Scuttlebutt Europe #2092 - 14 May
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Brought to you by Boats.com Europe, Yachtworld.com Europe, Scuttlebutt Europe is a digest of sailing news and opinions, regatta results, new boat and gear information and letters from sailors -- with a European emphasis. Contributions welcome, send to Jorg Riechers Wins Mini Pavois Protos
Second leg classification: 2010 Mini Pavois provisional overall classification: Follow the race on minipavois2010-uk.blogspot.com Teamorigin 1851 and Puerto Calero Lead the Portugal Trophy Cascais
In a thrilling finish to the second race of the day, when the TP52 Series' pair of four times Olympic medallists, Jochen Schuemann (GER) steering Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER) and Ben Ainslie (GBR) steering TeamOrigin 1851 (GBR) duelled down the closing minutes of a fast, full throttle final run, it was the German boat which just pipped the British crew by only one second. Added to their fourth place in the first race, Circuit newcomers TeamOrigin's consistency was the result of smart tactical sailing in the puffy, and shifty NW'ly winds. In the first race the breeze averaged around 10-14 knots, but the second TP52 contest enjoyed the strongest winds of the regatta so far with gusts to 22-23 knots producing fast and exciting downwind sailing. Photo by Max Ranchi, www.maxranchi.com. Click on image for photo gallery.
The lack of participation in yesterday's practice race did not seem to hurt the young Canarias team on Puerto Calero (ESP), as they sailed cleanly into the lead in the season's first two races for the GP42 Series. The 2009 GP42 Series champions displayed their characteristic strategy, staying out of trouble but sailing fast to help them take and then maintain their leads in both races. TP52 Series Overall - Day 2 GP42 Series Overall - Day 1 Melges 24 "Nava" Top Corinithian at Italian Nationals Ullman Sails - Dedicated to your performance on the water for over 40 years. Lies, Damn Lies, And PR Spin I stand in awe at the achievement of Jessica Watson. That one so young has had the fortitude to withstand the elements of the oceans alone and unaided for the 200 plus-day duration of a voyage through some of the most hostile waters on the planet, should be more than enough to warrant our appreciation of her seamanship and raw guts. This is no easy voyage. It is one whose demands would leave the majority of us carefully looking the other way and making excuses as we exited stage left. It has been a truly wondrous performance by this Australian teenager, who will sail into Sydney Harbour to complete her loop. It has been a sailing performance par excellence, one of which she can be justifiably proud and we should applaud it for what it is, and not for what it is not. It might seem at this time of rejoicing, harsh to point out that Jessica has not sailed a course that is approved by the World Sailing Speed Record Council, the international body that approves world records, as it did in the case of Jesse Martin. Rules must be observed in sporting challenges and there are few greater than the circumnavigation of the globe under sail, let alone as an unaided single-hander. Jesse did and sailed more than the required 21,600 miles, but, under the WSSR rules, Jessica has not. She cannot therefore claim to have beaten Jesse's record, as her publicist insists. There never has been a better example of the vast difference between fact and public relations perspective than this. It is an almost unfathomable chasm. On the one hand, the facts are indisputable, while on the other those facts interfere with the public relations objective. Distortion is the name of the game, and all in pursuit of large swathes of cash. There are concerns that truth is being sacrificed on the altar of Mammon by the actions of Andrew Fraser of 5 Oceans Media. One outstanding example is that while there is extensive questioning of the performance claims across the broad spectrum of the media, there is a total absence of these from any of News Limited's outlets - print or television - perhaps because the Murdoch empire has a reported A$700,000 investment in her exclusive story. The indisputable facts that have been carefully calculated would indicate that all the requirements of a genuine round-the-world record passage have NOT been met. Bob's full article at Phoenicia Expedition It has been almost 4 weeks at sea since the team left the Ascension Islands and Phoenicia still has a very long way to go to reach the Azores. This leg will cover some 3500 nautical miles - the longest leg of the expedition. It will be a challenging test to battle against the doldrums and unfavorable winds with many followers debating whether the Phoenicians could have made it to the Azores in circa 600 BC. Meanwhile the crew have prepared themselves to spend upto 60 days and nights at sea for the longest, and potentially most challenging, leg. Just as things were getting a little predictable and boring along comes a whale shark to brighten things up! It was a really incredible moment to see this massive blundering fish, which lives on plankton, approach Phoenicia,. We estimate it was about 6 meters long and nearly two meters wide at its head. It looked rather ugly and just as one imagines a sea monster. It came alongside the ship very slowly and touched our starboard rudder and then circles the ship several times. Several of the crew got into the sea with goggles to get a better view of this amazing creature. The first photo shows it alongside our safety rope and the other, is a close up of its head with various pilot fish around it. The visit lasted about 45 minutes, until it rubbed on our port rudder and then swam underneath the ship, at which point we thought better of encouraging it rub against us any more. Putting on the diesel generator seemed to cause the end of its interest in us which was something of a relief for the skipper. www.phoenicia.org.uk/index.htm Lobert Wins Only Race on Third Day at Finn Europeans
Racing was postponed on shore again as first the wind died and then the rain came. That cleared and the sun came out and everything began to heat up. At about 13.00 the race officer sent the fleet out in hardly any wind, but by the time race two was started at 14.45, a stable 6-7 knot breeze was in. The course was laid to the north of the club alongside some stunning scenery and for the first time this week, the cloud lifted to the hills behind Split to leave a spectacular backdrop to the racing. The start of race three was attempted almost straight away, but it took three sequences before the fleet got away under black flag. This time the left side paid off with more pressure as the wind started to drop across the course. Mark Andrews (GBR) led the fleet round the top mark, but it was short lived as the race was abandoned 10 minutes later as the wind failed and lots of boats who had over stood the windward mark struggled to get back against the current. Gasper Vincec (SLO), who had rounded second, had waited all day to sail as he had to sit out race two after picking up a black flag yesterday. So it was a long day for some and only one more race on the board. There are just two more scheduled days of fleet racing left, though we need to sail four to make a series and five to sail a medal race, which is scheduled for Sunday. Three races are scheduled for Friday from 11.00 Top 10 after two races 1. Peer Moberg, NOR, 15 jklabud.hr/finn-europeans-2010 Green Light for the Normandy Channel Race The Bassin Saint-Pierre in the very heart of the city of Caen was positively buzzing as the offshore racers, registered for the Normandy Channel Race, pulled up alongside today. They now have four days to prepare themselves, make any last minute adjustments, organise the victualling and study the weather. On Saturday they will have a full-scale training session in the form of a prologue, just offshore of Hermanville, which will be the final chance to check their boats and their coordination in double-handed format. The village for this international race dedicated to the Class 40 is now open until Sunday, for the great delight of spectators and passers-by, with 20 exhibitors playing host to the general public. -- translated by Kate Jennings Yachtworld Magazine Available in two formats: - Digital. Providing an electronic/digital version of the magazine that gives you additional powerful interactive features such as video clips, archiving, highlight notes etc - Print. For those of us who love and cherish the experience of a quality printed magazine, Yachtworld Magazine, delivered free of charge to your door, will be a magazine you will find essential for your buying or selling needs. Richard Langdon Teams Up With Getty Images
In the 22 years since establishing his Ocean Images photography brand, Richard has covered three Olympic Games and countless World Championship events and high profile ocean races. His prestigious client list includes Skandia Team GBR - the British sailing team, the Dutch sailing team, Volvo sailing and Dubois Naval Architects amongst others. Richard also works with leading boat manufacturers in producing brochures as well as collaborating on features for top glossy sailing magazines. With Getty Images' unrivalled access to the world's leading publishing outlets, whether magazines, newspapers or online, Richard's photographs will be at the fingertips of some of the most influential and powerful editors in the global media. A lifelong sailor himself Richard, who is based in Poole in Dorset, is always pushing the boundaries to best capture the sport he loves and has pioneered a number of innovative sailing photography techniques including mast head shots and swimming by the mark, camera in hand. For more information about Richard Langdon and Ocean Images visit Hugo Boss In The Water
The radical redesign has been created under the guidance of renowned boat designer Juan Kouyoumdjian, who has worked closely with Thomson to optimise the ease of use and to allow him to compete at the highest possible level. The most notable change is the two PODS (Oceanic Defence Systems) which replace the old single cockpit and gives the boat a unique new look. In addition, the PODS add significantly improved usage features that are designed to improve the capability and usability of the boat in a number of areas. The launch marks the next phase of Alex Thomson's campaign which will see him spend some time getting to know the new boat in the Solent before embarking on a transatlantic crossing to New York. The crossing will give Thomson his first real chance to test the limits of HUGO BOSS. Thomson will now undergo a rigorous training schedule which will involve both the transatlantic crossing and a Mediterranean sailing programme before heading to Spain for the start of the Barcelona World Race in December. Melges 32 Euros Are On Although not part of the famed 2010 Audi Sailing Series, the event promises great excitement with European Series leaders Lanfranco Cirillo and tactician Michele Paoletti on Fantastica, Luca Lalli and tactician Lorenzo Bressani on B.LinSailing.com and Carlo Alberini and tactician Gabriele Benussi on Calvi Network all in attendance. Adding true international flair to the regatta is 2010 Miami Grand Prix Champion Jean Francois Cruette on Teasing Machine. Cruette, a veteran Melges sailor, held off the likes of 23 high-powered teams to win, stating that his Corinthian Melges 24 World Champion accomplishments have served him well in the Melges 32, ultimately making him stronger and certainly far more focused about racing. From the USA, reigning 2010 Key West Race Week Champion John Kilroy on his legendary Samba Pa Ti is in attendance with Stu Bannatyne on tactics, as is Joe Woods with tactician Paul Goodison on Red. Goodison joined the team last December at the 2009 Gold Cup in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. and they have been getting stronger and stronger since. His second place finish behind Kilroy in Key West brought great reward, as he currently leads the 2010 USA Sailing Series points standing. Short Tacks dl.dropbox.com/u/1438024/ELLIOTT.mp4 If you view the Olympic Boat Christening you see Mary Henderson drinking champagne and asking for a cigar. That was her jibe at the media/IOC for making an issue of our wonderful Canadian Women's Hockey Team enjoying their Gold Medal Victory with similar usage. Well done to all our athletes!! -- Paul Henderson * In the latest edition of the Volvo Ocean Race Podcast, we speak to triple Volvo Ocean Race winners Brad Jackson and Stu Bannatyne as they sign up for the next race with Puma and Camper - Stu also chats about his Melges 32 campaign with the US's Samba Pa Ti. We also hear from Russell Coutts as he outlines BMW Oracle's plans for America's Cup 34 - we talk about that and TP52s with Matt Sheahan. www.volvooceanrace.com/multimedia/ * Foxy's 36th Annual Wooden Boat Regatta - May 28-30, Jost Van Dyke, BVIs A real regatta means old boats, like they used to make 'em. Foxy's and the West End Yacht Club have been doing this gig for well over 30 years - 36 to be exact. And this year, we've added a new Classic Race for fiberglass boats over thirty years old. Back in 1974, Foxy and some friends decided wooden boats should have a chance to race. The first year there were only seven boats, but as word traveled, sailors from all over the seven seas flocked to participate. As the wooden boat era is slowly diminishing, Foxy and friends have decided to keep the legacy going; so they are revising the rules to allow some of the first fiberglass boats to compete in a Classic Race. Fiberglass boats over thirty years old qualify. This first Classic Race should be, no pun on words, a "classic." www.foxysbar.com/woodenRegatta.html * Hundreds of people from all over the world entered the competition to spend a day with Chris Draper and Pete Greenhalgh for the ride of their life on a 49er and the winner is 13 year old, Adam Greaves from Portland, Dorset. 
"It sounds awesome, really sounds like fun and I would like to say thank you to Chris and Pete for allowing me to go out with them." Said Adam Greaves when he found out he had been chosen. "It was really nice to get so many people interested in what we are doing, it gives us a great feeling of encouragement." Said Chris Draper. "I was especially keen on choosing Adam as he got into sailing through the 'Sail for a Fiver' project at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy. The Chesil Trust charity, Sail Laser and WPNSA have teamed up to offer local schools the chance to send kids to the academy and I am a big fan and a patron of the project and Adam is a great example of what 'Sail for a Fiver' has achieved." -- www.teamdrapergreenhalgh.co.uk Featured Brokerage The most complete X-55 on the market for whoever wants to start their ocean cruise or circumnavigation, but nevertheless just as suited for smaller sailing trips! This X-55 is extensively equiped for speed, safety and comfort. A lot of effort and research has been put into equipping her, selecting her options and accessories for world cruising. She is offered for 40% less than buying a new, similarly equipped X-55. Essentially you would buy a perfectly equipped yacht for the same price as a new X-55 without any options (over € 450.000,-- of options fitted on this yacht). She comes with a new set (500 miles only) of North Carbon Kevlar cruising 3DL sails and new alcantara upholstery inside. Boat is in mint condition, currently stored inside just 20 minutes from Amsterdam. Trade-in of a 40'-46' performance cruiser would be seriously considered. Brokerage through X-Yachts Holland BV: www.yachtworld.com/x-yachtsholland/ Complete listing details and seller contact information at uk.yachtworld.com/core/ The Last Word |
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