Two +39 Challenge sailors among top ten at Finn European Championship 2006

After two days of racing in Palmarós, Spain the Italian America's Cup challenger has two of its four crew members among the top ten. After a disappointing and erratic performance in the first day, the +39 Challenge duo raced considerably better today, especially in the second race of the day where they finished first and second. This allowed them to climb several positions and place themselves among the first ten.

Olympic medalist Rafael TrujilloTailer of +39 Challenge.


Click for more info continued his erratic performance, and similar to the first day of racing he sailed one disappointing first race followed by an excellent one.

On the other hand, his teamate from +39 Challenge, Anthony NossiterGrinder of +39 Challenge.


Click for more info with a more consistent perofrmance has been able to stay 10 points ahead of Turjillo.

On Monday one of the favorites of this Championship, Greek Emilios Papathanasiou, did not race after suffering knee injury. He abandoned the championship and after an initial check up at the Palmarós hospital he flew back to Athens.

Tomorrow Wednesday, only one race will take place, the fifth one so far, giving right to one discard.

Rafa Trujillo racing at the Finn European Championship 2006

Anthony Nossiter at the Finn European Championship 2006

Finn European Championship 2006
Provisional leaderboard after four races

1. Edgard Wright (GBR), 2-6-1-3, 12 points
2. Jonas Hog-Christensen (DEN), 4-2-8-4, 18 points
3. Marin Misura (CRO), 8-8-3-6, 25 points
4. Gasper Vincec (SLO), 5-3-6-12, 26 points
5. Guillaume Florent (FRA), 1-11-10-5, 27 points
6. Anthony Nossiter (+39 Challenge), 3-19-5-1, 28 points
7. Rafa Trujillo (+39 Challenge), 23-1-12-2, 38 points
8. Ismael Bruno (FRA), 6-16-20-9, 51 points
9. Ivan Kjakvic-Gaspic (CRO), 14-7-18-15, 54 points
10. Tapio Nirkko (FIN), 12-23-13-7, 55 points

Caixa Galicia to build new Botín-designed TP52 boat, sharing mould with new Mutua Madrileña

Caixa Galicia will be build their new TP52 boat in Castellón, Spain at the Longitud Cero boatyard.

The team lead by Vicente Tirado chooses Marcelino Botín as designer and will share the hull mould with Mutua Madrileña, winner of the 2006 Breitling MedCup circuit.

Caixa Galicia will compete in the 2007 Breitling Medcup circuit with a new TP52 boat. According to the team owner Vicente Tirado, they decided to appoint Marcelino Botín as designer and will build the yacht at the boatyard Longitud Cero, lead by Chimo López, in Castellón, where they will share the female mould with another leading project, the new TP52 boat of Mutua Madrileña, winner of the 2006 Breitling MedCup circuit.

A mere two days after the end of the 2006 Breitling Medcup, the first announcement about the construction of a new boat has just been made public. It is expected that an important number of similar announcements will be made in the following weeks, bringing the total number of teams participating in next year's Breitling Medcup close to 30.

Caixa Galicia who was stripped of third place at the 2006 Breitling Medcup only during ththe season's last day, has already taken the first steps towards the construction of the new boat. Although this option was already under consideration, the final decision was only taken a couple of days ago, during the Balearia Ibiza Trophy, when both the owner and his crew had to confront a tough dilemma: choose the designer and boatyard.

“It has been a very tough decision to take - confesses Vicente Tirado - because it will set the team's framework for the next three years. We had excellent proposals from Marcelino Botín, Rolf Vrolijk and Bruce Farr (the designer of the current boat used in the last two seasons). Till the last moment we were leaning towards Rolf Vrolijk's proposal. He is a great designer and the majority of boats that have been triumphal lately are his...”

"But on the other hand, Marcelino Botín has always been linked to our project and team as designer and at the end we decided to trust our future boat on his hands". Construction will be done under the direct supervision of Toño Piris who has already supervised the construction of Caixa Galicia's previous racing yachts.

In addition, Vicente Tirado confirmed that construction would take place in Spain, precisely at Longitud Cero, the boatyard managed by Chimo López, where the current ONO boat was also built (the former Pisco Sour, winner of the 2005 Breitling MedCup circuit) and the Baleària. More importantly, Longitud Cero will also build the new Mutua Madrileña boat, winner of the 2005 Breitling MedCup circuit.

The relation between Vicente Tirado and Longitud Cero of Chimo López isn't either recent as they are good and old friends and partners. It is worht mentioning that Vicente Tirado's first boat, Exagres, was built by Chimo López back in 1989.

“It is a circle that closes, we started with him and have now decided to return and put our trust on his boatyard and the excellent construction quality, trademarks of Chimo López”, recognized as one of the four best boatyards in the world as far as the TP52 class is concerned.

Construction of the boat will start immediately. During the next few days the project team will set up the definite framework for the design and construction planning.

"We want the boat to be on water at the end of next April in order to train with her and finetune her before the first event of the 2007 Breitling MedCup circuit, to take place in Castellón next June".

The new Caixa Galicia will share the boatyard with Mutua Madrileña. "Both boats will be built on a female mould and will have the same hull made of carbon".

Caixa Galicia will change boat after two years of racing. "The rule of this class guarantees a longer life for this type of boats because, unlike the IMS, they don't lose their resale value. The life we had anticipated for this boat was three years but currently Caixa Galicia is the oldest one of the fleet, although it obtained excellent results this season. We have a very good boat but we realized it was necessary to evolve and advance. The boat we currently have sails very well under light winds and flat seas but performs worse at greater wind speeds. With the new design we will seek a boat able to perform in a wider range of wind speeds and seas".

Mutua Madrileña wins 2006 Breitling Medcup with two races left in Balearia Ibiza Trophy

The penultimate day of racing for the 2006 Breitling MedCup season served up drama, challenge, excitement, bitter disappointment and relief in equal measures for the crews of the 21 boats.

While the most talked about moment was a dramatic collision between Stuart Robinson’s Santa Ana Stay Calm and Jose Cusi’s Bribon, which had SM Don Juan Carlos aboard for his first race at this Trofeo Balearia Ibiza y Formentera, a consistent day for Eamon Conneely’s Siemens saw them take the overall lead in the regatta and a victory in the second race of the day clinched the overall 2006 Breitling MedCup TP52 Series for Peter de Ridder’s Mutua Madrilena.

Santa Ana struck Bribon at the windward mark of the first race. Making a port tack approach to the buoy the wind dropped slightly.

Santa Ana attempted to duck Bribon at the very last second after making a late call to dip low and try and find a space in the ranks of starboard tack boats. Santa Ana hit Bribon just forward of the shrouds, cracking Bribon’s topsides. The impact left a large hole in Santa Ana’s bow. Both are out of the regatta, effecting temporary repairs to make the crossing to Palma, Mallorca where their damage will be more fully assessed and properly repaired. Bribon will make a request for redress, seeking average points for the race and the remaining races of this regatta.

“The problem was as much the drop in wind pressure as we approached the mark as we slowed and nowhere to go. We should really have then just accepted that and tacked away. The frustrating thing for us is that we were sixth overall and had Lexus 20 points behind and now that is all gone.” Commented Santa Ana’s navigator Mark Chisnell.

With the wind swinging through the day, rising and falling in pressure across the course, and a difference in current which was significant in the lighter winds, it was a very challenging day.

After winning the coastal race yesterday John Cook’s Cristabella maintained their form into the first race today. Along with Rush they ventured to the right, inshore, off the start line where Rush was the first to pick up a favourable right hand wind shift. Tom Stark’s US boat rounded first with Cristabella second.

Cristabella’s choice of a gybe-set at the buoy proved critical and they went on to their second successive winning gun, with Dean Barker steering Warpath to second.

In the second race Peter de Ridder’s Mutua Madrilena executed the target required of them. With another good, but safe start they lead around the windward mark and were never passed, again working hard to fully utilise the shifts and the strands of better wind pressure downwind. As they crossed the finish they assumed an unbeatable position in the overall Breitling MedCup standings.

In defence of Siemens consistent attack on their position Caixa Galicia, skippered by Roberto Bermudez, shored up their challenge for third with a victory in the third race of the day.

“We didn’t sail well in the first two races. Adding the first race was bad but the second really added to it. We started really badly and weren’t able to recover. But in the last race we had a really good start and that meant we could get ahead. In 10 knots beating like this, this boat is very fast.” Explained Bermudez.

With just ten points now separating Siemens from third, skipper Ian Walker cautions that their main objective tomorrow is to win the Trofeo Balearia Ibiza y Formentera, anything else would be a bonus.

“It has been really hard sailing today, but I think we have has sailed as well as we have on Siemens all season, getting three top four results today was very difficult. Morgan (Larson) is doing a great job at his first regatta in this class here, and the crew got us out of trouble a couple of times. Leading overall is nice. I have always said that winning this regatta is what counts most for us. No-one will look back at this Breitling MedCup season and remember who was third, but if we win here we will have won half the regattas on the circuit this season and the worlds, which no one else will have.” Said Ian Walker.

With up to two races tomorrow (Saturday) Siemens leads Mutua Madrilena by one single point.

Mutua Madrilena’s crew looked relieved and content as they came ashore tonight and enjoyed a few well earned beers, but De Ridder insists the champagne remains on ice until tomorrow:

“It feels great, but at the moment I just feel tired and relieved. But we still have a regatta to win. We will have a few drinks tonight and no doubt will feel a little more dusty in the morning but this is still on. Every sailor here goes out to win regattas and we will be no different tomorrow. Siemens sail their boat extremely well.” Commented De Ridder.

Balearia Ibiza Trophy - Day 4 - Race 2:

The key factor was clearly Mutua Madrileña’s upwind speed. Starting mid-left, they went directly left and stayed ahead of the main pack there. On the downwind legs they worked the shifts more than anyone and were able to control the race once ahead.
Balearia was able to take advantage of Siemens penalty turn, after they converged with Orlanda and forced them around the back; and came through into second place on the second beat.

After their restart Pinta made a phenomenal recovery and consistently worked their way up to their eventual seventh place.

Mutua Madrileña are now in a very favourable position to win the Circuit.

Start of the day's second race. Ibiza, 22 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Balearia Ibiza Trophy - Day 4 - Race 1:

Rush came off the line in dirty wind, kept going and picked up a fifteen degree shift to the right which totally worked in their favor. Cristabella who were further left on the start line and second behind rush were also well positioned to benefit from their situation on the race course.

At the first windward mark Rush did a straight conventional bear away set and Cristabella a gybe set which allowed them to get through and past them.

Warpath had a good race, working their way up to the front, obviously with a lot to prove, they eventually grabbed the second from Rush on the second downwind leg.

A good race, the breeze stayed up at 11-14knots but the seas were still choppy

The right-hand side proved clearly to be the best call.

Santa Ana and Bribon had to retire from the following a collision at the second windward mark.

The conditions at the time were about 13 knots in moderate seas. Santa Ana were making a port tack approach to the mark and tried to bear away but collided with Bribon.

Santa Ana has suffered extensive damage to her bow, while Bribon has a one metre gash on the port side of the boat.

Detail of the damaged bow of Santa Ana. Ibiza, 22 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The beauty of the Breitling Medcup can also lead to crashes like the one that took place today. Ten boats arrived at the bottom mark almost simultaneously. Ibiza, 22 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Balearia Ibiza Trophy - Day 3: Cristabella wins coastal race, Mutua Madrileña one step closer to 2006 Medcup title

Revelling in something closer to the kind of breezes and swell that the TP52 class owes its origins to, John Cook’s Cristabella won the invigorating 42 mile coastal race around the island of Formentera today at the Breitling MedCup TP52 circuit’s Trofeo Balearia Ibiza y Formentera.

After what feels like summer diet of modest breezes and exacting sailing, somewhat starved of adrenalin today was a chance to unleash the beast that lurks inside these TP52’s to enjoy a magnificent course which offered the 21 boat fleet a good test of all points of sailing against the spectacular backdrop formed by the island.

While Cristabella built a comfortable lead, second place for Peter de Ridder’s Mutua Madrilena Mean Machine team leaves them with a seven point overall lead in the regatta.

But as Mutua’s nearest rivals, Warpath – Fred and Steve Howe’s Dean Barker skippered boat – were hobbled severely when their backstay broke twice and could only limp to a 14th today, De Ridder’s crew moved to within touching distance of overall victory in the Breitling MedCup TP52 series overall. With just two days of racing left here in Ibiza, Mutua Madrilena’s lead is now 40 points over Warpath.

“It was an awesome day’s racing.” Confirmed Mutua’s tactician Ray Davies, “It is extremely unfortunate for the Warpath and we would rather win racing against them on the water, but it was a bit of a relief for us to see it happen. Each of these races we have been under a fair bit of tension not to make any mistakes, and that did take some of the pressure of us. As we move in to the final races now we can start to look at the discards and I think we only need another nine points on Warpath to win it, which is a nice position to be in.”

A three mile opening beat in 13-15 knots of SE’ly breeze saw Cristabella ease round the windward mark in first place. With Tim Powell steering and Charlie McKee calling the tactics they opened a lead of over one minute on a long Code Zero reach when they first to set the masthead sail, powering away from Michael Illbruck steering Pinta, Stuart Robinson’s Stay Calm Santa Ana and Mutua Madrilena.

Approaching the high cliffs on the South East side of the island Cristabella ventured a little closer to the land and spent some of their lead in search of a favourable lift along the cliffs, and some flatter water while Pinta and Mutua stuck further offshore. The three lead boats were only seconds apart as they passed under the towering cliffs at the lighthouse at Punta De Codolar, where a dozen or so spectators had gathered at the eastern tip of Formentara to see the turn.

But as they set spinnakers for a memorable sleigh ride down the south side of the island, in the biggest swells of the season, Cristabella again rebuilt their lead.
On the long reach and and fetch under jib top and staysail back towards Ibiza, powering along in flat water with the wind to 20-22 knots in the gusts up the west side of the island John Cook’s Cristabella was once again more than a minute clear by the time they passed between the Ahorcados and Puercos Islands.

Mutua Madrileña seized second from Pinta when their halyard lock failed during a gybe and they lost their spinnaker momentarily. Pinta went on to take third gun while Russell Coutts and Paul Cayard redeemed themselves after opening the regatta with an 18,17,12 when they took fourth, holding off Santa Ana.

Start of the coastal race of the Balearia Ibiza trophy. Ibiza, 21 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Cristabella reached the first mark ahead of the rest of the fleet. Ibiza, 21 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The five leading boats at the first mark. Ibiza, 21 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The rest of the fleet at the first mark. Ibiza, 21 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Santa Ana at the second mark. Ibiza, 21 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Siemens flying at the last downwind leg. Ibiza, 21 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Balearia Ibiza Trophy - Day 1: Racing cancelled due to lack of winds

The Balearia Ibiza Trophy started with a frustrating combination of very light (between 3 and 5 knots) and shifty winds. After a postponment of various hours, the TP52 fleet made it to the race course only to face shifty conditions and dying winds.

The race committee finaly signaled a start at 1pm but was forced to give a general recall immediately after the yachts crossed the line. With winds down to 3 knots it was impossible to continue. At around 2:30 pm all boats were sent to shore, waiting for a possible start before 4:30 pm that never came.

It is the second consecutive day that racing is cancelled due to lack of winds. Although Tuesday was the first official racing day, the fleet tried to train on Monday without any success.

Nevertheless, some teams took advantage even of the slightest puff of wind, like ONO or Mutua Madrileña who tried new sails for light winds and studied even further the race course.

A result of these very poor conditions is that we will have to wait an additional day to see who will come out as winner of the 2006 Breitling Medcup season. Nacho Postigo, coach of Mutua Madrileña, emphasized the positive side of this cancellation as Warpath will have two races less in order to catch up.

Part of the TP52 fleet berthed and waiting for wind during the first day of the Balearia Ibiza trophy. Ibiza, 19 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The masts of some of the TP52 fleet. Anonimo, Mutua Madrileña and Warpath use Southern Spars masts while the rest of the boats use Hall Spars. Ibiza, 19 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The frustrated first start. Ibiza, 19 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Sailing with ONO

ONO sailing and waiting for the first start of the Balearia Ibiza Trophy. Ibiza, 19 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

ONO sailing and waiting for the first start of the Balearia Ibiza Trophy. Ibiza, 19 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

ONO sailing and waiting for the first start of the Balearia Ibiza Trophy. Ibiza, 19 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Part of the TP52 fleet berthed and waiting for wind during the first day of the Balearia Ibiza trophy. Ibiza, 19 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

ONO sailing and waiting for the first start of the Balearia Ibiza Trophy. Ibiza, 19 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Looking in vain for wind. Ibiza, 19 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

ONO sailing and waiting for the first start of the Balearia Ibiza Trophy. Ibiza, 19 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Tony Rey, tactician aboard ONO and recently recruited by the Spanish America's Cup challenger Desafío Español to call tactics in Valencia in 2007. Ibiza, 19 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Yet another recruit for Victory Challenge

[Source: Victory Challenge] He is the only Frenchman in Victory Challenge’s sailing team. He has great experience of match racing, has previously participated in the America’s Cup and is one of the most experienced trimmers in the world of professional sailing. Thierry Fouchier, 40, is another recruitment for the two-boat training that has just begun. “I’m impressed by how focussed everybody is. Everything that is done is aimed at being better and better,” he says.

For the last four years Thierry Fouchier has, among other things, sailed trimarans, as trimmer on Groupama in what is now known as the Multi Cup 60’. They have dominated the Grand Prix competitions and won the 2004 World Championships.

He has also participated in a number of competitions in the World Match Racing Tour, with skippers like Philippe Presti and Peter Gilmour, but primarily with Bertrand Pacé. They won what was then called the Swedish Match Tour in 2000 (Magnus Holmberg won in 2001).

“Thierry has extensive knowledge of match racing, has experience of the America’s Cup, is also very wide-ranging as a trimmer, whether it’s the mainsail, spinnaker or genoa and, because he has also worked with our sail designer Laurent Delage, we expect that he will be an asset when it comes to sail development,” says Magnus HolmbergHelmsman and skipper of Victory Challenge

Click for more info, skipper and helmsman for Victory Challenge.

“As a talented trimmer with his extensive experience he can provide valuable contributions to the development of both sails and battens. I know because I have sailed a lot with him myself on a number of different boats,” says sail designer Laurent Delage, himself a Frenchman.

Thierry Fouchier has been a professional sailor since 1994. His first involvement in the America’s Cup was in 1995, with Défi France which was to participate with Harmonie FRA 40. However the boatbuilding and challenge were interrupted due to financial reasons.

It turned out to be Le Défi Français 2000, with Bertrand Pacé as skipper. Thierry Fouchier was mainsail trimmer for 6eme Sens. They reached the semi-finals. He also sailed with K-Challenge (now Areva Challenge) in the autumn of 2003, when a number of America’s Cup boats met in San Francisco. However, this is the first time he has been signed up for the 32nd America’s Cup.

“I was attracted by Victory Challenge, because I both get to sail and to take part in sail development,” says Thierry Fouchier.

He is the only French sailor, but not the only Frenchman on the team. With Thierry Fouchier there is now a total of six French nationals in Victory Challenge, of which three are on the sail team, one in the boat design team and one in the electronics team.

In total, 13 new sailors have now joined Victory Challenge during the last four months. Seven of them have previous America’s Cup experience, of which four also have experience from the most recent Volvo Ocean Race. Another five took part in the most recent round the world race.

With the two-boat training the next phase has begun for the team, ahead of next year’s final pre-regattas of the 32nd America’s Cup and the challengers’ series itself, the Louis Vuitton Cup. It is then that it will finally be decided which of the eleven challengers will meet the defender, Alinghi, in the America’s Cup Match.

Mean Machine goes Volvo

A new extreme adventure, fresh challenges and a new contender in the Volvo Ocean Race: Mean Machine gets on board the Round the World Race par excellence.

20 years of sailing, numerous racing achievements to their name and a solid commitment from a team that has evolved and grown with Peter de Ridder at the helm of his Mean Machine.

Mean Machine is more than just a team; it is a full sailing platform for racing. For the second consecutive time Spain will play host to the start of the Volvo Ocean Race. This time, the chosen port is Alicante, where Mean Machine will gear up for a brand new challenge: to win the 2008/2009 Volvo Ocean Race.

The beautiful Balearic port of Ibiza has been chosen by the team as the location for the important announcement: Their participation in the 2008/2009 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race. The message is clear: “We know how to win”.

From left to right, Dirk de Ridder, Peter de Ridder and Ray Davies

New Challenges ahead
Peter de Ridder is no stranger to impressive challenges. Yet again, the goal will be a victory, and this time it’s to win the Volvo Ocean Race with Mean Machine.

This will be a brand new challenge for the compact yet highly experienced Mean Machine crew led by Peter de Ridder. The offshore regatta par excellence, the toughest ocean challenge which pushes sailors to the very limits of their abilities, will now see a new team fighting for victory. Mean Machine is in the race.

Peter de Ridder has very clear ideas about the role of these challenges in his life: “Life without challenges would definitely be dull and would finish us off very quickly. Sailing in a highly competitive environment is my passion. The combination of these two factors, competition and sailing, gives me the energy to enjoy life with a more demanding and exciting dynamic. It enables me to bring together my passions and my experience as a businessman. I’m certain that my experience and the combination of all these factors will help our boat to do well.”

Peter de Ridder really can look back on his ample experience in his field and feel confident about taking the team, yet again, to victory. His experience speaks for itself:

Current leader in TP52 Breitling MedCup
Winner of the Breitling Regatta and Athens Trophy (2006)
2 times Mumm30 European Champion (2004, 2005)
3 times winner of SORC in Farr40 and Mumm30 classes (2004, 2005, 2006)
Winner Key West Race (2004)
Winner Coupe de France (2004)
Winner Admiral’s Cup with Dutch team (1999)
World Champion ILC40 (1997)

Mean Machine as a sailing platform for racing
Mean Machine has always been known as a team with a solid platform for racing, with a formula that has always yielded results.

The concept of a platform is based on 20 years of experience for the Mean Machine team. This has involved the global development of projects with attention to the latest design trends, sail and rigging research, boat construction, and the formation of an experienced professional crew, to successfully sail and race each boat.

“As for Mean Machine as a sailing platform, well I can say that it means much more than just a well known boat name,” comments Peter de Ridder, “ for me it is about the continuity of a crew and our key players. It is about the continuity of a campaign for our boats, the design, the construction, the preparation before each event. It has to do with our style on each individual course, and the creation of a solid culture among the group of people we are sailing with. Over the years that group has evolved, yet we have stayed true to the ethos of Mean Machine and the way we approach racing.”

The Mean Machine team boasts a long history in the world of sailing, which has spanned 20 years and seen successes in the highly prized Mumm30 and Farr40 classes as well as the demanding challenges of the latest TP52 competitions, not to mention the individual achievements that each of the crew members will bring to the team.

Experience that complements
Another of the characteristics of the crew led by Peter de Ridder is the loyalty and complicity of a crew that have sailed together in many different classes over the years.

The Mean Machine crew have a diverse and varied background in sailing competitions that ranges from one-design to the Volvo Ocean Race and the America’s Cup.

The diverse experience and knowledge that each crew member brings to the boat makes Mean Machine a fierce contender for victory in this edition of the Volvo Ocean Race.
The main part of the team will continue to sail together until the VOR project hits the water.

One of the key figures behind the Mean Machine VOR project is Dirk de Ridder, who finished second in the last edition of the race. He comments: “Having taken part in previous RTW races, with a truly talented group of people, it is the perfect time for us to build on what we have learned and to improve on that.”

The slogan is loud and clear: “We know how to win”

Key players:

Peter de Ridder
Born in Den Haag (Netherlands), Peter has been at the heart and soul of Mean Machine since the team was founded 20 years ago.

A successful businessman, Peter started sailing on a family boat when he was just a child, and pretty soon his passion for racing was awakened. Peter’s sporting history is awash with great victories, and reveals a weakness for real time racing and big challenges.

Currently residing in Monaco, this Dutchman has made enviable progress during recent years in sailing terms: 6 entries in the prestigious Admiral’s Cup (1985, 87, 89, 95, 97 and 99) where he also won in 1999 with the Dutch team and 6 Sardinia Cup entries, where he gained two impressive second places in the 1990 and 1998 editions.

In 1986 and 1996 he was winner of the Dutch IMS Championship, and went on to win the 1997 European IMS Championship. That same year he also became World Champion at the ILC 40 World Championship.

In 2003 Peter de Ridder and his Mean Machine team concentrated on a strong entry into the Farr40 Class. The rewards for their hard work were reaped in the European Farr40 Championships where the team finished in second place. 2004 and 2005 saw a highly active team within various one –design classes. In both editions of the European Mumm30 Championships the team was unbeatable, taking two European titles in two consecutive years.

Ray Davies
A New Zealander, born towards the end of 1971, Ray Davies’s CV reveals a well rounded and multi skilled sailor. With victories in the Whitbread/ Volvo Ocean Race he was one of the helmsmen with the victorious Illbruck and came second in the 1997/98 edition with Merit Cup. Ray is a highly sought after helmsman and tactician on the international sailing circuit.
He was a member of the Team New Zealand weather team in 2003 and returns for 2007 as a member of the afterguard. Ray sailed with America One in the 2000 Louis Vuitton Cup. Among his other achievements are two excellent wins in another extreme regatta, the Sydney-Hobart (2000 and 2004).
The Fastnet Race has also seen this Kiwi step up to the podium no less than three times: 1999 with Skandia, 2001 with Illbruck, and in 1997 with Merit Cup.

In 2004 and 2005 Ray took home two European titles in the Mumm30 class, whilst in 2006 he has already seen victories in two of the prestigious events in the Breitling Medcup Circuit (which Mean Machine currently leads), the Breitling Regatta and the Athens Trophy.

Dirk de Ridder
Born in the Netherlands in 1972, Dirk is one of the most experienced RTW sailors on the international scene. Taking on the role of main-sail trimmer, he finished second with Merit Cup in the 1997-98 Whitbread Race.
Dirk’s moment of glory came onboard Illbruck in the 2001-2 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race, when the team claimed a fantastic overall victory. Dirk is also quite an expert when it comes to Volvo Open 70’s, the chosen vessel for the most recent edition of the Volvo Ocean Race. Sailing with Pirates of the Caribbean, Dirk reached second place on the podium in the 2005-6 VOR.
His CV would not be complete without also mentioning his collaboration with the BMW ORACLE Racing team, as well as his fourth place in the Soling Class during the Sydney Olympic Games and now victories in the Breitling Regatta and Athens Trophy 2006 onboard the TP52 Mean Machine.

Alinghi selects Dubai for winter training

[Source: Alinghi] Alinghi, Defender of the 32nd America’s Cup, has chosen Dubai to continue the two boat training and testing programme for three months over the winter. After looking worldwide, the weather team found that the meteorological conditions in Dubai most resemble Valencia’s summer conditions, making the third largest emirate the ideal location to maintain the testing momentum. Team skipper and tactician Brad Butterworth explains the selection process: “We chose Dubai as, from a sporting perspective, we wanted a place which has sailing conditions comparable to those in Valencia in June. That was our primary criteria. The fact that we couldn't train efficiently in Spain last winter was a weakness, just like everywhere else in the world, Valencia has climate changes. We've taken this decision to help us win the America's Cup again in 2007."

The Swiss team plans to relocate 60 members of the 132-strong team to Dubai, including 34 sailors (the full squad), designers, boatbuilders and engineers. The two 25m America’s Cup Class racing yachts will be transported in early November and the team will sail from late November until the end of February. The host city, aside from a steady 8-14knot breeze, offers excellent facilities and the Dubai International Marine Club is hosting the team. Grant Simmer, managing director and design coordinator, comments on their support: “We have found a great host in the Dubai International Marine Club that make us feel welcome and have the resources and facilities needed to operate a team of the magnitude of Alinghi"

This announcement was made at a press event to celebrate the culmination of the highly successful SUI 06 Alinghi Swiss Roadshow in Geneva on the 17 September.

Meanwhile in Valencia...

With summer now over and after a week of strong rains here in Valencia we thought it was appropriate to take advantage of the nice sunny Saturday and give an update on the status of the twelve America's Cup teams in in Port America's Cup.

For those that read our website on a more or less regular basis, there is no extraordinary news to report. In addition, construction of the majority of the bases is now over, but still one can learn a thing or two. As far as the America's Cup Port is concerned, the major news is of course the start of Victory Challenge's two-boat training since last Monday. SWE-63 and SWE-73 are now back in the water together, the first time since almost four years, and Victory Challenge's crew is training off the Malvarosa beach on a daily basis.

The last few weeks have also seen the temporary departure of Emirates Team New Zealand as well as the absence of SUI-75, Alignhi's main racing yacht so far. She is taking part in the Alinghi Swiss roadshow, ending tomorrow Sunday. Finally, both yachts of Luna Rossa, ITA-74 and ITA-86, have reappeared last Monday, both considerably modified.

Victory Challenge

The Swedish team's two-boat training is at full swing. After heavilly modifying its two boats and hiring a number of new sailors, Victory Challenge is training off Valencia's coast since last Monday, the first time with two boats after almost four years. The shore crew took advantage of the weekend to make adjustments to both boats.

SWE-73 and SWE-63 at the Victory Challenge base. Valencia, 16 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

SWE-73 and SWE-63 at the Victory Challenge base. Valencia, 16 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

SWE-73 and SWE-63 at the Victory Challenge base. Valencia, 16 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

SWE-73 and SWE-63 at the Victory Challenge base. Valencia, 16 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa

After an absence of a few weeks, the Italian challenger made its reappearance on Monday with the start of its training with ITA-74 and ITA-86. According to the team, both of these boats underwent considerable modifications, mainly in the bow.

The masts of ITA-74 and ITA-86. Valencia, 16 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The bow of ITA-74. Valencia, 16 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

ITA-86 (left) and ITA-74 at the Luna Rossa base. Valencia, 16 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The bow of ITA-74. Valencia, 16 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Areva Challenge

The French America's Cup challenger is still on summer break and most of its crew members are taking part in various regattas around the world. According the team's schedule, training with FRA-60 will resume next Thursday, September 21, while the brand new boat under construction in France, FRA-93, is scheduled to arrive here in Valencia sometime in November. In the past few weeks the team has been training with the two small boats moored in front of the base.

The base of Areva Challenge. After an initial delay, construction is finished since a few weeks. Valencia, 16 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Desafío Español

There is nothing important to report on the America's Cup challenger from Spain, other than they are on a four-day break of their two-boat training sessions. According to the team, training will resume on Monday and will continue till next April with just a couple of one-week breaks in between. The team's boat under construction a few kilometers from the base is scheduled to be launched early February.

The base of Desafío Español. The team will resume training on Monday. For the curious, the trucks are part of a commercial for a Japanese car manufacturer. Valencia, 16 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team

The Italian team keeps training on a daily basis with ITA-77, their old racing yacht. To the best of our knowledge, ITA-90, the team's brand new boat, is still inside the shed, undergoing repairs of the damages it suffered since its launch. Nevertheless, the covered keel and bulb of ITA-90 are outside the shed, as seen on the photos below, a sign of the imminent exit of the yacht from the shed?

The base of Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team. The red yacht in front of the base is ITA-77, the team's racing yacht so far. Valencia, 16 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The base of Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team. The red yacht in front of the base is ITA-77, the team's racing yacht so far. The covered keel and bulb of ITA-90 are also visible. Valencia, 16 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

+39 Challenge

Here as well news is scant. The Italian team hasn't trained since the last Louis Vuitton Act two months ago and its members, mainly Iain Percy and Rafa Trujillo, are participating in various races around the world. The team's brand new yacht, ITA-90, is still inside the shed being fitted out and its launch is imminent.

The base of +39 Challenge. The hull of ITA-59, the team's old yacht, sits in front of the base while inside the shed one can see the bow of ITA-85, the brand new yacht whose launch is imminent. Valencia, 16 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

United Internet Team Germany

The German America's Cup challenger was, together with Shosholoza, the only team to be training this Saturday. As we reported earlier, the team's brand new GER-89 has been sailing since August 15 and since early September it was joined by GER-72, the older boat that was on a rodashow in Germany. Since then, the German team has been carrying out two-boat training sessions on a daily basis.

Finally, construction of the base is going ahead at full speed and crews are working round the clock, as seen on the picture, in order to have it ready by the end of the month.

The base of United Internet Team Germany. It should be finished around the end of September. Valencia, 16 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi

The Defender of the America's Cup is busy training with SUI-91 and SUI-64 on a daily basis since the middle of August, while SUI-75 is wrapping up its rodashow in Switzerland. The only novelty concerning the team is its reported departure to Dubai in the middle of November, something that has not been officially denied or confirmed.

Alinghi's base with its two boats, SUI-91 on the left and SUI-64 on the right. Valencia, 16 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

BMW Oracle

Just like the vast majority of teams here in Valencia, Saturday was a rest day for the Challenger of Record. USA-87 was visible but the shed of USA-76 was closed.

USA-87 peeking out of the BMW Oracle base. Valencia, 16 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team New Zealand

As we have already reported, the New Zealand challenger has moved most of the team back to Auckland for summer (or winter) training, first with NZL-84 and then with NZL-92, their second new boat. According to the team, NZL-92 should be shipped to Valencia around Christmas.

The hull of NZL-82 sitting in front of the Emirates Team New Zealand base. The sheds being empty it seems reasonable to assume NZL-84 has been shipped to Auckland. Valencia, 16 September 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Peter de Ridder's Mean Machine to be second Volvo Ocean Race team

Ibiza, Spain will become the center of international pro sailing on Monday, for two reasons. First the Ibiza Balearia Trophy, the last event of this year's Breitling Medcup TP52 season, begins that day. Second, on Monday morning and always in Ibiza, the Volvo Ocean Race top management will make an important announcement concerning the round-the-world race. According to the information we have, Peter de Ridder's Mean Machine will most probably become the second sailing team to join the race. At this stage we do not know whether Mutua Madrileña, the Spanish insurance group that sponsors de Ridder's successful TP52 team, will also sponsor the Volvo Ocean Race campaign.

Progress on the NZL-92 build is right on schedule

[Source: Emirates Team New Zealand] It’s all hands to the sanding boards as the team works on NZL-92, the second of the team’s 2007 race yachts.

This week, members of the shore and sailing crews broke into their holidays to take part in a long standing team tradition – helping to sand the racing yacht hulls.

Team members who are currently in Auckland assembled at Cookson Yachts to join the boat-building team on the sanding boards.

NZL 92 will be delivered to the Emirates Team New Zealand base next month and will be launched towards the end of October. Sea trials will follow before shipping to Valencia.

The plan is to have NZL 92 on a Maersk Line container ship before Christmas.

Members of the Emirates Team New Zealand crew sanding the hull of NZL-92. Photo copyright Emirates Team New Zealand