November 2007

[Source: Barcelona World Race] The Barcelona World Race fleet is sprinting south today, as at 10:08 GMT this morning Educación sin Fronteras, crossed the third scoring gate at Fernando de Noronha. The entire fleet is now racing towards the next gate, south of the Cape of Good Hope, nearly 4 000 miles away.

Vincent Riou’s PRB had the quickest elapsed time on the third stage of the race, with Veolia Environnement second, just over two hours behind. Sitting seventh overall in the race, Mutua Madrileña had the third fastest time on the stage – an impressive performance. Skipper Javier Sansó says they worked the 2003 vintage boat aggressively over the past several days.

“We’re pushing really hard – I don’t think we could push harder. We’ve been under spinnaker for most of the stage, so we have really been trying…”

Paprec-Virbac 2 and PRB are still duelling at the head of the fleet, separated by just 9 miles on distance to finish. Paprec-Virbac 2 has sailed more to the east compared to PRB as the boats race down opposite sides of the small volcanic island chain of Trindade and Martim Vaz.

“We know that we can’t pass too close to this island so we’ve split on opposite sides of it,” explained Seb Josse, co-skipper on PRB. “So there are about 60 miles between us and Paprec-Virbac 2.”

The leading pair has added to its lead, but the chasing pack appears to be gambling on an easterly route which would see them sail a shorter course, but with increased risk of getting trapped in the windless clutches of the St. Helena high.

“We’re under the influence of the St Helena High which is on good form at the moment and it’ll stay that way for the rest of the South Atlantic,” said Roland Jourdain on Veolia Environnement. “We’re going down the long Brazilian coast with winds from the East which will turn gradually to the Northeast…”

Whether the easterly gamble pays off will play out over the course of the weekend and into early next week.

Day 20 – November 20, 15:45 GMT – Position report with distance to leader

1. PAPREC-VIRBAC 2 - Jean Pierre DICK / Damian FOXALL - 0.0
2. PRB - Vincent Riou / Sebastien JOSSE - 8.7
3. VEOLIA ENVIRONNEMENT - Roland JOURDAIN / Jean Luc NELIAS - 170.6
4. HUGO BOSS - Alex THOMSON / Andrew CAPE - 307.6
5. DELTA DORE - Jérémie BEYOU / Sidney GAVIGNET - 330.2
6. TEMENOS 2 - Dominique Wavre / Michele PARET- 413.0
7. MUTUA MADRILENA - Javier SANSO / Pachi RIVERO - 448.4
8. ESTRELLA DAMM - Guillermo ALTADILL / Jonathan MCKEE - 607.6
9. EDUCACION SIN FRONTERAS - Servane ESCOFFIER / Albert BARGUES - 842.9

In Quotes – Jonathan McKee, Estrella Damm: “We’re gradually getting things sorted out and we’re trying to sail the boat and keep it moving as fast as possible. And we’re getting more confident; knowing how to sail the boat fast with less effort.”

Original post by Valencia Sailing and software by Elliott Back

Paprec-Virbac II regains the lead in the Barcelona World Race

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

Andy Nicholson and James Boyd, walk the aisles and then head for a Guinness

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

[Source: World Match Racing Tour] The breeze was on when sailors arrived at the Heritage Bay Club in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia for the last six flights of the round robin series to determine who would qualify for the quarter finals of the final stage of the 2006/07 World Match Racing Tour. Tour scores are so close among the top six going into the regatta that any of the teams can win, so long as they make the first cut and go through to the quarterfinals.

The day started with the match that would elevate even a sloth’s heart rate – the face off between the #1 and #2 ranked teams on the World Match Race Tour - Mathieu Richard of Saba Sailing Team (1) and Ian Williams of Team Pindar (2). The pair used every play in the book during the pre-start sequence. Williams copped a penalty seconds before the start after nearly boxing Richard off at the committee boat. Williams was in hot pursuit throughout the three laps, but never gained enough of an advantage to do his penalty turn before Richard crossed the finish line only a few boat lengths ahead of him.

Three flights were completed in the morning and the fate was sealed for the women and Staffan Lindberg. The women took the stage first after lunch and Katie Spithill won her first, and only, match of the regatta.

In the Mirsky Williams match. Torvar Mirsky and Ian Williams did a dizzying number of circles during the pre-start with each trying to gain the right side advantage at the start. During the final approach, the boats luffed beam to beam and Williams, who went beyond head to wind, was given a penalty. Williams shot out of the starting area with the speed advantage and Mirsky went left. Williams rounded the weather mark just ahead of Mirsky who went bow down so that Williams couldn’t put a lock on him. The boats came together several times and multiple green flags were raised by the judges. Once he took the lead, Mirsky held on. It was a thriller of a race.

With the women eliminated and Staffan Lindberg knocked out with his fifteenth round loss, the feature match was between Sebastien Col and Bjorn Hansen to determine who would make it through to the quarter finals. Hansen was over early at the pin end of the line in his face off against Col. Hansen closed the gap and blanketed Col on the second run. The beat was close and the pair luffed up at the weather mark. Hansen popped his chute first and the pair sailed their final run with Hansen in the lead. Hansen’s win secured his entry into the quarter finals, while Col was excused from the remainder of the competition.

The quarter finalists will start the day on Saturday with a clean scoreboard, a greater understanding of local conditions, better boat handling and a heightened desire to win every race toward the World Championship Title and the purse for the Monsoon Cup’s grand prize.

Among the top three leaders going into the final stage of the World Match Racing Tour’s 2006/2007 season, it will come down to who moves on to the next round. With Sebastien
Col eliminated from the series, the young Turks and Peter Gilmour have the potential to be spoilers and knock the top three out of contention for the season’s Grand Prize.

In a change to the format, the top competitors chose their initial opponents for the first flight of the quarterfinals. Dato Peter Gilmour will face off against Adam Minoprio; Torvar Mirsky will race Bjorn Hansen; Mathieu Richard chose Paolo Cian leaving Jesper Radich matched with Ian Williams. Report by Lynn Fitzpatrick.

At the end of the Round Robin the results are:

1st Dato’ Peter Gilmour (AUS) PST: 9.5-1
2nd Adam Minoprio (NZL) BlackMatch Racing 8-3
3rd Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team: 8-3
4th Mathieu Richard (FRA) Saba Sailing Team: 7-4
5th Jesper Radich (DEN) Radich Racing 7-4
6th Paolo Cian (ITA) Shosholoza 6-5
7th Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Team Apport.Net: 6-5
8th Ian Williams (GBR) Team Pindar: 5-6
9th Staffan Lindberg (FIN) Alandia Sailing Team: 4-7
10th Sebastien Col (FRA) Areva Challenge: 4-7
11th Katie Spithill (AUS) Team Acuity: 1-10
12th Tiffany Koo (MAS) UK Halsey Gapurna Team: 0-11

Original post by Valencia Sailing and software by Elliott Back

 Les membres de la Société Nautique de Genève, Yacht Club Defender de l’America’s Cup, ont fêté la victoire d’Alinghi lors de leur Assemblée Générale annuelle jeudi soir à Genève, en nommant le batteur Ed Baird et le coach de l’équipe navigante Pierre-Yves Jorand membres d’honneur du Club…

Original post by Alinghi News and software by Elliott Back

 Les membres de la Société Nautique de Genève, Yacht Club Defender de l’America’s Cup, ont fêté la victoire d’Alinghi lors de leur Assemblée Générale annuelle jeudi soir à Genève, en nommant le batteur Ed Baird et le coach de l’équipe navigante Pierre-Yves Jorand membres d’honneur du Club…

Original post by Alinghi News and software by Elliott Back

The latest news from the Monsoon Cup in Malaysia where Peter Gilmour leads out of the round robins

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

Construction industry regatta hand out the cash to sailing charities

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

Bidding continues for rail spaces for Australia’s SOLAS Big Boat Challenge

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

The Phantom class review their season

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

The Australian Youth Championships are set to begin in January

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

Less legs more miles for solo offshore racing’s effective world championship next year

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

Peyron in pole at start of Transat Ecover BtoB

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

[Source: World Match Racing Tour] The consensus is that it was shifty out there. If you were on the right side of a shift, you gained the advantage and could control your destiny. Some of the favorites and the veterans didn’t catch the first shift. Adam Minoprio and Tiffany Koo sailed the first match of the first flight. Minoprio led around the weather mark and extended his lead to win. Katie Spithill and Paolo Cian had a closer match, but Cian crossed the finish line a half boat length ahead of the Aussie team.

The most exciting match of the flight, and maybe the regatta (I know that it’s early, but it was an amazing display) was between youngster Torvar Mirsky and old pro Bjorn Hansen. Mirsky set an impenetrable trap on Hansen at the second weather mark. At some point, Mirsky drew a foul. Knowing that it is against the rules to clear the foul within two boat lengths of the mark, he tried to push Hansen beyond the mark and peel off and take his penalty gybe and head to the weather mark. The boats luffed motionlessly for a lifetime and Mirsky was able to push Hansen off to starboard of the weather mark, leave his competitor and round the mark. Mirsky camped on Hansen on the downwind and tried to make Hansen draw a foul. The fourth match, under full speed with their spinnakers up, ran by Mirsky and Hansen, but not before the leeward Mirsky forced Hansen into the overtaking boats. Once Mirsky knew that Hansen had committed the foul, his team popped the chute and took off for the finish line. The ISAF ranked tenth place skipper Torvar Mirsky won his first match of the regatta.

First day of racing at the 2007 Monsoon Cup. Terrenganu, 29 November 2007. Photo copyright Craig Mitchel / World Match Racing Tour

Jesper Radich, the 2001/02 Tour champion won his first match against Ian Williams, whose Team Pindar went into this final stage of the 2006/07 Tour in second overall.

It wouldn’t be a Monsoon Cup without rain and true to form, a rain squall came through between flights. As the first match of the second flight between Bjorn Hansen and Katie Spithill headed up the beat, the rains dissipated.

The feature match of the second flight was the clash between former world champion, Dato’ Peter Gilmour and Ian Willams, who was second coming into the final stage. The pair were fully engaged before the start. Williams entered the starting area prematurely and consequently was given a penalty, but Gilmour who crossed the starting line at full speed was OCS. Both boats went back in total synchronicity and Gilmour came out to leeward of Williams. Williams turn was to exonerate himself from the pre-start foul, but he took the turn at the same time as Gilmour went back to clear himself from the OCS. Gilmour wanted to go right and threw in a tack. Williams tacked on him and was in the controlling position going right. Gilmour did another slow tack to the left. Williams found pressure and crossed clear ahead of Gilmour on the port layline to the first weather mark. Gilmour used his wind shadow to come from behind pass Williams and Gilmour went on to extend his lead on the three lapper and win.

First day of racing at the 2007 Monsoon Cup. Terrenganu, 29 November 2007. Photo copyright Craig Mitchel / World Match Racing Tour

In the Hansen/Spithill match, Hansen was in control the entire time and won by seven boat lengths. Likewise, the young champion-slayer, Torvar Mirsky put quite a distance on Paulo Cian. Top-ranked Mathieu Richard crossed the finish line half a leg ahead of Jesper Radich.

Getting a good start and being able to get out to the right was the formula that worked best throughout the first two flights.

At the post-race press conference, Torvar Mirsky said, “it was a bit of a surprise to finish off the day with a 2-0.” His young team has been practicing hard in Foundation 36’s at home in Perth. Mirsky thought that his team, being more familiar with the boats and fresh off practicing at home did not need a warm up session as much as some of his competitors who were unfamiliar with the boats.

Original post by Valencia Sailing and software by Elliott Back

PRB and Paprec Virbac still only separated by five miles as they fly south in the Barcelona World Race

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

Monsoon Cup match racing gets underway in Malaysia

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

Nick takes a turn as guest editor

Original post by Jeffrey Davis and software by Elliott Back

Today 15 Open 60s will set sail back up the Atlantic in the singlehanded Transat Ecover-BtoB race

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

The RS300 fleet are set to re-sail their previously cancelled Inland Championship

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

We take a look at some of the top watches for dinghy racing

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

[Source: Desafío Español] Regarding the resolution published by the New York Supreme Court for the case filed by GGYC against SNG concerning the validity of Club Náutico Español de Vela as Challenger of Record, Desafío Español states:

Desafío Español respects the decision of Justice Cahn but does not share his interpretation regarding the validity of Club Náutico Español de Vela. Desafío Español has always acted in good faith by challenging through the Club Náutico Español de Vela.

Desafío Español always believed that it complied with the terms dictated by the Deed of Gift, it consulted with renowned legal advisers and professionals, both national and international. Justice Cahn’s resolution changes the way the requirement of hosting an annual regatta has been traditionally interpreted.

Desafío Español wants to stress that from the beginning of the project, it always intended to achieve the maximum benefit for the sport of sailing, the Valencian Community and Spain. The Spanish team now appeal to the common sense and the sportsmanship of the Defender and the Golden Gate Yacht Club to immediately find a compromise solution. A continuation of this uncertainty affects the America’s Cup and all parties involved.

At the same time Desafío Español remains optimistic about enjoying another great sailing event, again, in Valencia. Desafío Español will continue with the day to day activities until the future of the competition is defined. Then, the team will make the decisions it considers most appropriate for its crew members, employees and sponsors. Desafio espanol continues to have the unconditional support of its sponsors. The Desafio team is ready to adapt its plans to whichever date is set for the America’s Cup and has the clear goal of improving on its performance in the 32nd America’s Cup.

Original post by Valencia Sailing and software by Elliott Back

[Source: Desafío Español] Regarding the resolution published by the New York Supreme Court for the case filed by GGYC against SNG concerning the validity of Club Náutico Español de Vela as Challenger of Record, Desafío Español states:

Desafío Español respects the decision of Justice Cahn but does not share his interpretation regarding the validity of Club Náutico Español de Vela. Desafío Español has always acted in good faith by challenging through the Club Náutico Español de Vela.

Desafío Español always believed that it complied with the terms dictated by the Deed of Gift, it consulted with renowned legal advisers and professionals, both national and international. Justice Cahn’s resolution changes the way the requirement of hosting an annual regatta has been traditionally interpreted.

Desafío Español wants to stress that from the beginning of the project, it always intended to achieve the maximum benefit for the sport of sailing, the Valencian Community and Spain. The Spanish team now appeal to the common sense and the sportsmanship of the Defender and the Golden Gate Yacht Club to immediately find a compromise solution. A continuation of this uncertainty affects the America’s Cup and all parties involved.

At the same time Desafío Español remains optimistic about enjoying another great sailing event, again, in Valencia. Desafío Español will continue with the day to day activities until the future of the competition is defined. Then, the team will make the decisions it considers most appropriate for its crew members, employees and sponsors. Desafio espanol continues to have the unconditional support of its sponsors. The Desafio team is ready to adapt its plans to whichever date is set for the America’s Cup and has the clear goal of improving on its performance in the 32nd America’s Cup.

Original post by Valencia Sailing and software by Elliott Back

[Source: Barcelona World Race] The two race leaders, PRB and Paprec-Virbac 2, are determined to stay to close to each other as the two boats descend down towards the ‘Roaring 40’s’. That’s still some days off, but skippers on both boats say they’re determined to remain close, to ensure they stay in the same weather system as the other, and reach the Roaring 40’s together.

“We just want to make sure that whatever PRB gets, we get it too,” explained Damian Foxall on Paprec-Virbac 2 this afternoon. PRB’s Vincent Riou had the same idea earlier in the day.

But Veolia Environnement appears to be determined to make it a three-boat party as Roland Jourdain’s boat has taken over 50 miles out of the leading PRB over the last 24 hours.

Veolia Environnement sailing towards Brazil. Atlantic Ocean, 28 November 2007. Video copyright Veolia Environnement

Further back Delta Dore and Hugo Boss have done even better, clawing back nearly 60 miles, although they remain over 200 miles behind. Those top five boats have now all crossed through the scoring gate at Fernando de Noronha.

Next to reach that milestone will be Temenos II, which has spent the day trying to drag itself clear of Mutua Madrileña and has been rewarded with a margin of 20 miles.

Also, finally joining the bulk of the fleet in the south Atlantic trade winds is Estrella Damm. Skippers Guillermo Altadill and Jonathan McKee have battled against a series of problems on board, with the result that they haven’t been able to stay in touch with their competitors.

“This has been one of the hardest three days of my life,” read the email today from Jonathan McKee. “Granted we had been having a rather bad race, whether making some poor decisions or being unlucky or some combination of those two. But we were still in the race, something like 30-50 miles behind the group in front on Sunday morning. But somehow they kept a lot more consistent breeze than us since then…According to our weather data, we should have had decent breeze the whole time, and better than the boats further west. But obviously those predictions have been wrong and somehow our competitors have analyzed the situation better than we have. Each time we would get a good southwest wind we would say, ok here we go at last, only to have it disappear within an hour, and we return to the DOLDRUMS, Heinous place…”

Perhaps they can take heart from the latest position report, which sees Estrella Damm racing south at 14.7 knots – the third fastest boat in the fleet. Meanwhile, Educación sin Fronteras, at the back of the fleet, will be spending the night in the doldrums.

Day 18 – November 28, 16:00 GMT – Position report with distance to leader

1. PRB - Vincent Riou / Sebastien JOSSE - 0.0
2. PAPREC-VIRBAC 2 - Jean Pierre DICK / Damian FOXALL - 10.1
3. VEOLIA ENVIRONNEMENT Roland JOURDAIN / Jean Luc NELIAS - 122.0
4. DELTA DORE - Jérémie BEYOU / Sidney GAVIGNET - 204.4
5. HUGO BOSS - Alex THOMSON / Andrew CAPE - 220.1
6. TEMENOS 2 - Dominique Wavre / Michele PARET - 254.4
7. MUTUA MADRILENA - Javier SANSO / Pachi RIVERO - 274.0
8. ESTRELLA DAMM - Guillermo ALTADILL / Jonathan MCKEE - 472.0
9. EDUCACION SIN FRONTERAS Servane ESCOFFIER / Albert BARGUES - 667

Original post by Valencia Sailing and software by Elliott Back

According to reliable information, the CNEV has finally decided no to appeal the decision issued yesterday by Justice Cahn.

An official statement will be issued shortly

Original post by Valencia Sailing and software by Elliott Back

Ian Southworth’s European championship winning Hedgehog crew at Earls Court Boat Show this Friday

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

Fleet gathers in Miami for 10th anniversay regattas

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

International growth and ammendments to the rule for 2008

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

TeamOrigin’s Andy Claughton to lecture at Southampton University next week

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

 Le skipper de l’équipe, Brad Butterworth fait le point après la décision du juge Cahn sur la non validité du CNEV. Le team analyse désormais cette décision ainsi que les différentes options offertes par le Deed of Gift…

Original post by Alinghi News and software by Elliott Back

My main foil is currently back in the mould, waiting for the new carbon around the
join to cure. Hopefully the finish will be fairly close to the original shape, so
I don’t have to spend tomorrow night filling and sanding. Of course I know already
that I will need to spend a night sanding and filling, I am just trying to be a little
bit hopeful.

Hopefully I will be able to re-fit the board with a new rod on Friday night, and be
able to go out on Saturday in the high tide, and finally get some air time.

All content copyright Bruce McLeod, reproduciton of content online without permission
is explicitly prohibited. www.teknologika.com/mothblog/.
Thehalyard.info is explicitly infringing on this copyright. (They even display this
notice right on their site, idiots.)

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

[Source: Barcelona World Race] The elapsed time for PRB from Gate 2 to Gate 3 is 8D 7H 14M, for an average speed of 10.78 knots. Her elapsed time since the start is 16D 15H 49M for an average speed of 8.6 knots.

Paprec Virbac 2 reached the Fernando scoring gate at 20:04 GMT for an elapsed time from Gate 2 to Gate 3 of 8 Days, 13 Hours and 03 Seconds, making an average speed of 10.47 knots. From the start, her elapsed time is 16D 08H 04M, for an average speed of 8.55 knots

Veolia Environnement crossed the scoring gate on 28/11 at 05:15 GMT, for an elapsed time from Gate 2 to Gate 3 of 8D 9H 24M and an average speed of 10.66 knots. Her elapsed time from the start is 16D 17H 15M, for an average speed of 8.35 knots.

Passage times through the Equator:

DELTA DORE 27/11 at 18:31
HUGO BOSS 27/11 at 20:58
TEMENOS 27/11 at 22:18
MUTUA MADRILENA at 23:27

Original post by Valencia Sailing and software by Elliott Back

On board log from 26.54N 17.59W

Original post by Jeffrey Davis and software by Elliott Back

Light winds reshuffle the pack in the latest bout of Class 40 arrivals in the TJV

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

The Lark class celebrated held their final event of the season at Northampton SC

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

We look at the Supreme Court ruling and what this means for the 33rd America’s Cup

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

You can read here the complete decision of Justice Cahn in PDF format.

It will be interesting to see what the CNEV and Desafío Español have to say on that matter. It is now almost Tuesday midnight in Valencia and there hasn’t been any official press release.

Last Saturday, Manuel Chirivella, President of the CNEV, had publicly stated in Valencia’s largest newspaper that he was considering appealing if Justice Cahn ruled in favor of GGYC.

Original post by Valencia Sailing and software by Elliott Back

A New York Judge has ruled that the Spanish challenge was invalid. Where to now for the Cup? Matthew Sheahan reports

Original post by Jeffrey Davis and software by Elliott Back

Valencia, Spain, 27 November 2007: The Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) today welcomed a ruling by the New York State Supreme Court that its challenge for the 33rd America’s Cup was valid.

“We are very pleased by the decision as it enables everyone to focus on getting the Cup back on track quickly,” said Russell Coutts, CEO of the club’s BMW ORACLE Racing tea