March 2008

[Source: Match Race Germany] The top-10 of the world ranking list line up for a slot , America´s Cup helmsmen, international champions and the defending world champion head towards Lake Constance. The 11th edition of Match Race Germany (7th till 12th of May 2008) attracts yet again the world´s best skippers.

While, due to the pending Court Case, the America´s Cup sails through troubled waters, in contrary the World Match Racing Tour shines and has bigger success than ever. “We run out of slots for entries and have to select between the best match race skipper” states organisor Eberhard Magg, “we can already promise our fans and supporters a spectacular sailing show.”

A dozen professional teams will once again race Bavaria Yachts, not only for prize money but also for championship points towards the World Championship as well as prestige to recommend themselves for the 34th Cup edition – where and whenever this will take place. Amongst the skippers qualified through the feeder series of the World Match Racing Tour is Team Sea Dubai´s Markus Wieser (Germany) along with current World No 1 Frenchman Matthieu Richard, back to Lake Constance with a convincing win at Marseilles recently.

The entry list of Langenargen´s classic is a reflection of the coming generation of America´s Cup helmsmen, tacticians and crews. Let it be Matthieu Richard, defending World Champion Ian Williams or the furious Danes Jes Gram Hansen and Peter Wibroe - they will all find open doors to take over the helm of a future AC yacht. Five skippers will fly the colours of their challenges. Despite the Cup uncertainty they use the circuit to keep their claws sharp. Amongst them are defending champion of MRG 2007 Paolo Cian (ITA-Shosholoza), Sebastian Col (FRA-French Spirit), Adam Minoprio (NZL-Emirates Team New Zealand); Jes Gram Hansen (DEN-Mascalzone Latino).

Entry list:

Matthieu Richard FRA Weltranglistenposition ISAF 1
Ian Williams GBR Amtierender Weltmeister ISAF 2
Paolo Cian ITA ISAF 3
Bjorn Hansen SWE ISAF 4
Sébastien Col FRA ISAF 5
Peter Wibroe DEN ISAF 9
Staffan Lindberg FIN ISAF 10
Eric Monin SUI ISAF 13 Qualifier Bodensee
Adam Minoprio NZL ISAF 25
Markus Wieser GER ISAF 55 Qualifier Berlin Match Race
Jes Gram Hansen DEN ISAF 109

Original post by Valencia Sailing and software by Elliott Back

Light, fickle breeze greeted competitors for last weekend’s round of the Raymarine Warsash Spring Series

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

Various classes and kiteboards to show their skill in one month’s time

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

Two youngsters have achieved RYA stage one and two qualifications with a little help from the Chesil Trust

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

 Si l’actuel marchandage juridique pour le destin de l’America’s Cup vous semble plutôt familier, il y a une raison à cela. En 1987, la 27e America’s Cup s’était déjà terminée devant le tribunal de New York lorsque le Mercury Bay Boating Club (MBBC) de Nouvelle-Zélande avait poursuivi le Defender San Diego Yacht Club (SDYC)…

Original post by Alinghi News and software by Elliott Back

 Si l’actuel marchandage juridique pour le destin de l’America’s Cup vous semble plutôt familier, il y a une raison à cela. En 1987, la 27e America’s Cup s’était déjà terminée devant le tribunal de New York lorsque le Mercury Bay Boating Club (MBBC) de Nouvelle-Zélande avait poursuivi le Defender San Diego Yacht Club (SDYC)…

Original post by Alinghi News and software by Elliott Back

Competitor feedback helps steer improvements to Skandia Cowes Week 31/3/08

Original post by Jeffrey Davis and software by Elliott Back

11-man crew leave San Francisco in a bid to reach Japan in record time 31/3/08

Original post by Jeffrey Davis and software by Elliott Back

The International Moth class now has a title sponsor for their Worlds this year

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

The Supernova fleet sufferd in the difficult conditions this weekend

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

Henri Lloyd introduce new wares

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

For the first time this year Fat Face will be inviting classes to compete in their night sail in Plymouth

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

The latest from Skandia Cowes Week

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

The Yngling European Championships are set to get underway with a practice race on Monday

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

The 49er European Championships have come to a close in Palma

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

The 49er European Championships have come to a close in Palma

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

The 60ft trimaran <i>Foncia</i> capsizes off the French coast 30/3/08

Original post by Jeffrey Davis and software by Elliott Back

Photographer Ingrid Abery at the International Rolex Regatta

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

The latest from the International Rolex Regatta in St Thomas

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

Lionel Lemonchois and the crew of Gitana 13 set sail from San Fran

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

Martinez and Fernandez continue ti lead the 49er European Championships

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

[Source: Alinghi] AT 11:30 this morning, in 20 plus knots and a lumpy Atlantic swell, the 60ft trimaran Foncia capsized off Lorient with Alinghi sailors onboard. Of the 10 crew onboard, Piet van Niekerk and Francesco Rapetti were airlifted to hospital, both are safe and with no serious injuries. The rest of the crew along with consultant Alain Gautier were involved in securing the boat and towing it ashore, the sailors are shaken but unhurt.

Ed Baird, who was onboard, provides some insight into what happened: “As we were bearing away, always the highest risk situation on a multi-hull, both the leeward and the central hull dug into the water and the rudders came out. From then it was out of our hands and we capsized forwards. As the mast hit the water, it broke, followed by the rear beam.” He continues: “The crew reacted very quickly in getting everyone back on board, doing a head count and checking injuries before calling for help and beginning to secure the boat.”

Foncia is currently being towed into the harbour upside down to be craned out and assessed for damage. “We have all been through crashes and capsizes before, this is all part of the sport,” says Ed Baird, adding “however this is a temporary situation with Foncia and is not our equipment, so it is even more disappointing to us that we are involved in damaging someone else’s gear. We have learned a valuable lesson here and now must get to work to fix things up for Alain [Gautier].”

Foncia capsizes. Lorient, 29 March 2008

Foncia capsizes. Lorient, 29 March 2008

Foncia capsizes. Lorient, 29 March 2008

Original post by Valencia Sailing and software by Elliott Back

AT 11:30 this morning, in 20 plus knots and a lumpy Atlantic swell, the 60ft trimaran Foncia capsized off Lorient with Alinghi sailors onboard. Of the 10 crew onboard, Piet van Niekerk and Francesco Rapetti were airlifted to hospital, both are safe and with no serious injuries. The rest of the crew along with consultant Alain Gautier were involved in securing the boat and towing it ashore, the sailors are shaken but unhurt.

Ed Baird, who was onboard, provides some insight into what happened: “As we were bearing away, always the highest risk situation on a multi-hull, both the leeward and the central hull dug into the water and the rudders came out. From then it was out of our hands and we capsized forwards. As the mast hit the water, it broke, followed by the rear beam.” He continues: “The crew reacted very quickly in getting everyone back on board, doing a head count and checking injuries before calling for help and beginning to secure the boat.”

Foncia is currently being towed into the harbour upside down to be craned out and assessed for damage. “We have all been through crashes and capsizes before, this is all part of the sport,” says Ed Baird, adding “however this is a temporary situation with Foncia and is not our equipment, so it is even more disappointing to us that we are involved in damaging someone else’s gear. We have learned a valuable lesson here and now must get to work to fix things up for Alain [Gautier].”

Original post by Valencia Sailing and software by Elliott Back

Breaking news: There has been an incident involving the trimaran Foncia and members of the Alinghi sailing team during training off Lorient– all crew members are safe and without serious injury.

More info as we get it.

Original post by Valencia Sailing and software by Elliott Back

Disaster in early training for the Swiss AC defender

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

10 Class 40s confirmed but 13 are possible.for the Artemis Transat

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

Images of the 60 foot trimaran on her return to harbour

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

A report from day one of the International Rolex Regatta in St Thomas

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

[Source: Mean Machine] Hello again everyone! Welcome to the fourth edition of the Mean Machine Newsletter. It’s been another eventful month in the Mean Machine camp (when is there one that isn’t!). We’ve had racing, building and lots and lots of preparation and training for the upcoming European TP 52 season. Here’s a summary of exactly what’s been going on…

MEAN MACHINE #22

The eagle hasn’t quite landed… but it’s finally on its way!

Yes, the moment all Machines had been waiting for came this month with the long awaited departure of the brand new Mean Machine TP 52 from the Salthouse shipyard in New Zealand.

The build was a success and build-manager Chris Reid was very pleased with the results: “I am very happy with the job that has been done and would happily go back for another boat. It is good to see what a small close-knit team can do when faced with such a large task.”

The boat that Peter de Ridder is looking to win the 2008 MedCup Circuit with was wrapped up in cotton-wool fashion for the transportation to Europe from Auckland by cargo ship. The new addition to the family will be unloaded at Antwerp in Belgium where she’ll then be taken by road down to Valencia, Spain.

We’ll keep you posted!

FARR 40 – ACURA MIAMI GRAND PRIX

You all know that we rarely take a rest here at the Mean Machine HQ… if we’re not racing we’re planning the next one…

Well, this month we were racing, but at the same time we were planning for the next one (and the one after that too…). March 6th saw the start of the world famous Acura Miami Grand Prix, and a new challenge for the Mean Machine Farr 40 crew. It was also an opportunity to get some training in for the forthcoming TP52 season.

The Mean Machine ‘classics’ Ray Davies, Jono Swain and Dirk de Ridder joined Peter de Ridder on the starting line for some fierce competition…and fierce it was. The Farr 40 class features incredibly close racing, and there’s no margin for error. Mean Machine found themselves experiencing the full impact of this as it became more and more difficult to climb up the results table.

The Machines didn’t give up and finished at the middle of the table, in fifteenth place, seventh overall in the combined scores from Key West and Acura Miami Grand Prix – not bad for the first season in the highly competitive class with 28 entries, but Mean Machine will be looking to improve on that on April for the Rolex World’s.

Original post by Valencia Sailing and software by Elliott Back

J-Cup 2008 to be hosted by th Royal Southern YC

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

Dame Ellen awarded France’s highest decoration by President Sarkozy in Greenwich 28/3/08

Original post by Jeffrey Davis and software by Elliott Back

The RYA Youth National Championships and Trials are set to begin on Monday

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

Italian AC team boss Mascalzone Latino Vincenzo Onorato speaks out - This is a must read

Original post by Jeffrey Davis and software by Elliott Back

The New Zealand OK National Championships took place in difficult conditions

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

Martinez and Fernandez continue to show the 49er fleet a clean pair of heals at their European Championship

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

The Olympic legend updates us on Team Germany, his TP52 campaign and gives his view on ‘the Onorato letter’

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

Daily diaries from Miranda Merron’s solo on board 40 Degrees during her qualifier for the Artemis Transat

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

A preview to the International Rolex Regatta

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

Latest hearing schedule to decide America’s Cup date

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

[Source: BMW Oracle] The Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) said
today that it was very pleased at the decision by the New York State Supreme
Court to grant a hearing next week in order to resolve the date for the next
America’s Cup match.

The Court confirmed today that it will hold a hearing next Wednesday, April 2nd. From the very beginning this whole process has been about stopping the defender from imposing a wholly one-sided set of rules on the Cup that was strongly opposed by the great majority of challengers,” Tom Ehman, the club’s spokesman said.

“From the outset the defender has denied the real issues at stake, rejected reasonable compromises supported by the majority of teams and sought further delay at every turn.

“The court has confirmed our challenge as valid and we are very pleased the court is now giving prompt attention to fixing a date for the race, which the defender is again seeking to delay.

“We believe that the right date for the match, under the rules set out in the Deed of Gift, is October 2008. As other challengers have also said, the sooner we get on and race this match the sooner we can all get back to a conventional America’s Cup regatta that includes all teams. “

Ehman said Ernesto Bertarelli’s repeated recent protestations that he now needed more time to get ready for the race were contradicted by Bertarelli’s own statements to reporters in December last year that Alinghi were even then preparing for a multihull duel on the water in July 2008.

Original post by Valencia Sailing and software by Elliott Back

 Après avoir reçu confirmation que la Cour Suprême de New York tiendrait une audience pour discuter des dates de la 33e America’s Cup le mercredi 2 avril, Lucien Masmejan, avocat d’Alinghi, a déclaré…

Original post by Alinghi News and software by Elliott Back