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Champions Decided After Close Medal Race
Palma, Mallorca, Spain: A display of superb counter-attacking tactics as teams pushed each other around the track in a final bid for 470 European Championship leader board dominance on the Bay of Palma.

Close and compact racing was the order of the day, as battle commenced in a breeze of 7-10 knots.

Victories at the 470 Open European Championship were claimed by Mat Belcher/Will Ryan (AUS) in the 470 Men and Lara Vadlau/Jola Ogar (AUT).

Vadlau/Ogar also wrap up the women's gold medals in the 470 European Championship, open to European nations only, with Sofian Bouvet/Jeremie Mion (FRA) breaking away to win the medal race and claim gold in the men's 470 European Championship.

470 Men European Championship Medallists
Gold - Sofian Bouvet/Jeremie Mion, FRA
Silver - Sime Fantela/Igor Marenic, CRO
Bronze - Simon Sivitz Kosuta/Jas Farneti, ITA

470 Men - Top Ten Overall
1. Mathew Belcher/Will Ryan, AUS, 51 points
2. Sofian Bouvet/Jeremie Mion, FRA, 67
3. Stu Mcnay/Dave Hughes, USA, 71
4. Sime Fantela/Igor Marenic, CRO, 71
5. Lucas Calabrese/Juan De La Fuente, ARG, 76
6. Simon Sivitz Kosuta/Jas Farneti, ITA, 80
7. Anton Dahlberg/Fredrik Bergstrom, SWE, 86
8. David Bargehr/Lukas Mahr, AUT, 93
9. Yannick Brauchli/Romuald Hausser, SUI, 113
10. Jordi Xammar/Joan Herp, ESP, 120

470 Women European Championship Medallists
Gold - Lara Vadlau/Jolanta Ogar, AUT
Silver - Afrodite Kyranakou/Anneloes Van Veen, NED
Bronze - Tina Mrak/Veronika Macarol, SLO

470 Women - Top Ten Overall
1. Lara Vadlau/Jolanta Ogar, AUT, 35 points
2. Afrodite Kyranakou/Anneloes Van Veen, NED, 58
3. Fernanda Oliveira/Ana Barbachan, BRA, 67
4. Annie Haeger/Briana Provancha, USA, 77
5. Ai Kondo Yoshida/Miho Yoshioka, JPN, 83
6. Tina Mrak/Veronika Macarol, SLO, 85
7. Agnieszka Skrzypulec/Irmina Mrozek Gliszczynska, POL, 94
8. Carrie Smith/Jaime Ryan, AUS, 97
9. Camille Lecointre/Helene Defrance, FRA, 101
9. Xiaoli Wang/Lizhu Huang, CHN, 106

Full results: 2016europeans.470.org/en/default/races/race-resultsall

ISAF World Match Race Rankings
There is no change at the top of the Open and Women's World Sailing Match Racing Rankings with Ian Williams (GBR) and Camilla Ulrikkeholm (DEN) holding firm. Open Rankings

Even though he had a disastrous Congressional Cup, Great Britain's Ian Williams (GBR) retains World #1 in the Open Rankings. Williams, one of the finest match racers of all time, couldn't quite get it right in California as he finished at the back of the pack but his performances over the last 24 months are enough to leave him clear of Taylor Canfield (ISV).

In contrast, Canfield claimed the honours at the Congressional Cup to solidify his spot at World #2. With further World Match Racing Tour events coming thick and fast, Canfield will be hoping to replicate his Californian performance in a bid to regain World #1.

Denmark's Camilla Ulrikkeholm sits atop of the Women's Rankings comfortably on 10,046 points. From the eight events Ulrikkeholm holds points from she has seven podium finishes, including three gold medals.

There were no women's match racing events in the current window but based on the 24-month rolling system there are some minor changes throughout the rankings.

Top ten, Open Rankings

1. Ian Williams, GBR
2. Taylor Canfield, ISV
3. Bjorn Hansen, SWE
4. Eric Monnnin, SUI
5. Nicolai Sehested, DEN
6. Sam Gilmour, AUS
7. Matthew Jerwood, AUS
8. Joachim Aschenbrenner, DEN
9. Chris Steele, NZL
10. Reuben Corbett, NZL

Top ten, Women's Rankings

1. Camilla Ulrikkeholm, DEN
2. Annne-Claire Le Berre, FRA
3. Anna Kjellberg, SWE
4. Stephanie Roble, USA
5. Caroline Sylvan, SWE
6. Pauline Courtois, FRA
7. Klaartje Zuiderbaan, NED
8. Nicole Breault, USA
9. Katie Spithill, AUS
10. Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen, DEN

www.sailing.org/rankings/match/index.php

Special Offer For A Fleet Of Six Blu26 One Design Yachts
This is a special opportunity to buy six blu26 One Design boats packages, ready to transport and ready to sail from Bluboats GmbH. The fleet of six blu26 One Design yachts was built in the year 2012 and used for the St. Moritz Match Race and the Volvo Match Race Cup in the following years.

All boats of the fleet are fully equipped, well maintained and come with a road trailer and plenty of spares. They are now stored in Ermatingen, Switzerland.

The fleet is for sale as a 6 boat lot or as pairs of boats.

Find all information in this document

bluboats.com/blu26/special-offer-for-a-fleet-of-six-blu26-yachts/

Melges 20 European Sailing Series Kicks Off
Porto Venere, Italy - More than forty Melges 20 teams representing twelve nations will participate at the first edition of the 2016 Melges 20 European Sailing Series this coming weekend. Three days of racing are planned and in addition to the big attendance numbers, top names and sailors have their sights set on premium sailing conditions that will stir stiff competition.

At the top of the 'most watched' list are both Italian and Russian teams (which also make up the fleet majority). 2016 Melges 20 Monaco Winter Series Champion Alexander Ezhkov's Pirogovo Sailing, former European and Series Champions Dario Levi on Fremito D'Arja and Guido Miani's Out of Reach are scheduled to attend. All eyes will be on 2011 Gold Cup Champion and reigning Melges 32 World Champion Alessandro Rombelli on STIG, and especially Achille Onorato sailing Mascalzone Latino Jr.

This event is the first of many as the fleet works its way up to the 2016 Melges 20 World Championship taking place on 25-28 August hosted by Club Nautico Scarlino at Marina di Scarlino.

Event site on YachtScoring.com:
www.yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=2736

Philippe Briand Talks About The Use Of Glass In Sailing Yacht Design
For decades Philippe Briand's studio has been a focal point for innovative, technical yacht design. It is a place where trends - strongly based on research - are made and innovations are conceived and refined; the use of glass in sailing yacht design is no exception.

Since first introducing curved superstructure windows to his designs over 15 years ago, the possibilities offered through the advancement of glass manufacturing technology have immensely increased the potential applications available for this versatile material.

Briand ensures he keeps firmly abreast of these developments: "I spend a lot of time with glass suppliers, helping them to understand the specific requirements of using glass on board any yacht, let alone a performance sailing superyacht like Vertigo or Mari Cha IV (actual Samurai). This continual dialogue ensures that my concepts are always on the cutting edge of what is possible."

As larger and larger areas of the superstructure can be built entirely from glass, the team at Philippe Briand has been exploring the use of compound security glass with built-in multifunctional sensor technology, which allows early detection of any glass damage. Here, integrated sensors permanently measure the state of the panes and the information is passed over to the management and alarm systems.

Another technology that has been developed is particularly crucial when using glass in the interior of vessels. You can now, with the switch of a button, create a private space on board by turning clear glass opaque.

www.mysailing.com.au

www.philippebriand.com

More Kiteboard Conflict
World Sailing does not recognise the recent statement by Federation Francaise de Vol Libre (FFVL) concerning the purported division of kiteboarding events between the International Federation of Kitesports Organisations (IFKO) and World Sailing.

Kiteboarding on water is a discipline of sailing, and such falls under the jurisdiction of World Sailing, which is the International Federation for sailing in all of its forms recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Associations of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) and Sport Accord.

As part of World Sailing's responsibilities, it seeks to protect the rights of Kiteboarding stakeholders by ensuring that events take place within the structure of the rules and are run to the appropriate standards for the benefit and protection of riders.

In 2016, World Sailing is overseeing the organisation of World Championships by the International Kiteboarding Association (IKA), worked with the World Kite Tour to facilitate their new World Tour, and sanctioned a number of standalone World Cup events in Europe. In particular, World Sailing is working closely with the major stakeholders in kiteboarding to ensure a successful governance model is implemented for 2017 onwards.

World Sailing continues to work with its French Member National Authority, Federation Francaise de Voile (FFV), concerning the governance of kiteboarding in France.

origin-data.sailing.org/news/

Clipper Seattle Pacific Challenge
With four teams having completed the Ocean Sprint, it is Unicef that has recorded the fastest time so far in a day of high winds and strong seas which proved costly to some of the yachts. None more so than Da Nang - Viet Nam which suffered a knock-down after being hit by a large wave, and has taken the decision to retire from racing and make best speed towards Seattle.

All on board are reported safe, though due to some minor injuries and equipment damage the team is keen to get ashore where the repair work can begin in earnest.

With 1140 nautical miles to the Seattle Pacific Challenge finish line, Da Nang - Viet Nam is now motor-sailing but will hoist sails again when it is quicker to do so.

Almost 190 nautical miles ahead of the Vietnamese entry is Visit Seattle, and Skipper Huw Fernie and his crew are counting down the miles to their 'home' port.

At the front of the fleet leader Derry~Londonderry~Doire has put on its invisibility cloak as Skipper Daniel Smith and his team seek to maintain their 100+ nautical mile lead in the closing stages of Race 9.

Details of the DaNang knockdown: clipperroundtheworld.com

Musandam - Omansail & Concise 10 Confirm Entry To Volvo Round Ireland 2016
The MOD 70s, Musandam - OmanSail and Concise 10 have registered as entrants to the 2016 Volvo Round Ireland Yacht Race.

Ned Collier-Wakefield will bring Concise 10 to Wicklow in June after having picked up his weight in rum as the prize for winning the Grand Prix Multi Hull event and smashing the all-time course record in the Mount Gay Rum Round Barbados Race in March.

Musandam - OmanSail holds the record for a circumnavigation of the island of Ireland under sail, achieved in May of last year and the team are looking forward to beating this record in a race setting. The Omani team in 2016 will be much the same as last year, with their skipper Sydney Gavignet. However, we are excited to see that Kerryman Damian Foxall, a Round the World veteran, will return to their team for the 2016 Volvo Round Ireland.

The official race record for a monohull is held by Mike Slade who completed the race in 2 days 17 hours 48 minutes 47 seconds in ICAP Leopard 3 in 2008.

This record was under threat once David George signalled his intention to enter Rambler 88 in the 2016 VRI race, an entry since confirmed. Rambler was first monohull home in Middle Sea Race 2015.

The race starts from Wicklow on June 18th.

roundireland.ie

Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image Award 2016
Yacht Racing photographers from all over the world are invited to enter the Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image award 2016.

Started in 2010, the event has been held to provide an opportunity for professional yacht racing photographers to share their passion for yacht racing with a wide community. It is the world's premier photography competition dedicated to the sport of sailing.

In order to fit with the latest trend and carry on improving, the event announced last month a new set of rules established with the support of some of the most prominent yacht racing photographers.

The top eighty photographs submitted will be preselected by a panel of three international and well recognized yacht racing photographers and published on the event's website ( www.yachtracingimage.com ).

The top twenty pictures selected by the jury will be displayed during the Yacht Racing Forum, on November 28-29. The winning photographer will receive the Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image award and at least € 1'000 prize money. Overall, a minimum of € 2'000 prize money will be distributed to the winners.

Two secondary prizes will also be awarded during the Yacht Racing Forum: The Yacht Racing Forum Award (selected by the delegates attending the Yacht Racing Forum) and the Public Award (selected by the votes from the public on Facebook - facebook.com/YachtRacingImage).

www.yachtracingimage.com

Shipwrecks Found On Connemara Coast
Two new shipwrecks have been discovered in Connemara in areas known to be used by smugglers in centuries past, as The Irish Times reports.

Currach fisherman John Bhaba Jeaic Ó Conghaíle found the skeletal remains of what's thought to be an 18th-century vessel at Cuan Chaisín in Ceantar na nOileain.

Elsewhere, Fahy Bay resident Michael Barry located a second wreck, believed to date from the 19th century, near his home on the northwest Connemara coast - inshore from the Spanish Armada wreck Falco Blanco Mediano.

The area is known as the birthplace of sea captain George O'Malley, one of the most notorious smugglers of his day.

afloat.ie

Story in the Irish Times:
www.irishtimes.com

Not Sailing But Very Cool...
Godzilla-Like* Marine Iguana Filmed Foraging In The Waters Of The Galapagos Islands

If you have ever wondered where the inspiration for Godzilla came from, look no further.

This incredible video was shot by Steve Winkworth just off the north coast of Isabela Island in the Galapagos. The footage shows a marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) foraging for food, cruising underwater using its tail and returning to the surface for air.

The marine iguana's ability to forage in sea water makes it unique among modern lizards. As with many of nature's most obscure creatures, they can only be found in the Galapagos Islands: a place of great inspiration to Charles Darwin.

Although they look like incredible creatures, Darwin wasn't much of a fan. In one of his diaries, he said: "The black Lava rocks on the beach are frequented by large (2-3 feet, 60-90 centimeters), disgusting clumsy Lizards. They are as black as the porous rocks over which they crawl & seek their prey from the Sea. I call them 'imps of darkness'. They assuredly will become the land they inhabit."

www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals

* Editor: bit more Creature from the Black Lagoon than Godzilla, methinks

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Botin Partners and McConaghy have just teamed up to offer the Botin 40, the latest in this 40-foot genre which offers the high performance and high technology of a custom design and build, but at the great value of a production price. This is a new direction for Botin, who have shown great success in the last few years with their custom projects in the TP 52, Class 40, GP 42 and VO 70 classes, but have not ventured into production race boat projects in several years.

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Contact
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Sparkling example of the X-50, a competent cruising yacht and also a good IRC contender, a true master of all trades.

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+44 (0) 1590 679222

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

The Last Word
One should always be drunk. That's all that matters...But with what? With wine, with poetry, or with virtue, as you chose. But get drunk. -- Charles Baudelaire

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