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A Change Of Pace at the Halfway Stage
15-20 knots greeted the sailors as racing ramped up on day three of the Sail for Gold Regatta

After two days of tricky breeze at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, a fresh 15-20 knot south westerly breeze greeted the sailors as racing ramped up on day three of the Sail for Gold Regatta (Tuesday 11 June).

All classes to took to the water as scheduled with poor visibility early on and gusts of up to 25 knots across some of the outer race courses. Making the most of the blustery conditions were the regatta's international competitors in the 49er fleet with Ireland's Ryan Seaton and Matthew McGovern moving into pole position whilst Australia's Will Phillips and Rhys Mara posted a consistent set scores moving them into the podium positions despite falling on the wrong side of a protest decision.

Racing is scheduled to start at 11am tomorrow (Wednesday 12 June) with an expected forecast of rain and 18 -20 knots, with gusts of up to 25 knots.

The full list of results from day three: events.sailracer.org

www.sailforgold.co.uk

Sniping Between Teams at America's Cup
Artemis Racing, the Swedish sailing syndicate that suffered a fatal accident during training in May for the America's Cup, released a scathing statement Monday regarding recently published comments from one its chief competitors, Emirates Team New Zealand.

Artemis characterized the comments as "out of line and unsportsmanlike."

"In response to comments by Emirates Team New Zealand's Managing Director Grant Dalton in a June 8, 2013 article in the New Zealand Herald, we would like to set the record straight," the statement read. "Dalton's proposals to change the (Louis Vuitton Cup) race would certainly not help Artemis Racing, as suggested, but make it even harder for us to compete."

Dalton's plan would start direct elimination July 19, rather than Aug. 6, and alter the format to eliminate the semifinals.

Late last week, Artemis announced that it would not be ready for the start of the Louis Vuitton Cup, the round-robin event that decides the competitor for Oracle Racing's defense of the America's Cup in September. The LV Cup was scheduled to start July 7. Instead, New Zealand and Italian syndicate Luna Rossa will start without their Swedish counterparts.

Artemis announced plans to join the racing in August, allowing time to rebuild its damaged boat and still make a run at the finals. Race organizers agreed to the new plan.

Dalton took exception with the race organizers' accommodation.'

Full story in the San Francisco Chronicle by Al Saracevic:

www.sfgate.com/sports/

Auckland Confirmed as GOR Leg 2 Stopover
Auckland has been confirmed as the halfway stopover port for the Global Ocean Race circumnavigation which starts at Southampton, UK, on Sunday 21 September 2014. 

With nine teams from six countries currently entered in the event, the GOR Race Organisation is working closely with ATEED (Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development) and Waterfront Auckland to showcase the 30,000-mile round-the-world race. ATEED, the council controlled organisation responsible for the successful delivery of Rugby World Cup 2011, V8 Supercars ITM 400 Auckland, Volvo Ocean Race Stopover and over 32 events in Auckland's Major Events programme, has been fundamental in securing Auckland as the GOR Leg 2 stopover.

Waterfront Auckland, the council controlled organisation responsible for planning and development of the inner city waterfront and successful regeneration of Wynyard Quarter and Queens Wharf, is working with the GOR to optimise arrangements for the fleet's stay in Viaduct Harbour.

With nine GOR entries so far and 15 months remaining until the start of the GOR 2014-15, confirmation of Auckland completes the stopover schedule for the event.

The GOR starts from the PSP Southampton Boat Show on Sunday 21st September 2014 and finishes at Gunwharf Quays Portsmouth in early May 2015 with the racing fleet making stopovers in Cape Town, South Africa; Auckland, New Zealand; Punta del Este, Uruguay and Charleston, USA, before returning to Europe.

globaloceanrace.com

Spirit Level
Hardly anybody is aware of all the rules that govern yacht racing, but that is not usually a problem. It is perfectly possible to race a boat without ever having read the Racing Rules of Sailing, on the basis of having crewed for a couple of years and learnt how to race by doing it. I would suggest the large majority of racing yacht crew haven't read the complete RRS for a while... if ever.

My experience is also that those who are fully aware of every twist and turn of the RRS turn into rather average readers when it comes to other rules, like the Offshore Safety Regulations, class rules and Equipment Rules of Sailing. And please don't mention the ISAF Regulations! You must be bored stiff to get anywhere near those.

And there are more rules. Depending on where you race there will be local variations on safety rules, local regulations and then a whole lot more if you race under a handicap rule. Between Pablo and me, our umpires and Maria Torrija, our race officer, we manage to stay up to speed with most of it. Although the sail designers still come up with 'interpretations' that lead to some heavy chewing.

Normally there are no referees or umpires in yacht racing. The guiding principle is that observance of the sailing rules relies on the obedience and honesty of the competitors.

Rob Weiland's full article in Seahorse:
www.seahorsemagazine.com

www.52superseries.com

Nick Craig Of Great Britain Wins D-One Regatta
Nick Craig of Great Britain wins the National D-One regatta which was held at Riva del Garda and organized by Fraglia Vela Riva. A total of three races were completed with relatively light winds compared to what we usually have on Upper Garda. On Saturday, the first day, two races were held with a southerly wind of 12 knots which dropped during the second race. On Sunday the crews raced at 8.30 a.m. with a light northerly wind.

Nick Craig, who is the winner of the prestigious British award "Pantaenius Yachtsman of the Year, 2011", as well as winner of no less than 7 world titles and 22 nationals in the "OK Dinghy" class, set the standard with two firsts and a second. Michele Mennuti (YC Italiano), of Italy came second with a third, a fourth and a first in the final race. In third place from the same club was Alessandro Novi. His best result was a third place in the final race after a fourth and a sixth.

www.fragliavelariva.it

UV Protective Clothing By Marinepool - Tec Line With Protection Factor 50
Marinepool Marinepool is renown for high-quality and innovative sailing clothing using only the best materials and state of the art production technologies. Indeed, no detail is omitted to ensure every product is optimized before it reaches the market.

The new Marinepool Tec-Line presents not only highest functionality in terms of movability, light weight, waterproofness and wind resistance but also protection against harmful UV rays on the water. These innovative products provide UV protection up to Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) 50.

Solar radiation is a fundamentally important component of human health; however, too much solar radiation and UV radiation damages the skin. Consequently, the challenge is to balance between exposure to healthful and harmful radiation. To prevent skin harm and skin cancer it is indispensable to protect the skin with sun cream and adequate clothing. Particularly on the water UV protective clothing is crucial since the water reflects the solar radiation and increases the impact on the skin.

Marinepool protective clothing is made from technical fibres with special construction. Marinepool carefully pays attention to test and produce the clothing according to the European standard EN13758-1 to ensure adequate quality characteristics of the utilized materials.

Marinepool UV protective clothing is designed and produced according to the following important criteria:

- comfortable, loose cuts to ensure that fabrics are not stretched while wearing them
- wet clothing is less protective than dry clothing. Thus, we utilize quick-drying materials such as Polyester and Nylon
- dark and colored garments absorb UV radiation better than bright colored clothing; as a result they are more protective
- fold-up collars add protection to the neck from sun radiation
- dull yarns absorb sunlight better than glossy yarns and are thus more protective

Marinepool supplies UV protective clothing in various styles, colors and cuts for both men and women and kids.

www.marinepool.com

470 European Championships
Another glamorous day of racing at the 470 European Championships in Formia, Italy. The breeze filled in right on cue across the race track as the fleet were leaving the boat park to deliver around 17 knots of steady pressure for racing. Two races across all three fleets, with the 470 Men wrapping up the Qualification Stage today, whilst the 470 Women continue to sail a single series, through until the Medal Stage on Saturday.

470 Men

The Gold and silver fleet splits advancing through to the Final Stage were confirmed today, with pole position safely in the hands of Mat Belcher/Will Ryan (AUS) who notched up another first place. They opted not to race the second race, as Belcher explained, "We want to rest now ahead of the finals, so after a win in the first race today we chose to come ashore."

The new format puts much more of an emphasis on the Final Stage, with the qualification series determining the fleet quality and those who will advance to the gold and silver fleet splits. Fair enough therefore that the teams' scorelines effectively start again in the Final Stage, as they now face off against teams of similar racing form.

470 Women

All change at the front of the fleet as France's 2012 Olympic team of Camille Lecointre/Mathildre Geron sealed two race wins to jump ahead of the Kiwis Jo Aleh/Polly Powrie.

After dominating in yesterday's races Aleh/Powrie had a few technical challenges. "We are not too sure to be honest," reflected Powrie on the reason for their change in pace between yesterday and today.

"There is not much difference between winning and being off the pace," added Aleh. "We got one of the beats pretty wrong today and that didn't help. The boat isn't quite set up right and we will be checking everything this evening."

470 Men - Top 5 Overall
1. Mat Belcher/Will Ryan, AUS, 0 points
2. Luke Patience/Jonathan Glanfield, GBR, 2
3. Panagiotis Mantis/Pavlos Kagialis, GRE, 3
4. Sime Fantela/Igor Marenic, CRO, 4
5. Yannick Brauchli/Romuald Hausser, SUI, 5

470 Women - Top 5 Overall
1. Camille Lecointre/Mathilde Geron, FRA, 6 points
2. Jo Aleh/Polly Powrie, NZL, 9
3. Sophie Weguelin/Eilidh Mcintyre, GBR, 11
4. Agnieszka Skrzypulec/Natalia Wojcik, POL, 26
5. Lara Vadlau/Jolanta Ogar, AUT, 26

europeans.470.org

Lisbon Awaits
Lisbon will be in full scale festival mode when the Route des Princes is in town over the next few days with tens of thousands of locals and visitors taking to the streets for the Popular Saints Festival and in particular the Feast of Saint Anthony.

With some 230 miles to sail for Oman Air-Musandan at mid-afternoon today, the winner might be expected in Lisbon during Wednesday afternoon depending on how the wind holds up tonight on the Bay of Cadiz.

An upwind leg into a N'ly wind is expected as the fleet climbs the Portuguese coast towards Lisbon tomorrow. Gavignet's team had lost a few small miles to Spindrift late this afternoon as they slowed slightly, getting into the more gentle breezes off the Bay of Cadiz, but the 'accordion effect' should favour whoever reaches the corner of Portugal first where winds should be fresher.

Passage times at Gibraltar
Oman Air Musandam at 9h15 UTC
Arkema - Region Aquitaine at  10h30
Actual at 10h45
Spindrift at 11h15
Maxi 80 Prince de Bretagne at 11h25

Rankings at 1500hrs UTC

Multi 50
1. Arkema - Region Aquitaine, Lalou Roucayrol, 232.39 miles to finish
2. Actual, Yves Le Blevec at + 0.70 miles to leader
3. FenetreA - Cardinal, Erwan Le Roux at + 19.02 miles to leader

MOD70
1. Oman Air - Musandam, Sidney Gavignet, +212.19 miles to finish
2. Spindrift, Yann Guichard + 16.12 miles to leader
3. Edmond de Rothschild, Sebastien Josse at +68.77 miles to leader
4. Virbac - Paprec 70, Jean-Pierre Dick at +77.32 miles

Ultime
1. Maxi 80 Prince de Bretagne, Lionel Lemonchois, +228.14 miles to finish

www.routedesprinces.com

Queen's Birthday Honour to Rob Mundle
Photo by Luke Marsden. Click on image to enlarge.

Rob Mundle Well known Australian yachting journalist and author Rob Mundle has been awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the Queen's Birthday Honours announced on Monday, 11 June. Mundle has received the award for services to sailing and to journalism.

Robert George Mundle, of Main Beach, Queensland, has been a sailor since 1957 and introduced two significant sailing classes, the Laser and the J24, to Australia.

As a journalist Rob has worked for the Sydney Daily Mirror and The Australian newspapers and for the Ten and Seven television networks as a yachting commentator.

He has covered many America's Cup regattas, including Australia II's victory in 1983, and is currently a member of the America's Cup Hall of Fame selection committee.

He was a founding member of the Society of International Nautical Scribes, an international organisation of yachting journalists and photographers.

Rob has been a member of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia since 1970 and more recently was Commodore of the Southport Yacht Club for two years.

He is currently the Co-ordinator of the Audi Hamilton Island Race Week and was founder of the Hayman Island Big Boat Series and the Sail Paradise Regatta on the Gold Coast.

He is the author of several books, including 'Fatal Shore', a dramatic story of the tragic 1998 Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, and 'Bligh - Master Mariner' and 'Flinders - the Man Who Mapped Australia'.

Rob has extended his sailing interests to charitable causes, notably being an inaugural member and co-ordinator of the Sail for Cancer Committee and the Cure Cancer Foundation which has raised about $1.5 million for research. He is currently an Ambassador for the Cure Cancer Australia Foundation. -- Peter Campbell

Bermuda's Parris Leads 1-2 Race
Stanley Parris the father of Alan Paris, the only Bermudian to sail solo around the world was yesterday leading the annual 1-2 Race from Newport, Rhode Island to Bermuda.

He was expected to arrive in St George's about 4am tomorrow morning.

And of all goes well, he too will make plans to circumnavigate the globe in his 63-foot Kiwi Spirit.

Parris is competing in his own "experimental class" in a boat he designed.

The race started on Saturday in an 18-knot westerly breeze, following the effects of Tropical Storm Andrea which passed the Newport area,

This year's entry was 23, four having dropped out before the start.

The 1-2 event, sailed for the first time in 1977, challenges skippers to a gruelling two-part race, with boats skippered solo on the trip down to Bermuda, followed by a double-handed return leg to Newport.

Brian Oatley, chairman of the Sailing Committee of St George's Dinghy & Sports Club, which co-hosts the race said that although the event doesn't have the allure of the Newport-Bermuda Race, it has become "the favourite for competitive offshore solo sailors looking to test their talents and earn bragging rights."

Royal Gazette:
www.royalgazette.com

bermuda1-2.org

WW2 French Schooner To Visit Dublin
A World War 2 schooner the etoile (A649) now a French Navy Paimpolaise class cadet trainee vessel is due to make a call to Dublin Port on 'Bloomsday', writes Jehan Ashmore.*

The near 81 year-old schooner or 'Goelettes' was launched in July 1932 at the Normandy shipyard of Chantiers Navals in Fecamp. She saw enemy action along with sister Belle-Poule (A650) having joined the Free French Forces.

In recognition of the pairs service during the war the schooners have the honour of flying the French flag with the cross of Lorraine.

The 275 tonnes schooner has a sail area of 450 m2 and is also powered by a diesel motor. An officer has command of the 37m vessel and 15 crew.

* Bloomsday is a commemoration and celebration of the life of Irish writer James Joyce during which the events of his novel Ulysses (which is set on 16 June 1904) are relived. It is observed annually on 16 June in Dublin and elsewhere.

Your humble narrator had to look that one up.

The Next World Energy Crew Unveiled
Seven sailors all under the age of 25 have been selected to represent the Yacht Club de France this September in San Francisco

The names of the seven sailors who will race aboard the French AC45 as part of the Next World Energy team at the Red Bull Youth America's Cup have been revealed. To select the young sailors who will represent the Yacht Club de France in San Francisco this September, Energy Team worked in partnership with the French Sailing Federation and the "French Youth Team". Below is an introduction to the crew.

The cast has been chosen: Arthur Ponroy, Antoine Lauriot-Prevost, Hubert Savatier, Romain Bellet, Valentin Bellet, Paul Dagault, and Edouard-Marie Alikiagalelei will race in the Red Bull Youth America's Cup, taking place in San Francisco, this September 1-4. Before they race at the highest level onboard the AC45, the team will meet together on Monday for a new two-week training session at the National Sailing School of Quiberon, in Formula 18 and Open 7.50.

The final crew members that were selected to be a part of Next World Energy is the result of a selection process that started in May 2012 with the official launch of the "French Youth Team."

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The Last Word
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