French America's Cup Skipper Franck Cammas Has Foot 'Partially Severed'
French America's Cup skipper Franck Cammas has had his right foot "partially severed" after he was run over by the rudder of his foiling catamaran after falling overboard.

The accident happened as Team France began a training block in Quiberon Bay, Brittany.

They were using two GC32 catamarans with Cammas in charge of one.

According to French newspaper Le Telegramme, Cammas suffered an open fracture at the bottom of the right tibia, leaving the foot "partially severed", from the accident.

Cammas fell overboard and was run over by the rudder of the boat while it was foiling at speed, his team reports. His right leg was badly injured.

The newspaper said Cammas was quickly recovered by a support boat and taken to shore, where he was airlifted by helicopter to Nantes hospital.

He was facing surgery. -- Duncan Johnstone

www.stuff.co.nz/sport/

Artemis Racing Wins In Virgin Gorda As Team Nika Clinches 2015 RC44 Title
Artemis Racing today won the fleet racing at the RC44 Virgin Gorda Cup, with a four point margin over Peninsula Petroleum, having led from the outset of the four day regatta. But while this was close, the outcome of the 2015 RC44 Fleet Racing Championship was closer, only decided in the last seconds of the final race, followed by some intense mathematics and the breaking of a tie.

Torbjorn Tornqvist's Swedish team put in a late charge this season, posting four bullets this week to achieve their first RC44 victory since the Austria Cup in 2012.

The 2015 Fleet Racing season for the one design 44 footers became a two horse race between Vladimir Prosikhin's Team Nika and Vladimir Liubomirov's Bronenosec Sailing Team. The two teams had either won or come second in the two previous events and, in the championship, Team Nika was one slender one point ahead of her rival going into the RC44 Virgin Gorda Cup.

Ultimately Team Aqua and MAG Racing came home first and second respectively, but, importantly, Peninsula Petroleum was third, meaning she retained second in the regatta with Bronenosec Sailing Team and Team Nika still third and fourth.

On the championship leaderboard this left this Bronenosec Sailing Team and Team Nika tied at the top, but with Team Nika claiming the title - the tie split through her having scored a better result at the RC44 Cascais World Championship.

The 2016 RC44 Championship Tour will be announced imminently, but will start in Bermuda and, for the first time, will visit the UK.

Full results: www.rc44.com/results/fleet-racing/2015

Ranger To Rainbow: The J Class Yachts
Ranger To Rainbow: The J Class Yachts A perfect Christmas present and a good read. The book 'Ranger to Rainbow' covers the rebirth of the J Class from the late 1990s and includes a short history of these iconic yachts from their origins in the 1930s. It offers an insight into the enormous task of delivering these monster yachts across oceans to the many regattas around the world and racing them.

The book is packed with many technical and sailing images, and covers the build and launch of five new replicas, the technical developments, the crewing and the Class Association.

132 pages A4 packed with colour images.
"What a wonderful account of the past 15 years in the class and how great to have it written by the one who was on board and on the inside of it all. I read it in one go!"

More details at: www.rangertorainbow.co.uk and also available from leading bookshops and Amazon.
ISBN 978-0-9576156-2-5

Hamburg Says No To 2024 Olympics And Paralympics Bid
The citizens of Hamburg have killed the city's bid for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, voting 51.6 per cent against the €11.2 billion (£8.2 billion/$12.5 billion) project in a referendum.

The result, leaving just four cities - Budapest, Los Angeles, Paris and Rome - in the race for the biggest prize in world sport deals a heavy blow to the Olympic Movement, which had hoped that the German poll would snap a losing streak that has seen a long line of cities, including Munich, turn their backs in one way or another on the chance of hosting an Olympic Games.

The outcome makes it hard to see how the Games can be staged in the country of current International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach for the foreseeable future, with the IOC even admitting how the result was "not a complete surprise".

It also diminishes the 2024 field at an unfortunately early point in proceedings and may well lead to increased pressure for the other candidate-cities to hold referenda themselves.

www.insidethegames.biz

SSL Finals 2015
Racing will start on December 2nd for the Star Sailors League Finals in Nassau, Bahamas. For the third year in a row, some of the best sailors in the world will compete for the 2015 title and prize money of 200,000$ in the clear blue waters in front of Nassau Yacht Club.

As always the quality of athletes competing is astounding, ten of the teams are here as top ranked Star sailors, based on the Star Class regattas held in 2015 around the world, and the remaining ten are VIPs from the world of sailing.

SSL has developed a new racing format, in collaboration with some of the most experienced and skilled sailors of the world. The introduction of a knockout system inspired by the "play-offs" helps to increase the pressure and ends in the ultimate climax, a "winner-takes-all" Final.

The regatta will start with the Opening Ceremony held at the Nassau Yacht Club on Tuesday December the 1st and on Wednesday morning the 20 teams will leave the docks and head to the racecourse.

The top 11 teams qualify for the Final Day on Saturday December 5th, which will be raced in a knock-out format.

finals.starsailors.com

RS Aero Gains World Sailing Class Status
18 months after its initial launch, the RS Aero Class has qualified for 'World Sailing (ISAF) Class Status' following the World Sailing November conference held in China.

The announcement comes after a year that has seen RS Aeros sailed in 41 nations, the 793rd boat leave RS Sailing HQ for delivery, National championships held in the UK & North America and the introduction of the RS Aero International racing circuit. The first ever RS Aerocup that took place only last month was hotly attended by 9 nations for a sunny long weekend in Barcelona. With separate starts for the 5, 7 and 9 rigs, the event saw a different nation topping the leader board in each fleet; Estonia, Norway and Great Britain respectively.

The full schedule of fixtures around the world will be made available as they're finalised at www.rsaerosailing.org

Crewsaver Launches State Of The Art 'high Impact¹ Buoyancy Aid, Designed Exclusively With Artemis Racing
WHAT The state-of-the-art Crewsaver 'High Impact' buoyancy aid represents a revolution in personal safety equipment. The 'High Impact' is a Crewsaver branded version of one of the two buoyancy aids that Crewsaver designed exclusively for the Artemis Racing team after it was selected to be their official Safety Partner for the 35th America¹s Cup.

Through the partnership with Artemis Racing, Crewsaver was able to develop this innovative buoyancy aid and then make the same technology available to the consumer, giving everybody the opportunity to benefit from the same advanced safety and performance technology as an America¹s Cup sailor.

Among the many new features of this buoyancy aid is the motorcycle grade body armour, with level one impact protection. This unique feature is a first within the marine industry. The buoyancy aid also has the facility for a chest mounted spare air canister, positioned to allow for hands-free use. Other features include a readily accessible integrated line cutter and a rear pocket for storage of a hydration pack.

Alongside high tech safety features, the buoyancy aid has also been developed for comfort. The minimalist anti-snag cover features stretch mesh shoulders and side panels giving the product a sleek silhouette, while spacer mesh lining keeps the user cool. This 50N buoyancy aid is 3D moulded with superlight foam featuring discreet side adjustment that cinches in to eliminate ride up and ensure the best fit and comfort level. The Crewsaver 'High Impact' Buoyancy Aid will be available in shops from May 2016.

www.crewsaver.com

Khaleesi and Justadash In Winners Circle At SSORC
Following the conclusion of racing, Andrew and Pauline Dally's DK46 and Phil Dash's JustADash have claimed the major trophies at the 38th Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship (SSORC), hosted by Middle Harbour Yacht Club.

In one of the closest series, Khaleesi finished one point better than her stablemate and fellow MHYC member, Nine Dragons, owned by Bob Cox, taking the Division 1 spoils courtesy of winning Race 2, a windward/leeward course, which kick-started racing today.

One of the last three major offshore events prior to the Rolex Sydney Hobart, Andrew Dally said today's first race was extremely tough.

"The seaway was horrendous - very lumpy - it's hard helming when it's like that. That being said, we had a good 10-15 knot north-easterly and the racing between us and Nine Dragons could not have been closer," Dally said.

Bob Steel's new Mat 1180, Quest, was third, and Dally said Khaleesi and Nine Dragons continually pushing each other at regattas helped him overcome challenges from Steel's boat.

"They are so quick on the reach. It's like we're standing still as they rocket past. We really had to make up time upwind, which meant correct sail selection and fluid crew work."

This is only the second time Khaleesi has beaten Nine Dragons at a major event. She won the CYCA Trophy in December last year, with Nine Dragons fourth and now the SSORC on home turf. -- Di Pearson

www.ssorc.mhyc.com.au

Imperia Winter Regatta 2015
From 4th to 8th December Imperia will be again a temple of sailing being the venue for the most important winter sailing race in the Mediterranean, with 13 Nations already represented and nearly 200 crews at today entries update.

IWR is now at the 26th edition and is popular among Sailor from all the World as the most interesting winter event in the Mediterranean, also this year the Race Course will be in front of the town. The time of the year is favorable for both who considers IWR as the end of the season (especially for 470 classes, being one of the last races giving point for the World Sailing ISAF Ranking) and who considers it the first race of the new season (for the 420 classes it's the very first opportunity to compete in a top-level race after the fall break).

The event is open to 420 classes (Open and Female) and to 470 Classes (Men and Women).

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Imperia-Winter-Regatta/

www.ycim.it

Key West 2016: Enter Today And Save
After today, entry fees go up another $4/foot for the 2016 edition of Quantum Key West Race Week. Already 131 teams from 13 countries are signed up among 13 classes racing in this classic midwinter event, hosted by the Storm Trysail Club and held over 17-22 January, 2016.

Find out more at keywestraceweek.com

For The Record
The WSSR Council announces the establishment of a new World Record

Record: Women's Windsurfer/10sq m Class
Venue: Luderitz. NAM
Name: Karin Jaggi SUI
Equipment: Patrik Board 37 Custom. Loft Sail 5 sq m
Dates: 2nd November 2015
Course length: 501m
Current: Nil
Start time: 13;04;06.94
Finish time: 13;04;27.97
Elapsed time: 21;03
Speed: 46.31 kts

Comments: Previous record: Zara Davis. GBR. 2012. Luderitz. NAM 45.83

John Reed
Secretary to the WSSR Council

Galway Sailors To Honour Memory Of Stephen Ackland With Trust Fund
The sailors of Galway and from further afield will be gathering at the Harbour Hotel in Galway City this Wednesday (December 2nd) at 8.0pm to inaugurate a Trust Fund in memory of Stephen Ackland (1973-2015), whose sudden death in Galway Docks on Thursday July 30th shocked and saddened his many friends.

These numerous friends were to be found both on the West Coast - where he ran the chandlery Galway Maritime in the heart of the city - and in Dun Laoghaire, where he was a popular participant in Dublin Bay SC events.

On both coasts, he was known to everyone as "Acky", and his expertise in everything to do with boats and their equipment was highly regarded. Leading Galway sailor John Killeen of Volvo Ocean Race fame - a friend of Acky's since he settled in Ireland from his original base on the River Hamble in the south of England - has been persuaded to delve into his many international sailing memories and his huge collection of nautical images to put together a night of fast-moving reminiscences to provide entertainment to match the many fond memories left behind by Stephen Ackland.

Admission will be €10, and additional contributions towards the Stephen Ackland Memorial Trust Fund will of course be very welcome.

afloat.ie/port-news/

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 Jonathan Crinion: Regarding life jackets and tethers. I would rather be able to easily release myself completely from my either my tether or my life jacket if the choice is between drowning or swimming for a bit. I have a double short/long tether with a snap shackle at the life jacket end (West Marine) and I chose a life jacket (Crewsaver Ergofit 190 CS) with a quick release clip for exactly that reason. Most tethers appear to have non releasable clips under pressure and I challenge anyone to release the interlocking metal plate fastener design on life jackets, under pressure. I believe the idea proposed by some makers - that you carry a small cutter that you may or may not have at hand to cut your way out of the jacket, also needs to be seriously challenged in a dragging condition at speed.

(Please note West Marine recalled some of the snap shackle ended tethers because the split ring through the pin was elongating when pulled. With a proper ring or dynema attachment it releases perfectly under pressure when needed.)

* From Laurence Mead : It is intriguing to see the debate about deck safety vests (harnesses to you and me / letter from John Waugh) being a danger to the wearer if the circumstances mean that the wearer ends up in the water and is towed face forward. I am delighted to be able to tell Butch Dalrymple Smith, who suggests a back towing system, that exactly such a design exists and we hope to have it approved through the testing process in early Spring 2016. The TeamO "Back Tow" harness was conceived three years ago by well known solo sailor Oscar Mead after the tragic death of Christopher Redditch. It has taken time to complete development and there is still the final stages of test approval to be secured but with an integrated manual release system (no knife needed!) the TeamO product immediately switches from a standard, totally secure front loading deck safety vest to a back towing system when activated by the wearer in the water.

As a deck and safety vest it complies with all appropriate test standards and is worn exactly like a traditional harness. In the water, after manual release it could literally be the difference between life and death. Although the website needs updating  (developing the product has been all consuming!) the basic principles are laid out at www.teamomarine.com  In addition Practical Boat Owner did some in water tests with an early prototype and the dramatic improvement in the chances of survival when being towed backwards in the water are shown on their video on the link below. 

Featured Brokerage: Extreme 40 Racing Catamaran Marstrom Composites 2009
Extreme 40 Fleet for Sale

Length: 40'
Hull Material: Composite
Current Price: On application

With the Extreme Sailing Series™ adopting a new boat for 2016, there is a unique opportunity to purchase a fleet of up to 10 Extreme 40 catamarans as a set, or individually, that are priced to sell.

Superfast, exciting to sail and to watch, the Extreme 40 catamaran was developed by TornadoSport in 2005 to bring sailing to the public on short courses in stadium settings.

Built in carbon-fibre, these "flying machines" are 40ft long and have a beam of 23ft. They have a top speed of around 40 knots. Complete with sails, shipping container, with spares and road container negotiable, these well-maintained boats could offer excellent corporate entertainment or activation around another race campaign.

Available from mid-December to ship from Europe/Australia/GCC.

Please contact

www.ocsport.com

The Last Word
Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one's own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others. -- John F. Kennedy

Editorial and letter submissions to

Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: or see www.scuttlebutteurope.com/advertise.html

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