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Reeling Off Races
Langenargen, Germany: A lengthy day on Lake Constance marked the start of Match Race Germany and the opening round of the 2013 Alpari World Match Racing Tour. With the wind off Langenargen just strong enough to sail but rarely getting above 10 knots, the organisers ripped through ten flights of the qualifying round, bringing all of the 12 international teams up to five races sailed.

With the sun getting low in the sky, at the end of play GAC Pindar skipper Ian Williams and his long term French rival Mathieu Richard of GEFCO Match Racing Team hold a 4-1 scoreline, along with Pierre Antoine Morvan's Vannes Agglo Sailing Team. The three teams' single losses were respectively to Adam Minoprio, Bjorn Hansen and Ian Williams.

Adam Minoprio's Team Alpari FX was initially docked a half point for a collision with Pierre Antoine Morvan during a tacking duel in Flight 2, when the stern quarters of the two teams' boats touched as they attempted to separate. "In my mind it was a port-starboard and he didn't start avoiding early enough and we had to avoid him and our sterns touched," said Minoprio, providing his viewpoint of the incident. At the time the umpires took a different view and red flagged Team Alpari FX requiring them to carry out a penalty turn immediately, docking the Kiwi team the half point for causing damage. But at a hearing after racing neither Minoprio nor Morvan were found to have broken the avoiding contact rule (rule 14) and the half point penalty was removed from Minoprio's scoreline.

The two German teams of leading Laser sailor Philipp Buhl and German National Match Racing Champion Sven Erik Horsch have yet to get off the bottom of the leaderboard, with Horsch on no wins and newbie match racer Buhl's only victory taken off his fellow countryman. Johnie Berntsson is also on a single win as is Karol Jablonski.

Match Race Germany defending champion New Zealand's Phil Robertson and his WAKA Racing team has also got off to a slow start on just two wins against Berntsson and Jablonski.

The qualifying series continues tomorrow with the start time scheduled for 0900.

State 1: Match Race Germany - Qualifying Round

Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar 4-1
Mathieu Richard (FRA) GEFCO Match Racing Team 4-1
Pierre-Antoine Morvan (FRA) Vannes Agglo Sailing Team 4-1
Taylor Canfield (ISV) USone 3-2
Keith Swinton (AUS) Black Swan Racing 3-2
Adam Minoprio (NZL) Team Alpari FX 3-2
Björn Hansen (SWE) Mekonomen Sailing Team 3-2
Phil Robertson (NZL) WAKA Racing 2-3
Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Stena Sailing Team 2-3
Philip Buhl (GER) Deutsches Youth America's Cup Team 1-4
Karol Jablonski (GER) Jablonski Sailing Team 1-4
Sven Erick-Horsch (GER) NRV Match Race Team 0-5

wmrt.com

Excellent Start For Lucy Macgregor In Saint Quay
The inaugural Women's International Match Racing Series kicked off today with the first event in St Quay-Portrieux, France. Lucy Macgregor of Great Britain summed up seven straight victories, shining alone undefeated at the top of the scoreboard.

Veteran Klaartje Zuiderbaan of The Netherlands is back in match racing after a few years break as a successful Paralympics coach (gold in London), now leading her international crew from France, Slovenia and Great Britain to second place so far in Saint Quay, with a 6 - 2 score/

Stephanie Roble and her experienced crew from Chicago Match Race Center missed a plane and came in late to the event, without any time to do their practise session before racing. In their first match of the day they crossed the starting line too early, and had to turn back for a proper start:

Event standings after the first day of racing in Saint Quay Women's Match Racing, the first event of the inaugural 2013 Women's Match Racing Series.

Place/name/nationality/victories/lost matches:

1. Lucy Macgregor, GBR, 7 - 0
2. Klaartje Zuiderbaan, NED, 6 - 2
3. Stephanie Roble, USA, 5 - 2
4. Julie Bossard, FRA, 5 - 3
5. Alexa Bezel, SUI, 3 - 4
5. Claudia Pierce, NZL, 3 - 4
5. Caroline Sylvan, SWE, 3 - 4
8. Anna Kjellberg, SWE, 2 - 5
8. Milly Bennett, AUS, 2 - 5
10. Morgane Dreau, FRA, 0 - 7

www.wimrs.com

Howth 17s In Dublin Bay
Photo by John Deane. Click on image to enlarge.

The Howth 17s - widely regarded as the world's oldest one-design keelboat class still racing as originally designed - will play centre stage of a three-day sailing regatta in Dublin Bay.

Adding backdrop splendor along the city quays will be five Class A & B Tall Ships, as part of the Dublin Bay OGA 50th and Dublin Port Riverfest which will see classic craft competing for the inaugural RMS Leinster Trophy and Asgard Trophy, and the Howth 17s competing in the River Liffey Race between the East Link and Samuel Beckett Bridges.

The Howth 17s were designed in 1897 by Howth lawyer and founding Commodore of Howth YC, Herbert Boyd. The first five boats were built by John Hilditch, Carrickfergus. Two years later another three boats were built in Dún Laoghaire and five more in Portrush in 1906. During the next six years, four more boats were built, bringing the fleet to 17.

See www.dublinriverfest.com

From the Irish Sailing Association: www.sailing.ie

NZL Youth America's Cup Team Confirm
The NZL Sailing Team with Emirates Team New Zealand has confirmed that all plans to race in the the inaugural Red Bull Youth America's Cup are on track.

"This last week after Artemis' tragedy in San Francisco have been tough on everybody, but we're still just as motivated to continue working toward flying the flag for New Zealand in September" says team skipper 22 year old Peter Burling.

Burling and his London 2012 Olympic Silver medallist teammate Blair Tuke will lead the team of under 25's including: Andy Maloney, Jono Spurdle, Guy Endean, Sam Meech and Jason Saunders. Together they will race under the burgee of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, a club with an enormous reputation on the international yachting scene.

The NZL Sailing Team with Emirates Team New Zealand is now turning to the New Zealand public for support to get behind them in enabling a new pathway for the sport.

Through a crowdfunding campaign on www.thrillpledge.com, the team is looking to gather pledges that total $50,000NZD. In return, only if the project meets its goal, the team will decorate their boat with the supporters' names or logos and give other pledge specific rewards such as team t-shirts or autographed thank you cards.

In celebration of the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show this weekend only, individuals can pledge $60, and recieve the usual reward of the $100 pledge option and they also go in the draw for an Air New Zealand Deluxe Mystery Break for two people.

yachtingnz.org.nz

Delta Lloyd Regatta Enters New Era
Medemblik will once again stage the Delta Lloyd Regatta from 21st to 25th May. With the 29th edition of this prestigious sailing event in North Holland, the organisers and Delta Lloyd will be entering a new era. In a post-Olympic year, the Delta Lloyd Regatta is now part of the Champions Sailing Cup where the five largest European sailing events have combined their resources.

Delta Lloyd as title sponsor of the only Dutch sailing event with all Olympic classes has committed to another four years through to the Olympic Games in Rio 2016. As a result, Medemblik is also assured of a very attractive global sailing event for the same period.

Since 2008 the Delta Lloyd Regatta was part of the ISAF Sailing World Cup. Starting this year, the organising committee decided to take a different approach whereby a number of innovations will be introduced. From 2013, the Delta Lloyd Regatta is part of the Champions Sailing Cup as well as the biggest European sailing events including Faglia Vela Riva in Italy, Kieler Woche in Germany, Sail for Gold in Great Britain and the Semaine Olympique Francaise in La Rochelle, France. The five world class events combine to form an accessible and affordable series for all Olympic and Paralympic classes.

The 29th edition of the Delta Lloyd Regatta is proud to welcome many of the top sailors from around the world. A full strength Dutch team is also expected in Medemblik.

www.deltalloydregatta.org

EUROSAF Match Racing, European Championships
EUROSAF is delighted to announce the publication of the Notice of Race for the EUROSAF Match Racing, Women's European Championship, which is to be incorporated within the Volvo Gdynia Sailing Days, in Gdynia, Poland, from 17th to 21st July. Applications for entries for this ISAF Grade 2 event are invited from all interested sailors and EUROSAF Member National Authorities. Entries close on 15th June, 2013. Notice of Race published at www.eurosaf.org

Joining the Women's Championships this year are three other match racing events, the long established European Open Championship, the Youth European Championship (under 23 on 31st December 2103) and a brand new event, the EUROSAF University Sailing, European Match Racing Championship.

The University Championship is to be held on Largo di Ledro, in Trento, Italy and takes place from 28th to 30th June. This event is open to teams from universities across Europe. Competitors need to be between the ages of 17 and 28 on 1st January 2013 and each crew will be of mixed gender. This championship will be an ISAF Grade 3 event. The Notice of Race is published at www.eurosaf.org or www.avll.it/calendar

The dates and venues for all EUROSAF Match Racing Championships in 2013 are:

- Open European Championship - 28th May to 2nd June, St Petersburg, Russia
- University European Championship - 28th to 30th June, Ledro, Italy
- Women's European Championship - 17th to 21st July, Gdynia, Poland
- Youth Open European Championship - 24th to 28th September, Konstanz, Germany.

For further information please contact either the event organiser, Yana Dobzhitskaya at , or John Friend at

The Notice of Race for all these events are available from www.eurosaf.org

Solent Sunbeams at 90
Photo by Rick Tomlinson, rick-tomlinson.com. Click on image to enlarge.

The Solent Sunbeams are regular visitors to Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week and, at 90 years old, they have plenty to celebrate this year.

The Alfred Westmacott design with its distinct 'V' sail insignia is similar in looks to the Seaview Mermaid but is 2inch longer overall at 26ft 5in (8m). Its popularity as a fun, yet highly competitive dayboat has remained consistent over the years and although the class is mainly sailed at Itchenor SC in Chichester, there is still an active division in Falmouth.

To mark the Solent Sunbeam's anniversary year, at least 10 boats - all from Itchenor - are expected to turn out for Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week.

Competition is expected to be exceptionally high with the fleet keen to challenge for the lead often dominated by Roger Wickens in Danny (V26). The class offers close, competitive racing for all ages and Cowes Week regular John Ford who is in his 80s will be there to give the youngsters a run for their money. Newcomers to the fleet Mark and Nicola Harvey, having launched their new glassfibre Sunbeam Alchemy (V65) in March, have entered as owners for the first time.

With 21 wood, and six glassfibre boats active, and another three in build in Sandown for delivery later this year, Gayle Palmer, Class Captain, says the future is bright for the 90-year-old class.

www.aamcowesweek.co.uk

Caterham Challenge Enters Offshore Racing
One of motor racing's engineering and design geniuses is to become an entrant in next year's Global Ocean Race joining the eight teams already preparing for the start. Mike Gascoyne, famous for his work with several Formula One racing teams and now CEO of Caterham Technology and Caterham Composites, will be at the PSP Southampton Boat Show for the start of the round-the-world race in September 2014 with a new Class40 boat, Caterham Challenge, to be launched this summer.

Gascoyne's team - which includes the UK's most experienced round-the-world sailor, Brian Thompson - is building an Akilaria RC3 Class40 and their high-powered racing yacht will be launched on the South Coast in early August 2013 with sailing and training in The Solent and English Channel.

Mike Gascoyne is an experienced shorthanded and single-handed sailor and completed a solo transatlantic passage on a Class40 last year. Ahead of the round-the-world Global Ocean Race 2014-15, the racing programme for Caterham Challenge includes the double-handed Transat Jacques Vabre in November 2013. The Caterham Challenge entry brings the current total of GOR teams to nine.

The GOR starts from the PSP Southampton Boat Show on Sunday 21st September 2014 and finishes in Gunwharf Quays Portsmouth in early May 2015 with the racing fleet making stopovers in Cape Town, South Africa; in Charleston, USA, before returning to Europe. The Australasian and South American stopovers have been confirmed and will shortly be announced officially.

globaloceanrace.com

Team Tilt Enter Extreme Sailing Series Istanbul and Porto Acts
Team Tilt, the Swiss team selected for the Red Bull Youth America's Cup has announced their participation at the next two Acts of the Extreme Sailing Series to be staged in Istanbul, Turkey (20-23 June) and Porto, Portugal (25-28 July) as the global tour heads back to Europe for the summer months. Also new to the Series is SpeedDream, an ambitious project that aims to build the worlds fastest monohull, and will join the NeilPryde Windsurf Racing Series as warm-up acts.

Since Team Tilt's qualification for the Youth America's Cup, the team of young sailors have embarked on a demanding training programme which includes racing on different high-performance multihull classes including the Decision 35, M2 and the Extreme 40. Just last weekend, the team competed in the first Vulcain Trophy event of the season where they came up against the Extreme 40 crews and their Swiss countrymen onboard Alinghi and Realteam for the first time.

Lucien Cujean, the teams skipper, who started sailing multihulls in 2007 alongside offshore legend Alain Gautier, himself a former Extreme 40 helm, commented: "The forthcoming Extreme Sailing Series Acts in Istanbul and Porto are a great opportunity for us and perfect to prepare ourselves as best as possible for our ultimate objective, winning The Red Bull Youth America's Cup. The Extreme sailing Series has some of the best multihull sailors in the world and for us it will be a great opportunity to compete alongside these very talented sailors. It's also a new racing format that we will have to quickly adapt to. So, we have a huge learning curve ahead of us."

Cujean will be joined by Jocelyn Keller as tactician, Jeremy Bachelin mainsail trimmer, Thomas Mermod headsail trimmer, with the bowman's position still to be decided between Mikis Psarosfaghis and Jonas Schagen

www.extremesailingseries.com

* SpeedDream, the quest to build the world's fastest monohull, has formed two strategic alliances to achieve this ambitious goal. First, recognizing that record setting is as much about radical design ideas as it is about pushing technology barriers, the SpeedDream team have strengthened their technological partnership with the Russian hi-tech giant Yandex and will be utilizing their enormous computing power to further refine the design concept.

Last October the SpeedDream team launched and tested a 27-foot prototype of what will form the basis of a larger record setter. While continuing to test the first prototype, the SpeedDream team have already started research and development for a second stage 50-footer that will enable them to test their design ideas in real ocean conditions. A core of this program is Computative Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Research and Finite Element Analysis, which will be performed as a cooperative effort between SpeedDream designers and Yandex engineers.

Short Tacks
Artemis Racing today held a private ceremony commemorating the memory of our friend and teammate Andrew "Bart" Simpson. After eight bells, a wreath was cast upon the water by representatives of the four teams of the 34th America's Cup. Then the morning's rain parted and sunshine spread across San Francisco Bay. The Artemis Racing team thanks everyone for their support. Bart, may you rest in peace.

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The National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth will host the final prizegiving ceremony for the 2013 J-Cup hosted by the Royal Western Yacht Club, August 21st-24th. Though not the first time the annual regatta has visited the West Country, this will be the first time that the spectacular marine facility will feature in the regatta programme.

The National Marine Aquarium is the largest of its kind in the UK, with over 70 sharks and varieties of exhibits in both floor to ceiling and overhead tanks and tunnels. Centrally located and a must-visit for tourists to the maritime city, the glass-fronted aquarium boasts superb views of the Barbican and Plymouth Sound, where some of the J-Cup racing will take place. As well as a tourist attraction, the Aquarium is also a registered charity, committed to promoting a sympathetic understanding of the sea through programmes of education, conservation and research.

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Quantum Racing returns to the Mediterranean for the 2013 summer circuit with Ed Baird at the helm and four new team members including Terry Hutchinson as Tactician. The team also welcomes Jordi Calafat, Spain, as Strategist; Romolo Ranieri, Italy, at the Mast and new shore crew Rowan Swanson from New Zealand. The team gathers this weekend in Barcelona, Spain where it will be training for the first European event of the 52 Super Series, the Trofeo Conde De Godo, May 23-26.

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The Last Word
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