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Women's Trophy Back In Stena Match Cup Sweden
The women's racing in Stena Match Cup Sweden was left out of the event last year because of the tight schedule between the World Cup in Gothenburg and the Olympics in London. This summer, the Women's Trophy is back at Marstrand and the women's elite will once again compete in one of the most prestigious match racing regattas in the world.
Among the six skippers competing for the Stena Match Cup Sweden Women's Trophy is Ekaterina Skudina (RUS) who came forth in the Olympics 2012 and grabbed second place in the World Cup in Korea a few weeks ago. She has already shown that she likes racing at Marstrand and she won Stena Match Cup Sweden back in 2010. In the line-up you will also find the Dutch skipper Klaartje Zuiderbaan, Volvo Ocean Race 2001-02 and test sailor for Team SCA, and Stephanie Roble (USA) who claimed second place in the US Women's Match Racing Championships 2013.
Three Swedish skippers are in the line-up; Anna Kjellberg, Caroline Sylvan and Anna Kjellgren all skipper teams racing for the Royal Gothenburg Yacht Club.
Stena Match Cup Sweden is sailed 1-6 July at Marstrand on the Swedish west coast. Six teams will be competing for the Women's Trophy and the event starts with a double Round Robin. The best teams enter the knockout stage with semifinals and a final.
Marion Bermuda: Shindig Takes Lone Honors
Paget, Bermuda; It was slow going at the end when Shindig took Line Honors in the 2013 Marion Bermuda Race. According to finish line chairman Eugene Rayner, the big blue Andrews 68 finished the 645 nm course at 4:55:13 ADT/3:55:13 EDT on Tuesday morning June 18. Although this looked to be a fast race for the first 48 hours, it became painfully slow as the boat inched its way in the last 100 miles approaching Bermuda.
Shindig, skippered by Michael Reney and sailed by a crew of cadets from Massachusetts Maritime Academy and the former owner, Arthur Burke of Dartmouth, and the MMA coach Chuck Fontaine and a handful of experienced crew have pushed Shindig hard through a difficult race.
Lady B, the second boat is approaching the finish. She is a Swan 62 skippered by John Madden.
The fleet behind her is spread out across the original race rhumb line looking for wind. Handicap honors are still up for grabs in the three Founders division classes and the division itself. -- Talbot Wilson
Will Germany's Buhl Stop Superstar Scheidt?
Philipp Buhl, winner Kieler-Woche 2012. Photo by OKpress. Click on image to enlarge.
Can the German "Sailor of the Year" stop the Brazilian superstar on home waters? Will the start of the biggest yacht ever to take part in Kieler Woche be a success? Who will come out on top of the meeting of the giants in the 505 class? And has Lisa Rattemeyer really found her dream partner for her Olympic campaign in the Nacra 17?
From 22 to 30 June, Kieler Woche will answer these questions, when about 4,500 sailors from 50 nations will crowd the waters of Kiel Fjord. Medals will be fought for in eight Olympic sailing disciplines, among them the two new Olympic classes 49erFX for women and Nacra 17 for mixed crews, the paralympic 2.4Metre, all in all 17 international classes including the swift Musto skiffs and the B/one one-design class of Germany's biggest boat-yard Bavaria, as well as the 18 offshore classes (ORC/ORC Club/one-design and multihulls).
But the focus of Kieler Woche is not only on the Laser. Many renowned sailors promise highlights in the new Olympic classes 49erFX and Nacra 17, the meeting of the giants in the 505, who will be holding their world championships in 2014 off Kiel, with world champions Lehmann/Oehme, European champions Schomaeker/Jess and Kieler Woche winner in a row, Wolfgang Hunger, with crew Julien Kleiner as well as the Esimit, the biggest yacht ever to take part in a Kieler Woche race.
The Kiel Cup (Monday to Wednesday), the Kaiserpokal for the winner of the winners on Wednesday, the Silver Ribbon long-distance race and the Senate Prize are further highlights of Kieler Woche offshore racing. For the first time this year, Kieler Woche will stage the German trials for the Royal Ocean Cup (ROC) with 13 crews fighting for the representing their country at the ROC off Bornholm.
On top of all this, the Classic Regatta at the start of the event, the cutter races on the Fjord and the Windjammer Parade on the second Saturday, Kiel will once again feature the full range of sailing. -- Hermann Hell
The Labs Emerge From The Shadows
Click on image to enlarge.
In 1995, the elite of the sailing world met up at San Diego for the 29th America's Cup, the most coveted trophy in the history of sailing. Just as in all those international meetings, if there was competition on the water, it was just as fierce on the drawing boards of the world's greatest marine designers.
At the request of Defi France, led by Marc Pajot, Philippe Briand, one of the most gifted architects of his generation, designed two 'laboratory' boats, LAB 1 and LAB 2, to check his technical choices while waiting for the full-size boats, which were to be France 2 and France 3. It was at the end of 1993, early '94, when the two half-size America Class came out of Jeanneau Techniques Avancees (JTA).
They were11.84m long, 2.75m wide, and drew 2 metres. Stiff canvas, and with three tonnes of displacement for two in the bulb, these LABS were fast, easy to handle and turned on themselves. They were tested, used for training, and then the two mini America Class sank into oblivion. Stephane Dheygers bought them in 2006 and accepted the challenge, with Pau Yacht Club, to put them back in the water and see them sail again. Invited to the Grand Pavois in 2007, LAB 1 had its first outing on the water.
They were already attracting attention … But after two hard winters in the water, sailing boats quickly fall into disrepair. They were stored on dry land, but needed to be restored to get back their main strengths. Never officially seen together, Grand Pavois 2013 will be the the first "walkabout" for LAB 1 and LAB 2, and the enthusiasts' show will have the honour of seeing, sailing side by side, these two boats which were classified as part of France's marine heritage in 2010.
To mark the occasion "The LABs emerge from the shadows" at Grand Pavois 2013, Pau Yacht Club is launching a subscription to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of LAB 1 and LAB 2. The idea? To bring 75 donors together with the aim of restoring these two mini America Class, to come to La Rochelle to celebrate this anniversary, to sail aboard these legendary boats and, above all, to support a project as rare as it is unique, in France.
For more information: www.ycpau.com
Dual Scoring
It is no secret that the Rating Office, the technical arm of the Royal Ocean Racing Club and gatekeeper for the IRC rating rule in the UK, supports the use of local and national performance handicaps. Far from being in competition with IRC, properly administered handicap systems complement it by bringing new people into the sport and igniting their competitive spirit.
The Rating Office is optimistic that owners move into IRC when they feel they have 'outgrown' performance handicap racing, and recognises that it provides an ideal introduction to the sport. However, if your club usually splits boats between local handicap and IRC classes, this can mean unsatisfactory racing in small, fragmented fleets with large variations in performance.
One option for overcoming this is what Mike Urwin, RORC Technical Director, refers to as 'the Irish solution':
"In Ireland, all races are dual scored under both IRC and ECHO, the Irish national performance handicap system. ECHO is then 'managed' to ensure that the keen racers don't win under both systems. It works - Ireland has the largest number of boats racing per capita, per mile of coastline, or any other way you measure it."
Urwin contends that this allows those new to racing to compete in a larger, mixed fleet with a handicap that is adjusted to reflect their performance. As they become more experienced and their handicap increases, those sailors become less interested in the handicap result and more interested in getting an IRC result. It encourages newcomers, (especially if they beat the local favourite!) and produces better racing, as Urwin explains:
"Instead of splitting the fleet into 'club' and 'IRC', everybody races together with class splits based on speed if there are enough entries. Everyone gets a result in the handicap class, and those with an IRC certificate also get a result in the IRC class. Both classes have the same status on the noticeboard and the same prizes."
For performance handicaps and dual scoring to work well, the handicap system must be administered progressively and updated on a weekly, race by race basis. It does not work if a handicap is set at the beginning of the season but never changed!
For handicap racing and dual scoring in the UK, the RORC Rating Office recommends the new RYA National Handicap for Cruisers (NHC) alongside IRC. The Rating Office is very happy to advise clubs on dual scoring. You can contact them either by phone 01590 677030 or via email
There is also more information on IRC at www.ircrating.org and www.rorcrating.com and the RYA NHC at www.rya.org.uk/racing/Pages/NHC.aspx
UK Laser Association National Championships
With six weeks to go until the start of the championships at Paignton S.C. on the 3rd August the UKLA is delighted to welcome Harken UK as the equipment sponsor for this year's regatta. This is the fourth consecutive championships that Harken UK has sponsored the event.
Loretta Coughi, Harken UK's Direct Marketing & Sponsorship Manager said "As always we are delighted to work with the UK Laser Class. By sponsoring the UK Nationals again this year we hope to demonstrate our on-going commitment to the Laser sailor and the Class Association members."
UKLA Chairman Ken Falcon said on hearing the good news "It is always nice to welcome back old friends. Harken's continued support of the Association and this event in particular is very much appreciated".
UKLA members are reminded that the Late Entry Tariffs apply from 20th July so early birds eat cheaper.
EUROSAF 2K Championships Lelystad Holland
Italy, Germany, GBR, Belgium and Holland will be facing off in Lelystad just north of Amsterdam on Friday for the 2nd edition of the Eurosaf 2K Championships.
2K = 2 vs 2 keel boat team racing on windward leeward course ending with a downwind finish.
the new discipline that has seen remarkable growth especially in Italy now has a bulging calendar of events Europe wide.
the season starts with a Grand Prix in Monaco.. and finishes in the Canaries, with stops in Italy Holland Germany, France and the UK.
The Europeans will be sailed in Maxfun 25's at Bataviahaven. With a gender rule aimed at 50:50 participation, a great social programme and good breezes forecast the competitors are anticipating yet another great 2K Championships.
Will San Franciscans Turn The America's Cup Screw?
It seems that Artemis will not make it to the starting line in time for the originally scheduled [America's Cup] challenger selection series and the organizers are waiving the $100,000 per day penalty for not sailing. Maybe they should be collecting it in anticipation of the City finally flexing its muscles and broaching the subject of terminating this spectacularly economic impact debacle.
Why were the Authority and the Committee given stronger termination rights than the City?
Has anyone from the City written to defector McClellan and the ACOC giving them notice of default and termination under Section 2.2 (H) of the Agreement?
Has anyone in the City counted how few days of sailing the Event Authority have provided compared to what constitutes "The Event" under Section 3 of the Agreement?
Has anyone from the City read and started to take action on Section 3.4, which reads:
"Except with the City's prior written consent (and the Committee's prior consent with respect to costs or obligations fo the Committee), the Authority may not amend the Event Plan to: (1) eliminate any stage of the Event to be held in San Francisco below the minimum number of days specified for such stage in the Event Plan, except as a result of the outcome of a Regatta that is beyond the control of the Parties..."?
Lynn Fitzpatrick's editorial at www.worldregattas.com
Time To Bring Back Keelhauling
One of the Caribbean's most pristine environments has been badly damaged by a rampaging superyacht. The superyacht Captain, when spoken to, told nearby divers, "I have a cruising licence and I can do what I want!" It was the volunteers - and then a passing group of scientists - who were the first to respond to the reports that the superyacht had badly damaged the coral reef in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Provo Turtle Divers, who first reported the damage, said the crew from the yacht was warned of possible damage to the reef, but they choose to ignore the warnings.
He said: "They were contacted and the response was, I have a cruising licence and I can do what I want to do."
"He even stayed another day and damaged the reef even more; he knew what he was doing."
"I can tell you that the anchor chain decimated a large part of the reef. Imagine a road grader just cleaning off an entire stretch of marine park... it is like a moonscape, it is flat, where it was beautiful before.... it's all gone, thousands of years of growth gone by one vessel."
The case against the yacht's French captain, Benjamin Cameron, 39, is ongoing.
On the trial's first day, nine witnesses with compelling testimonies took the stand, and reiterated three main points.
They said the Captain disregarded warnings that his vessel was wrongly anchored; his claim of engine problems may not be completely true; and most importantly, the vessel did not have an anchorage permit as previously claimed by Cameron. -- Sail-World Cruising Round-up, as on BWSailing:
Industry News
With immediate effect Christoph Burger will be on board of North Sails to enforce their presence in Switzerland. He is born in a sailmaking-family and has 20 years experiences in sailing. He will complete the teams around Daniel Schroff in the German-speaking part of Switzerland and Pierre-Yves Jorand in the French- speaking part.
The highlights of his career are two Olympic Campaigns, participation at the America's Cup as well as different Swiss Championship titles.
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After more than three decades, Claus Olsen is to leave his position as managing director of Denmark's leading sail producer Elvstrøm Sails.
"I've led Elvstrøm Sails for 33 years, both in light wind and in stronger winds," he says. "Now I find the time optimal for a shift of generation."
Elvstrøm Sails was established in 1954 in the basement of legendary sailor Paul Elvstrøm's home. Claus Olsen was educated as a sailmaker in Canada in 1979 and took over Elvstrøm Sails at the age of 24.
Today Elvstrøm Sails has more than 50 dealers in 22 countries. The company has an annual turnover of DK65m and employs around 70 people at its loft in Aabenraa, Denmark.
Development manager Jesper Bank and sales manager Espen Kamperhaug will continue with the company alongside the new managing director, who is expected to start at the end of 2013 or beginning of 2014.
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The Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association (YDSA), has announced the signing of a Membership Agreement with the internationally renowned Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA), enabling reciprocal arrangements for members of both organisations.
The new agreement will allow all Full and Accredited members of the YDSA to become Corporate members of RINA (MRINA) without submitting detailed documentation. In addition, Full and Accredited YDSA members who can demonstrate a minimum of five years superior responsibility, via submission of a Professional Review Report to RINA, may also be elected to Fellow of RINA (FRINA). YDSA Affiliates members can apply to become an Associate Member of RINA (AMRINA).
The agreement also ensures all RINA members who work in the surveying of small craft will have their RINA membership taken into account when applying for YDSA membership.
www.ydsa.co.uk
www.rina.org.uk
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Forex broker Alpari has signed as an Official Boat Sponsor of AWMRT event Stena Match Cup Sweden 2013
The association of Alpari companies, providing forex trading services worldwide, has signed to become an Official Boat Sponsor at this year's Stena Match Cup Sweden, one of the world's premier match racing events.
The agreement sees Alpari support Stena Match Cup Sweden, which features as the third official stage of the Alpari World Match Racing Tour (AWMRT), for the second consecutive year. The event is held in Marstrand, Sweden, between 1 and 6 July 2013.
Stena Match Cup Sweden is the second-largest event in the Swedish sport calendar. More than 115,000 spectators attended the six-day event last year and it attracted broad international media coverage, which helped Alpari strengthen its brand profile among sailing fans worldwide.
Featured Brokerage
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Complete listing details and seller contact information at uk.yachtworld.com
The Last Word
Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty. -- Thomas Jefferson
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