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Unstoppable Safran
Photo by Nico Martinez, www.nicomartinez.com. Click on image to enlarge.

Safran Palma, Spain: As they have done on three other previous stages, Safran won the fifth leg of the Vuelta Espana a Vela this morning at 08:53:52hrs when they ghosted across the finish line in a slowly fading breeze on the Bay of Palma.

The triumph for Marc Guillemot, Charles Caudrelier Benac and the Safran crew was once again the product of their excellent strategy, tactics and good all-round boat speed.

They timed their lay-line tack to make their entrance to the Bay of Palma to near perfection, holding on a little longer than their nearest rivals PRB, who finished second just over 26 minutes behind them.

It was not all plain sailing for the Safran crew. Immediately after they had overhauled early leader PRB off Formentera they had to slow to remove a plastic sheet which was snared around their daggerboard, dropping their boatspeed by three knots for a period while they tried to remove it. They stopped, raised the board and went from a slender lead to being a mile and a half behind PRB again.

But Safran fought back on a mainly upwind leg. The fleet saw breezes of up to 25 knots as they left the east extremity of Formentera, to barely a handful of knots of morning breeze as they glided gently across the near glassy waters of Palma Bay.

It was an intense, tactical 140 miles leg from Calpe with much at stake. Safran's win gives them a margin which is all but untouchable, whilst Vincent Riou arrived in second place for the third time, wondering what more he and his crew have to do to beat their French rivals.

PRB lead out of Calpe and during the early section of the race but hit a calm zone off Formentera and, later in the night, they were ahead but tacked away earlier than Safran and that was all that was in it in the end.

W Hotels-Nova Bocana's third, the best result yet for them during this race, sets up their tantalising challenge for third overall, going into the final leg just one half a point behind Estrella Damm.

Arrivals time Leg 5 Calpe-Palma

1. Safran, Marc Guillemot (FRA), at 08:53:52 hrs
2. PRB, Vincent Riou (FRA), at 09:19:59 hrs
3. W Hotels-Nova Bocana, Pachi Rivero (ESP)/Tono Piris (ESP), at 09:26:10 hrs
4. Movistar, Iker Martínez(ESP)/Xabi Fernandez(ESP) at 09:35:38 hrs
5. Estrella Damm, Pepe Ribes (ESP)/Alex Pella(ESP) at 09:37:16 hrs
6. GAES Centros Auditivos, D.Caffari (GBR)/A.Corbella (ESP) at 11:36:02 hrs
7. Central Lechera Asturiana, J.Merediz (ESP)/F.Palacio (ESP) at 11:46:33 hrs
8. Pakea-Bizkaia, J.Mumbru (ESP)/C.Sanmartí (ESP) at 13:57:52 hrs

Overall Standings Vuelta a Espana a Vela

1. Safran, Marc Guillemot, FRA, 8 (1+2+0,5+1+0,5+2+1)
2. PRB, Vincent Riou, FRA, 15,5 (2+1+1+2+1,5+6+2)
3. Estrella Damm, P.Ribes/ A.Pella, ESP, 26 (5+5+2+4+1+4+5)
4. W Hotels-Nova Bocana, P.Rivero/ A.Piris, ESP, 26.5 (4+4+1,5+3+3+8+3)
5. Movistar, I.Martínez/ X.Fernandez, ESP, 31 (3+3+2,5+6+2,5+10+4)
6. GAES Centros Auditivos, D.Caffari/ A.Corbella, GBR/ESP, 40 (6+6+3+5+2+12+6)
7. Central Lechera Asturiana, J.Merediz/ F.Palacio, ESP, 49 (7+7+3,5+7+3,5+14+7)
8. Pakea Bizkaia, J.Mumbru/ C.Sanmarti, ESP, 56 (8+8+4+8+4+16+8)

www.vueltaespanavela.com

Cork Crew Leads The Clipper Fleet Into Ireland
Kinsale, Co Cork, Ireland" At times during the last nine months the crew of Cork might have thought this moment would never arrive but on Sunday evening at 1947 local time (1847 GMT) they crossed the finish line at Kinsale; an emotional moment as they led the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race fleet into their home port at the end of the final transatlantic crossing of the 35,000-mile contest.

Cork's original yacht ran aground on a submerged reef in the Java Sea in January, Clipper's first loss of a boat in 14 years and more than 2,000,000 miles of racing. The crew of Cork were dispersed among the other nine teams to continue their challenge and came together again in Panama when they took delivery of their replacement yacht, a steel-hulled Challenge 67.

After three tough races getting to grips with their new steed, the Cork crew certainly found their groove in the north Atlantic and proved once again that they are a force to be reckoned with on the water. They completed the 2,000-mile course from Cape Breton Island in a little over eight days, their corrected time from the timing gate, eight days, 30 minutes and 50 seconds. The rest of the fleet must now finish before approximately 1000 GMT in order to beat them.

A flotilla of around 40 boats greeted Cork as she rounded the headland, medium weight spinnaker flying, while around 2,500 people lined banks of the harbour to watch the team arrive home.

Because of the differences between Cork and the lighter and longer Clipper 68s, the Clipper 09-10 fleet is racing under IRC ratings and Cork must wait until all ten teams cross the finish line to see whether their Herculean efforts have been rewarded with a podium place at the prize giving ceremony on Wednesday 7 July in Cork City.

The yachts will be open to the public between 3pm and 5pm on Sunday 4 July in Kinsale and in Cork City between 11am until 1pm on Thursday 8 July.

The yachts will leave the centre of Cork at 1300 local (1200 GMT) on Friday 9 July for the start of Race 13, the penultimate stage of the 14-race series, to Ijmuiden, Netherlands. Clipper 09-10 will finish in Hull, UK, on Saturday 17 July 2010.

Standings after Race 11
1. Spirit of Australia, 107 points
2. Cape Breton Island, 87
3. Team Finland, 83.3
4. Jamaica Lightning Bolt, 80
5. Hull & Humber, 73
6. Uniquely Singapore, 66
7. Qingdao, 57
8. Edinburgh Inspiring Capital, 43
9. Cork, 41.8
10. California, 32

www.clipperroundtheworld.com

J80 European Championship
Click on image to enlarge.

J80 European Championship The Spanish flags were flying high this weekend as Spanish boats took the top four positions in the J80 European Championship in Malcesine, Lake Garda last week. Around 50 boats from France, Great Britain, Italy, Spain, Poland, Estonia, Holland and Germany made the journey to Fraglia Vela Malcesine in Lake Garda to take part in this prestigious event. The competition was hot with last year's World Championship winners Mustang taking part, aswell as many other boats who already have made a name for themselves on the international circuit. Four days of racing took place with wind throughout a little lighter than can usually be expected in Lake Garda, at around 10-15 knots. But the sun shone every day and excellent sailing conditions prevailed.

The winners, from boat Paraleja Golf won by just one point, proving just how close the racing was. The winning team members, Chench Ortega, Juanma Barrionvenva, Eugenio Pedreno and helm Carlos Martinez from Murcia (Mar Menor) in South East Spain have been sailing together for 3 years and took an impressive three 1st places during the Championship.

Second was boat Mustang helmed by Luis Martinez. This boat is used to being in the first few places at an international level and sail with a 13 year old crew member who is by far the youngest sailor in the competition. Mustang are 2009 World Champions and once again here in Lake Garda displayed some brilliant tactics and sailing skill. Third was another Spanish boat Nextel Engineering helmed by Rodr Camino from Santander.

Top ten final results:

1. Carlos Martinez, ESP, 46 points
2. Luis Martinez, ESP, 47
3. Rodrigo Ignacio Camino, ESP, 58
4. Jose Maria TOrcida, ESP, 60
5. Henry Bomby, GBR, 80
6. Laurent Sambron, FRA, 87
7. Federico Rajola, ITA, 89
8. Javier Aguado, ESP, 96
9. Luc Nadal, FRA, 97
10. Patrick Bot, FRA, 104

See www.j80euro2010.it for a full report on each day's racing.

See www.j80worlds2010.org for further information on the J80 World Championship 2010 in October.

UK-Halsey Rules Quiz
The UK-Halsey Rules Quiz animations have been called the best way to learn the rules, and the videos of the rules being explained make the learning process that much easier. We have already posted seven videos which cover: the importance of the definitions, the definition of when you are racing and when the rules and penalties apply, definition of being on a tack, definition of proper course, the definition of finishing and much more. The videos are only available as part of the Rules Quiz program and we will continue to post videos throughout the year.

The answers to all the quizzes were re-written for the rules changes by Rob Overton, who has been a member of the US Sailing Racing Rules Committee since 1993. Rob was one of five international rule writers who drafted the new Section C rules that took effect on January 1, 2009.

See the Rules Quiz page at www.ukhalsey.com/RulesQuiz/quiz_list.asp

You can buy the Quiz program for $55 or $100 for the program plus two of the best books written on the 2009-2012 Racing Rules - Understanding the Rules by Dave Perry and The Rules in Practice by Bryan Willis. Both are reviewed in our Rules Blog.

www.ukhalsey.com/store/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=4

Nerone Takes Victory In Farr 40 European Circuit
Porto Cervo, Italy: Victory in the first leg of the Farr 40 European circuit has gone to Massimo Mezzaroma's Nerone (ITA) with tactician Vasco Vascotto. Racing in the event, organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda from 25th to 27th June, did not take place today due to the lack of breeze off Porto Cervo, Sardinia. Yesterday's overall classification after three races is therefore valid for the series and Mezzaroma is followed in second place by Plenty (USA), owned by Alexander Roepers, with Barking Mad (USA), owned by Farr 40 class President Jim Richardson in third.

The Farr fleet will be back in Sardinia at the end of Septmber for the second leg of the circuit, scheduled to be held in Porto Rotondo from 30th September to 3rd October.

The regatta was characterized by unusually light winds for the area but the fleet was able to dispute one race on Friday 25th and two yesterday in approximately 10 knots of northerly breeze. Back ashore the ten participating teams were treated to the customary YCCS social programme which included a welcome cocktail at the Clubhouse and refreshments in the Piazza Azzurra each day after racing.

The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda's sporting calendar continues from tomorrow, 28th June, until 3rd July with the Audi Sardinia Cup, the ISAF Offshore Team World Championship. Teams will be composed of a Farr 40 and a Melges 32 and many of the owners and crews competing in the Audi Invitational Melges 32 will remain in Porto Cervo for the championship.

1. NERONE, Massimo Mezzaroma, Massimo Mezzaroma, ITA,1,1,2, 4.00
2. PLENTY, Alexander Roepers, Alexander Roepers, USA,2,3,4, 9.00
3. BARKING MAD, James B. Richardson, James B. Richardson, USA,7,5,1, 13.00
4. STRUNTJE LIGHT, Wolfgang Schaefer, Wolfgang Schaefer, GER,4,2,7, 13.00
5. ENFANT TERRIBLE, Alberto Rossi, Deep Water Association, ITA,3,4,6, 13.00
6. FIAMMA, Alessandro Barnaba, Alessandro Barnaba, ITA,5,6,5, 16.00
7. CHARISMA, Nico Poons, Nico Poons, MON,6,8,3, 17.00
8. MANGUSTA RISK, Andrea Canavesio, Andrea Canavesio, ITA,10,7,9, 26.00
9. VANITAS CUBE, Martin Strobel, Martin Strobel, SUI,8,10,8, 26.00
10. HOOLIGAN VI, Edward Brodway, Edward Brodway, GBR,9,9,10, 28.00

www.yccs.it

Audi Invitational
Photo by Guido Trombetta/b-plan. Click on image for photo gallery.

Audi Invitational Porto Cervo, Italy: The only thing missing on the final day of the 2010 Audi Invitational, Audi Sailing Series Event No. 3 was the wind.

Three days of scheduled competition, fun and entertainment on the docks of Yacht Club Costa Smeralda were aided by warm temperatures. Everyone anxiously awaited the outcome of the event, in addition to Saturday's challenge with guests onboard, for awarding the silver Audi Invitational Trophy.

Two teams were left smiling at the end - Filippo Pacinotti's Brontolo, who relied heavily on the Cassinari brothers tactical expertise, delivered a second and a third place result, as did Luca Lalli on B.LinSailing.com with tactician, Lorenzo Bressani. Lalli lost the tiebreaker to finish second overall.

For Pacinotti, it's the first absolute victory for him in the Audi Sailing Series and an end result that comes from years of experience and growth on many levels as a team. It is proof that Brontolo is reaching maturity despite the often difficult moments. This time though, Pacinotti takes home the top prize.

The racing in Porto Cervo was sufficient enough to reverse the 2010 Audi Melges 32 Sailing Series circuit. After chasing the lead for three events, Lalli finally is seated atop the field of competitors. Cirillo slips to second and Pacinotti is seated third.

On July 16-18 at Lake Garda in Malcesine, the final act of the Audi Melges 32 Sailing Series takes place where as many as 20 teams are expected to compete.

Final top ten: 1. Filippo Pacinotti/Giovanni Cassinari, Brontolo; 3-2 = 5
2. Luca Lalli/Lorenzo Bressani, B.LinSailing.com; 6-6 = 12
3. Edoardo Lupi/Branko Brcin, Torpyone; 1-8 = 9
4. Alessio Marinelli/Tommaso Chieffi, Team Audi Mascalzone Latino; 4-7 = 11
5. Lanfranco Cirillo/Michele Paoletti, Fantastica; 11-1 = 12
6. Mauro Mocchigiani/Matteo Ivaldi, Rush Diletta; 8-4 = 12
7. Peter Rogers/Ruaridh Scott, Highlife; 6-6 = 12
8. Wolfgang Stolz/Sten Mohr, Opus One; 12-5 = 17
9. Carlo Alberini/Gabriele Benussi, Calvi Network; 5-13 = 18
10. Kees Kaan/Rutger Krijger, ROARK; 9-12 = 21

Top Ten Results (2010 Audi Melges 32 Sailing Series Overall Circuit Standings
1. Luca Lalli, B.LinSailing.com
2. Lanfranco Cirillo, Fantastica
3. Filippo Pacinotti, Brontolo
4. Carlo Alberini, Calvi Network
5. Mauro Mocchegiani, Rush Diletta
6. Peter Rogers, Highlife
7. Francesco Martino, Pilot Italia
8. Wolfgang Stolz, Opus One
9. Edoardo Pavesio, Fra Martina
10. Edoardo Lupi, Torpyone

www.melges32.com

German Tornado Grand Prix
Photo by Bendix Hugelmann. Click on image for photo gallery.

German Tornado Grand Prix Lake Constance, Germany: Veit Hemmeter and Dominik Halbing are the best German Tornado sailors! The two young sailors form Lindau, the host town for the German Tornado Grand Prix (at the same time the German Open), got four bullets in 8 races, sailed in light conditions on Lake Constance. Three times they crossed the finish line in second place. Only ten points were written on the scoreboard- twelve points less than the Austrian sailors on place two, Michael Schoenleitner and Philipp Rakuschan (UYC Attersee, 22 points). 23 crews from Germany and Austria were competing.

Final results
23 crew, 2 nations, 8 races, 1 discard

1. Veit Hemmeter / Dominik Halbing (Lindauer SC/Bayerischer YC), 10 points
2. Michael Schoenleitner / Philipp Rakuschan (UYC Attersee/SCA), 22
3. Markus Augstburger / Frank Ruebel (WCL Munchen), 30
4. Sebastian Moser / Thomas Posch (SV Schluchsee/SCCh), 39
5. Roland und Nahid Gaebler (NRV Hamburg), 40
6. Manfred Schoenleitner / Georg Hirsch-Stronsdorf (UYC Attersee), 42

www.gtgrandprix.de

Yachtworld Magazine
Yachtworld Magazine is no ordinary read - it has been developed specifically for you, our customers. Listening to your comments and after lengthy and in-depth research we are confident that Yachtworld Magazine will quickly become an extremely useful source of information and intelligence, and essential if you are buying or selling.

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.

www.yachtworldmagazine.com

Italy and Great Britain Win Blind Match Racing Championships
Click on image for photo gallery.

Blind Match Racing Championships The first IFDS Blind Match Racing World Championship was decided today on Lake Garda, Italy.

Luigi Bertanza and Sylvia Parente (ITA) claimed the prize with two straight wins in today's final of the World Championship for IBSA B1 classified blind sailors. On the other course, Lucy Hodges and Toby Davey (GBR) won the International Championship for the B2 classification.

Bertanza / Parente met Anna Gamba and Enrico Sosio (ITA) in the final matches, but their experience showed through with stronger tactics and boat handling. Bertanza is a skilled helmsman who has won International Blind Match Racing Championships in past years and won the B1 division of the 2009 IFDS Blind Sailing World Championships sailed as fleet racing with sighted crew members.

In the petit final for the B1 group, Manuel Ugarte and Federico Albir (ESP) lost their first match this afternoon but came back to win the next two against Kylie Forth and Erin McGlew (AUS) to claim third place overall.

The Australians will be disappointed with their performance in the finals series, having held second place through the round robin. But Forth has only taken on the helm since 2007 and sheet-hand McGlew has been sailing for just three months. They will have the home advantage next March when the Blind Match Racing Championships move to Royal Perth Yacht Club.

It was Italy versus Great Britain for the final of the B2 classified sailors competing for an IFDS International Championship.

Lucy Hodges / Toby Davey (GBR), who are more experienced in the fleet racing format sailing with sighted crew members, have adapted to the acoustic system and shown outstanding match racing skills this week. They met local favourites Alessandro Malapiero and Elisabetta Bardella (ITA) for the final today. There was plenty of close maneuvering before the start and a few protest calls, but none were upheld.

First-time match race helmsman Pekka Rantanen (FIN) has been sailing with local crew Egidio Carantini for this event. Their opponents in the petit final were Andrea Pesaresi and Gianluca Battisti (ITA). The first match was a very tight affair, with close sailing and some close calls, but the Fin managed to claim two straight.

Presentations will be held tomorrow at the Bettoni Palace in Gargnano.

Short Tacks
* ISAF are to be congratulated on their latest appointment of former Sponsorship Manager for Skandia, Tim Sewell, as Head of Marketing and Events.

If the world governing body is going to influence and grow the professional side of the sport, it needs to attract experienced commercial operators that understand the realities of the industry. Sewell has delivered programmes that include some of Cowes Week's most successful years with Skandia as title sponsor. Sewell has also been involved with the Olympic classes through Skandia Team GBR.

It sounds like he will be busy though. In a statement released by ISAF, Tim's role at the Secretariat is to oversee the work of Marketing and Media, Events and Training and Development. As if marketing, media and events was not a large enough portfolio on it's own!

www.yachtsponsorship.com

* The printed edition of the Notice of Race for the ORCint Worlds 2010 to be sailed on Flensburg Fjord, Germany from 5. - 12. September 2010 is now available at www.fsc.de

* Organisers for this years Henri Lloyd Weymouth Dinghy Regatta have been overwhelmed by applications for the two day event in Portland Harbour on the 3/4th July. With over 160 boats already registered, the team, made up from members of the locals sailing clubs are pulling out all the stops to accommodate boats, plus the additional safety cover, race management team and beach staff.

Dinghy Regatta Chairman Andy Young said "two years ago the dinghy regatta was cancelled due to lack of interest, this is a dramatic turn around."

Up to ten classes will have a start, from O.K., Contenders, Scorpions, Fireballs and Albacores to an open Asymmetric class and Moths. -- www.weymouthregatta.co.uk

Featured Brokerage
Featured Brokerage Boat 2007 Class 40, 179,995 GBP, Located in Devon, United Kingdom.

This particular Class 40 has been professionally campaigned and achieved success in a number of races. With her class certificate complete and equipment updated in 2008 (all running rigging replaced!)She has been put to bed correctly with all items removed for dry storage and put ashore. She is the Class 40 for sale with most things taken care of apart from a new sailor or racer.It would be difficult to find another class 40 with her build, equipment and pedigree for a similar price.The owner is also open to offers of part exchange on another boat, a house or a car.

Brokerage through Boatshed Performance.com: www.yachtworld.com/boatshedperformance/

Complete listing details and seller contact information at uk.yachtworld.com

The Last Word
A serious and good philosophical work could be written consisting entirely of jokes. -- Ludwig Wittgenstein

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