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Sailing yacht MARIETTE OF 1915 Queen of the Classics in Porto Cervo at Veteran Big Boat Rally

September 15, 2011

SAILING YACHT ELENA WINS AMONG THE BIG CLASS ASSOCIATION

The 38 metre schooner Mariette of 1915 claimed three wins in three races to be crowned victor of the Veteran Big Boat Rally 2011 in Porto Cervo. The event, organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda from 12th to 15th September, saw majestic sailing yachts dating back to the beginning of the last century racing off Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda. In second place overall was the 1914 gaff cutter Moonbeam IV, owned by Xavier Tancogne, while the largest of the big boat fleet, the 55 metre gaff schooner schooner Elena, took third place.

Sailing yacht Mariette of 1915 and Moonbeam IV. Credit Alessandro SpigaYCCS

Sailing yacht Mariette of 1915 and Moonbeam IV. Credit Alessandro SpigaYCCS

Mariette of 1915, named after the wife of the original owner – the American industrialist Jacob Brown, is captained by Charlie Wroe: “All the crew and the owners of Mariette have had a fantastic time. The great thing about Porto Cervo is that even when there is very little wind you can still get in some good racing. On board Mariette the teamwork was excellent and our tactician Duncan Adams and our navigator Rodney  Pattison did a very good job but a great deal of credit must also go to the boss, who drove the boat all week. We were racing with a crew of 25 and the vast majority of us have done many regattas together so the crew work was seamless.”

Yacht Club Costa Smeralda Sports Director, Edoardo Recchi: “It was a fantastic regatta, even though we had light air we were able to race on all three days. These classic boats are stunning and it was a particular honour for us to have Croce del Sud here and acting as Committee Boat today, taking the arrivals at the finish line. It was special because the boat has always belonged to the Mentasti family and Giuseppe Kerry Mentasti was one of the founding members of the YCCS.”

Today’s race was shorter than the previous two due to the light easterly breeze which just touched 6 knots. The fleet crossed the starting line off Porto Cervo, headed north to round the island of Monaci and on to finish the 10 mile course in front of the port. Today’s race saw Elena take line honours while the classification in compensated time had Mariette in the top spot ahead of Moonbeam IV and Elena.

Yacht Eleonora and Elena. Credit Alessandro Spiga YCCS

Yacht Eleonora and Elena. Credit Alessandro Spiga YCCS

The 49.5 metre schooner Eleonora took fourth place today as well as in the overall classification. Also present in Porto Cervo for the event, although not competing, were the triple-masted 1931 schooner Croce del Sud, the 1907 gaff yawl Veronique and the 1925 ketch Sylvia.

The top four classified yachts were awarded trophies during the prize giving in Piazza Azzurra. Elena was awarded a prize as the top classified yacht among the those enrolled in the Big Class Association.

Majestic sailing yacht Mariette of 1915 maintains lead in Porto Cervo at Veteran Big Boat Rally

September 14, 2011

The reign of sailing yacht Mariette of 1915 continues on Day Two of the Veteran Big Boat Rally in Porto Cervo. The 38 metre schooner leads the overall classification with victories in corrected time in both races held. Second in the overall classification is Moonbeam IV, Xavier Tancogne’s 35 metre Fife-built gaff cutter. Moonbeam IV is currently on equal points with third-place Yacht Elena; the monumental 55 metre double-masted schooner which claimed line honours in both races of the series so far. The event, organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, is due to conclude tomorrow with a third day of racing on coastal courses using the granite islands of the La Maddalena archipelago as natural buoys.

Sailing yacht Mariette of 1915 - Photo Credit Alessandro Spiga YCCS

Sailing yacht Mariette of 1915 - Photo Credit Alessandro Spiga YCCS

The fleet set out this morning on schedule and lined up just off Porto Cervo against the picture perfect backdrop of Sardinia’s “Emerald Coast” bathed in September sunshine. With a light easterly breeze of approximately 7 to 8 knots, the classic yachts crossed the start line together headed for the strait between the mainland and the Isole delle Bisce where a fleet of spectator and press vessels observed Elena lead the fleet ahead of the 49.5 metre schooner Eleonora, Mariette and Moonbeam IV respectively. At the Secca Tre Monti rock Mariette managed to get past Eleonora and maintained second place behind Elena for the duration of the 25 mile course which then brought the fleet south to Mortoriotto and to the finish off Porto Cervo. The results of today’s race in compensated time reflect the overall leader board with Mariette of 1915 taking victory ahead of S/Y Moonbeam IV and charter yacht Elena.

Yacht Moonbeam IV and Sailing yacht Eleonora - Credit Alessandro Spiga YCCS

Yacht Moonbeam IV and Sailing yacht Eleonora - Credit Alessandro Spiga YCCS

Mikael Créac’h, Skipper of sailing yacht Moonbeam IV:  “It was more fun than yesterday, it was more windy. It was a good a good race because were very close to everybody in the fleet. For us it is special because we are 15 on board and usually we have a crew of 30, so with 15 sailors less it is a challenge. But it was very good day, the racing is close but it is hard to touch Elena. It was a fantastic day though, really fantastic.”

Seven yachts have gathered in Porto Cervo for the Veteran Big Boat Rally and although several, such as the historic Italian sailing yacht Croce del Sud and the gaff yawl Veronique, are not actively competing, they join the fleet on the YCCS regatta course each day.

Following a gala dinner for owners at the YCCS Clubhouse this evening, racing is schedule to conclude tomorrow, 15th September. Approximately 8 knots of south-easterly wind are forecast. The final prize giving will take place after racing in the YCCS Piazza Azzurra.

Superyacht Elena and sailing yacht Mariette of 1915 shine in Porto Cervo at Veteran Big Boat Rally

September 13, 2011

Porto Cervo, 13th September 2011. The first day of sailing in the Veteran Big Boat Rally 2011, organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda from 12th to 15th September, brought sunshine, scorching temperatures and light easterly winds. Today’s coastal race of approximately 20 miles was won by the 38 metre schooner Mariette of 1915 who took victory ahead of the 55-metre schooner Elena and Xavier Tancogne’s sailing yacht Moonbeam IV, built in 1914.

Sailing yacht Elena - Photo Credit Alessandro Spiga YCCS

Sailing yacht Elena - Photo Credit Alessandro Spiga YCCS

The grand dames of the sea had a short wait before the breeze filled in to 8 knots to allow them to set off towards the island of Mortoriotto, south of Porto Cervo, before doubling back and heading north to round Monaci island. The fleet then paraded past the entrance to Porto Cervo Marina before finishing off the Gulf of Pevero.

S/Y Mariette of 1915 flies the burgee of the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club and is a regular on the classic regatta circuit. Charlie Wroe, Captain of Mariette was satisfied with today’s result: “We had light air conditions today but that worked out well for us. It’s interesting to see how fast the boats sail in these conditions and I think if we get a bit more breeze in the next few days positions could change; Elena is very quick. It’s been four years since we sailed in Porto Cervo and we are very happy to be back, the sailing is always great and we are really looking forward to tomorrow’s racing.”

Croce del Sud Yacht - Credit Alessandro Spiga YCCS

Croce del Sud Yacht - Credit Alessandro Spiga YCCS

Yacht Elena was in fact the fastest yacht around the course today in elapsed time but slipped back to second place on compensated time. The largest of the competing classic boats, she is an exact reconstruction of a 1910 N. G. Herreshoff design.

Seven yachts have gathered in Porto Cervo for the Veteran Big Boat Rally and although several, such as Bruno Mentasti’s triple masted Croce del Sud and the gaff yawl Veronique, are not actively competing, they can be admired on the emerald waters of the YCCS regatta course together with the rest of the fleet.

Racing is schedule to continue tomorrow, 14th September at 11.30 a.m. Approximately 8 knots of easterly wind are forecast.

Classic sailing yachts gather in Porto Cervo for Veteran Big Boat Rally

September 13, 2011

The fleet of seven classic sailing yachts gathered in Porto Cervo, Sardinia for the Veteran Big Boat Rally, organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda from 12th to 15th September, has attracted several curious onlookers, drawn not so much by the size of the fleet, but by the size of each individual yacht. With four of the participating veteran superyachts boasting an overall length of more than 40 metres, the sight of these sailing giants of bygone days with their vast sail plans parading through the islands of the La Maddalena archipelago is one not to be missed.

Classic sailing yachts gather in Porto Cervo for Veteran Big Boat Rally - Sailing yacht Mariette racing -Photo Credit YCCS

Classic sailing yachts gather in Porto Cervo for Veteran Big Boat Rally - Sailing yacht Mariette racing -Photo Credit YCCS

One participant that is particularly familiar with Sardinian waters, and which participated at the inauguration of Porto Cervo Marina in 1976, is the 42-metre Croce del Sud. The classic triple masted schooner was commissioned by the Granelli family in 1933 and has never changed ownership, despite having been commandeered by the German army during World War II and used as officers’ quarters. The yacht is now in the capable hands of Bruno Mentasti, son-in-law of the original owner.

The largest of the “big boats” participating in the rally is the 55 metre schooner ELENA. Built in 2009 to the exacting standards of the original N.G. Herreshoff design, this reproduction of the 1910 yacht of the same name has been meticulously constructed in steel using 320 hand-drawn plans supplied by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston and information from the family-run Herreshoff design office in Rhode Island.

Sailing Yacht ELENA

Sailing Yacht ELENA

ELENA Master
ELENA Master
ELENA in action
ELENA in action
ELENA Twin
ELENA Twin

The 49.5 metre sailing yacht Eleonora is also a reproduction of a Herreshoff design. Westward was the 1910 sistership to Elena and today’s Eleonora yacht is a scaled-down version of the two masted schooner. With a sail area of 1,100 m2 Eleonora regularly competes in classic sailing regattas in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.

The 38 metre S/Y Mariette is another twin masted schooner designed and built by Hereshoff and launched in 1915. Following an extensive refit in early 2010 Mariette has been sailing in classic yacht regattas around the world.

Superyacht Moonbeam IV, owned by Xavier Tancogne, is the largest of four Moonbeam yachts commissioned by Charles Plumtre Johnson and her construction was begun in 1914 but was not completed until after the war in 1920. In 1950 Prince Rainier of Monaco bought yacht Moonbeam and the 35 metre gaff cutter hosted the newly-wed couple of the Prince and Grace Kelly on their honeymoon.

The 36.55 metre Bermudian ketch Sylvia was launched in 1925. Her teak hull was built by Camper and Nicholson in the UK and at the beginning of this century she spent several years completing a round the world trip.

Launched in 1907, the gaff yawl Veronique is the most senior of the classic yachts participating in the Veteran Big Boat Rally. Boasting over 20 years of experience in classic regattas, at 18.9 metres in length she is also the smallest of the fleet.

Racing is schedule to begin tomorrow, 13th September at 11.30 a.m. Approximately 8 knots of easterly wind are forecast.

The gala dinner at Porto Arsenale lowers the curtain of Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena

June 07, 2010

The gala dinner at Porto Arsenale lowered the curtain of Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena that witnessed Emirates Team New Zealand winning by a hair. Russia’s Synergy threatened up to the last minute that, after two convincing victories, lost 3-2.

The gala dinner at Porto Arsenale - La Maddalena - Luois Vuitton Trophy

The races inside the La Maddalena archipelago took place in a unique scenery in the world, but the capricious breeze (either too much or too little) caused by the unstable weather pattern, unusual for this time of the year, often prevailed over the hard efforts of the organization. However, the appeal of sailing is to face the natural elements and everyone who practices this wonderful sport is always aware.

Karol Jablonski greets Dean Barker at his arrival to the pontoon © Bob Grieser

Mascalzone Latino Audi Team finished the Round Robin in fourth place, fifth in the final overall score table, best among the three Italian teams taking part. As already mentioned, Synergy grabbed their semifinal berth by beating Mascalzone Latino Audi Team by 2-1, while the remaining teams were All4One, Artemis and Emirates Team New Zealand. Always under a very light breeze, the best-of-five final was between Emirates Team New Zealand and Russia’s Synergy, a true revelation after the disappointing last place in Auckland. Surprisingly, the Russian lead 2-0, but the kiwis recovered and won three thrilling and breath-taking races in a row.

Before heading back home, Cameron Dunn, strategist on Mascalzone Latino Audi Team summarized the La Maddalena stage that saw Vincenzo Onorato’s team in the role of host: “We are obviously unhappy to have missed by a whisker the semifinals, but we know we have grown as a team and we have sailed better than in Auckland, where we reached second place. In our sport chance and luck also play a role, and here we have been a bit unfortunate, but we are not complaining, we will get better by understanding what mistakes we made and we have a positive spirit towards the next Louis Vuitton Trophy races and the 34th America’s Cup, where the world’s strong and best prepared teams compete, benefiting the show and the entire sport of sailing”.

Emirates Team New Zealand wins Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena Regatta

June 06, 2010

Two races down and on match point, Emirates Team New Zealand won the Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena Regatta today in an action-packed afternoon of match race sailing.

The New Zealand boat that won the Louis Vuitton Trophy Auckland in February prevailed 3-2 against the SYNERGY Russian Sailing Team that had put the Kiwis on the ropes 2-0 after the first race today.

Louis Vuitton Trophy, La Maddalena, Italy, May 22nd-June 6th 2010. Race Day 16, final Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) vs Synergy Russian Sailing Team (RUS) - photography by Bob Grieser - outsideimages.co.nz - Louis Vuitton Trophy

“In the end it comes down to confidence in our team,” said Dean Barker, skipper and helmsman of ETNZ. “It’s hard to believe. It was a long way back from 2-0 down. But the guys stuck with it and they gave us an opportunity that we jumped on. After that we sailed more like we expect to and it feels fantastic to win another event.”

Louis Vuitton Trophy, La Maddalena, Italy, May 22nd-June 6th 2010. Race Day 16. Final: Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) beats Synergy Russian Sailing Team (RUS). Yves Carcelle, CEO Louis Vuitton, congratulates Dean Barker for the victory. © Bob Grieser/outsideimages.co.nz/Louis Vuitton Trophy

It was the first time in America’s Cup history that a Russian-flagged boat has reached the final of a Louis Vuitton-sponsored event and her mixed Russian and international crew led by Polish skipper Karol Jablonski came very close to clinching the series.

After the finish, boats crowded around the Kiwi winners and a fireboat sprayed water high in the air as Barker and his crew hosed each other down with champagne from two jeroboams and a methuselah of Moët & Chandon presented on board by Louis Vuitton chairman and CEO Yves Carcelle.

The start for the last race of the day set a new record for race turnarounds. The cutoff for competition was 4:00 pm and Principal Race Officer Peter Reggio and his team hustled to setup and signal the start of the last race, less than five minutes after the finish of race three.
 
A shifty easterly breeze that built slowly in speed provided excellent conditions on a warm, sunny final day of racing. Because there was no wind early, the petit final for third and fourth places was abandoned and the French/German team All4One was confirmed in third place, with Sweden’s Artemis fourth.

Final, Race Two:  SYNERGY Russian Sailing Team def. Emirates Team New Zealand, 01:22 – ETNZ had the starboard entry advantage but after a long dialup Jablonski claimed the committee end with the Kiwis to leeward in the middle of the line.  ETNZ and Barker were bow out as Jablonski carried them all the way out to the port layline. A right-hand shift carried both boats below the mark and an unsuccessful last-minute effort by Barker to punch through to leeward in a flurry of tacks saw the Kiwi boat make a down-speed rounding 20 seconds astern. Synergy sailed away. Rod Dawson, tactician, Synergy: “It was really satisfying. We wanted the right and Karol did a fantastic job. We felt it was going to shift that way and we controlled the race from that side. The shifts were up to 20 degrees, very tricky conditions…”

Louis Vuitton Trophy, La Maddalena, Italy, May 22nd-June 6th 2010. Race Day 16. Final: Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) vs Synergy Russian Sailing Team (RUS)

Final, Race Three: Emirates Team New Zealand def. SYNERGY Russian Sailing Team , 01:05 – ETNZ trailed by 26 seconds at the first mark but crisper, faster gennaker sets and gybes, and a tactical call half way down the first run, pulled the Kiwis within six seconds at the gate. Under pressure, SYNERGY’s crew fumbled the gennaker takedown bringing the boat almost to a standstill. Minutes later ETNZ led by 156 metres. At the start, Jablonski had conducted a master class in starting tactics, leveraging a starboard entry and controlling a long dialup that led above the line before taking off at the pin on port, with the Kiwis tucked away 22 metres to leeward. Davies said: “It was won down the first run for us. The right side was very, very strong. We managed to pull back close and the pass was down the run. He had a bad rounding but I think we were going to be ahead and on the favored side of the course.” Jablonski said: “That’s the game of mistakes. We gybed on the first run a little bit too early and TNZ had an edge, that’s why we decided to go to the other mark.”

Final, Race Four: Emirates Team New Zealand def. SYNERGY Russian Sailing Team, 00:04 – The Kiwi boat prevailed in a muscular tactical battle punctuated by a flurry of protest flags in 14 knots of breeze. After a spirited pre-start the boats split with the Kiwis on starboard before quickly tacking onto port to control.  Barker led by seven seconds at the top mark but the Russians overtook on the run, only to be penalized after contact when ETNZ closed up again.  The action was furious and the flags frequent on the last run as Synergy fought to land a penalty on their opponent but Barker kept clear and broke through to win by four seconds with the Synergy penalty still outstanding.

Louis Vuitton Trophy - Team New Zealand Leading at top mark

Final, Race Five:  Emirates Team New Zealand def. SYNERGY Russian Sailing Team, 01:23 – Synergy claimed the committee end on starboard with ETNZ to leeward and immediately tacked away. The Kiwi boat tacked to cover and it was a replay as they went out to the starboard layline with the Russian boat forced to follow. Barker led by 12 seconds after the run and held off Jablonski in a spirited tacking duel up the second weather leg. Synergy’s hopes were shattered on the run when their gennaker shredded as they trailed by three boat lengths. Davies said: “It was a tough one. But we got there in the end. It was a tricky venue and tough competitors. It was tough to win and we’re pretty darn proud of it. The turning point was on that final run when their spinnaker blew out! In the end, the team keeps backing itself. It was stressful, but like all of these regattas, you just have to win the last race, and we peaked at the right time. Synergy sailed really well as did all of the top boats. It’s been a really close regatta, the closest of these we’ve had…It’s hard to keep people behind us, that’s for sure.”

Louis Vuitton Trophy, La Maddalena, Italy - Emirates Team New Zealand Celebrations

Final Results

  1.  Emirates Team New Zealand
  2.  SYNERGY Russian Sailing Team   
  3.  All4One
  4.  Artemis
  5.  Mascalzone Latino Audi Team
  6.  Azzurra
  7.  TEAMORIGIN
  8.  Luna Rossa
  9.  BMW Oracle Racing Team
  10.  ALEPH Sailing Team

Dean Barker - Team NZ Helmsman - Cracks the Champagne

Team New Zealand Wins Louis Vuitton Italy

Louis Vuitton Trophy: Day 12 – 4 boats separated by 1 point.

June 02, 2010

There was a long wait until 1530 hours before the eased to a sailable range. Shifty around 300 degrees and 17 to 21 knots at the start of the day’s first race. Still blowing at the top limit when racing was called at 1830. Just two races today.

The French/German team All4One moved up to second equal place at the Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena today and will race Sweden’s top-placed Artemis tomorrow to decide the winner of the round robin.

The other match between Emirates Team New Zealand and Italy’s Mascalzone Latino, both currently second equal, will be key to resolving the other top places. Tonight, all four boats are at the top of the points table with only one point separating them.

Mascalzone Latino Audi Team (ITA) vs TeamOrigin (GBR) Photo Credit Bob Grieser

Strong gusty northwest winds curtailed racing for much of the day and only two races were sailed in 20-knot winds, close to the top limit for competition, before race officials abandoned racing until tomorrow.

A bad gennaker takedown that led to a crew injury knocked TEAMORIGIN out of the running for a top place. The British boat, skippered by Ben Ainslie, had made a strong start, only to be overtaken by Mascalzone Latino on the first leg of their race together.  Ainslie closed down on the Italian boat and led by three seconds at the end of the first run.

Things went wrong on the gennaker drop and as it went overboard, a sheet wrapped around the leg of trimmer Mike Mottl and started to drag him over the side.

“We had to slow the boat down to cut the rope off his foot and then got going again,” said mainsheet hand Chris Salthouse. “We were obviously all very concerned about his injury, Mike was very brave to continue to race hard throughout the rest of the race and we hope he will be back on the boat as soon as possible.”

Hospital authorities tonight reported that Mottl had no broken bones. They were still assessing muscle injuries.

Racing ended prematurely at 1900, when there was a steering linkage problem with ITA 90, one of the Mascalzone Latino boats. Fortunately, the organisers now have the option of using one of the BMW Oracle Racing boats, USA87, which was damaged earlier in the regatta. The BOR shore crew has been working around the clock to affect repairs and the boat could be available for racing, if necessary, on Thursday.

“We’ve had all of our boatbuilders working 12 hour days to get this done,” said Julien di Biase, logistics manager for BMW Oracle Racing. “The WSTA agreed to help us bring additional resources here and that accelerated the process.

“We started as soon as the boats came back to shore back on Race Day Four. On USA 87 we cut the last two metres of the boat – the stern scoop – off and used the undamaged side as a mold and started working up the new scoop as soon as we could. If they need to use USA 87 tomorrow it’s ready to go.”

Flight Twelve, Race Two: Mascalzone Latino def. TEAMORIGIN, 00:35 – Ben Ainslie’s TEAMORIGIN dominated the prestart and led off the line on starboard with the Italian boat Mascalzone Latino 33 metres astern on their starboard hip. Gavin Brady steering the Italian boat benefited from a right shift and led around the top mark by 10 seconds. Ainslie closed inexorably on the run to lead by three seconds, only lose any chance of winning when the gennaker drop went bad.

Louis Vuitton Trophy Race Day 12. Mascalzone Latino Audi Team (ITA) vs TeamOrigin (GBR) Photo Credit Bob Grieser

Flight Twentytwo, Race Two: All4One def. ALEPH Sailing Team, 00:15 – Bertrand Pacé and ALEPH led at the gun, on starboard, with a 14 metre advantage. Sébastien Col steering All4One on the French boat’s hip made steady gains to protect the right. At the first cross Col was able force Pacé back to the left and the French/German boat continued to extend from there, rounding the top mark 80 metres and 14 seconds in front.

Louis Vuitton Trophy Race Day 12. All4ONE (GER) vs ALEPH Sailing Team. Photo Credit Bob Grieser

Round Robin Provisional Results after Wednesday Racing

  =1.  Artemis, 6-2, 6 points
  =2.  All4One, 5-3, 5 points

  =2.  Emirates Team New Zealand, 5-3, 5 points

  =2.  Mascalzone Latino Audi Team, 6-2, 5 points *

  =2.  Synergy Russian Sailing Team, 5-4, 5 points
    6.  Azzurra, 4-5, 4 points

    7.  TEAMORIGIN, 4-5, 4 points
   8.  Luna Rossa, 3-6, 3 points
9.  BMW Oracle Racing Team, 3-6, 3 point
10.  ALEPH Sailing Team, 2-7, -2 points *

  * Penalties deducted by Jury/Umpires

Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena’s Final Four Days on Live Internet Stream

June 02, 2010

The final four days of the Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena will be televised around the globe, live, beginning on 3rd June. In territories without live television, fans can pick up the programme on a live internet stream.

Cameramen on the race boats provide another close view of the action - © Bob Grieser

With 10 of the best sailing teams in the world duelling on the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean off Sardinia, the Louis Vuitton Trophy is a premiere sailing competition featuring America’s Cup style match racing.

The television production will be the next best thing to being there, with inputs from two on board cameras, two chase-boat cameras and a helicopter, as well as VirtualEye animation graphics, on board audio, and expert commentary.

The live television feed will be available both online and from broadcasters. The internet feed will be streamed on the event website with English and Italian commentary.

Broadcasters taking the live television feed include Italy’s RAI network, Russia’s NTV, ESPN360 in the USA, and SailingChannel in Europe, while SailTV will stream the broadcast over the web. The SailTV web player for the Louis Vuitton Trophy has also been distributed free as an embed to dozens of top sailing sites worldwide.

In addition to the live production, the 36-strong television production crew is making six highlight shows (of 26 minutes each) as well as a final 26-minute wrap-up programme. These are being shown around the world by select broadcasters, including BSkyB in the UK, Italy’s RAI, Canal+ in France, NTV plus in Russia, TVNZ in New Zealand, and SailingChannel across Europe, as well as Eurosport Asia.

A shorter series of programmes (4X20 minutes) are being shown in Spain, Sweden, Ireland, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa as well as on Fox Sports in the Middle East, South America, Africa and the United States and ESPN/Star in Asia.

The action at the Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena has been among the best yet, and as the field of 10 gets whittled down to a final champion over the final four days of competition, the racing is only going to get more compelling. Don’t miss it.

Day Seven Luois Vuitton Throphy La Maddalena – Russia Joins Sweden and New Zealand in Three-Way Tie

May 28, 2010

Russia’s Synergy Racing Team joined Sweden’s Artemis and Emirates Team New Zealand on top of the points table at the Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena today as unstable wind conditions limited the schedule to just two races.

BMW ORACLE Racing (USA) vs Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) © Bob Griese

There were upsets in both races sailed as the Russians beat the America’s Cup champion BMW Oracle Racing and Emirates Team New Zealand went down to Oracle on an umpire-initiated penalty for failing to maintain adequate rig tension on the last spinnaker run.

There was plenty of wind off the little island at the northeastern corner of Sardinia where ten international teams are racing the Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena but the shifty northwesterly breeze, gusting from ten to 20 knots, was never sufficiently stable to start races.  The race committee waited five hours before starting the first race at 2:00 pm.

Synergy, which started today with a 3-3 win-loss record, scored a major victory by defeating Oracle. The Russian crew led by Poland’s Karol Jablonski has been steadily improving at this regatta. Yesterday, they won one and narrowly lost one race but today they made no mistakes adding the scalps of the America’s Cup champions to their belts.

BMW ORACLE Racing (USA) vs Synergy Russian Sailing Team (RUS) © Bob Grieser

The Russians big move came on the first spinnaker run of their race against Oracle as they overtook in 18 to 20 knot winds and then carefully protected their lead for the rest of the race.

Emirates Team New Zealand appeared to have their race against Oracle sewn up too, landing a penalty on the Americans just over one minute into the pre-start and then staying close to Oracle after the Americans took the lead on the first beat. All that changed when the umpires penalized ETNZ for failing to maintain adequate rig tension. The penalties cancelled out and Oracle sailed on to win.

Flight Twentyone, Race Two, Synergy Russian Sailing Team def BMW Oracle Racing, 00:21 – Karol Jablonski’s Russian team pulled off a nail-biter come-from-behind victory over the America’s Cup winners. James Spithill claimed the committee end of the start line and although the Russians enjoyed a boat length lead, he controlled at the end of the leg and took them high of the mark to lead by nine seconds. Synergy fought back to roll Oracle on the spinnaker run.

Flight Two, Race One: BMW Oracle Racing def Emirates Team New Zealand, 00:06 – An upset win for the USA’s Oracle which raced carrying a penalty imposed in the pre-start but got off the hook when the umpires penalized the Kiwi boat for failing to maintain adequate rig tension (a rule adopted for this event to protect the supplied boats). At the start, Dean Barker and ETNZ were bow-forward and led, but James Spithill and Oracle dominated after the first tack. Half way down the last run Oracle was still leading but without sufficient room to complete a penalty turn. They got out of jail when the umpires penalized ETNZ. The Kiwis are expected to appeal the decision.

Provisional win-loss leaderboard after Friday racing

=1.  Artemis, 4-1, 4 points

=1.  Emirates Team New Zealand, 4-2, 4 points

=1.  Synergy Russian Sailing Team, 4-3, 4 points

=4.  Mascalzone Latino Audi Team, 4-1, 3 points *

=4.  TEAMORIGIN, 3-3, 3 points

=4.  All4One, 3-3, 3 points

=7.  Azzurra, 2-3, 2 points

=7.  Luna Rossa, 2-5, 2 points

=7.  BMW Oracle Racing Team, 2-5, 2 points

=10.  ALEPH Sailing Team, 2-4, -2 points *

*  Penalties deducted by Jury/Umpires

Louis Vuitton Trophy Day 6: Sweden and New Zealand first equal

May 27, 2010

Emirates Team New Zealand won two races today at the Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena to end the day first equal on points with Sweden’s Artemis, each with 4-1 records.

Louis Vuitton Trophy: Dean Barker at the helm of Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), Photo Credit Bob Grieser

In other competition the Swedish boat skippered by Paul Cayard and steered by Terry Hutchinson lost today, the first time since the regatta in Sardinia started.

Crews in the ten international teams spent another long day on the water with the first race starting soon after 0900 and the last not finishing until 1730. There was wind all day from the west, shifty and with big speed changes on different parts of the course. There were gusts up to 20 knots near the weather mark.

The shape of the scoreboard changed in the first four races as the Kiwis, third equal yesterday with two points, deftly dispatched Azzurra and then ALEPH Sailing Team to claim second place. In the fourth race Mascalzone Latino trounced Artemis to advance Team New Zealand to first equal.

“It was tough losing a race to Luna Rossa (on Tuesday) but losses sometimes help kick-start the team and make us realize we’ve always got things to work on. I think we’ve been sailing a lot better since that race,” said Dean Barker, skipper and helmsman of Team New Zealand.

Mascalzone Latino slammed the door on Artemis with a strategy the Italian team had been refining for some time. “The guys on the boat made a great call for the left side and Gavin did a beautiful job of executing that,” said tactician Morgan Larson. “We spent a lot of time this morning talking about Terry Hutchinson’s weaknesses in the prestart. I think Gavin exploited that weakness. It was very close. Terry was really close to getting an overlap with us that would have shifted everything. If they got an overlap they would have got the left and probably won the race.”

Flight Sixteen, Race Two: Emirates Team New Zealand def Azzurra 00:13– Francesco Bruni steering Azzura gauged his start perfectly at the pin with speed. ETNZ on his hip was forced to tack away. The leg and the race belonged to Bruni but approaching the weather mark on port and leading, the Italians tacked short of the mark and opened the way for ETNZ to seize the starboard tack advantage, slip inside and hold their opponents out. The surprising reversal put the Kiwis 13 seconds ahead and they consolidated from there on.

Louis Vuitton TrophyDay6. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) vs Azurra (ITA) - Photo Credit Bob Grieseroutsideimages.co.nz

Flight Six, Race One: Emirates Team New Zealand def ALEPH Sailing Team 00:29 – ETNZ dominated an initial race which was abandoned near the top mark due to a mark positioning error. The new start was initally a mirror of the first, a long starboard tack with ETNZ on ALEPH’s hip, until the French forced them to tack. However the Kiwis had the power of the right and forced the persistently-clinging French team away as they carried ALEPH above the weather mark for a seven second delta at the top mark.

Louis Vuitton Trophy, Day6. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) vs ALEPH Sailing Team (FRA) - Photo Credit Bob Grieseroutsideimages.co.nz

Flight Fifteen, Race Two:  TEAMORIGIN def Synergy Russian Sailing Team, 00:06 – ORIGIN was bow-out in mid-line at the start with Synergy close to the committee boat. The Russians hung tough on the starboard tack but were forced away after two minutes.  They led approaching the starboard layline, only to drop back in a left shift that put Ainslie ahead by 14 seconds at the top mark.  The boats rounded opposite leeward marks. ORIGIN conceded valuable seconds as the gennaker went under the bow but held a handy lead.

Louis Vuitton Trophy, Day 6. TeamOrigin (GBR) vs Synergy Russian Sailing Team (RUS) - Photo credit Paul Todd

Flight Fourteen, Race One: Mascalzone Latino def Artemis, 00:46 – Gavin Brady the Kiwi skipper of the Latin Rascals destroyed the perfect record of Sweden’s Artemis with a king-hit before the start. He locked out Sweden’s Terry Hutchinson on port tack before the gun, with both boats stalled below the line. Brady tacked, and got away first to lead at speed by 26 metres and pull away. The Italian boat was 22 seconds ahead at the top mark as the breeze built to 20 knots. Artemis set off on pursuit only to see their gennaker explode as they settled into the first run. Mascalzone sailed away.

Louis Vuitton Trophy, Day 6. Artemis (SWE) vs Mascalzone Latino Audi Team (ITA) Photo Credit Paul Todd

Flight Sixteen, Race One: Synergy Russian Sailing Team def ALEPH Sailing Team, 00:33 – Karol Jablonski won the start as both boats sailed slowly up to the committee boat on port. Jablonski tacked and sailed Synergy off the line at speed while Pacé was slow to tack ALEPH and follow. ALEPH drew level close to the top mark but Jablonski had starboard tack advantage and was nine seconds in front at the top mark.

Flight 22, Race One, Luna Rossa def BMW Oracle Racing, 00:22 – This was a comprehensive victory for the Italians. They started at opposite ends of the line with Luna Rossa near the committee boat. James Spithill and BMW Oracle Racing got off the line faster near the pin but only enjoyed their lead for a few seconds. The Italian boat steered by Ed Baird was in better breeze and sailed steadily away from James Spithill and Oracle.  Close to the port layline when Luna Rossa on starboard crossed ahead of her opponent, the Americans were 220 metres dead astern. They made subsequent gains but finished 50 metres back.

Louis Vuitton TrophyDay6. BMW ORACLE Racing (USA) vs Luna Rossa (ITA) - Photo Credit Paul Toddoutsideimages.co.nz

Provisional win-loss leaderboard after Thursday racing

  =1.  Artemis, 4-1, 4 points

  =1.  Emirates Team New Zealand, 4-1, 4 pointsâ

  =3.  Mascalzone Latino Audi Team, 4-1, 3 points *

  =3.  All4One, 3-3, 3 points¨

  =3.  Synergy Russian Sailing Team, 3-3, 3 points

  =3.  TEAMORIGIN, 3-3, 3 points

  =7.  Azzurra, 2-3, 2 pointsâ

  =7.  Luna Rossa, 2-5, 2 points

  =9.  BMW Oracle Racing Team, 1-4, 1 point

=10.  ALEPH Sailing Team, 2-4, -2 points *

  *  Penalties deducted by Jury/Umpires

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