Scuttlebutt Europe #1972 - 23 November
|
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 Azzurra Scores 2-0 Shut out of Emirates Team New Zealand
Bruni and his Azzurra crew, including tactician Tommaso Chieffi, defeated Emirates Team New Zealand 2-0 in the Grand Final to win this match race regatta. Azzurra, from the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, made its international sailing debut at the 1983 Louis Vuitton Cup but has been in hiatus since the 1987 event off Western Australia. The team was re-launched last month and today Azzurra won the first race by 25 seconds and the second by 17 for a well-deserved championship. "It's an amazing sensation. I can't find the words to describe it," said Bruni, the 40-year-old skipper from Sicily. "We knew we could do a good job. We had very good training before the event. But we never thought about beating New Zealand in the final." Emirates Team New Zealand entered the final as the favourite. It won the round robin, suffering just one loss in 10 starts, and then defeated the upstart Synergy Russia Sailing Team in a hard-fought semi final match. Team New Zealand has won many regattas this year, including the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series in February and the TP52 World Championship in September. Today, however, the Kiwis lost the first cross in both races and could never find a way around the Italians on the short courses of less than 5 nautical miles. The northwesterly wind blew between 6 and 10 knots for the two races and was very shifty and patchy. The winning crew included skipper Bruni and tactician Chieffi, Tom Burnham (strategist), Bruno Zirilli (navigator), Daniele De Luca (mainsail trimmer), Stefano Rizzi (jib trimmer), Pierluigi De Felice (spinnaker trimmer), Gabriele Bruni (trimmer), Piero Romero (runner grinder), Nicola Pilastro (mainsail grinder), Massimo Galli (port grinder), Francesco Scalici (starboard grinder), Cristian Griggio (pitman), Luca Albarelli (mastman), Pietro Mantovani (mid-bow), Matteo Auguadro (bowman) and Michele Cannoni (pit assist). Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Cote d'Azur Final Standings Team (Country) Skipper (Nationality) Won-Lost 1. Azzurra (ITA) Francesco Bruni (ITA), 11-5 Just Hours Left The finish line is all but in sight, the miles counting down with a pleasing whirr, but for Safran's Marc Guillemot and Charles Caudrelier - who are seeking to convert the lead they have held for nine days - they still have no shortage of pressure, and it is likely to stay heaped upon them until the end. And with less than 450 miles to go in this ninth edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre, the gap back from Safran to Kito de Pavant and Francois Gabart on Groupe Bel is just over 70 miles. Groupe Bel are an ever present threat, as they have been to Safran since they eased past Mike Golding Yacht Racing a week ago, Saturday night 14th, to install themselves in second place. A relatively stationary little low pressure trough has installed itself over the Gulf of Panama. That has contributed to some spicy squall activity for the two leaders today but so there is the distinct threat that the final miles in to the finish line off Costa Rica's Puerto Limon will not be easy. Safran crossed the longitude of Cartagena (Colombia) which was the finish for the Transat Jacques Vabre from 1993 to 1999, with a time of 13 days and 22 hours of sailing. Underlining the evolution of the class ten years ago, the winner of the IMOCA Open 60 division took 19 days and 17 hours over the same course. By comparison with the course record to Salvador de Bahia, JP Dick and Loick Peyron's 13.51 knots in 2005 compares with the course average so far of Safran at 13.26 knots. Safran had done 375 miles over the 24 hours to 1100hrs today. While Mike Golding Yacht Racing and Foncia seem assured of third and fourth, the race for sixth to eighth remains the closest group of the IMOCA Open 60. While Pepe Ribes and Alex Pella now hold sixth place on W-Hotels, Dee Caffari and Brian Thompson were breaking away from eighth and the heat of battle to effect a rapid pit stop to collect a replacement generator control panel at a rendezvous off St Lucia. The British duo were just two miles short of Veolia Environnment's seventh when they diverged north. Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show: It's Your Show Come along and enjoy the thrill of being on board one of the hundreds of fascinating boats on display; from historic replica vessels to the latest in marine technology. With over 500 exhibitors* showcasing power and sail boats, dinghies, deck equipment, charter holidays and sailing courses the Show promises to offer something for enthusiasts and first time visitors alike. Don't forget 'Kids Go Free' aged 15 and under provided they are with a paying adult. For the more discerning visitor looking for that little bit of luxury; the new, exclusive Platinum Ticket. Numbers are limited so make sure you secure your place! For more information visit www.londonboatshow.com *taken from 2009 London International Boat Show Collision In Cape Town California had another cracking start in the stiff south easterly breeze in Table Bay and was first across the line to massive cheers from the crew on board. California was followed by Spirit of Australia, looking for a win on this race to their home port, and Team Finland. The skippers of both California and Team Finland live in Cape Town so may have been able to call on a little local knowledge to press home their advantage as they led the fleet back into the South Atlantic. As they sailed into the lee of Table Mountain, which looked magnificent in the South African sunshine, the winds dropped slightly. Race Chairman, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, was watching the action on the water and said, "This is a closely contested race and this kind of thing happens in fiercely competitive racing. The race is underway - eight boats are racing off towards Geraldton in Western Australia. For the two damaged boats, repairs will be effected as speedily as possible so they can catch up." The Clipper maintenance team, headed up by Justin Haller, has already begun assessing the damage and is in contact with local marine surveyors who will be called in to assist. Both yachts have been taken from the V&A Waterfront to Royal Cape Yacht Club for the work to be carried out. The teams will round the Cape of Good Hope before heading down into the treacherous waters of the Southern Ocean where the first three boats to reach the scoring gate can gain some precious extra points. The fleet is expected to arrive in Geraldton, Western Australia, between 14 and 18 December. Standings after Race 3 1. Team Finland, 29 points BT Snatches Line Honours In Around The Island Race
For Khamis Al Busaidi the bowman onboard Oman Sail's Masirah, the Around the Island Race here in Hong Kong had particular resonance as he was onboard Masirah when they won Line Honours in the 'other' Round the Island Race around the Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom. Unfortunately for Khamis and the crew onboard Masirah, it wasn't to be a double first for them. Despite leading practically the whole way around the Island of Hong Kong, they ground to a halt in the final leg up the Lamma Channel. Skipper Pete Cumming explained, "This race was so similar to the Round the Island Race in Cowes back in June. Plenty of wind at the start, with it dropping right off over the south side of the island. We had such a fantastic start and round the East side of the Island we did a horizon job, hammer down, 26 knots and off we flew. But the tough thing about being the lead boat is that you act as a weather station of the other Extreme 40s in the fleet. At one point we had a lead of over a mile and we thought we were home and dry, but we sailed into a hole and all the other boats saw where we were and kept away." The six Extreme 40s will be back to their shorter courses tomorrow, Monday 21 November in Victoria Harbour, racing from 2 - 5pm. Provisional Results in the Around the Island Race 22 November 2009: Boat, Finish Time www.extremesailingseriesasia.com Seahorse December 2009 Obvious move... another area where we have been waiting for the world to share our remarkable foresight (who is this person? - ed), is with our idea of taking advantage of the ready supply of relatively-affordable and usually immaculate pre-owned Farr 40s and converting them - properly - for IRC. Well in Australia they have got on with it (as they so often do) and the results are impressive... PLUS: Terry Hutchinson diary, Mini Maxi analysis, GP42 and TP52 world championships, Southern Spars profile, Volvo Ocean Race communications, Bermuda Gold Cup and Voiles de St Tropez reports, interviews... and imagery! If you haven't subscribed to Seahorse already we're keen to help you attend to that! - Please use the following promotional link and enjoy the hefty Scuttlebutt Europe discount... and it gets even better for 2 and 3 year subscriptions... New Kiteboard Speed Record Rob Douglas also set a new American outright speed sailing record with an equally impressive time of 50.95knots, just three one hundredths of a knot shy of Alex Caizergues. Many other competitors also recorded noteworthy times including Sebastian Cattelan who completed a run of 49.51before falling foul of equipment problems. Christophe Prin-Guenon got 48.44, Jerome Bila came in with 47.73. Charlotte Consorti again led the ladies with a speed of 44.27 knots. Fast, but still a full knot short of Sjoukje Bredenkamp's outright record of 45.20 set last year. The riders are heading again to the strip for another day of racing as the wind here in Lüderitz continues to be favorable. With two weeks still left in the competition, everything is still up for grabs, including the highly sought after world outright speed sailing record of 51.36 knots, set by the French Hydrofoil l'Hydoptere in September of this year. Solidaire Du Chocolat The last 5 boats to have arrived (1 remaining) 9th place - Plan, les enfants changeront le monde (Denis Lazat & Frederic Nouel) : 10th Axa Atout Cœur pour Aides (Erik Nigon & Marc Jouany) : 11th - Keysource (Mike West & Paul Worswick) : 12th - Credit Maritime (Patrice Carpentier & Victor Maldonado) : 13th - Adriatech (David Consorte & Arnaud Aubry) : Orbis expected in today Dart 18 Worlds & Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta
Former winner of the Aruba Regatta, John Moret (NED), and his crew Paul Smissaert (NED) tested the windy conditions. They hoisted the spinnaker after leaving the beach, but it did not take long for them to nosedive their F18. "This had nothing to do with sailing", admitted Moret afterwards. "The wind and angles were bizarre. We also had difficulties to upright the boat." "I wish I was out there now", said Matthias Huber from Germany, while watching the Dutchmen trying their luck on the Caribbean Sea. The German Dart 18 Champion 2008 and European Champion of 1998 likes the strong breeze: "In these circumstances I would be better than three quarter of the fleet." He finished eleventh at last year's Dart 18 Worlds in the Netherlands, so his goal is to improve that result. According to the weather forecast for tomorrow, it will be again windy. However, the Portuguese duo Fransisco Merlo and Antonio Jesvino is optimistic: "The wind will get tired of blowing eventually. This is the Caribbean." www.arubaregatta.com Letters To The Editor - * From Euan Ross: It would seem to me that, rather than 'full tanks' measurement trim representing a disadvantage, it's a clear opportunity to drive a coach and horses through the waterline length restriction if the defender has the time to take advantage of it. I may have missed something, but since the tanks don't have to be fully utilized at any stage on the race course, and since they have a crucial fore and aft trim function in any case, it's no big deal to further subdivide the chambers and make them oversize. Then you can lever half the damn boat out of the water should you so wish. But one wouldn't want to overdo this; any helmsman who has been swept off the back of a twin-wire cat by a pendulant crew will know what I mean! Featured Brokerage In 2003 the yacht undertook a complete refit and was chartered for the Transat Jacques Vabres. She has not been sailed a great deal recently and so is in need of some attention to her cosmetics and general servicing, but still provides one of the most comfortable hulls and simple set ups ideal for single or short handed sailing.These boat details are subject to contract.Note: Offers on the asking price may be considered. Brokerage through Boatshed Performance.com: www.yachtworld.com/boatshedperformance/ Complete listing details and seller contact information at uk.yachtworld.com/core/listing/boatFullDetails.jsp?boat_id=2143810 The Last Word |
|
Use this box to send a copy of this issue of the Scuttlebutt Europe Newsletter to a friend: Or [FORWARD] for a page where you can send copies to up to a dozen friends.
About YachtWorld.com About Boats.com Yachtworld.com on line magazine is available free of charge and delivered digitally every month. Click here to receive your copy: www.yachtworldmagazine.com/ywm/latest/ NEW! See the Boats Blog at Boats.com -- www.boats.com/blog/ To subscribe, unsubscribe, and select HTML or Text format visit scuttlebutteurope.com Editorial and letter submissions to Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: or see www.scuttlebutteurope.com/advertise.html |
Search the Archives
SEARCH
Search
[{{{type}}}] {{{reason}}}
{{/data.error.root_cause}}{{texts.summary}} {{#options.result.rssIcon}} RSS {{/options.result.rssIcon}}
{{/texts.summary}} {{#data.hits.hits}}
{{{_source.title}}} {{#_source.showPrice}} {{{_source.displayPrice}}} {{/_source.showPrice}}
{{#_source.showLink}} {{/_source.showLink}} {{#_source.showDate}}{{{_source.displayDate}}}
{{/_source.showDate}}{{{_source.description}}}
{{#_source.additionalInfo}}{{#_source.additionalFields}} {{#title}} {{{label}}}: {{{title}}} {{/title}} {{/_source.additionalFields}}
{{/_source.additionalInfo}}
