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Four Additional Teams Announced For Atlantic Cup
The 2016 Atlantic Cup presented by 11th Hour Racing announced today four additional teams bringing the international field of Class 40s from the USA, France, Spain, Sweden, Canada and Great Britain to twelve. The four teams announced include: 65-Carac, 147-Campagne de France, 141-Earendil, and 102-Privateer.

Several accomplished sailors recently joined the field including two-time British Olympic team meteorologist and accomplished Volvo Ocean Race sailor, Libby Greenhalgh (Oakcliff - USA). Her co-skipper, Canadian, Liz Shaw is Canada's youngest National Race Officer. The duo is competing in the first leg of the race; Hobie Ponting (Oakcliff - USA) and a yet to be named co-skipper will sail legs two and three. Louis Duc (Carac - FRA), 2015 Transat Jacques Vabre third place finisher; Jeffrey Brock (Pleiad - USA), former Volvo Ocean Race sailor and French pair Halvard Mabire and co-skipper, Miranda Merron (Campagne De France - FRA) are new additions to the race, shaping up for a tough field of competitors in the fifth edition of the Atlantic Cup.

The Class 40 teams will set sail from Charleston, S.C., on Saturday, May 28 at 12 p.m. ET en route to Brooklyn, N.Y., for the second leg of the competition and a Pro-Am event, May 31-June 3, before departing on June 4 at 12 p.m. ET, on the final leg of competition. The biennial event culminates in Portland, Maine, with two days of inshore racing and the Atlantic Cup Festival, June 10 and 11.

Competitors:
- Pleiad Racing, USA, Ed Cesare / Chad Corning
- Dragon Ocean Racing, USA, Mike Hennessy / Merf Owen
- Carac, FRA, Louis Duc / Yves Sale
- Talanta, Sweden, Mikael Ryking / TBD
- Privateer, USA, Rich Fleishman / David Hommel
- Oakcliff Racing, USA, Libby Greenhalgh (Leg 1) / Liz Shaw (Leg 1), Hobie Ponting (Leg 2) , TBD (Leg 2)
- Tales II, Spain, Gonzalo Botin / Pablo Santurde
- Amhas II, USA, Micah Davis / Rob Windsor
- Toothface 2, USA, Mike Dreese / Tristan Mouligne
- Longbow, USA, FK Day/ Linc Day
- Earendil, France, Catherine Pourre / Antoine Carpentiere
- Campagne de France, France, Halvard Mabire / Miranda Merron

AtlanticCup.org

Miranda Merron Withdraws From The Transat Bakerly
Having registered for The Transat, Miranda Merron has today withdrawn, citing a lack of time to prepare her new Class 40.

Campagne de France is still being finished in Caen. Halvard Mabire and Miranda will cross the Atlantic this year, but in May. The main objectives of their season remain the Transat Quebec Saint -Malo in July, where Halvard and Miranda are the defending champions and record holders of the event. They will also sail the Normandy Channel Race in September.

"It seemed to us , together with our partner Campagne de France, it was the best decision." said Miranda. "It is a huge disappointment not to participate in the most English of solo races, but that is partly offset by the common desire to Halvard and myself to finish fitting out an excellent boat."

Halvard and Miranda working hard since last year in the construction of their new prototype 40-foot Campagne de France . Halvard himself, with the help of Bernard Nivelt on the hull , and Rivoyre Engineering for structural verifications, conceived and designed the yacht . The boat, still in Caen, came out in Shoreteam and receives its new colors this week.

facebook.com/HalvardMabireandMirandaMerronSailingteam

www.thetransat.com

Seven Seas And Seven Summits
Adventurer and Visit Seattle crew member Martin Frey has made history by becoming the first person to have scaled the seven summits and sailed the seven seas with the culmination of the [Clipper Round the World Race] Pacific Ocean crossing.

Martin, 56, from Utah, USA, crossed the North Pacific with the crew of the Visit Seattle entry, arriving into Seattle today (Sunday 17 April) after the 5,768 nautical mile race from Qingdao, China.

Martin's Pacific race was the culmination of eleven years of global adventures spanning 35,000 nautical miles and more than 14.5 vertical miles scaling the highest summit on each continent.

Upon arrival, Martin was reunited with his family in Bell Harbor Marina, Pier 66. Martin thanked his wife Kym and mother Charlotte for their support, and dedicated the Pacific Ocean crossing to them and daughters Lily and Meredith.

Martin's Seven Summits quest began in 2005 with Africa's Mount Kilimanjaro. Upon summiting Antarctica's Mount Vinson in 2012, he had climbed the highest peak on every continent and set his sights on sailing the Seven Seas beginning with the North Atlantic. In addition to the Clipper Race, Martin embarked on sailing expeditions to cross the Southern and Arctic Oceans, and circumnavigated the world on his catamaran, sailing almost halfway with his family.

www.clipperroundtheworld.com

Bart's Bash 2016
Bart's Bash The past 2 years have been phenomenal, and through Bart's Bash, gala dinners and charity events, we have raised a fantastic amount of money.

This money has allowed the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation to work with sailing organisations across the world and bring sailing to those young people who wouldn't typically get the opportunity to experience it.

Since May 2014 the Foundation has supported 20 different and inspiring projects across the world, supporting organisations to do everything from teaching young people to sail, training Instructors, rewarding volunteers and giving unique experiences to young people.

The figures are great and it's down to all our wonderful supporters. Without this level of support, it just wouldn't be possible. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to you for all your support so far.

We have big plans for 2016, both for Bart's Bash, which is now taking place on 2 days (Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th September) and our grant giving programme.

The easiest way to keep up to date with the Foundation's work is to like and follow the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation and Bart's Bash on Facebook and Twitter.

www.bartsbash.com

Junior Offshore Group Nab Tower Race
JOG's traditional Nab Tower race supported by Universal Safety took place on Saturday 9th April and it had a bit of everything including a bumper entry of 88 yachts. A huge tide and a fitful wind from the north-west got the classes away from the line followed by flat calm before the Spithead forts. This year a port rounding of the tower and a leg to Winner were in the SIs - however they said nothing about a prolonged evil rain (or was it hail) squall resulting in some major out-of-control moments and high speeds for those that kept the boat under the rig.

Normal service was resumed with a windward leg back to the forts and the finish in a building breeze that was distinctly firm at the tide-assisted finish.

Class winners:
Class 3: Assassin, Prima 38, Mark Brown & Justin Leese
Class 4: Just So, J 109, David & Will McGough
Class 5: Longue Pierre, Dehler 38, David Cooper & Paul England
Class 6: Concession, Contessa 26, Graham Walton
Double-Handed: Hot Cookie, Sunfast 3600, Neil Martin & Philip Barnes

www.jog.org.uk

Farewell, Captain Calamity
Steve Shapiro, who was dubbed 'Captain Calamity' by the media because he had been rescued so many times, has now sold his yacht, Nora.

Shapiro and his crew mate Bob Weise, both aged 71, set sail from Scandinavia in the 40ft yacht in July. They planned to cruise across the Atlantic to America, but faced a series of mishaps along the way.

Initially they were rescued by the emergency services in Norway and Denmark, the first time because of damage to the Nora's propeller shaft.

Further propeller problems resulted in the pair being rescued twice in Scotland, before they ran aground in Northern Ireland and again in the Republic of Ireland. Both incidents required further rescue efforts.

Shapiro and Weise had to be rescued three times in Cornwall – twice by the St Ives RNLI.

In the final incident, the pair's boat tipped over in Hayle Harbour and caught fire due to a candle not having been blown out properly.

Dartmouth-based yacht brokers, Wooden Ships confirmed to YBW.com that the Nora has been bought and the new owners will be refurbishing the vessel. Currently, the Nora remains in Hayle.

www.ybw.com/

Industry News
Members of the yacht racing community from all over the world are invited to save the date and join the Yacht Racing Forum 2016, on November 28-29 in Malta. Co-hosted by Yachting Malta and Yachting / Events, the event will provide a unique opportunity to network, debate the future of the sport and make business.

The Forum will take into account the feedback acquired over the past years. "We will once again gather the sports' key personalities and organise a top quality event", says Bernard Schopfer, the owner of the Yacht Racing Forum. "The venue, in Malta, is absolutely stunning. We are determined to keep developing the Forum with a long term vision in order to provide guarantees of sustainability to our partners and exhibitors."

The Forum will be split in two distinct conferences on Day One: Business and Marketing / Design and Technology. The day will end up with a gala reception that will provide a great opportunity to meet the sports' key personalities in a pleasant environment. Day Two will host a plenary session and focus on  Risk Management and Safety in the morning, followed by topics of general interest for both sailors, event organisers, designers and sponsors in the afternoon.

Seahorse journalist Dobbs Davis will chair the Design & technology Symposium, whilst Tom Touber will chair the sessions focusing on Risk Management and Safety.

Book now in order to benefit from our Early Bird rate, valid for the top 80 registrants.

www.yachtracingforum.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzewOepe3yg

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A new management team has been put in place for QIBS 2016 following the death of show chairman Essa Al Mannai last year

Al Mannai Events, organiser of the Qatar International Boat Show (QIBS), has appointed a new management team to handle and operate the fourth edition of the show in October 2016.

Since the death of QIBS chairman Essa Al Mannai last November, his heirs have decided to take over the company management and operations, including the continuation of the boat show exclusively to honour the legacy and memory of their father.

Faysal Mikati, former QIBS vice chairman and Anna-Denise Ioannou, former QIBS director, will remain partners of Al Mannai Events and move to new ventures in the maritime industry.

The 2016 Qatar International Boat Show will be held from October 25-29 at Lusail Marina. Last year's event was a great success, closing with a 20% rise in visitors and sales of over QR100m.

plus.ibinews.com

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Just a year after Seaward Yachts entered into an agreement with Island Packet Yachts for the contract building of their unique retractable keel sailboats, Hake Marine, parent company of Seaward, has acquired both the Island Packet and Blue Jacket brands. All three brands are being built side-by-side in the former Island Packet shipyard in Largo, Florida, by many experienced, seasoned former Island Packet craftsmen.

The company plans to offer all three sailboat brands through select dealers, along with factory direct sales.

www.seawardyachts.com

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Italian marine industry association Nautica Italiana has announced the entry of another 11 brands, bringing the total number of members to 61 from the initial 25 founding members just over seven months ago.

The 11 new brands that have joined the association are Alfa Servizi Nautici, All Services, E-Nav, Italwinch, LG Anvera, Marina Cala de' Medici, Marina di Portofino, Naval Tecno Sud, Optima Marine, Promotech and Videoworks, which add to the services, accessories and marinas segments.

Also significant is the percentage of exports represented by Nautica Italiana members, which in the shipbuilding sector exceeds 95%.

Nautica Italiana brings together top Italian marine firms to draw up a strategy for the development of the country's nautical industry, both at home and abroad. The association is affiliated with Fondazione Altagamma, which serves as a partner in creating synergies with high-end segments of other industries such as fashion, design, food, hotel, jewellery and automotive.

plus.ibinews.com

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Following the inaugural and highly successful Future of Yacht Recycling Conference staged by Quaynote Communications and YachtMedia on the day before last year's METSTRADE Show, the organisers have announced a second edition.

The event will revisit the dismantling and responsible recycling of leisure craft while also engaging in debate about whether the boating industry can effectively embrace the 'circular economy' and how it can interact with the need for ocean and waterway conservation. The second Conference focusing on how the marine industry can deal with its past, and adapt to its future will be held at the RAI Amsterdam Elicium Congress Centre on Monday 14 November.

Fully supported by METSTRADE and with technical cooperation from ICOMIA, the event will fit conveniently into the travel planning for anyone attending the METSTRADE Show in the Netherlands. Starting at 11.00 on the day before the show opens its doors, there will be a registration / talk-shop period from 08.30 onwards, where visitors arriving early will be able to take a coffee, chat to experts about End-of-Life Boats, and share experiences with like-minded colleagues.

Having taken a keen interest in last year's event and organised a debate on the subject matter in the METSRADE InnovationLAB afterwards, IBI News have been confirmed as Media Partners for this second edition.

Delegate registration is now open at early bird rates at: www.quaynote.com

www.metstrade.com

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Camper & Nicholsons Marinas has been appointed by the Blackstone Group to take over the management and operation of St Katharine Docks.

The docks, located by Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, are due to undergo a careful refurbishment and restoration programme which will see the marina re-launched later this year with 170 new berths.

In addition to starting operation in London, Camper & Nicholsons are also creating an entirely new marina in Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

Located on the eastern side of this most iconic of yachting harbours, the marina at Victoria Quay is scheduled to open in the summer of 2017 and will be a key contributor to the regeneration of East Cowes.

www.boatingbusiness.com

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The RORC Rating Office in the UK, which issues IRC rating certificates for boats in South East Asia, is proud to be associated with the Phuket King's Cup Regatta which recently won Best Asian Regatta at the 2016 Asia Boating Awards, recognizing the event's exceptional organization, promotion, course quality, entry size, competitiveness and social aspects.

With five days of racing amidst the Andaman Sea islands, the Regatta draws entries from over 40 countries and attracts some of the world's best racing teams in several IRC classes. In addition to three classes split by IRC rating, this was the first event to include IRC classes determined by boat type such as Premier, Charter boats and Modern Classics, providing close racing for similar style boats. 

The annual regatta has been supported by the RORC Rating Office since the mid-1990s. 

ircrating.org
rorcrating.com

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Sunsail has been named as an official charter partner for the upcoming round of the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series.

The event will take place in Portsmouth from 22-24 July 2016, with the best sailors and the fastest boats. close to Sunsail's UK base in Port Solent.

Leslie Greenhalgh, events director of the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series, said: "We are really pleased to be working with Sunsail for the second year running."

"They are a major brand in the UK and global sailing business presenting a fantastic opportunity for people to get out on the Solent as well as watching our event."

The Sunsail stand will be located in the race village near the Techzone and enter the competition for a chance to win a host of prizes.

www.boatingbusiness.com

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