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Editorial and letter submissions to

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