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Audi Hamilton Island Race Week: Kiwis to challenge for South Pacific Cup

August 04, 2010

As the number of yachts entered for Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2010 approaches the magical figure of 200 the New Zealanders have declared they are on a mission – the want the South Pacific Cup.

2009 Hamilton Island Race Week Photo Credit Andrea Francolini

2009 Hamilton Island Race Week Photo Credit Andrea Francolini

The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron has advised Hamilton Island Yacht Club that two highly competitive yachts, Jim Farmer’s new TP52, Georgia, and Rob Basset’s 52-footer, Wired, will be racing under the club’s burgee in the Kiwi quest for the trophy.

The South Pacific Cup is an international team event which was first contested at the 25th staging of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week two years ago. The Australian team comprising Yendys (Geoff Ross), Alegria (Rod Jones) and Living Doll (Michael Hiatt) claimed the prize.

 Audi Hamilton Island Race Week officials will meet this week to select the two Australian yachts which will defend the cup at the regatta, which starts on August 20.

The entry list for the 27th edition of Race Week is now nudging 190, and with a few days to go until the close of nominations, indications are that it could go as high as 200.

Ironically, among the entries about to be lodged are the largest contender – Lang Walker’s spectacular new 58-metre superyacht KOKOMO III  – and some of the smallest – three 6.1 metre long SB3 sportboats. And, while the yachts are coming from around Australia and overseas, so too are the competitors: ex-pat Australian Robbie Vaughan, who won the Cruising Division two years ago, will be returning from America to race his 64-footer, Van Diemen III; and Mount Isa panel beater Greg Fietz will be arriving with four mates in the hope they find crew positions for the week. ‘We’ve heard so much about Race Week we just know that we want to do it, so we’re turning up on spec in hope we find a ride,’ Fietz explained. ‘It will be a nice change from the bush.’

FEDERAL ELECTION: Race Week competitors will be able to cast their votes in the Federal Election (scheduled for August 21) at a special polling booth on Front Street, at Hamilton Island. Voting times will be from 0900hrs to 1700hrs on Friday, August 20, and 0800hrs to 1800hrs on Saturday, August 21.

Entries for this year’s regatta close on August 6.

Hamilton Island Race Week’s naming rights sponsor, Audi, is the fastest growing German luxury carmaker, and the major supporter of yachting, in Australia.

Audi Hamilton Island Race Week is Australia’s largest and most awarded keelboat regatta. All details relating to on-water and onshore activities can be found on the website: www.hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au

Rob Mundle –

Cowes Week: America’s Cup TeamOrigin announces team for 1851 Cup Regatta

July 29, 2010

The Royal Thames Cup

TEAMORIGIN, the British America’s Cup team, has announced their team for the 1851 Cup taking place during the Cowes Week Regatta. Included in the team are three time Olympic Gold sailor Ben Ainslie, two time Olympic Gold sailor Iain Percy and Gold medalist Andrew Simpson.

The 1851 Cup sees TEAMORIGIN challenge the current America’s Cup holders, BMW Oracle, during a series of match races in the Solent. On Thursday 5th August, the teams will race clock-wise around the Isle of White following the original course of the America’s Cup in 1851.

Garrard, the oldest jewellery house in the world, has created and unveiled a stunning new trophy ‘The Royal Thames Cup’. Designed by the internationally renowned designer and Creative Director of Garrard, Stephen Webster, the Cup features a sterling silver claret jug mounted upon an ebony base.

The Royal Thames Yacht Club will award the new Cup to the winner of the ‘Round the Island Race’ between British America’s Cup contenders, TEAMORIGIN, and the winners of the 33rd America’s Cup, BMW ORACLE Racing representing the Golden Gate YC of San Francisco.

TEAMORIGIN SAILING TEAM LISTING FOR 1851 CUP EVENT

Ben Ainslie:  Skipper & Helmsman
Iain Percy: Tactician
Andrew Simpson: Strategist
Juan Vila: Navigator
Mark Mendelblatt: Upwind Traveller
Anthony Nossiter: Runner/Pit Assist
David Carr: Runner/Aft Grind
Warwick Fleury: Mainsail Trim
Chris Brittle: Forward Grind
Will McCarthy: Main Grind
Mark McTeague: Forward Grind
Christian Kamp: Trim Down
Simon Daubney:  Trim Up
Rodney Ardern:  Pit
Julien Cressant: Mast
Matt Cornwell: Mid Bow
Matthew Mitchell: Bow

Artemis and Madrid-Caser Seguros win at the Camper Regatta Conde de Godo Trophy Barcelona.

July 26, 2010

With everything to play for on the final day Artemis completed a great recovery to win the Camper Regatta – Conde de Godó Trophy Barcelona. Madrid – Caser Seguros won last race to win the event, and is the new GP42 Series leader.

Paul Cayard (USA) and the crew of Torbjorn Tornqvist’s (SWE) Artemis (SWE) won the Camper Regatta – Conde de Godó Trophy – Barcelona TP52 Series in considerable style, after a fantastic finale, coming from eighth at the first windward mark to finish second behind Bribón (ESP) on the finish line of the last race, to clinch the Swedish flagged team’s first MedCup Circuit regatta win since 2007.

Day 5 Fleet Camper Regatta – Conde de Godó Trophy – Barcelona Photo Credit Ian Roman - Audi MedCup

With Madrid-Caser Seguros (ESP) winning the GP42 Series, three different boats have won each of the three regattas this season so far in both TP52 and GP42 Series, confirming this is the most open Audi MedCup Circuit season ever.

Leading into the one and only race of today by a single point, the odds looked suddenly to be stacked against an Artemis regatta win when they picked the wrong side of the first beat and rounded the top mark in eighth place, with their main rivals Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) in second. 

But two electrifying downwind legs, twice gybing away for clear air and flatter water, diverging from the line taken by the pack, saw Cayard and crew gaining three places on each run to secure Barcelona’s top trophy.

TP52 Day 5 Artemis Photo Credit Ainhoa SanchezAudi MedCup

Emirates Team New Zealand at one stage seemed to be hanging on, just on target for their second regatta win of the season, with Luna Rossa (ITA) between them and their rival Artemis representing the 1-point margin that they needed to win, but in the end the Kiwi champions could do nothing to control the firepower of Artemis downwind.

On the final run Cayard, tactician Cameron Appleton and the Artemis crew gained 44 seconds, to cross just 16 seconds behind José Cusí’s (ESP) Bribón who finished their regatta with a flourish to clinch a creditable fourth overall in owner Cusí’s home city. 
Artemis top the Camper Regatta – Conde de Godó Trophy – Barcelona TP52 fleet after a miserable Marseille, where they finished eighth overall. In Barcelona they have sailed with confidence and cohesion, bolting together all of the required components to win a testing 10 race series.

Third overall last season their overall win at the first of two Audi MedCup Circuit regattas in Spain this season, boosts Tornqvist’s team from sixth overall on the 2010 standings to third.

And, after Emirates Team New Zealand in Cascais, Quantum Racing (USA) in Marseille they become the third TP52 Series team to win an event this season,  just as three different GP42 Series teams Islas Canarias Puerto Calero (ESP), Iberdrola (ESP) and Madrid-Caser Seguros have had regatta victories.

Artemis last won a MedCup regatta in Hyeres, France in 2007 when Russell Coutts skippered the team to win the Circuit title. In that season five different boats won the five regattas.

Emirates Team New Zealand finish disappointed not to have won in Barcelona. They were hobbled for boat speed at times, citing a plastic bag that they caught around the rudder which left them lacking speed.

But the reigning title holders head to Cartagena for next month’s (August 24-29)  fourth regatta of the 2010 season, the Caja Mediterráneo Region of Murcia Trophy having extended their overall lead by ten points at this regatta. They now lead Quantum Racing (USA) by 28.5 points. 

Artemis celebrating, Camper Regatta – Conde de Godó Trophy – Barcelona Photo Credit Ian Roman - Audi MedCup

GP42 summary
The last race in the GP42 Series saw the team that has dominated all week – Madrid-Caser Seguros (ESP) – win their sixth race in the nine race series, nearly from start to finish.

A strong start by Iberdrola (ESP) and AIRISESSENTIAL (ITA) put them into contention all the way to the first mark rounding, but a big four-boat pile-up at the mark had Madrid-Caser breaking free, followed by Iberdrola, and the Italians doing a penalty turn at the mark.

And with the breeze building up to 17 knots, the two B&C-designed sisterships – Madrid-Caser Seguros (ESP) and Islas Canarias Puerto Calero (ESP) – were able to put their speed to advantage and finish 1-2 on the day, despite a last-second charge to the line by the Iberdrola green machine.

The two are also now tied on 50 points each in the overall series, with Madrid-Caser Seguros now taking the lead on the tie-break.

The next Audi MedCup Circuit event is the Caja Mediterráneo Region of Murcia Trophy, Cartagena, August 24-29

GP42 Madrid - Caser Seguros celebrates their victory Photo Credit Nico MartinezAudi MedCup

Madrid - Caser Seguros celebrates their victory Photo Credit Nico MartinezAudi MedCup

Camper Regatta – Conde de Godó Trophy – Barcelona  Final Results

TP52 Series
1. Artemis (SWE), 7+2+4+5+2+4+1+5+1+2= 33 points    
2. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 1+4+8+1+3+2+5+3+5+3= 35 
3. Quantum Racing (USA), 5+5+2+11+1+1+9+2+5+6= 44 
4. Bribón (ESP), 3+3+7+7+5+11+10+7+4+1= 58   
5. Cristabella (GBR), 2+1+11+9+6+9+4+6+6+8= 62   
6. TeamOrigin (GBR), 10+6+3+3+9+7+8+1+7+9= 63 
7. Matador (ARG), 4+9+9+10+10+3+6+9+3+4= 67     
8. Bigamist 7 (POR), 8+7+10+8+4+5+7+4+10+7= 70   
9. Luna Rossa (ITA), 9+11+1+6+11+10+2+10+8+5= 73     
10. Synergy (RUS), 6+10+6+2+7+8+3+8+11+12= 73       
11. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER), 12(DNC)+8+5+4+8+6+11+11+9+10= 84

GP42 Series
1. Madrid – Caser Seguros (ESP), 1+1+1+1+2+1+4+2+1= 14 points
2. Islas Canarias Puerto Calero (ESP), 2+4+2+2+1+2+3+1+2= 19  
3. Iberdrola (ESP), 3+2+3+3+3+4+1+4+3= 26
4. Península Petroleum (GBR), 5+5+4+5+4+3+2+5+4= 37 
5. AIRISESSENTIAL (ITA), 4+3+5+4+5+5+5+3+5= 39 

Audi MedCup Circuit 2010
Provisional Leaderboard after three events

TP52 Series
1. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 31,5+31+35= 97,5 points
2. Quantum Racing (USA), 59,5+22,5+44= 126
3. Artemis (SWE), 57+53+33= 143 
4. TeamOrigin (GBR), 59,5+31+63= 153,5
5. Matador (ARG), 60+27+67= 154
6. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER), 51,5+29,5+84= 165
7. Cristabella (GBR), 65+43,5+62= 170,5
8. Synergy (RUS), 64+35,5+73= 172,5   
9. Bribón (ESP), 88+41+58= 181,5
10. Luna Rossa (ITA), 77,5+44,5+73= 195 
11. Bigamist 7 (POR), 88+78+70= 236

GP42 Series
1. Madrid-Caser Seguros (ESP), 24+12+14= 50 points
2. Islas Canarias Puerto Calero (ESP), 14+17+19= 50
3. Iberdrola (ESP), 25+10+26= 61
4. AIRISESSENTIAL (ITA), 37+15+39= 91
5. Peninsula Petroleum (GBR), 40+24+37= 101

Quotes of the day

Paul Cayard (USA), helmsman Artemis (SWE):
“We are very very happy, mostly, because what we are trying to build here on Artemis is a process to go out and win races and that comes from a certain amount of confidence and stability and the boat the crew, our starting and we really lost that in Marseille, so more important really than winning the race, or being second, or third to me is just that we come back and we are very, very competitive. And that’s a great way to go forward, for the Medcup becauset also we were trying to work with the America’s Cup.”
“ We were really quick downwind the whole week, and noticed that on the first run obviously so as soon as we came round the mark I was kind of urging Cam just to give me clean lane.”
“We could go really fast if we don’t have the wakes of the other boats so we had surfed right up to Prada almost immediatly and it didn’t really matter which way we went, or  which way the wind was going to go, we just wanted to get away from boats so we could just rip.”
“And it seemed we had a better gear than anybody else downwind and that let us slip just right on through. It couldn’t have been more exciting than that, coming down to the last race”.

Gonzalo Araujo (ESP), skipper Bribón (ESP):
“Winning the last race always adds a positive note. Today we confirmed our improvement throughout the second half of the event. And as I always say in this circuit we all have the level to win races, it’s a matter of racing well. After the start we’ve gone to the right to get the clean air from the others, but we didn’t have a good start, didn’t get ourselves a gap. Marcel (Van Triest, navigator) told us to go further in, since it was going to shift to Garbí. So a big part of this win is his”

Paolo Cian (ITA), skipper/helmsman Madrid-Caser Seguros (ESP):
“If there was one thing we did well this week, it was our focus on the little things we did before the regatta to get us the small edge in speed. In a class this tight, this small edge means a lot.”

Juanlu Páez (ESP), navigator Madrid-Caser Seguros (ESP):
“We made a good start, Islas Canarias was called over the line what obviously helped us, cause we then had the control and our boat sails fast, so it all went perfect, the 17 knots wind were also excellent conditions for us. Islas Canarias is a very good team and they’ve been able to come back, it’s clear she’s our main rival. The boat is the same, and we also have same sails, mast, so we’ll probably keep fighting against till the last day. It wouldn’t surprise me if it all came to the last race in Cagliari”..

Sabina Mollart-Rogerson

Palmer Johnson Launches Motor Yacht PJ-501

July 13, 2010

Palmer Johnson earlier today launched the first of three PJ 170 motor yachts, from the  Solent Refit Southampton facility,  for a repeat client, the PJ-501 Yacht.

PJ 170 - PJ-501 launched by Palmer Johnson

“This significant launch certainly cements Palmer Johnson’s Sportyacht concept by passing the 50 meter benchmark and further confirms the appeal of the Sportyacht genre.” said company President Mike Kelsey.

Superyacht PJ-501 Profile - Image Credit to Palmer Johnson

The PJ 170 Mega Sport Yacht will be the largest Sportyacht built.

PJ-501 Motor Yacht, as she is known will cruise the Mediterranean over the coming months and will join the other Nuvolari-Lenard designed Sportyachts that  the company has produced since 2004.

PJ-501 Mega Sport Yacht in water

The sleek profile and aggressive stance of the instantly recognizable PJ Sportyacht series is even more emphazied on the PJ 170 yacht PJ-501, because of the increased length of this model. The 170 also enjoys technical advancements which include dual Gyro stabilizers which negate external fins under the waterline, a first in a large Sportyacht .

The company Palmer Johnson is also building two 210’ Sportyachts for delivery next year along with a 135’ and the 82M PJ World yachts.

San Francisco sole USA host city candidate for 34th America’s Cup

July 09, 2010

San Francisco has put forward a strong, well- rounded venue proposal, and is now the only city in the USA under consideration to host the 34th America’s Cup match.

San Francisco sole USA host city candidate for 34th America's Cup

The city is home to the Golden Gate Yacht Club, whose team BMW ORACLE Racing, won the 33rd America’s Cup in Valencia, Spain on 14 February.

The 34th America’s Cup is scheduled for 2013 or 2014, the year to be determined by infrastructure development lead-times.

“Our team has said from the outset that San Francisco and the Bay Area have the potential to provide a superb stage on which to host a memorable America’s Cup,” commented Russell Coutts, CEO of BMW ORACLE Racing. “Our team owner, Larry Ellison, has called the Bay ‘a fantastic natural amphitheatre’.”

In being granted status as the sole venue candidate in the USA, San Francisco can forge ahead with plans to provide the necessary facilities for the America’s Cup along the City’s waterfront, south of the Bay Bridge. It also now allows San Francisco to “nationalize” their efforts and to seek support from the State of California and the federal government in Washington, D.C.

Under the Cup’s governing rules, the Deed of Gift written in 1852, the winner and hence Defender for the next Match chooses the venue.

San Francisco’s Mayor Gavin Newsom said, “We are very honored to lead a national effort to host the 34th America’s Cup. Larry Ellison has a transformative vision for hosting the Cup on San Francisco Bay, and we are prepared to leverage the nation’s support to make this a coast-to-coast campaign and to realize that vision.”

Other US cities have been excited by the prospect of hosting the America’s Cup match, notably Newport, Rhode Island where Cup racing was held from 1930 through 1983, San Diego, California which hosted Cup defenses in 1988, 1992 and 1995, and Long Beach, California, site of the 1984 Olympic yachting regatta and the annual Congressional Cup.

Coutts said, “We are extremely grateful to the other American candidates. Their disappointment is understandable as each would have been a great host city in its own right. And we appreciate their offers of support to San Francisco going forward.

Strong expressions of interest from four European countries are also being studied by the American Defender. GGYC/BOR will announce a final decision on the venue, along with the date and other details of the next America’s Cup by the end of this year.

The America’s Cup has been defended only twice outside of the holder’s home waters in its 159 year history – at Valencia, Spain in 2007 and 2010.

BMW ORACLE Racing wraps victory tour.

July 05, 2010

The BMW ORACLE Racing Team, winner of the 33rd America’s Cup last February, officially wrapped up its America’s Cup Victory Tour this week with a swing along the East Coast.

On Tuesday, June 29th, the team visited with President Barack Obama in the White House. The visit to the White House was just the second for the America’s Cup trophy that dates back to 1851.

BMW ORACLE Racing team celebrated their historic America’s Cup win at the White House with President Obama on Tuesday

The 45 team members on hand, including team founder Larry Ellison and CEO Russell Coutts, presented the President with the port steering wheel from USA-17, which skipper Jimmy Spithill of Australia used to guide the trimaran across the finish line to clinch the 33rd America’s Cup.

Wednesday, June 30th, saw the team in New York City. Spithill, the Cup and team members were featured on the CBS Early Show, and about one hour later Spithill rang the bell to commence the day’s trading on the NASDAQ stock exchange.

The team enjoy a sun-splashed visit to Newport, RI, home of the Cup from 1930 to 1983 when it was spirited away by challenger Australia II.

With a brisk nor’wester blowing in the City by the Sea, members of the team and the Cup were feted at Bannister’s Wharf, paraded around Newport Harbor and enjoyed a gala luncheon at Fort Adams State Park hosted by Sail Newport for 450 people.

“The week has kept getting better and better,” said Tom Ehman, Director of External Affairs for BMW ORACLE Racing. “The White House was special and the visit to NASDAQ and Times Square was exciting. But the visit to Newport shows that there’s something magical about the Cup.”

In the afternoon, the team entertained upwards of 400 youth sailors from the Narragansett Bay sailing community. The boys and girls, ranging in age from 8 to 16, were welcomed by Coutts, a past youth world champion.

“You don’t have to be a good Optimist sailor to be a good sailor,” Coutts told the assembled sailors. “When I was growing up in New Zealand I used to read about the races in Newport, but never thought I’d get the chance to compete. I also never dreamed of visiting the White House and meeting the President of the United States. It just shows what you can accomplish with hard work and dedication, and how broad our sport is.”

With the celebration of the victory complete, the team turns its full attention towards the 34th America’s Cup. By the end of the year the team plans to announce the venue and new class of yacht that will be raced.

New High-Performance Yachts for 34th America’s Cup

July 05, 2010

Rating rule authorities in America and Britain have been commissioned to draft the rules for the next generation of America’s Cup yacht.

34th Americas Cup Rule Briefing - Photo Credit Americas Cup

In asking US SAILING and the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Seahorse Rating affiliate to write the rules, BMW ORACLE Racing and Golden Gate Yacht Club, winner of the 33rd America’s Cup last February, has ensured the process is neutral and independent.

“We’ve always said that the new design will be for the America’s Cup community. The result with be a ‘non-partisan yacht’ rather than a ‘defender’s yacht’,” said Ian Burns, Design Coordinator for BMW ORACLE Racing. “A great deal of input was sought from the America’s Cup community and the concept briefs given to the rule writers reflect that feedback.”

In a twin-track process, US SAILING will author a multihull rule and the RORC’s Seahorse Rating a canting-keel monohull rule.

“It would be premature to rule either a monohull or multihull in and the other out at this stage,” commented Russell Coutts, CEO of BMW ORACLE Racing. “Which type of boat is best for racing and media impact is one of many evaluations we will be testing over the coming months.”

The choice between monohull and multihull will be made after the conclusion of these trials, the first round of which is scheduled for Valencia in late July.

“Either option will provide high performance, exciting viewing and challenges to design, build and sailing teams,” commented Burns.

Versatile performance in light and strong winds is considered essential to minimize delayed or postponed racing.

In response to feedback from potential teams, the original concepts for both types have been scaled back from 26m (82 feet) LOA to 22m (72 feet) for tangible cost reduction.

An engine will be used to cant the keel on the monohull and move appendages on the multihull. The rule authors have been tasked to specify an environmentally friendly, smart, low-emission engine or power-pack.

“This offers a great opportunity for the America’s Cup community to take a leading role in this increasingly applied technology,” said Burns. “But there will be no power- assistance for crews to trim or hoist sails. Both the monohull and multihull will be very athletic boats to race hard.”

To ensure fairness, all teams will simultaneously receive updates and information from the authors with regards to progress.

The briefs to the rule authors outline parameters for both types of boat to give base-line dimensions.

This ‘box rule’ method should ensure boats designed by different teams are similar in style to guarantee the close racing the America’s Cup thrives on. Otherwise, the instructions to the rule writers are deliberately open to afford them full creative freedom.

Seahorse Rating has asked Nick Nicholson and James Dadd, with their wide experience of previous America’s Cup class rules, to lead the monohull development.

The multihull rule is under the purview of multihull designer Pete Melvin, a two-time A Class catamaran world champion, and US SAILING.

Other cost-cutting measures include limitations on the number of hulls, masts, appendages and sails a team can build. And the reduced crew size will mean fewer personnel.

“These boat concepts are all about similar performance between competing yachts throughout the wind range,” said Burns. “Unique configurations are the expensive part of the America’s Cup. We don’t want a light-air boat taking on a heavy-air boat. The rule should ensure close racing while being able to sail in a wide range of conditions.”

Rule writing is the seventh stage in an exhaustive process. The objective is to publish the new America’s Cup Class Rule by the end of September.

Target Features – Monohull & Multihull

High-performance and close racing

Light to strong wind range capability

Ease of shipping & transportation

22m max overall Length

America’s Cup Design Rule Process (since 1 March 2010):

Step 1: Dialogue and discussions with stakeholders

Step 2: Initial Concepts created for monohull and multihull by non-aligned experts (Bruce Nelson and Peter Melvin)

Step 3: Design conference (held 18 May 2010) for ‘who’s who of yacht design’ in Valencia

Step 4: On-line follow-up survey for conference attendees

Step 5: Aggregating feedback

Step 6: Concept brief prepared

Step 7: Rule writing commissioned from US SAILING and Seahorse Rating

Step 8: Choice of monohull or multihull based on July trials in Valencia

Step 9: Rule finalization

Step 10: New America’s Cup Class rule published

Americas Cup the Greates Show on H2o- Photo Credit Americas Cup

34th America’s Cup draft Protocol presented to team

June 25, 2010

In a joint initiative by the defender, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Yacht Club and the Challenger of Record, Italy’s Club Nautico di Roma, a draft of the Protocol rules for the 34th America’s Cup was sent to the challenging teams today.

Foremost amongst numerous innovations is a forward-thinking structure that allows funds and assets to transfer from one America’s Cup to the next.

The draft is a ‘listening and living’ document. Teams have been invited to comment and, contribute to its final form.

This follows an already unprecedented level of cooperation with the Challenger of Record and a dialogue with potential teams. It offers another chance for input before the Protocol is finalized and published by the target date of 31st August 2010.

Americas Cup, the Greatest Show on H2o Photo Credit Americas Cup

“This has been a painstaking process, but we believe it sets out a New Deal for the America’s Cup and fair play for all teams. It also incorporates the vision of the Cup held by Larry Ellison and BMW ORACLE Racing,” said Russell Coutts, CEO of BMW ORACLE Racing.

“To create a fair playing field we plan to issue all of the event rules before the end of the year, and this is a significant first step in that direction,” Coutts said. “Teams will know exactly what they are signing-up to.”

Potential teams asked for these key elements to be included the 34th America’s Cup Protocol and they have been:

• neutral race management body
• wide-ranging powers for the Jury
• cost cutting measures
• initiative to transform television & media output
• added-value to sponsors & business partners
• sustainable, long-term business model

Building on the initiative by the World Sailing Team’s Association, a maximum of eight pre-regattas per year is planned for consistent racing and exposure for the teams in the years leading up to the America’s Cup.

The Protocol will rein-in costs by reducing the number of racing crew, introducing no-sailing periods and limiting the numbers of hulls, masts, appendages and sails teams can build.

At the end of the 34th Match, the New Deal leaves an inheritance of substantial funding and assets to the next Defender in a move to end the stop-start cycle teams have faced previously. This sustainable legacy is dependent of the 35th America’s Cup defender continuing with neutral race management and a schedule of regular competition.

In keeping with GGYC’s pledge of fair-play for all, among the many measures which will achieve this is a commitment that GGYC’s defender will not will not compete in the final Challenger Selection Series but that there will be defense trials if there is more than one viable US team.

Television and media output have been prioritized in the draft Protocol to deliver more pictures, more audio and more data than ever before to audiences for an immersive experience, either through television or online broadcast.

Progress on a new, exciting and physically-demanding class of America’s Cup yacht, again with a dialogue with stakeholders fundamental to the process, is moving strongly ahead.

Key dates (as announced at the joint Defender & Challenger of Record Press Conference on 6th May 2010):

• Protocol for the 34th America’s Cup will be issued by 31st August
• Design rule released by 30th September
• Race rules published by 30th December
• Challenge Period open from 1st October – 31st January 2011

Velux 5 Ocean Yacht Race 2010 / 2011 Sprint Start dates confirmed

June 23, 2010

The Velux 5 Ocean Yacht Race 2010 / 2011 will see nine months of offshore racing action between five continents.

The VELUX 5 OCEANS has announced the dates of the starts of the five ocean sprints in the 2010/11 edition of the race. The race will start and end in the French port of La Rochelle France, in between visiting Cape Town in South Africa, Wellington in New Zealand, Salvador in Brazil and Charleston in the USA.

Port of La Rochelle in South West France, who are hostng the start and finish of the VELUX 5 Oceans race. Photo Credit M.Romero Schmidtke

Ocean Sprint 1: La Rochelle to Cape Town – 7,500 nautical miles
Start date: October 17
The first ocean sprint will see the fleet battle through the notorious Bay of Biscay before pushing hard through the Atlantic and the frustrating calm of the Doldrums to their destination of Cape Town, South Africa, where the two great oceans meet.

Ocean Sprint 2: Cape Town to Wellington – 7,000 nautical miles
Start date: December 12
This ocean sprint sees the race returning to New Zealand for the third time, having previously visited Auckland in 1998 and Tauranga in 2002. New Zealand’s capital city will host the race for the first time and will be the ideal venue for the competitors to recover from the long leg from Cape Town before preparing for the treacherous Southern Ocean Sprint around Cape Horn to Brazil.

Ocean Sprint 3: Wellington to Salvador – 7,400 nautical miles
Start date: February 6
The party spirit will be in the air for the start day of Ocean Sprint 3 – it falls on Waitangi Day, a public holiday commemorating the founding of New Zealand in 1840. This sprint is all about the Southern Ocean: freezing temperatures, mountainous seas and howling winds and the feared Cape Horn. The fleet will have to survive all Mother Earth throws at them before arriving in Brazil for the first time since the inaugural race in 1982. The fleet will arrive just in time for the Salvador Carnival, the biggest in Brazil, the perfect remedy after the hardships of this ocean sprint.

Ocean Sprint 4: Salvador to Charleston – 4,000 nautical miles
Start date: April 10
Another battle with the light, unpredictable airs of the Doldrums and the heavy weather of the North Atlantic face the fleet on ocean sprint four, as they make their way up the coast of South and Central America. Their destination is the historic city of Charleston in South Carolina, welcoming the race into its waters for the third time. The skippers’ departure will coincide with Charleston HarborFest, a four-day maritime festival celebrating the sea, that attracts over 100,000 visitors each year to the Charleston waterfront.

Ocean Sprint 5: Charleston to La Rochelle – 3,600 nautical miles
Start date: May 14
‘Sprint’ really encapsulates what the finale to the VELUX 5 OCEANS will be: an all out adrenaline-fuelled race across the North Atlantic and back into the Bay of Biscay, where La Rochelle will celebrate the unique achievements of the skippers in completing The Ultimate Solo Challenge. They are expected to arrive in La Rochelle in early June 2011 with prize giving on June 11.

The map showing the route of the VELUX 5 OCEANS 2010-11

The race has been billed as The Ultimate Solo Challenge since 1982 because of the stop-start nature of the high speed racing over the Ocean Sprints, covering the greatest distance and time alone at sea of any race around the world. It is also a truly international ocean race, visiting five continents and offering a worldwide media profile over an eight month period.

VELUX 5 OCEANS race director David Adams said: “With five ocean sprints, the racing itself will be closer with the fleet tightly bunched from each restart. And if a yacht breaks down, there’s a chance to demonstrate the seamanship necessary to get to the next port, repair and restart.

“For sailors, there’s also the strong camaraderie that develops among the skippers and their teams ashore, as well as interacting with locals in each port. For sponsors, there are opportunities for international media, hospitality and promotions in some of the world’s most spectacular harbour cities. For spectators, there are more opportunities to meet the inspirational skippers at the various ports, and to watch the spectacular Sprint starts and finishes, whether ‘live’ or via the media or internet.”

“The VELUX 5 OCEANS race management team is working with our city partners to deliver high quality stopovers for skippers, providing world class services, global media coverage and reducing costs as much as possible across the board.”

The VELUX 5 OCEANS, run by Clipper Ventures PLC, starts from La Rochelle in France on October 17 and features five ocean sprints. After heading from La Rochelle to Cape Town, the race will then take in Wellington in New Zealand, Salvador in Brazil and Charleston in the USA before returning back across the Atlantic to France.

Newport Bermuda Race: Speedboat leads Fleet

June 21, 2010

As expected because of her 100-feet length overall, Speedboat continues to lead the 183-boat fleet in the Newport Bermuda Race. At 14:35 EDT she was 125 nautical miles from Bermuda sailing at 13 knots.

At that rate, she would finish at some dark hour on Monday morning. But a lot can happen in ‘Happy Valley’ the wonderland between the Gulf Stream and Bermuda. The ‘Open” Division record is 48hrs 28min 31sec set by Morning Glory in 2004. A new record setter would have to finish before 4:58:31 on Sunday. It’s no record breaker this year. 

With all five of the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse Division boats- Beau Geste, Bella Mente, Rambler, Ran and Titan XV within 250 miles of the finish, the traditional elapses time mark for the race set in 2002 by Pyewacket of 53hrs 39min 22sec. To break the record a boat in Class 8 would have to finish before 20:39:22, Class 9 before 20:49:22 and in Class 10 before 20: 59:22. 

The five boats in Class 10 were still within 15 miles of each other on Sunday afternoon, some 190 miles from the finish, but sailing well below the 11 knot average speed needed to break the traditional course record . The battle for divisional line honors is very keen even if a record won’t be broken.

Speedboat', held the lead after the first 24 hours Photo Credit PPL Agency.

Elapse time leaders in the St. David’s Lighthouse Division are the big boats in Class 8. Vanquish has a hefty lead. By 14:00EDT Sunday, the Bermuda/American crew sailing in memory of teammate Bill Riker was about 197nm from Bermuda and her closest rival is Aurora was about 31 miles behind.

'Genuine Risk', 'Il Mostro' and 'Speedboat' - at the start on Friday Photo Credit PPL Agency .

While the focus of attention has been on the big, Open Division boats, Carina, a Class 3 McCurdy & Rhodes 48 skippered by Rives Potts, appears to have made the most of the Gulf Stream.

At 15:00 EDT, Carina was an incredible 60 miles ahead of Triple Lindy, the next boat in her class, and is now within 300 nautical miles of Bermuda. This is the biggest lead in any class at this time. With Potts at the helm, Carina finished first in Class 3 and fourth in the St, David’s Lighthouse Division in 2006. in 2008 she finished second in Class 3 and tenth in the division. 

Another small boat to shine is Sinn Fein skippered by Peter S Rebovich. She has slipped 50 miles west of the rhumb line and by 1:00PM Sunday her  speed over the ground,  was 7.2 knots according to iboattrack ,while the other boats in his class were only making between 2.5 and 4 knots. Sailing a greater distance away from the rhumb line has paid off so far but with these top boats in the 2006 and 2008 races still 400 miles from Bermuda, time will tell, of course.

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