Uncategorized Luxury Yacht & Superyacht News

Centek Industries New Catalogue Available Now

July 08, 2010

Centek Industries, manufacturer of custom marine exhaust systems and related environmental products, has launched a new catalogue, downloadable from the company’s web site.

The new catalogue features several new products, including thruster tunnels, ANSI flanges and the Marlin Series Streamline muffler. In addition, there are new worksheets for Centek customers to provide information company engineers can use to recommend and/or custom design the proper exhaust components for gensets and main propulsion systems.

Centek has been the leader in custom marine exhaust solutions for nearly 50 years, manufacturing for the boat building industry worldwide. The list of custom mufflers and marine exhaust products has grown to over 14,000 specially designed units. Centek’s engineering staff offers customers over 80 years of marine wet exhaust system design and innovation experience.

The company also manufactures a range of environmental products designed to help keep hydrocarbon pollutants from other sources out of the water, including the Gen-Kleen™ and BilgeKleen™ systems. Gen-Kleen integrates with generator wet exhaust systems to remove hydrocarbon pollution from exhaust water. BilgeKleen installs to a bilge pump discharge line to remove gas and oil pollution. Information on these products can also be found in the new catalogue.

MaxSea joines forces with VELUX 5 OCEANS

July 07, 2010

Marine navigation software pioneer MaxSea has joined forces with the VELUX 5 OCEANS race management team for the 2010/11 edition of the race.

Industry leaders since launching in 1985, MaxSea will work with the race direction team by providing a complete navigation software and electronic chart package that will link with the race entrants’ onboard trackers, allowing real time monitoring of the fleet for safety and up to date progress reports of the competition as it unfolds.

Experts from MaxSea will also assist and train the VELUX 5 OCEANS race management team in the use of their products and supply technical assistance when required during the race.

VELUX 5 OCEANS race director David Adams said: “It is great to have MaxSea onboard for the VELUX 5 OCEANS and the provision of the necessary routing software to the race management team will be a real asset for the safety and watch keeping of the fleet. MaxSea’s products are used and trusted by some of the best sailors in the world and we have every confidence they will perform outstandingly in the 2010/11 VELUX 5 OCEANS.”

Frédéric Algalarrondo, sales director of Maxsea International said: “We are really proud to be partners of the VELUX 5 OCEANS. David Adams and the Race Direction can fully count on our support during the entire race.”

Alongside their role helping the race management team, MaxSea will be at the race start and finish in La Rochelle to showcase their state-of-the-art technologies. 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 US before returning back across the Atlantic to France

Yacht Madiblue on Fire in Greece

July 06, 2010

Unfortunate news has come to hand that the superyacht Madiblue has fire onboard in the Greece marina called Vouliagmeni. Further details about the Madi Blue motor yacht fire are as yet unknown. Yacht Madiblue is 46.7 metres in length and was built by the Australian company Oceanfast in 1986.

The yacht is powered by a three MTU turbo diesel engines with jet propulsions and she cruises at speeds of 20 knots.

Superyacht Madiblue is on fire in Greece

Technical Specifications of yacht Madiblue:

Length : 153.20ft (46.69m)
Beam: 27.43ft (8.36m)
Draft: 4.59ft (1.40m)
Number of guests: 10/12
Number of crew: 10
Built: 1986 by Oceanfast, Australia
Engines: 2 x 1960hp MTU plus 1 x 1305hp MTU
Cruising speed: about 20 knots

The yacht Seawise was also destroyed by fire in Greece earlier in 2010.

More information will be reported about the superyacht fire on Madiblue in Greece as it comes to light.

Further images and details of the yacht blaze are below:

The yacht which caught on fire at the Vouliagmeni Yacht Club in Greece is almost completely burn out on her superstructure area as you can see from the photos.  Luckily nobody was reported injured in the blaze which is very fortunate given was appears to have been quite sever fire damage. This event highlights the need for fire safety to be a very strong theme in overall superyacht safety.

Motor yacht Madiblue burnt in Greece superyacht fire - Image by Yorgo Nestoridis

The Yacht Madiblue's name can still be seen after being burnt in Greece superyacht fire - Image by Yorgo Nestoridis

Day Three of the Superyacht Cup Palma 2010: Yacht Scorpione dei Mari Wins

June 27, 2010

Day Three of the Superyacht Cup Palma 2010, and the docks felt a little subdued in the morning, but the best news was the steady breeze blowing. There was the usual amount of grumbling about the ratings, apparently inevitable with such a wildly diverse fleet, and the competitive nature of these elite owners and sailors – making poor Jim Teeters surely at once the most beloved and most hated man in the large yacht world. By the end of the day, however, after a good long race, the happy feel of the entire regatta resounded throughout the village with echoing Hurrahs, champagne cork gasps, back slaps and smacking kisses.

Sailing yacht Scorpione dei Mari Wins Crusing division of the Superyacht Cup Palma 2010

The results ended as they started, with yacht Scorpione dei Mari gleefully sweeping in to a cumulative First in Cruising Class and a convincing win overall. Gorgeous Royal Huisman sailing yacht Gliss, always a strong performer, brought in 2nd Place overall, and also a 2nd in the Performance Class. Jongert yacht Ithaka proved her Dutch creds by coming in 3rd overall and 2nd in Cruising Class. Exemplifying the international nature of such events, the wins were rounded out with Alloy yaqcht Irelanda sneaking into 3rd Place in Cruising, while yacht P2, Perini Navi’s lovely baby, of course ended up on the podium with a 3rd in the Performance division.

Large superyacht regattas are invariably sentimental and close-knit affairs, bringing together sailors from all over the world, some always sailing on the same teams, and many acting as hired guns, sharing their expertise on a different yacht each time, but the team spirit is part of the joy on every yacht. It was the end of an era on yacht Destination Fox H’br, as affable owner Ron Joyce, a veteran of many Superyacht Cups, Buckets and other races brought together his loyal crew for one final race, as his comfortable yacht will soon be handed over to a new owner. His sentimental speech at the day’s end brought a tear to the eyes of many onboard, as Ron’s generosity, kindness, and incredible hospitality are deservedly legendary. Also a bittersweet day as he is retiring from yachting after this race. They have successfully collaborated on several deals recently – proving that not all yacht brokers are ruthlessly selfish, and James’ wide smile will also be sorely missed.

Yet another yachting legend, the newly-named CBE Peter Harrison, owner of yacht Sojana, honored his frequent team member, young Frenchwoman Alexia Barrier, to make Day Three of the Superyacht Cup on yacht Sojana 4 My Planet Day, in recognition of her recent solo circumnavigation to raise environmental awareness – Bravo to both!

Prize giving at the Superyacht Cup Palma 2010

There was a whole lot of celebrating going on at the Prize Giving ceremony, held once again at the spectacular Es Baluard Museum, without a doubt one of the loveliest party venues anywhere. Scorpione dei Mari once again took up residence on the podium when they were awarded the Best Team Costume for their wacky Western-theme gear. Event Director Patrick Wetter did his usual excellent job of starting and finishing the awards ceremony quickly enough to allow the entire happy crowd plenty of time to celebrate together the end of yet another fantastic Superyacht Cup. The full moon shining on the huge group of race fans wildly dancing and singing to the tunes of the Red Sox perfectly rounded off another weekend to remember in Palma de Mallorca, where hospitality is warm, the sailing is hot, and the fun is unlimited. See you next time in Antigua! By Norma Trease

Awlgrip Special Effect Topcoat (Awlcraft SE) at Monaco Yacht Show 2010

June 23, 2010

Visitors to the Awlgrip stand during this year’s Monaco Yacht Show will be able to find out more about the new special effect topcoat, Awlcraft SE, which recently made its launch in Europe and will be introduced to the global market shortly. A range of special effect finishes have been introduced to the yacht market with the revolutionary Awlcraft SE, which encompasses fast-drying metallics, pearls and effect coatings with excellent opacity.

Awlgrip Special Effect Topcoat

Available in custom colours, Awlcraft SE is designed to work as one layer of a multi-part system where the Awlcraft SE imparts the colour and effect whilst the clearcoat provides a clear high gloss finish and protection. This combination forms a high performance, high gloss robust topcoat system. The complete Awlcraft SE system is designed to be as simple as possible, from the components involved through to the application and fast drying properties, allowing multiple coats to be applied within a day.

Visitors to the Awlgrip stand will also be able to find out more about getting a professional yacht finish and will be offered information on the technically innovative range of Awlgrip coatings. With an unmistakable finish, durability and performance that can be relied on to show a yacht at its finest, Awlgrip has long been recognised as the most dependable yacht paint available, supported with excellent technical support and advice.

The Awlgrip Team

Newport Bermuda Race: Sailing yacht Speedboat finishes first

June 22, 2010

Sailing yacht Speedboat Photo Credit Newport to Bemuda Race

Alex Jackson’s maxi 100-footer sloop Speedboat finished the Newport Bermuda Race early Monday morning at 3:49 AM EDT. Finishing second at 6:25 was Il Mostro (Puma), a 70-foot Volvo Ocean Race boat sailed by Kenny Read, whose brother, Brad, was in Speedboat’s afterguard.  Boat boats sailed in the Open Division for racing yachts with canting keels.

Speedboat's navigator, Stan Honey Photo Credit Newport to Bemuda Race

It was a slow race, with Speedboat making the 635-mile course in just over 59 hours after the start at Newport on Friday.  The crew of 25 never reefed the boat. In the light to moderate conditions that prevailed through most of the race, Speedboat was hard pressed by Il Mostro, Rambler, and several boats in the mini-maxi 70-80 foot range over the first third of the course.  “We really didn’t get away from them until we were in the Stream,” navigator Stan Honey said after Speedboat tied up at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club’s marina early Monday morning. “Then they gained a lot in the light stuff as we came into the finish.” 

At 5 AM EDT the mini-maxi Rán on its blog reported less than 10 knots as she beat to windward toward the buoys guarding Bermuda’s reef.  “Titan is downwind from us and is not a threat. Rambler and Beau Geste are upwind and in front as we thought they would. We are still in a strong position although it now looks like Beau Geste is the biggest threat. Just a few more hours to go.”
At 6:30 the blog reported, “As we are approaching the finish slowly but surely, we are all on deck, no more watches, all are on duty for the final stretch. Coffee and tea served on the rail – black only as no more milk powder onboard. Very calm water. Wind speed of 9 knots –

Rán as she nears the finish Photo Credit Newport to Bemuda Race

By John Rousmaniere

Riviera set to excite at the Sydney International Boat Show 2010

June 21, 2010

Riviera, Australia’s most awarded pleasure boat builder will showcase for the first time in Sydney, the much anticipated new 43 Open Flybridge and will announce the company’s next exciting new model at the Sydney International Boat Show 2010 starting on July 29.

Hard on the heels of the successful launch of the 43, Riviera is about its next model release which will be announced at the Sydney International Boat Show.

Riviera CEO John Anderson said Riviera’s latest models had been well received and the market eagerly anticipates what our next new model will be.

Yacht Investigator IV takes on fuel at Lord Howe Island before her return journey to the Gold Coast

“The sales performance of our new models including the 5800 Sport Yacht, 5000 Sport Yacht, 51 with IPS and now the 43 with IPS have all generated a significant volume of sales,” Mr Anderson said.

Veteran blue water sailor and Melbourne businessman, Ian Reynolds will be the guest of honour at the Riviera display with his 56 Enclosed Flybridge, Investigator IV, the vessel he used to circumnavigate Australia, which will be on display and open for inspection.  You will have the chance to meet Ian and discuss with him his voyages and learn from his immense experience.

Sydney International Boat Show 2010

Mr Reynolds, at the age of 79 embarked on the challenging task of circumnavigating Australia, some 9,000 miles, clockwise from the Gold Coast returning home in October 2008.

But before he could make this dream of circumnavigating Australia by power boat a reality, Mr Reynolds and his crew made the 842 nautical mile voyage from the Gold Coast to Lord Howe Island as a shake down cruise for testing systems and checking fuel and range calculations in his new 56 Enclosed Flybridge.

His most recent challenge, aged 81, was the month-long voyage, a total of 1380 nautical miles, to Papua New Guinea for the second annual Louisiades Rally.

Mr Reynolds will share his experiences with people visiting the Riviera display, which will feature 12 boats, offering a comprehensive range of Flybridge, Sport Yacht and Offshore Express models valued at more than AU$12 million.

Investigator IV in front of Ball's Pyramid just off Lord Howe Island

Never before seen in Sydney, the new 43 Open Flybridge, was a real head turner at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show held in May, where nine of this exciting new model were sold in just four days.

Following on from the successful world release of the 43 at Sanctuary Cove, this new model which exudes luxury and style, and has been built with entertaining and long range cruising in mind.

From the moment you step on board this opulent cruiser, the combination of great function and style is apparent.

The oversized cockpit features an optional electric barbecue centre with sink, storage and rubbish bin shoot, giving boat owners a gourmet kitchen on your transom.  The large cockpit also includes a mezzanine seat and wet bar located below the floating stairs that lead up to the open flybridge.

The open flybridge features a two-pac silver dash to match the hull with forward glove box for charts, mobile phones and keys.  Touch screen commands provide fingertip control while digital instruments monitor every aspect of the 43’s systems.  The new profile design hard top, which utilises a single support pole either side at the front of the flybridge and a stainless steel arch aft on each side of the hardtop provide a contemporary profile to the boat while giving a commanding 360 view.

The cockpit floor has an electric lift, which raises the entire floor panel to give excellent access to the two Volvo Penta IPS engines and battery banks.

Riviera stand at the Sydney International Boat Show

A large sliding door and awning window opens the saloon into the cockpit, bringing the outdoors in and creating an alfresco dining and entertaining experience.  The large U-shaped lounge is perfect for relaxing in front of the optional retractable TV.

The galley has plenty of storage and features solid surface bench tops and quality appliances throughout.

There is sleeping accommodation for up to six in two large cabins.  The sleeping options in the aft guest cabin include a double, twin sliding single beds which can slide together to form a double plus one fixed single bed and optional single bunk.  The forward master stateroom includes a two metre long king-size island bed, cedar lined wardrobe and generous ensuite bathroom.  Both the ensuite and second bathroom feature solid surface benchtops, raised porcelain sink and separate shower stall.

Riviera Open Flybridge

The 43 Open Flybridge features the latest technology in the form of the propulsion system, digital switching and lighting.  The Volvo Penta Inboard Performance System (IPS) which offers a range of exciting advantages such as impressive acceleration and performance, greater fuel economy and lower noise and exhaust levels, as well as a joystick control mounted at the helm, which allows for finger-tip control for close quarters manoeuvring.

Digital switching from CZONE provides access to five pre-set configurations with just the touch of a button.  Day cruise, day entertainment, night cruise, night entertainment and at dock unattended.  At the press of a button CZONE then automatically will select the appropriate equipment and desired settings for each category allowing you to control everything from tank monitors, data and gauges to lighting and electronics.  CZONE is a revolutionary solid state Controller Area Network (CAN) bus design, that allows for the ultimate in customisation and finger-touch control of all aspects of electrical systems operation, from entertainment lighting to navigation equipment.

In fact CZone talks the same data language as the Volvo Penta IPS system, so all your engine parameters are metered through the same monitoring system.

New LED lighting on the 43 offers a spectacular range of internal, external and underwater lighting options which are extremely energy efficient.  With its power consumption less than a tenth of halogen lights, this new range allows boat owners to have more lights while saving on power consumption.

The floating Riviera display will be at the southern end of the Cockle Bay Marina, Darling Harbour from July 29 to August 2.

Riviera offers 20 different models from 36 to 85 feet across four model series Flybridge, Sport Yacht, Offshore Express and Motor Yachts.

Champion New Zealand Sailor Neville Crichton & Team Yacht SHOCKWAVE Win the 2010 Giraglia Rolex Cup St.Tropez, France to San Remo, Italy

June 18, 2010

In previous yacht races, Neville Crichton from New Zealand has committed his best efforts to winning line honours and breaking the course record. Indeed he is the former owner of Supermaxi Esimit Europa 2, previously called Alfa Romeo.  Crichton has won many yachting trophies including line honours in the last Sydney to Hobart and he has been a consumate patron of worldwide yacht racing for many years.

However, at this year’s Giraglia Rolex Cup, the Kiwi Crichton made it clear that his intentions were the overall win in the distance race. That he achieved this aim at his first true attempt and so convincingly has impressed even this serial collector of race trophies. The 72-foot Shockwave (NZL) finished the 241 nautical mile race in second place on the water, just over an hour after Esimit Europa 2. This was impressive enough. More significantly, though, Crichton’s Reichel-Pugh designed Mini Maxi beat Udo Schutz’ STP 65 Container (GER) by 42 minutes on handicap to claim the top prize.

Yacht SHOCKWAVE, Sail Number NZL - 8, Skipper: Neville CRICHTON -Ateco Automotive, Mini maxi, LOA 21.8

Crichton’s assessment of his team’s mission ahead of the start of the distance race was prescient, “we’ve always got line honours in the past, I don’t think we’ll be so successful this time. There’s no way we can beat the 100-footer [Esimit] over the line. Shockwave is totally handicap oriented and I think we’ve got a good crack at the handicap win, and, a good crack at coming second [on the water].”

One crack later and the biggest ripples on the water were plainly from Shockwave. “I’m ecstatic. We set out to win on handicap and to do so is just great. When I left San Remo this morning I had no idea we might win, “ said Crichton continuing, “we drove the hell out of the boat on the way to the rock, consistently doing 22 knots. We had the bow under the water a lot of the time and it was uncomfortable, but we were keeping up with the 100-footer most of the way across which was impressive. About 30 miles short of the rock, the 100-footer started to pull away. We slowed up and I thought that was that.” Plainly, it was not.

Neville Crichton

Shockwave’s race of mixed fortunes ended at 12.15 yesterday (Thursday). At the start on Wednesday, Crichton’s crew with three-time Volvo Ocean Race winner Stuart Bannatyne in the tactician’s role had been quick off the start. Not as quick as the nimble footed Jethou (GBR), which reached the initial windward mark in first place by a hair’s breadth. Jethou’s glory was short-lived with the New Zealanders passing her before La Moutte, the turning mark at the mouth of the Bay of Saint-Tropez. Shockwave, in turn, was overtaken by the fastest boat in the fleet, Esimit (formerly Crichton’s Alfa Romeo II), as the fleet headed to La Fourmigue, the final mark before the turn to the Giraglia.

The leg from La Fourmigue to the mythical rock was a drag race for the bigger yachts. Benefiting from the 20-knot breeze from the southwest, the frontrunners barrelled down the track in, frankly, awesome conditions. Igor Simcic, owner of Esimit, was in raptures at the finish not just about securing line honours, but particularly this early segment of the race, “we were really flying to the Giraglia, at times making 27 knots. That is really special. With this boat it is really something fantastic. It is difficult to describe the sensation; the boat is flying. All the time I was thinking this is incredible…just incredible.”

As with all drag races the parachute eventually had to be deployed and the brakes applied. Just before sunset and shy of the Giraglia, the wind dropped and the fleet slowed dramatically. From then on the race became a struggle for everyone, as the pressure went up and down. Miguel Bonet, the skipper of the Farr 52 Plis-Play, confirmed the difficulties, “initially we had good wind on the way the rock, but eventually it took us 15 – 16 hours to get there at 8 in the morning. Then the wind was really down and we were stopped for three or four hours until the wind came up again. Even at the finish the wind was very fine and difficult”. -click here for full interview.

When the Swan 90 Solleone rounded the rock at 07.30 she had been fortunate and encountered solid breeze and set off on a fast fetch towards San Remo. Like those on the yachts nearest to her, the crew assumed that the frontrunners were experiencing the same and must have been about to finish, close to the course record.

ESIMIT EUROPA 2

This assumption was unfounded. The Ligurian Sea between the Giraglia and San Remo was not in the friendliest of moods. What it had given on the first day it well and truly took away on the second. Where the first day was beautiful the second day was ugly. It took considerable patience and determined perseverance to stay the course – as evidenced by the number of retirees, fed up with the trickeries and twisted imagination of the Giraglia wind gods that did their best to frustrate the crews. Those that finished the race knew they had been set and had completed a Herculean task, a mind game that could test even the most professional crews.

On Esimit the primary concern in the mind of Favini, who has participated in several Giraglia Rolex Cups before, was that every time the blue flyer parked up the breeze would fill from behind and favour the slower boats, “when you stop normally the fleet catches up. It is very easy to get caught, but you know that the others probably have had the same problem. They [Shockwave] definitely gained on us since they finished so close, I think we may have had more light air than them.” Whether his assessment was correct or not, what applied to Esimit, almost certainly applied to Shockwave and so on through the fleet. No one had a straightforward ride from the rock, physically or mentally.

Prior to the off, Bannatyne had hedged his bets after describing the perfect scenario being played out on the weather models, all of which were happily predicting good winds for much of the race. “It all sounds very nice and simple, but whether it turns out that way we’ll just have to wait and see,” said the man who has done it and seen it all before.

It was not simple at all. Crichton confessed that the worst moment of the race for Shockwave had been halfway between the rock and the finish, “we parked for 3…3.5 hours midway across. I thought that would damage us a lot. We had opened a big lead on Container after rounding the rock, but watched her pull up on us. We then parked up again just off the coast at San Remo and could see Esimit just ahead, but for the park ups. We might have finished closer to her than we did.”

For Crichton, though, the twists and turns of the race are long forgotten. Understandably, he is beyond worrying about what might have been; his delight is manifest, so much so that he has changed his travel plans to attend the prize giving tomorrow. There is only ever one overall winner and this year it is he and his crew that is taking home the main prize.

The prize giving for 2010 Giraglia Rolex Cup will be held at 13.00 CEST on Saturday, 19 June at the Yacht Club San Remo.

Yacht Alfa Romeo

Giraglia Rolex Cup: St.Tropez, France to San Remo, Italy highlights

June 18, 2010

By sunset, which left the sea off San Remo in a smooth golden light, only 8 boats had crossed the finish line on the second day of the Giraglia Rolex Cup offshore race. The 12 to 15 knots breeze, that has accompanied the bigger yachts under blue sky the last few hours toward to coast, slowly fell asleep with the day’s end. At the same time, the Giraglia Rock checkpoint reported a large quantity of boats rounding the small islet off the northern tip of Corsica, with its Genoese tower, with its magic touch and impressive ancient history of the Mediterranean Sea.

CUOR DI LEONE, ITA at the the Giraglia Rock Photo Credit Kurt Arrigo

This morning, after rounding the Giraglia rock at 07.00, the Swan 90 Solleone reported to have seen “lots of wonderful dolphins… but no croissants for breakfast”. These beautiful companions of the sea, which delight the toughest seaman’s heart have been following the yachts during the troublesome ride with wind shifts, thunderstorms, and sail changes from the Rock toward the finish line.

SOLLEONE, ITA Photo Credit Kurt Arrigo

Sir Peter Ogden, owner / skipper of Jethou, enjoyed a romantic candle lit dinner on board with his crew, the evening before the start, due to a terrible thunderstorm that led to a complete loss of electricity in Saint-Tropez. And he experienced a romantic Giraglia rock rounding at night, after a great experience during the first part of the race: “this was the fastest we have been on the boat, 20 knots, but also the wettest we have ever experienced on the boat. Two people on board were always down below bailing water. It just filled up all the time. It was brilliant, unbelievable, it was just so fast all the way to the Giraglia Rock, the very best, the most fun we ever had.”

The Giraglia Rolex Cup keeps attracting sailors from all the parts of the planet and leaving them with all kinds of achievements related to their battles with the elements.

Flavio Favini, the skipper of Esimit Europa, which secured line honours this morning, gave an insight to his experience: “this race was very promising in the beginning for the first ride to the Giraglia, but a couple of problems on the beat to La Fourmigue, we broke the tack of the headsail. The headsail came off and it was quite difficult to recover because we had come back, but the boat is very fast and we had a very nice ride to the Giraglia, but when we were at the Giraglia Rock the wind dropped off. During the night the wind was very light and shifty, so it has been quite difficult to get from the Giraglia rock to San Remo, but anyway, for us it is the first long race with this boat, we have learned a lot of things and we still have a lot of things to learn about the boat, about how to sail to get a 100 % out of it. We have a very good team and everybody is eager to learn.”

ESIMIT EUROPA 2 at the finish line, line honours winner Photo Credit Kurt Arrigo

Marton Jozsa from Hungary, Skipper of Wild Joe, gave an overview of his experiences: “This was our first Giraglia Rolex Cup race, a great experience. We have done the last two Rolex Middle Sea Races but with a smaller boat. This new boat has been launched in Australia and we have done some practising, but not more than two weeks in total. Wild Joe has a great crew, mostly former Olympic and high competitive dinghy sailors. We match, it’s fun and we still can learn a lot to improve. We had a great time sailing this Giraglia race, mostly the first part from to the Giraglia rock. After the rock rounding we were still very close to the big boats but then we got unfortunately caught in a wind whole, that was shortly after spiced with a thunderstorm, carrying wind gusts up to 50 knots.

Most of the 220 participating yachts are still on sea, every boat and crew with their own story, with their own goal and passion. But a race like the Giraglia Rolex Cup units them all.

The prize giving for 2010 Giraglia Rolex Cup will be held at 13.00 CEST on Saturday, 19 June at the Yacht Club San Remo.

Further information on the Giraglia Rolex Cup may be found at www.giragliarolexcup.com

Audi MedCup: TP52 Day 2 Quantum in the lead.

June 17, 2010

While many of their nearest rivals had an up and down day it was solid consistency which kept the green TP52 of the 2008 champions Quantum Racing at the top of the Audi MedCup Circuit’s Marseille Trophy regatta leaderboard today. In GP42 Series, the other green boat, Iberdrola, won both races.

TP52 Day 2 - Quantum Racing Marseille Trophy Photo Credit Nico Martinez

Out on the Rade Nord, a switch from yesterday’s southern arena, the breeze was equally hard to read and several teams results roller-coastered from one race to the next. Quantum Racing’s (USA) fifth and sixth keeps them ahead of Matador (ARG) only on tie-break as the Argentine TP52 had a taste of life at the both extremes.

Alberto Roemmers’ (ARG) crew sailed a strong first race, getting into slightly stronger wind to the right early on in the first beat to lead from first turn, winning by a handsome margin in the 5-9 knots of gentle SW’ly breeze. But in the second race they found themselves at the wrong side of a big shift and slumped from third at the first turn to end up tenth over the finish line.  Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER) made their key gain as they rose from eight to second by profiting from that one shift. The Franco German team were tenth in the first race.

Top scorers of the day were Ben Ainslie (GBR), Iain Percy (GBR) and the TeamOrigin who scored a third in the day’s first then convincingly won the second race to elevate themselves to third on the regatta standings.

TP52 Day 2 - TeamOrigin Marseille Trophy Photo Credit Nico Martinez

Percy and strategist Santi Lange (ARG) showed an almost uncanny ability to read the pressure best, preserving their gains when they could, also proving that they seem to have put their Cascais speed issues behind them.

The leader board after five races is incredibly close. Only five points separate the top five boats. Quantum Racing are credited with the lead by virtue of their two victories yesterday, and TeamOrigin are only one point behind.

Quantum’s starting has been excellent. They had to dig deep and fight back when they fouled Bribón at the leeward gate of the second race, an incident which skipper-helm Terry Hutchinson (USA) put down to a momentary ‘brain fade’

But the coastal race’s 1.5 points bounty on tomorrow could prove decisive in this regatta and Quantum Racing go into it perhaps with an edge of confidence after winning the longer race here last year.

The Green Fear is back

The GP42 Series has in the past lived in fear of the bright green Iberdrola (ESP), sailed by the Desafio America’s Cup team to devastating effect to dominate the class during its 2008 season. Most of that fear had dissipated over the last year as the newer boats had risen to the top, the Green Machine came out to play only a few times during the 2009 season, and they turned in an uninspiring performance last month at the Portugal Trophy in Cascais.

But the fear is back. The light 6-9 knot and conditions of today suited the narrower 2007 and 2008 Botin & Carkeek designs compared to those of last year, and Iberdrola is the fastest and best-sailed of them all, putting two convincing wins on the scoreboard today to take a 4-point lead in the GP42 Series over current runner-up Peninsula Petroleum (GBR). This is only the second appearance of this Gibraltar-based team in the Audi MedCup, and already they are showing much-improved performance over their results from Cascais.

AIRISESSENTIAL (ITA) also showed great promise today, recovering from a bag caught on their rudder in the first race to grab and maintain a second place in the second race. This 2008 Felci design has also proven fast in light air, and is under the helm of owner Roberto Monti (ITA).

This regatta may very well come down to weather: if the light conditions persist, Iberdrola will be the boat to beat. But if the breeze comes up, watch out: the Madrid Caser Seguros (ESP) and Islas Canarias Puerto Calero (ESP) teams will come roaring back.

TP52 Day 2 - The Fleet Marseille Trophy Photo Credit Nico Martinez

Quotes of the day

Terry Hutchinson (USA) skipper-helm Quantum Racing (USA):

“I had a brain fade at the leeward mark I was making sure that we did not run into the transom of Matador at the leeward mark and was sitting to leeward and when I stood about a length to the mark I saw Bribon coming in at pace. That was a brain fade but we did our 720 and got right back into. We took what was given to us.

It is tricky, trickier than normal Marseille. We are battling along. Probably the most positive thing is that our top mark deltas are fourths, we are rounding 4,1,1,4,4, and it is not easy conditions. We are starting well. Kevin and Greg are giving us really good information pre-start and we are getting off clean and the boat is going well.”

Francesco Bruni (ITA), tactician Matador (ARG):

“We have had an up-and-down day where we have done very good things and very bad ones. We are a little bit angry with ourselves for the second leg in which we were third and we have made the mistake or staying in the middle with less wind than in the sides. Sometimes you need to bet for one side and risk a little instead of lowering the risk but reaming in the middle without pressure. We paid a lot for this mistake, we have paid seven points. Of course the regatta is still open, this is a much opener regatta than Cascais. I guess we have to keep fighting.”

Ian Walker (GBR), tactician Bribón (ESP):

“It’s been very hard, but what’s good for us is I think our boat is competitive in light winds . Today we were the third best boat so we know we can do it better but we are racing with the best of them in light winds, so it’s much better than Cascais in stronger winds .”

Laureano Wizner (ESP), skipper Iberdrola (ESP): “

“A perfect day. This boat loves the light breeze, the configuration is just perfect for light winds, so that has allowed the crew to make comfortable work, the tactics has also been perfect and the work in general has been excellent. When things run smoothly everything is easy and everybody is happier. A perfect day.”

Iñaki Castañer (ESP) tactician Península Petroleum (GBR):

“ We are very happy, we coordinated all the team work on board perfectly, on such a complicated day as today. So we are pleased because the owner has steered the boat very well, and we have been focused, which is our goal, to sail focused and always being in the front of the fleet. After a few days of racing, consistency pays. So we are satisfied with the crew and with the boat.”

Marseille Trophy

TP52 Series

Overall – Day 2

1. Quantum Racing (USA), 8+1+1+5+6= 21 points
2. Matador (ARG), 3+3+4+1+10= 21
3. TeamOrigin (GBR), 4+7+7+3+1= 22
4. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER), 2+9+2+10+2= 25
5. Bribón (ESP), 1+8+8+2+7= 26
6. Synergy (RUS), 9+2+6+7+4= 28   
7. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 10+6+5+4+3= 28
8. Cristabella (GBR), 6+4+3+8+9= 30
9. Luna Rossa (ITA), 5+5+10+9+5= 34 
10. Artemis (SWE), 7+11(RAF)+9+6+8= 41 
11. Bigamist 7 (POR), 12(DNC)+12(DNC)+12(DNC)+12(DNC)+12(DNC)= 60

GP42 Series

Overall – Day 1

1. Iberdrola (ESP), 1+1= 2 points
2. Peninsula Petroleum (GBR), 3+3= 6
3. AIRISESSENTIAL (ITA), 5+2= 7
4. Islas Canarias Puerto Calero (ESP), 2+5= 7
5. Madrid-Caser Seguros (ESP), 4+4= 8

« Newer Yacht News  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ... 18 19   Older Yacht News »