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Three More Finishers
Just after sunrise Zaraffa, a Reichel Pugh 65, passed The Lizard to finish the Transatlantic Race 2011 with skipper Huntington Sheldon (Shelburne, Vt.), who, at age 80, is believed to be the oldest competitor in the race. Zaraffa completed the 2,975 nautical mile course in less than 12 days and was over 400 miles ahead of any other yacht in Class IRC Three, winning the class by a handsome margin. Notably, on Zaraffa, Sheldon took both line honors and the overall win of the 2003 Daimler Chrysler North Atlantic Challenge, which also started in Newport, but finished in Hamburg, Germany [with a course time of 13 days, 15 hours, 7 minutes and 28 seconds]. He subsequently donated the yacht to the U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis, Md.) and chartered it back for this event.

In the two-boat Open Class, Lloyd Thornburg (St. Barthelemy), skipper of the Gunboat 66 Phaedo, was ecstatic when the Lamborghini-orange multihull crossed the finish line in light air. With a 100-mile lead, Phaedo was the victor in a David and Goliath battle with the magnificent 289' Maltese Falcon.

Jazz, Chris Bull's Cookson 50 which is being skippered by Nigel King (Lymington, U.K.), was the fifth yacht to finish the Transatlantic Race 2011 and appears to have won IRC Class Two.

There remain 21 yachts out racing on the North Atlantic Ocean, including the S&S 42, Sasha. With over 800 miles to the finish, the beautiful, sleek yacht likely has a week more at sea. Skipper Albrecht Peters and his wife Erika (Hamburg, Germany) have owned and raced Sasha for over 30 years and have just two other crew onboard, Christine Beech and Ron Melton both from New Zealand. For many people three weeks at sea is a long time; the Albrecht's, however, have sailed Sasha through more than 110,000 miles of ocean and are very much at home.

www.transatlanticrace.com

Open Europeans Helsinki
Photo by Thom Touw. Click on image for photo gallery.

Open Europeans Helsinki 470 European Championships
Helsinki, Finland : Varying wind speeds challenged the 470 sailors on course area delta today in Helsinki, ranging from 13-20 knots. Whilst some teams thrived in the conditions, others felt they were not quite quick enough to respond to the change in pace.

470 Women
Race 6 was the first race of the day for the 470 fleets and it was Brazil's Fernanda Oliveira/Ana Luisa Barbachan who dominated up the windward leg, with the Spanish team of Tara Pacheco/Berta Betanzos chasing hard. Brazil tacked to the right first off the start and the Spanish covered, keeping their target closely in sight. But the race was effectively just a procession behind the Brazilians, whose race win gave them the impetus to take the overall lead from the Spanish by the end of today's three races.

Moving on up to join Brazil and Spain in the top three are Denmark's Henriette Koch/Lene Sommer after a consistent 7,4,8 posting.

470 Men
The Australians look to be unstoppable as Mat Belcher/Malcolm Page (AUS) produced another win in race 8 to extend their points lead over the rest of the fleet. Chasing hard and moving up to second overall with a 4,2 are Luke Patience/Stuart Bithell (GBR).

Finn European Championship
Three more races for the 71 boat Finn fleet brings it back on schedule. Defending champion Ivan Kjlakovic Gaspic (CRO) hangs onto the overall lead, though the race wins today went to Giles Scott (GBR) and Pieter Jan Postma (NED). Scott is now the biggest threat to Kljakovic Gaspic retaining the title he has held for the past two years.

Kljakovic Gaspic picked up a consistent 3, 5, 4 in today's moderately windy conditions, but Scott has narrowed his lead to just five points. Andrew Mills (GBR) drops one to third after a 5, 10, 2 today and there is a further 18 point gap on the rest of the fleet.

In the Junior European Championship, Egor Terpigorev (RUS) has a one point lead over Josip Olujic (CRO), while Julian Massler (GER) has regained third spot from Milosz Wojewski (POL) after clearly liking the breezy conditions today with three good results.

Racing for the Finns continues with the final two full fleet races on Wednesday. The medal race for the top 10 and the final race for the rest on Thursday 14 July.

Results after eight races:

1. Ivan Kljakovic Gaspic, CRO, 20 points
2. Giles Scott, GBR, 25
3. Andrew Mills, GBR, 28
4. Pieterjan Postma, NED, 46
5. Thomas Le Breton, FRA, 46
6. Rafael Trujillo Villar, ESP, 51
7. Ed Wright, GBR, 58
8. Jonathan Lobert, FRA, 62
9. Vasilij Zbogar, SLO, 66
10. Daniel Birgmark, SWE, 68

49er European Championship
An overnight rain cleared the air for the sailors and gave fresh conditions producing four spectacular races. The 49ers began the day in 10 knots of breeze which increased throughout the afternoon with puffs to 22 knots, providing a fast track.

"Today was like go-kart driving; a small course with 3 laps" commented Thomas Ploessel, the crew of Erik Heil, two young sailors from Germany (23 and 22 years) who currently sit in 8th. The duo qualified in third place for the gold fleet and had three good races today but also sailed one of their discards (5-9-21-6). Ploessel and Heil have been competing together for ten years, beginning in the Teeny, a small doublehanded boat sailed in Germany. Four years ago the duo switched to the 49er after being too heavy for the 470 and have never looked back. Asked if they were surprised by their success this week Ploessel responded "A little. We know that we are good; we've been training a lot." And on the question of any pressure sailing with the more experienced teams, "A little, but we see that we can beat them, and that's a good thing!"

Seven places in front of the Germans, in true world champion form, Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen (AUS) sailed a 9-3-1-2 to move them in the lead by a two point margin over yesterday's leaders Dylan Fletcher and Alain Sign (GBR) who had a 1-7-11-7 day. Federico and Arturo Alonso (ESP) sit in third after a solid day of 2-5-4-4.

In the silver fleet, James Peters and Ed Fitzgerald (GBR), 2008 ISAF Youth World champions in the 29er lead the 40 boat fleet despite a disastrous last race.

The final series finishes tomorrow with the medal race to be held at 13:55.

www.openeuropeans2011.com

Support Skandia Team GBR in Style!
Click on image to enlarge.

Musto In a little over 3 weeks, the elite in Olympic class sailing will be battling it out at the 2011 Olympic test event in Weymouth.

Musto, proud sponsor to Skandia Team GBR, has created a unique retail collection which donates a percentage of the sale price directly to the team. 

Seen here modelled by RS:X windsurfer Nick Dempsey, the collection consist of replica T-shirts, polos, shore jackets, fleeces, hats, visors and luggage.

To win a chance to sail with Skandia Team GBR and view the collection click here
www.musto.com/fcp/content/Skandia_Competition/content

The Weather Guys Were Right
Lighter winds, as predicted, and a bit of lane-shifting re-sorted parts of the Transpac racing fleet overnight, but James McDowell's SC70, Grand Illusion, continued to run 1-1, first in the Sleds and first overall with about 1,200 miles to go at 0800 roll call. Positioning on the north-south line suddenly goes from being very important to Very Important.

In a re-sorted Division 2, we see Jorge Ripstein's Patches, a TP52 navigated by John Rumsey, popping out to a nice lead while previous division leader Katana slowed on its more-northerly track. Katana navigator Eric Bowman had placed the brand new Kernan 49 to take advantage of a shorter track in the big breeze of two days ago, but what looked like a good bet at that moment looks less so at this moment. What that means, time will tell.

With Patches showing up first in Division 2 and Chip Megeath's Criminal Mischief second, Katana today stands third. This a great group to watch. Mischief, an RP45 navigated by Jeff Thorpe, has enjoyed tremendous success on the ocean, winning its division, for example, in the 2009 Transpac and 2010 Pacific Cup.

In Division 6, which drew the slow-start card a week ago Monday, Simon Garland's Hobie 33, Peregrine, continues to play the hare. The only boat farther south in this group is Richard Mainland's Ross 40, Paddy Wagon, which took a big left turn about a day and a half ago and is now south of the rhumb line, where the big boys are aimed.

The rest of Division 6, meanwhile, gazes longingly at the southerly position of Peregrine (four people crewing, including navigator Jeff Westbrook) as we hear from Singlehanded Transpac veteran Ronnie Simpson, half a degree to the north on Alpha Puppy. "We'd give our eye-teeth to gybe outta here, but ultimately it would be too painful."

And to no one's great surprise, Jack Taylor's Horizon is making an appearance at the top of the SC50 leaderboard. -- Kimball Livingston

www.transpacrace.com

Spinnaker Tales
For some years I have personally admired the collective sailing skills expressed by the Noosa River Sabot graduates Ryan Palk and Klade Hauschildt.

They are living proof that a sailor who develops their skill from sailing in current and against a tricky wind system on an estuary such as the picturesque Gympie Terrace reach of the Noosa River can fulfil their career ambition to be successful on the World stage.

Ryan Palk (22) and his Olympic Laser dinghy rival Klade Hauschildt (22) both members of the elite Queensland Academy of Sport sailing team have the personal ambition to represent Australia at a future Olympic regatta.

Recent results suggest they have the dedication and personal skill to reach their goal. Last month Ryan Palk cliched his career best result when he tactically outsailed Olympians from the top European nations to win the Silver Medal during the Kiel Week in Germany. The result was an encouraging reward for Ryan Palk who continues to surprise his coach the 2000 Sydney Olympic Bronze medallist Michael Blackburn.

Over the past 13 years since he hesitatingly gripped the tiller of his Sabot Ryan Palk has progressively developed his career to now be recognised as a tactically clever international Laser class competitor.

His talent has been developed from long training sessions with his equally talented Laser racing partner Klade Hauschildt.

Both have refined their individual technique with intense boat on boat mate against mate match racing on the tricky Noosa estuary where Klade Hauschildt has at times held the upper hand. The comparison in boat speed expressed during their training sessions on the Noosa River has always been close and is expected to heat up when Ryan Palk return s from Europe and prepares for the International Sail Down Under series.

His recent International racing experience supported with a career best regatta result in Germany suggests Ryan Palk will have the advantage over Klade Hauschildt when the sails are tensioned for the Sail Brisbane regatta on Moreton Bay later this year.

Meanwhile Klade Hauschildt will continue to refine his personal fleet racing skill when he combines with Maroochy Sailing Clubs Toby and John Pearce to contest the SB3 Dart Wintersun fleet racing championship off Mooloolaba later this month.

Stepping away from racing the monotype Laser will b e a challenge for Klade Hauschildt but he has the individual tactical experience to make his presence felt when OceanBuro 1 tests her speed against the Rod Jones skippered Club Marine and Sydney's One Design Sailing steered by Olympic medallists Ian Brown. -- Ian Grant

Maxi Banque Populaire V Brings Down the British Isles Record
It was 11:06:58pm last Friday when the Maxi Banque Populaire V finished the Tour of the British Isles, bringing to 3 days 3 hours 49 minutes and 14 seconds the reference time held until then by Sidney Gavignet, single handed. Less than a month after having shattered the SNSM Record, Loick Peyron and his men catch a new title to their conquests by improving the Record by more than a third, by 1 day 11 hours 20 minutes and 13 seconds.

On Friday July 1, the Team Banque Populaire set sail for a week at sea to train the Maxi and her men to offshore sailing. Originally planned as a training course to prepare for the next Jules Verne Trophy scheduled for the end of the year, this session quickly became, thanks to good weather, in a record attempt around the British Isles. "We left Lorient for training. We quickly found ourselves as Nelson's fleet at the time of the Napoleonic wars and we stationed at the entrance of the Channel, on the lookout, between France and England. The Maxi Banque Populaire V is a record hunter and whenever there is a prey to seize, she does not hesitate. The weather gave us a great opportunity ...". Seizing the opportunity offered to them, the thirteen sailors on board then chose to defy the clock and the time set in 2010 by Sidney Gavignet, then alone aboard his trimaran "Oman Air Majan".

Once this UK loop completed at the average speed of 23.34 knots, the skipper from La Baule, obviously pleased with this new experience shared with twelve men on board, gave way to an initial assessment: "It was very nice and very informative and I was able to deepen my knowledge on the boat. We have sailed as if we were sailing around the world in accordance with shifts and with the precise number of people on deck. We have revised the choreography adapted to each maneuver and turned everyone at different positions. Versatility is key aboard this type of boats. Finally, I have discussed a lot with Juan Vila, navigator, of weather and strategy. We worked with Xavier Revil on the food aspects and reviewed plenty little details with Pierre-Yves Moreau. Tomorrow we will all meet at 6:15 on board for a group debriefing ".

The Maxi Banque Populaire V left the Channel to join her Lorient base for a few days before returning at sea, first for training and then for racing, on the Rolex Fastnet Race which departure will be given on August 14 at Cowes. For Loick Peyron and his men, the opportunity will once again be seized to confront offshore sailing, diverse competition and to gather more miles in the perspective of next winter's round the world loop.

Dubarry

Dubarry Storm - Style Over Fashion
Fashion's a funny thing. Everyone likes to make a statement but what does a jacket with spandex epaulettes, chainmail pockets and a dog motif say about you that you wouldn't mind being repeated? What if there was a jacket that did the basics well, a jacket that looks good and keeps you warm in the cold and dry in the rain? Meet the Dubarry Storm, featuring a waterproof shell and an inner storm flap to keep the weather out, and a polarfleece lining and a chin guard to keep you warm. Dubarry Storm - the calm within the Storm.

www.dubarry.com

East Coast Piers Race
Click on image for photo gallery.

East Coast Piers Race This year's East Coast Piers Race and Colne Point Race were held over the weekend of 9th and 10th July at Marconi Sailing Club, Essex. 61 boats turned out for race day.

Probably the most established long distance race in the country, for twenty four years the East Coast Piers Race has attracted top continental sailors and development classes, along with the cream of big cat sailors. However, the East Coast Piers Race (ECPR) isn't just for big cats - a shorter, but no less demanding course (known as The Colne Point Race) is always available for smaller cats.

The course takes participants from Osea Pier, down the Blackwater Estuary to Bradwell, across the Estuary, and then along the coast passing Clacton Pier and turning at Walton Pier for the return journey.

Saturday provided the competitors with a force 4 wind coming from the South West, perfect for a blast up and down the river.

The first race started just after 1pm and took the fleet up river round a mark at the end of Osea Island and down to Thirslet Spit, returning to come through the line. 4 laps were on the board but the race officer shortened the race to two laps.

The race was made more interesting with the combination of a low tide and other races involving barges and cruisers. There were a few close calls and one catamaran got itself caught up on the bow sprit of a barge. Two competitors had a bit of a rest at the windward mark after their access was being blocked by a barge for a minute or so.

Results

Saturday Series - Chris Sproat and Georgina Burke, AHPC Viper
First Dart 15 - Sandy Jordan, Sprint 15
First Dart 18 - John Moore, Dart 18
First Tornado - Phil Marks and Andrew Sinclair
First F18 - Simon Farren and Ben Clegg
First Hurricane - Andrew Bedford and Eric Noyah
Youngest Marconi Crew - Rhiannon Hitt
Team Trophy - Minnis Bay
Colne Point Race - Sandy Jordan, Sprint 15
East Coast Piers Race - Chris Sproat and Georgina Burke, AHPC Viper

www.eastcoastpiersrace.com

Letters To The Editor -
Letters are limited to 350 words. No personal attacks are permitted. We do require your name but your email address will not be published without your permission.

* From Rob Goddard: The latest in the series of Shaun Frolich's Exabyte boats is an Etchells, and Exabyte V is currently being prepared at David Heritages yard and will soon be racing from Cowes, and Shaun is also intending to sail with the class internationally, we are sure that Shaun's success in IRC and then the Farr45 fleet will stand him in good stead for sailing competitively in his Etchells, and we welcome Shaun to the fleet.

The Etchells training weekend held in Cowes last weekend was a great success, some of the participants are already going to compete at this weekend's Southern Area Championships. However having received requests to run another event we are now going to hold another one a week Saturday on the 23rd July, If interested in attending please register www.surveymonkey.com also again feel free to forward this to anyone who may be interested.

This weekend's Southern area championship is likely to be hotly contested with points towards the Etchells Worlds in Sydney 2012 up for grabs, and among the competitors is James Howells, who has become a recent father is sailing in the UK for the first time this year and pairing up with Dave Bedford with the intention of securing their place down under, it will be interesting to see if Dave has sold James an Oppie by the end of the weekend.

Featured Brokerage
Featured Brokerage Boat 1988 Santa Cruz 70. $575,000. Located in Long Beach, California USA.

OEX is a turn key offshore racing sailboat. After several years on the East Coast and Mid West, OEX was brought back to the West Coast in the winter of '07. Over the past four years she has been aggressively campaigned and substantially updated to stay highly competitive with the West Coast 70 fleet.

In 2008, Alan Andrews designed a new rudder and bulb that were installed by Dencho Marine. At the same time, the cockpit was redesigned with twin wheels and a new paint job on the deck and hull.

Brokerage through Stagg Yachts: www.staggyachts.com

Complete listing details and seller contact information at
www.staggyachts.com

The Last Word
By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest. -- Confucius

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