Alinghi's motion for Reargument/Reconsideration to be heard January 4th

CORRECTION, 1 January 2008: We would like to apologize for the information provided but we have to rectify and state that there will be NO oral argument before Justice Cahn this Friday. In fact the judge won't even be personally present in New York. January 4th is the date the clerk distributes the papers (Alinghi's and BMW Oracle's) regarding Motion 5 presented by Alinghi (Reargument/Reconsideration of the case).

BMW Oracle's deadline for presenting their reply papers to the motion is tomorrow, 2 January 2008. The next hearing is indeed on the 14th of January, as previously announced.

Being New Year's eve it was impossible to verify all the facts about the email we received from the NY Supreme Court. The information is correct, our interpretation of it was wrong. It finally seems that you have to be a lawyer in order to follow the 33rd America's Cup.

It seems the lawyers in New York will not let us celebrate New Year in peace and tranquility. A mere 4 hours before the turn of the year here in Valencia we were informed that Alinghi's motion for Reargument/Reconsideration of the case will be heard before Justice Cahn, next Friday, January 4th.

Happy new year!!

Happy new year

Valencia Sailing wishes all its readers and their families a very happy new year. May 2008 be full of joy and happiness. See you on January 2nd.

Leonor Orphanidis, vice-president of Valencia Sailing, wishes a happy new year and hopes to be able to watch a conventional America's Cup race before she goes to college

GGYC Now Committed to Deed of Gift Challenge

[Source: Golden Gate Yacht Club] Valencia, Spain – 29 December 2007: The Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) said today it will compete for the next America’s Cup according to the basic rules of the Deed of Gift, and will seek to have an upcoming Court Order confirm the regatta for October 2008.

“It is time to move on and know where we stand,” Russell Coutts, CEO of the club’s BMW ORACLE Racing team, said.

“We had hoped to negotiate a conventional regatta under the Deed’s mutual consent provisions. But the Defender has made it clear to us and the America’s Cup community that they will not negotiate. We are now fully committed to a multihull event in 2008.

“If we are able to win, and Valencia and Spain are supportive, we would return to a conventional America’s Cup regatta in Valencia in 2011 with fair and transparent rules agreed with the challengers by mutual consent,” he said.

On January 14th the New York State Supreme Court will review the Court Order to give effect to its November 27th ruling in favor of the GGYC. The club wants to have the Deed of Gift regatta as soon as possible and has asked the Court to provide for this.

The club has made a number of attempts before and since the Court’s November 27th ruling to negotiate a conventional regatta, but the Defender has declined on each occasion to take up these offers.

Hugo Boss is back in the Barcelona World Race

Hugo Boss is back in the race after a very efficient 48 hour pit stop in Wellington. The black boat left the quay 03.15 GMT on Saturday, exactly 48 hours after stopping. Alex Thomson and Andrew Cape were back in the race at 04.45 GMT when she crossed gate 5 again, and is currently 850 miles behind leaders Paprec Virbac 2.

Hugo Boss resumes racing after a 48-hour pit stop. Wellington, 29 December 2007. Photo copyright Chris Cameron

Barcelona World Race: Acrobatic rudder repairs for race leaders after hitting UFO

[Source: Barcelona World Race] With Hugo Boss chomping at the bit for its 48 hour pit-stop to expire so that it can rejoin the Barcelona World Race, the race leaders aboard Paprec-Virbac 2 had their own rudder issues to deal with. They hit an ‘unidentified floating object’ at high speed yesterday and damaged the starboard rudder.

“Damian covered the damaged area of the rudder with carbon material and coating. The idea behind it was to form a protective layer to ensure that the carbon wasn’t in contact with the sea in its raw state,” explained skipper Jean-Pierre Dick. “At high speed, there was a risk of the rudder delaminating (the layers of carbon separating from each other). The hardest thing was gaining access to the lower section of the rudder. Damian was extended outside the boat with a harness. It was pretty acrobatic!”

The incident shows how tenuous a grip the leaders have on their position at the front of the fleet. Although they’ve been able to take advantage of the stop by Hugo Boss to extend their lead, they know they’re only one incident away from needing to stop themselves.

Damian Foxall repairing the starboard rudder aboard Paprec-Virbac. South Pacific Ocean, 27 December 2007. Photo copyright Paprec-Virbac

Meanwhile, back in Wellington, the repairs on board Hugo Boss have been going well and team operations director Harry McGougan says the boat will be ready to go the minute the time penalty expires at 03:00 GMT.

“The main problem was (the rudder) cassettes had started to split so they're being worked on now and are due back (soon). We've taken the opportunity to crack through other jobs on the boat - the generator is up and running and other bits and pieces. We are just waiting for the rudder cassettes to return and pop them on the boat and then they're on their way. It seems that we'll be ok and on the dot for the 48-hour stop over. In fact at 47 hours we'll all be stood on the dock and waiting to push them off!”

Temenos II is the next boat due in to Wellington where the team will attack the keel problem that has been a concern for skippers Dominique Wavre and Michèle Paret for over a week now. They’re due to arrive early in the new year and sailing in 30+ knots today does nothing to ease their nerves, with Dominique saying the pressure was intense and with the boat roaring across the waves, they’re checking on the keel ‘regularly’.

Mutua Madrileña is just over one day further back and all things being equal will climb into third place when Temenos II stops. Reached today, skipper Javier Sansó says that for the moment, all is well aboard Mutua Madrileña and they certainly don’t anticipate stopping. And Educación sin Fronteras is ploughing through the Southern Ocean with Cook Strait still over a week away.

Damian Foxall repairing the starboard rudder aboard Paprec-Virbac. South Pacific Ocean, 27 December 2007. Photo copyright Paprec-Virbac

Day 48 – December 28, 14:00 GMT - Position report with distance to leader

1. PAPREC-VIRBAC 2 - Jean Pierre DICK / Damian FOXALL - 0
2. HUGO BOSS - Alex THOMSON / Andrew CAPE - 648
3. TEMENOS 2 - Dominique Wavre / Michele PARET- 1560
4. MUTUA MADRILENA - Javier SANSO / Pachi RIVERO - 1965
5. EDUCACION SIN FRONTERAS - Servane ESCOFFIER / Albert BARGUES - 2992

Abandoned - VEOLIA ENVIRONNEMENT - Roland JOURDAIN / Jean Luc NELIAS
Abandoned - ESTRELLA DAMM - Guillermo ALTADILL / JONATHAN MCKEE
Abandoned - DELTA DORE - Jérémie BEYOU / Sidney GAVIGNET
Abandoned - PRB - Vincent Riou / Sebastien JOSSE

In Quotes – Albert Bargués, Educación sin Fronteras: “The most interesting thing you feel when you see these waves is that you think you are very small. You are never sure if the wave is coming over the boat or not...it's like a wall, but the boat always just goes up over it…Sometimes you see the waves breaking close to you and with the light, like last night we had the moon, and it was very, very nice. We took in a reef and then we both stayed out on deck a while to see the waves and the moon and the light on the waves.”

GGYC: Bid to Re-argue Court Decision Lacks Merit

[Source: Golden Gate Yacht Club] Valencia, Spain, 27 December 2007: A new motion lodged today by the Defender seeking to re-argue the New York State Supreme Court’s decision lacks merit, the Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) said today.

“If these arguments were valid they would have been presented months ago,” Tom Ehman, the GGYC’s spokesman said.

“But unfortunately they now look like a rather desperate measure by Alinghi’s new lawyers. We are confident they will be rejected by the Court.”

The notice of challenge delivered by GGYC on July 11, 2007 complied fully with the requirements of the Deed of Gift, he said. This fact has always been accepted by the Defender who up until now has never raised an issue on this point.

The second new argument is equally unfounded. Under the Court's November 27th decision granting summary judgment to GGYC, it does not matter whether or not CNEV allegedly conducted a regatta in November, as this was still more than four months after its invalid challenge.

SNG files a motion to renew and reargue in front of the New York court

PDF Documents
- Affidavit of Fred Meyer
- Memorandum of Law

[Source: America's Cup Management] Today, December 27, 2007, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York attorneys for Société Nautique de Genève (SNG) filed a motion to renew and reargue in front of the court in the case opposing GGYC and SNG on the 33rd America’s Cup.

The document as well as the affidavit of Fred Meyer, Vice-Commodore of the Société Nautique de Genève (SNG), are to be found in PDF versions here above.

Lucien Masmejan, lead counsel for the SNG, responds to few questions allowing a better understanding of why this has been done.

Why are you filing this motion to the judge?

In substance, we have seen the CNEV rejected as Challenger of Record because of the date of the holding of their annual regatta. The judge appointed then GGYC as Challenger of Record without further instruction, but no one – including the judge - brought its attention on the fact that GGYC challenge was not receivable due to a major flaw in their boat certificate, a key document as per the Deed of Gift.

Furthermore it is our conviction –and also the opinion of the highest Court in the state of New York- that New York courts should not interfere with the complex rules associated with organizing and administering the America's Cup. It would be best leaving this to the sailing community.

What is the purpose of the boat certificate and what actually is wrong with GGYC certificate?

The purpose of the boat certificate is to give the Defender a precise idea of what the challenging boat will be in order to prepare its Defence. The history of the Cup has shown how important was the adequacy of the certificate with regard to the validity of the challenge..

Now, the document submitted by GGYC describes a keel yacht, which is by definition a mono-hull, with a size of 90 feet X 90 feet. We want to make sure this is the boat they would show up with and not a multi-hull, or their challenge would deem to be invalid.

What would then happen?

Assuming CNEV would no longer be the Challenger of record and GGYC Certification proven defective, other challengers would then have priority over GGYC as Challenger of Record. The list of competitors has now no less than 12 challengers who entered before the deadline of December 15. All these competitors are looking for a multi challengers competition along the lines of the Protocol and the Rules and Regulations presented in November and that they committed to.

What is your ultimate objective and why such a procedural process?

Our objective is quite simple and we recurrently expressed it. Have a 33AC with a multi challengers’ selection series in AC90 Yachts. As the date cannot be 2009 anymore, we would be looking towards 2011.

To answer the second part of your question, I would reiterate that we are not the ones who chose the legal path. Now, we simply continue the process, so the GGYC has to comply with the same level of details they required from CNEV.

Barcelona World Race: Diving south, Paprec-Virbac 2 leads into the Pacific

[Source: Barcelona World Race] Paprec-Virbac 2 has left Cook Strait in its wake as skipper Jean-Pierre Dick and co-skipper Damian Foxall begin the second half of the Barcelona World Race with their well-earned lead in good shape. They’ve begun their descent southwards again, heading to the Southern Ocean for the second time.

“Getting through and away from the Cook Strait we were pretty lucky,” said Damian Foxall. “It’s a bit of a transition area…we went from 25 to 30 knots downwind to at least 30 knots upwind…it was a busy day, wet and windy…but now we’re out into the Pacific.”

After waiting to see when Hugo Boss would cross the Cook Strait scoring gate, Paprec-Virbac 2 was happy to see that it is the stage winner, having the fastest elapsed time on the first Southern Ocean leg. None of the remaining three boats can beat this time. Hugo Boss completed the stage and then headed for the quay in Wellington – the clock began running on their ‘pit-stop’ at 03:00 GMT. The boys on Paprec-Virbac 2 know that when Hugo Boss takes to sea again, it will be sailing at 100% in an effort to catch the leader.

“We had a big discussion about that this afternoon,” Damian laughed. “It’s important now for us to find the right compromise between speed and safety. Anything could happen – we still have 11 000 miles to go…I think we’ll have a nice lead on them, but it’s not like we’re putting the autopilot on and going to bed! They’re going to come out 100% for sure…we know they’ll be after us and coming up quickly so…”

Paprec-Virbac crosses the Cook Strait. Wellington, 26 December 2007. Photo copyright Chris Cameron / Barcelona World Race

Just behind, the third place boat, Temenos II, continues to charge towards Wellington. Co-skipper Michèle Paret says they’re also trying to find the right balance between speed and safety as they nurse their damaged keel to New Zealand. The boat will be hauled out in Wellington with experts on stand-by to attack the repairs immediately.

“The feeling is a bit strange as we are not 100% race mode, but we don’t want to lose miles. We want to go as fast as possible but the damaged keel is always in the back of our minds,” she says. “It’s not good to stop, the best would be to continue at sea, it’s frustrating and we’d prefer to keep going.”

Just behind, Mutua Madrileña has made up 50 miles on the leader over the past 24 hours, while at the back of the fleet, Educacion sin Fronteras has crossed through the Australian safety gate after altering course dramatically to the north to reach the gate. Servanne Escoffier says the wind is up and they’re still living the full-on Southern Ocean experience.

“We have between 30 and 35 knots, WNW, and we’re making between 15 and 18 knots,” she told us. “We’re trying to be careful. We’ve had two or three days with a lot of wind and waves…it’s better now but again, more wind is coming and it will be harder.”

Paprec-Virbac crosses the Cook Strait. Wellington, 26 December 2007. Photo copyright Chris Cameron / Barcelona World Race

Day 47 – December 27, 14:00 GMT - Position report with distance to leader

1. PAPREC-VIRBAC 2 - Jean Pierre DICK / Damian FOXALL - 0
2. HUGO BOSS - Alex THOMSON / Andrew CAPE - 275
3. TEMENOS 2 - Dominique Wavre / Michele PARET- 1539
4. MUTUA MADRILENA - Javier SANSO / Pachi RIVERO - 1918
5. EDUCACION SIN FRONTERAS - Servane ESCOFFIER / Albert BARGUES - 2950

Barcelona World Race: The Pacific for Paprec-Virbac 2 – pit-stop for Hugo Boss

[Source: Barcelona World Race] As Paprec-Virbac 2 manoeuvred its way through Cook Strait and the fifth scoring gate of the Barcelona World Race, Hugo Boss skipper Alex Thomson, some 130 miles behind the race leader, announced he would be making a short pit stop in Wellington. Race rules oblige Hugo Boss to remain in port for a minimum of 48 hours. Skipper Alex Thomson says the stop will allow them to rejoin the race at 100%, ready to tackle the task of catching Paprec-Virbac 2.

“The big news for us is that we’re going to stop in Wellington – we have some problems with our rudders,” Alex announced on the video conference this morning.

Alex says the rudder blades are moving within their cassettes and he says the cassettes are flexing as well, causing the bearings on the transom at the back of the boat to wear out. In addition, the rudders on Hugo Boss are ‘kick-up’ rudders, designed to hinge upwards if they hit a submerged object. But Alex says, “Our rudders seem to have a tendency to point up at the sky rather than the sea bed, which can cause us to crash gybe.”

The stop will be an opportunity to put right numerous other small problems of the sort that crop up on any boat after it sails halfway around the world. The goal is to get back into the race fully confident in the boat in an effort to overtake Paprec-Virbac 2 in the second half.

“I’m chuffed to bits with the performance of the boat. I’m very pleased with our preparation and I think it’s nothing short of a miracle that we’ve got to this stage of the race as competitive as we have been with such a new boat. It’s only been in the water for three or four months. My team is in Wellington now, getting ready to see us in for 48 hours. We’ll get a rest, get some nice food and we’ll set off again into the Southern Ocean at full pelt.”

Meanwhile, Paprec-Virbac 2 crossed the scoring gate in Cook Strait at 12:32 GMT. The race leader had a rough time getting to the gate, with wind that was up and down and coming from all points of the compass.

“We’ve been going for quite a while now, but that’s part of getting through the Cook Strait,” said a tired Damian Foxall. “It’s been really squally, and we’re upwind now – we had 40 knots upwind at one stage. But it’s lighter now, and there was a nice sunset over the South Island. It kind of makes you want to step off and look around, but that won’t be us. Not this time.”

The Cook Strait marks the unofficial halfway point of the Barcelona World Race and Paprec-Virbac 2 has been the class of the fleet, leading for the vast majority of the race to this point. The rest of the fleet continues to make good pace as well, with Educación sin Fronteras posting the best ‘distance made good’ over the past 24 hours in 25 to 30 knots of cold Southern Ocean wind.

Day 46– December 26, 14:00 GMT - Position report with distance to leader

1. PAPREC-VIRBAC 2 - Jean Pierre DICK / Damian FOXALL - 0
2. HUGO BOSS - Alex THOMSON / Andrew CAPE - 134
3. TEMENOS 2 - Dominique Wavre / Michele PARET- 1532
4. MUTUA MADRILENA - Javier SANSO / Pachi RIVERO - 1970
5. EDUCACION SIN FRONTERAS - Servane ESCOFFIER / Albert BARGUES - 2853

In Quotes – Servanne Escoffier, Educación sin Fronteras: “For the past 24 or 30 hours we’re having 30 to 35 knots. Now we’re expecting a wind to shift to the west and like this we will head east to the next gate. Around us the sky is grey and low, but the boat is fast. It's great!!”

Barcelona World Race: Hugo Boss forced to make pit stop

[Source: Barcelona World Race] Hugo Boss will make a stop in Wellington to bring their boat up to 100% before tackling the second half of the race. On the video conference today, skipper Alex Thomson said, "We are going to stop in Wellington." The team has been having rudder issues which see the rudders "pointing to the sky, instead of the seabed," as Alex Thomson described it. Having the rudders pop up if they hit a submerged object is a safety feature, but if they come up at other times, the result can be a dangerous broach...in the worst case it could result in serious damage to the boat.

"By doing this, we are not going to lose our second place position in the race," said Thomson. And he says the team will come out from Wellington guns blazing with a more competitive boat that they can push to the limit during the second half.


Onboard race leader Paprec-Virbac 2. Cook Strait, 25 December 2007. Video Copyright Paprec-Virbac 2

Merry Christmas

Valencia Sailing would like to wish all its readers Merry Christmas!

Unless there is some extraordinary news, we will be back on Wednesday.

Paul Cayard talks about Desafío and the America's Cup

[Source: Paul Cayard] I am back in San Francisco after a three month stint in Valencia. The short story is that I joined Desafio Español assuming that we were in for a short America's Cup, with a new class of boat which I found very interesting as it meant a new game and a compressed time frame.

As we all know, the event has yet to gain traction. The court case between BMW Oracle and Alinghi has completely derailed the America's Cup. As of this time, there is no date, there is no class of boat, and no venue. There is a defender (Alinghi) and one (1) challenger, BMW Oracle.

Desafio Español, like most other teams, has had to make new plans. In the New Year, we will go to a reduced operation until there is some certainty about the next Cup that the team will be able to participate in. A new program has the team competing on the TP 52 Med Cup and GP 42 Circuits next summer, both in the Mediterranean. These circuits are very competitive and in fact most of the America's Cup sailors race there. By having its own team boats, supported by Iberdrola and other top sponsors, Desafio will keep the sailing team working seriously and together and continue its presence in the sport of sailing.

This situation is obviously hard on the people on every team who have to, after getting their lives organized to be in Valencia for 2 years working for the America's Cup. It is also a shame for the fans of the sport and the corporate sponsors who were starting to appreciate what sailing can offer.

It is amazing to think that just 6 months ago, on the 21st of June... the longest day of the year, we were heading to the most competitive America's Cup final in many years following one of the most interesting Louis Vuitton Cups. The first America's Cup in Valencia raised the profile of the event world wide and indeed Alinghi is to be complimented for that. But, how long will it take to get back to that level? When will we next see a harbor with 60,000 spectators and the kind of enthusiasm we witnessed last summer? What a shame to be in this situation.

For me, I hope to continue with Desafio on their TP 52 project, keeping the team together and hoping for some Cup news before December of 2008. I will sail on Warpath with Steve and Fred How of San Diego, on the Farr 40 circuit this spring which includes Key West, Miami SORC, and the World Championship in April (also in Miami). We finished 4th in the World Championship in Sydney a few years back, so it will be fun to try to improve on that.

Dee Caffari's Aviva arrives dismasted in La Coruña

At 21.37 Spanish time on Friday, Dee Caffari and her dismasted Open 60 Aviva arrived at La Coruna port, ending an ordeal in the Bay of Biscay that had lasted over 60 hours. Caffari, who lost her mast on Wednesday morning, had spent the last 28 hours hand-steering her 60 foot yacht whilst being towed by Spanish tug boat, Ibaizabal Uno.

An exhausted and extremely relieved Caffari was met by the Aviva Ocean Racing campaign manager, Harry Spedding, who provided her with a welcomed embrace on the dockside. The team will now ensure that Aviva is safely moored in the port this evening. Caffari and her team will fly home this weekend in time for Christmas.

Dee Caffari's Aviva dismasted off the Spanish coast. Photo copyright Aviva Ocean Racing

Dee Caffari's Aviva safe and sound in La Coruña's port. Photo copyright Aviva Ocean Racing

A heavy weather duel at the front of Barcelona World Race

[Source: Barcelona World Race] The leaders in the Barcelona World Race continue their duel at the head of the fleet, just hours apart as the conditions turn nasty. Paprec-Virbac 2 reported gusts of up to 45 knots overnight, making for miserable conditions on deck.

“There’s a point where you’re happy to just put the autopilot and get in underneath the combing for protection,” Damian Foxall said from Paprec-Virbac 2 this afternoon. “But when we were helming today, it’s still in full four weather gear and survival suits on…the whole works…it’s still pretty heinous I would say.”

The back and forth nature of this duel is relentless, with first one boat and then the other, making gains. But in the end, the boats appear to be attached at the hip, with neither able to make a decisive break.

“At the moment, they’re right behind us but on the same axis, and a little bit faster,” Damian said. “But they (Hugo Boss) are further north, so it will be interesting to see how that plays out over the next 24 hours.”

Current routing programmes have the boats arriving at the next scoring gate in the Cook Strait on Christmas day (European time). Behind them, Temenos II is sailing fast despite its keel problems, with Dominique Wavre saying they’re trying to simply focus on racing quickly to New Zealand.

“Following a night with 30 to 40 knots we now have light winds of 10 to 15 knots and are getting near to the Australian safety gate,” he said. “For the moment with the keel, nothing has changed so we hope it's not too bad...but we can't know until the experts see it at Wellington...so we're trying to put it out of our mind and just sail normally.”

Educación sin Fronteras and Mutua Madrileña are both sailing well in Southern Ocean conditions, making speeds between 13 and 17 knots, as they surf along in the bitterly cold, gusty, wind conditions.

Day 41– December 21, 16:00 GMT - Position report with distance to leader

1. PAPREC-VIRBAC 2 - Jean Pierre DICK / Damian FOXALL - 0
2. HUGO BOSS - Alex THOMSON / Andrew CAPE - 88
3. TEMENOS 2 - Dominique Wavre / Michele PARET- 1489
4. MUTUA MADRILENA - Javier SANSO / Pachi RIVERO - 1962
5. EDUCACION SIN FRONTERAS - Servane ESCOFFIER / Albert BARGUES - 2932

Abandoned - VEOLIA ENVIRONNEMENT - Roland JOURDAIN / Jean Luc NELIAS
Abandoned - ESTRELLA DAMM - Guillermo ALTADILL / JONATHAN MCKEE
Abandoned - DELTA DORE - Jérémie BEYOU / Sidney GAVIGNET
Abandoned - PRB - Vincent Riou / Sebastien JOSSE

In Quotes – Alex Thomson, Hugo Boss: “The problem with gusty conditions is that you are caught in a catch-22 situation, where you need to put up less sail than you would normally to cope with the gusts, which leaves you slightly underpowered in between gusts. Our strategy though is one of conservatism, so we are happy to be a little underpowered at times. The weather will stay pretty gusty, until the next few low pressure systems arrive.”

Grant Dalton gives update on Emirates Team New Zealand

Solid support from the people who count

The uncertainty continues in the world of the 33rd America’s Cup. The lack of resolution of the Alinghi/Oracle standoff is not the best way to end the year. Our team is raring to go, committed and focused. All we need is a date.

I can report that in spite of the uncertainty Emirates Team New Zealand is enjoying solid support from sponsors and suppliers. That means a lot to the team and we thank them all for that.

Honestly, when you combine this with the support of the people on the team, it tells a lot about the culture of this place.

A hearing is set for the New York State Supreme Court on January 14 at which Alinghi and Oracle will make submissions, after which the Court will make an order on the future of the 33rd America’s Cup.

There have been suggestions that Alinghi will appeal the New York Supreme Court ruling, but probably this would not stop the clock. As of today:
- There’s a chance that Oracle and Alinghi will be racing in catamarans in October 2008, the "Deed of Gift" challenge.
- If that happens and Oracle wins the 33rd America’s Cup they have said they will hold the next Cup in Valencia. Our preference would be for 2010.
- If Alinghi wins, it’s likely to be in 2011.

Like all things associated with this America’s Cup, the situation could change at a moments notice.

Over the past couple of months we have held a number of our supplier/sponsor breakfast briefings at the base. These functions are a great way for the team to stay in touch with the people who play a fundamental part of our everyday operations and also get their feedback. The comments have been overwhelmingly positive.

We have not been able to get everyone in before Christmas, but we plan to hold more breakfasts in the New Year.

We always like to take our supporters sailing. In previous years we have had two boats sailing most days and we have been able to put two or three people on each of them. This summer circumstances are curtailing the Auckland sailing programme, but thanks to SAIL NZ we can continue with only a few adjustments.

Those of you based in Auckland will have seen the SAIL NZ America’s Cup yachts NZL 40 and 41 sailing in Emirates Team New Zealand livery. They will be fully integrated into the team’s sponsor/supplier fulfillment programme. Guests will gather at the base early afternoon for a tour and briefing before boarding NZL 40 and 41 for three hours of match racing. At the end of the afternoon a “prize-giving” ceremony and barbecue will be held at the base.

In many ways it’ll be a better sailing experience for guests because they’ll be freed from the distractions (and delays) of the testing programme. Whenever possible, members of the sailing team will be on board. On top of their duties for Emirates Team New Zealand, SAIL NZ’s normal schedule of trips and charters for the domestic, tourism and corporate markets will continue as before.

The Alinghi/Oracle stand-off is the major unfinished business of 2007. It has affected all challengers and potential challengers, especially those that are commercially funded.

For start-up teams the situation could not be worse. TeamOrigin, the British entry, has announced that it is scaling down its operation, believing that a challenge in 2011 is now likely. We have come to share that view although we are still looking at 2009 as a possibility. It remains in Ernesto Bertarelli’s power to achieve this even now, if he agrees to Oracle’s quite reasonable settlement letter.

The team is now fully geared up for a new challenge. The design team is in place and has done a lot of work on the new AC 90 design rule. Likewise the sailing team is signed and sailing in offshore regattas. Shore crew and key business and admin people have been retained. In the meantime, we are keeping our powder dry and waiting for developments that bring some clarity.

It’s traditional in end-of year reviews to look back on the achievements of the previous 12 months. While the focus is almost exclusively on the Alinghi/Oracle action, it’s very easy to let the team’s record this year fade into distant memory.

I am proud of the team. The way the boys carried themselves in the regattas, the way the shore team prepared the boats, the way the operations, business and admin people did their jobs.

The results on the water (finishing the Acts as the top challenger, winning the Louis Vuitton Cup, fighting to the finish in the America’s Cup match) earned the New Zealand public's respect and respect further afield.

To me, gaining that respect was our greatest achievement in 2007.

The team thanks once again our sponsors, suppliers and the public. Have a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.

Paprec-Virbac 2 extends lead at Barcelona World Race

[Source: Barcelona World Race] Skippers Jean-Pierre Dick and Damian Foxall aren’t about to give up the lead in the Barcelona World Race without a fight. After seeing a significant lead diminished to just 12 miles over the past three days, the race leaders have stretched out again and lead Hugo Boss by 83 miles, an increase of more than 60 over the past 24 hours. But it hasn’t been easy; conditions are very, very difficult.

“There is a lot of wind today, at times over 40 knots,” was the description from Jean-Pierre Dick. “It’s stressful, because the waves are big and the water crashing over the deck is freezing, which makes it a challenge to manoeuvre and change sails, for instance. It takes a lot of time when the conditions are like this.”

Jean-Pierre went on to say that it was hard to watch Hugo Boss come back, but he’s confident that Paprec-Virbac 2 is up to the job of staying in front: “We were nervous, yes, but not afraid…we know that we can beat Hugo Boss face to face and that is what we are going to try to do now.”

It’s been a fast 24 hours on board Temenos II where co-skipper Michèle Paret says conditions are helping them nurse their boat with its wounded keel towards New Zealand: “The waves are hitting us on the beam but it's a long swell, which is preventing the boat from slamming too much. That stops the jolts and spares the keel. The wind has headed a little; it’s wet on deck again but above all it’s enabling us to sail a little quicker than of late where we had the wind right on our tail…Since yesterday we've really been able to feel the rise in temperature. It's nothing like what it was and we're managing to get 12°C down below at the warmest part of the day.”

That’s not the case for Mutua Madrileña and Educación sin Fronteras, the only two boats in the fleet still tackling the ‘Furious Fifties’ as they race south of 50-degrees latitude. This far south it’s cold, wet and windy for both. Yesterday, Educación sin Fronteras had snow and ice on the mainsail, while today Mutua Madrileña reported life was fairly miserable on board.

“We’re having a big sea with 5 to 6 metre waves, gusts of 40 knots, average wind of 30 to 35 knots,” wrote Javier Sansó. “The boat is much faster now, surfing, the conditions on board are not very comfortable, there is a lot of condensation, there is water everywhere inside, our sleeping bags are wet…We have spent more time than the other boats in the Furious Fifties, the low latitudes, twice as much as the leaders, so we are a little bit fed up of being cold and wet all the time.”

Day 40– December 20, 16:00 GMT - Position report with distance to leader

1. PAPREC-VIRBAC 2 - Jean Pierre DICK / Damian FOXALL - 0
2. HUGO BOSS - Alex THOMSON / Andrew CAPE - 83
3. TEMENOS 2 - Dominique Wavre / Michele PARET- 1444
4. MUTUA MADRILENA - Javier SANSO / Pachi RIVERO - 1936
5. EDUCACION SIN FRONTERAS - Servane ESCOFFIER / Albert BARGUES - 2849

Abandoned - VEOLIA ENVIRONNEMENT - Roland JOURDAIN / Jean Luc NELIAS
Abandoned - ESTRELLA DAMM - Guillermo ALTADILL / JONATHAN MCKEE
Abandoned - DELTA DORE - Jérémie BEYOU / Sidney GAVIGNET
Abandoned - PRB - Vincent Riou / Sebastien JOSSE

In Quotes – Michèle Paret, Temenos II: “The birds are still following us. We’re wondering how they manage to live here year round, they must have good down! It’s nice to see life around us; as soon as you're on deck you look out for them. They really seem to be enjoying themselves, playing with the turbulence around the boat. It’s a pleasure to see them. Without them life would be very different; thanks to them we feel a little less alone in the middle of this immense desert of water and grey skies.”

Hugo Boss closing in on Paprec-Virbac 2 at Barcelona World Race

[Source: Barcelona World Race] Hugo Boss closed to within 12 miles of race leader Paprec-Virbac 2 on Wednesday, before slightly falling back again over the afternoon at the Barcelona World Race. At the 16:00 position report, Hugo Boss was 21 miles behind, but sailing a couple of knots slower. Still, it’s been an 18 mile gain over the past day, so the cat and mouse game continues.

“At one stage we were 400+ miles behind the leader, so we’re feeling pretty happy about where we are now. It’s taken a long time. We left the Mediterranean in eighth place,” Alex Thomson said today, when asked about closing the gap.

“We’re not doing anything different from what we’ve done the whole race. We’re not pushing very hard…it is a long way to go and we’re fast enough and when the conditions allow and the boat’s in its sweet spot, then we’ll be faster than them anyway.”

On board the race leading Paprec-Virbac 2, a composed Jean-Pierre Dick said he and co-skipper Damian Foxall would choose a more southerly option compared to Hugo Boss, now that the safety gate is in their wake.

“We are finally getting the wind that we have been waiting for. Hugo Boss came back on us again last night, which is normal, as there is more wind behind. But now, we are sailing further south than them, let’s see what will happen…”

Now in third place, Temenos II skipper Dominique Wavre is still nursing his boat towards the next scoring gate at the Cook Strait in New Zealand where the team is planning a pit-stop to make repairs to its keel.

"With the depression expected which is going to cross the Indian Ocean, we prefer to head further north than the normal route to protect the keel. This way we will avoid the strong winds close to the centre of the low,” he said. “The barometer is seriously dropping. We’re really seeing all the signs of a low coming soon…The aim is to get the boat to Wellington to check everything thoroughly. So we are being conservative. We are ok, but sad to feel our boat hurting.”

Mutua Madrileña is sailing in 30 to 35 knots of wind with a reefed mainsail and a staysail. Skipper Javier Sansó says he and co-skipper Pachi Rivero are getting tired of the Furious Fifties and its relentless cold and wet weather. But he says the boat is ok and they’re just trying to get to the next waypoint as quickly as possible. Similarly, Educación sin Fronteras appears to have come through its stormy night well, and is making good progress today averaging between 13 and 15 knots. They’ve made up nearly 70 miles in the past 24 hours.

Day 39 – December 19, 16:00 GMT - Position report with distance to leader

1. PAPREC-VIRBAC 2 - Jean Pierre DICK / Damian FOXALL - 0
2. HUGO BOSS - Alex THOMSON / Andrew CAPE - 21
3. TEMENOS 2 - Dominique Wavre / Michele PARET- 1339
4. MUTUA MADRILENA - Javier SANSO / Pachi RIVERO - 1867
5. EDUCACION SIN FRONTERAS - Servane ESCOFFIER / Albert BARGUES - 2635

Abandoned - VEOLIA ENVIRONNEMENT - Roland JOURDAIN / Jean Luc NELIAS
Abandoned - ESTRELLA DAMM - Guillermo ALTADILL / JONATHAN MCKEE
Abandoned - DELTA DORE - Jérémie BEYOU / Sidney GAVIGNET
Abandoned - PRB - Vincent Riou / Sebastien JOSSE

In Quotes – Andrew Cape, Hugo Boss: “It’s good to warm up a bit. Coming up to this gate has been a bit like a summer holiday. I can see it on the map (that I’m getting close to home) but it doesn’t feel anything like home,” he said laughing.

TEAMORIGIN aims for 2011

[Source: Team Origin] TEAMORIGIN, Britain’s Challenge for the America’s Cup, is modifying its plans to aim for competition in 2011. Originally planned for 2009 this date is now seen as the most likely date for an America’s Cup event with multiple challengers.

“Over the past 12 months Team Director Mike Sanderson and I have assembled what we believe to be an incredibly strong team in TEAMORIGIN. Today that team is made up of over 100 people and numbers amongst them the best sailors, designers and shore side management in the business. With the work accomplished so far we were on track to race the new AC90 class competitively for the America’s Cup in 2009. However, our assessment now is that a 2009 America’s Cup Match that TEAMORIGIN could compete in is extremely unlikely and that 2011 is now the most likely timing for the next America’s Cup with multiple challengers,” explained Team Principal Sir Keith Mills.

Certain members of the team have less of a rush on their hands now in terms of getting racing yachts ready for a competition in Valencia originally scheduled for 18 months from now.

“Up until today the design team, run by Juan Kouyoumdjian, Andy Claughton and Mickey Ickert, had been working flat out to design the first of the team’s AC-90 yachts. TEAMORIGIN’s shore crew and boat builders had been making all arrangements to build this boat in time for a June 2008 launch in Valencia. We now see a longer period ahead of us before a race-ready yacht is required and so have taken this opportunity to change our approach. To keep these original plans in place now would be wasteful and as a result TEAMORIGIN is lowering its current level of activity and re-focusing on planning for a 2011 event. The team is however always prepared for any eventuality and it has the flexibility to quickly escalate the programme and plans in case the America’s Cup situation changes again,” said Team Director Mike Sanderson.

When Sir Keith Mills first announced his intentions to challenge for the America’s Cup 11 months ago it was without knowing the dates, venue or format of the first event a British team could race in. Although initially expecting to be able to race in the 33rd America’s Cup, announced in July of this year to be run in 2009, the ongoing litigation between the Swiss Defender and San Francisco’s Golden Gate Yacht Club has brought into question the dates and format of the next event.

“The greatest thing that I found have about TEAMORIGIN during its formative months has been the spirit in which a really strong and competitive team has been created. We have an incredible array of motivated talent in this team, people who want to do this for the right reasons. Although, through lack of an event, we have to slow down now in our preparations I know that when the time comes this team will regroup and come out even stronger,” said TEAMORIGIN’s skipper Ben Ainslie OBE.

“I remain totally committed to the America’s Cup and to maintaining the competitive advantage that TEAMORIGIN has built,” continued Sir Keith. “But I am extremely frustrated and disappointed about the current state of affairs. What we need is clarity and I urge the Defender and Challenger of Record to reach an agreement that provides the prospective challengers like TEAMORIGIN with the certainty they need to plan future campaigns.”

“My principal goal now is to keep TEAMORIGIN together so as to be able to compete for the America’s Cup at some time in the future. Without any certainty today as to when, where and how that will be I am reluctantly forced to slow things down and stand the team down from full operational mode,” concluded Sir Keith.

Veolia Environnement dismasted in Barcelona World Race

[Source: Barcelona World Race] Veolia Environnement skippered by French sailors Roland Jourdain and Jean-Luc Nelias dismasted at 1800 GMT on Monday, 17.12.07, the skippers are unharmed, and the boat itself undamaged. Veolia Environnement, lying in third place in the Barcelona World Race, was sailing in 22 knots of wind with full mainsail and gennaker, when they were hit by a stronger 30 knot gust of wind forcing the boat to ‘nose-dive’ into a 2-3 metre wave - the mast broke suddenly 3.5 to 4 metres up from the deck. The position at the time of dismasting was 48 49.49N, 82 42.41E, approximately 1660 miles south-west of the SW tip of Australia and approximately 500 miles east of the Kerguelen Islands.

After cutting the mast away to avoid secondary damage to the boat, the skippers managed to save the boom and one of the outriggers (that support the mast) and once daylight comes will use these parts to build a jury rig to propel the boat under sail, without assistance, towards Australia. Currently however they are advancing at 5 to 6 knots under engine.

Volvo Ocean Race starts countdown; America's Cup starts shutdown

What a difference a mere 100 miles make in the world sailing scene. Monday was a day of contrasts in the Valencian region. While in the city of Alicante local politicians switched on the countdown clock to the start of the Volvo Ocean Race (300 days), in the region's capital Valencia, the first victims of the turmoil in the America's Cup were announced in the green base of Desafío Español.

Volvo Ocean Race
In a public ceremony, the president of the Valencia region and the mayor of Alicante switched on the countdown clock to the start of the Volvo Ocean race (300 days). Although the act was purely symbolic and probably politically motivated (elections are a few months away), the fact is that like Valencia in 2004, Alicante is stepping on the accelerator for the round-the-world race.

The two events are obviously not comparable and the onshore needs for the VOR are undoubtedly much less extended. Still, again like Valencia, a derelict part of the port (around 40,000 m2) will be transformed in order to be used by the organization, the teams, the press, spectators, guests, VIPs, etc..

The countdown clock is ticking. It's not broken but the flickering LEDs are tricky for the camera lense. Less than 300 days are left till the start of the VOR. Alicante, 17 December 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

America's Cup
A mere 100 miles to the north, in Valencia, the mood was far from festive, especially in the Desafío Español base where activity is screeching to a halt. All the Spanish team's personnel was summoned in order for Agustín Zulueta to announce a round of layoffs. There hasn't been any official announcement yet but the first information from a number of extremely reliable sources is very discouraging.

With the exception of sailors, most of the team's employees are fired. Only a handful of people will be kept, one or two for each department (finance, marketing, press & communication, shore crew, administration). Sailing activities will not be stopped but will be radically reduced. According to our information, there will not be any sailing on America's Cup yachts but instead the Spanish team will set up two teams for the 2008 summer season, one to race in the GP42 circuit and another in the TP52.

During the 2007 season there was an "unofficial" Desafío Español GP42 team, the Quebramar-Chrysler. Although it was not named after the America's Cup team, it was entirely crewed by its sailors. At this moment we don't know whether there will be two branded yachts (one GP42 and one TP52) or whether the crew will staff existing teams.

Until we receive the official press release, there are two unknowns. First, the fate of Paul Cayard and second the AC90 design project. At this stage and with the scarce information available, in our opinion, it doesn't make sense to keep Cayard on the team's payroll.

The president of the Valencia region clicks on the mouse and the countdown clock starts. Will Justice Cahn click on a mouse to start the America's Cup? Alicante, 17 December 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Russel Coutts’ Team Omega conquers the Dubai Gold Cup, whilst Chris Bake and Team Aqua are crowned RC 44 champions 2007

[Source: RC44] Held in fairly light wind, today’s first fleet race saw Patrick de Barros’ first victory on board Team ES Bankers Dubai, ahead of Team Omega and Team Aqua. De Barros started the race at the pin end of the line, at full speed, and dominated the entire regatta: the left side of the course was clearly the place to be.

Already a clear dominator in the fleet event since day one of the Gold Cup, Team Omega, with Vittorio Codecasa at the helm, got a fourth bullet in the eighth and last fleet regatta, giving his team a comfortable lead over its competitors before the concluding coastal race.

Behind Omega, the situation was particularly interesting with four teams fighting for the second place: Team Aqua, Ceeref, Hiroshi and ES Bankers, just separated by a handful of points.

The coastal race took the eight RC 44’s in the inner waters of the Dubai Palm - a surprising real estate development shaped as a palm. There has probably never in history been a sailing regatta surrounded by so many cranes!

One team wanted to win this coastal race more than anybody else: Chris Bake’s Team Aqua. Based in Dubai, Bake had his family and many friends on the water to look at his passion. No doubt they got the show they were expecting! Indeed, Igor Lah’s Team Ceeref took a better start and dominated the first part of the race. As he reached the second windward mark, Bake opted for a jibe set and managed to gain a few meters over Ceeref; just enough to gain the interior at the next leeward mark. Despite Igor Lah and James Spithill’s numerous attacks, the Aqua boys remained in the lead throughout, jumping in the second place of the fleet ranking thanks to this victory; a result that also allows them to grab the second place overall ahead of Team Ceeref.

As for Russell Coutts and his Team Omega, he wins the Dubai Gold Cup after having won the fleet race and finished second of the match race.

The RC44 fleet races through the Dubai Palm Island. Dubai, 16 December 2007. Photo copyright Jacques Vapillon

The Dubai Gold Cup was the last regatta of the RC 44 Championship Tour 2007. After dominating the entire reason, with five event victories, Chris Bake, Cameron Appleton and all the boys from Team Aqua are crowned 2007 RC 44 Champions. Sailing superbly since the beginning of the season, Bake and Appleton (respectively owner and pro skipper) have managed to put together a strong crew and keep the same team throughout the year, which is with no doubt one of the recipes to their success. Team Aqua’s crewmembers are: Jeff Brock, Matt Cassidy, Andrew Estcourt, Ben Graham, Kevin Kelble and Scott Kennedy.

Russell Coutts, owner, Team Omega, winner of the Dubai Gold Cup: “The Dubai Gold Cup is a great way to conclude a fantastic year. This was our first real season; we have been competing in six different countries and having had a lot of fun. The Class is growing nicely. A new Team from Dubai has just acquired a boat, so there are now three owners based in Dubai. Of course, I am happy to have won this event. It’s good to finally win a race! The level of the Class is increasing; you just need to see that Team Aqua was dominating earlier on this season and that there are now many teams capable of beating them.”

Chris Bake, owner, Team Aqua, RC 44 Champion 2007 (interviewed a few seconds before being thrown in the water): “This last victory is a nice ending to a phenomenal season and we certainly finish this event better than we started it! The coastal race was great; it allowed us to test all our points of sailing. We never do reaching otherwise, for example. On top of this, the scenery was very interesting. I think that Dubai proved that it is worth the effort of traveling. In Europe, the temperature is currently minus five; there is a cold wave in the US. Here it’s nice and warm and there is a great breeze.”

Igor Lah, owner, Team Ceeref: “I was expecting better results in the fleet race, but I am thrilled that we won the match race event. James Spithill has been fantastic and I am learning a lot from him. I obviously need more practice, so I will organize some training time in the UAE this winter. We will be stronger next year.”

Dubai Gold Cup final results:

(Name of team, fleet race, match race, points)

1) Team Omega (1/2) 3 points
2) Team Aqua (2/3) 5 points
3) Team Ceeref (6/1) 7 points
4) Team ES Bankers Dubai (3/5) 8 points
5) Team Beecom (4/7) 11 points
6) Team Hiroshi - Città di Milano (5/6) 11 points
7) Cro-A-Sail, (7/4) 11 points
8) Team Organika (8/8) 16 points

Match-racing (final results)

1) Team Ceeref (7/0) 7 points
2) Team Omega (6/1) 6 points
3) Team Aqua (4/2) 4 points
4) Team Cro-A-Sail (3/4) 3 points
5) Team ES Bankers Dubai (3/4) 3 points
6) Team Hiroshi (2/5) 2 points
7) Beecom (2/5) 2 points
8) Team Organika (0/7) 0 point

What is the relation?

Here's an interesting quiz for the weekend. Can you guess what relation there is between the yacht pictured here below and Alinghi's catamaran campaign in the 33rd America's Cup? The amazing photo is courtesy of the excellent French photographer Thierry Martinez.


Here's one more hint with the following picture:


And finally, a third hint, courtesy of Yvan Zedda:

First GP42 boat for 2008 revealed

The fast-growing GP42 class has just announced the first new boat for the 2008 season. Although at least an additional five boats are currently under construction this is the first official announcement for the upcoming season. The owners of the remaining projects do not wish to reveal their identity and prefer to keep it confidential.

The first boat to be revealed was designed by Felci Yacht Design and is being built at the Décision boatyard in Switzerland. Décision is best known for the construction of Alinghi's boats in the 31st and 32nd America's Cup. Construction of the moulds has already finished and the yacht is expected to be ready by April next year. If all goes according to plan, the newest member of the GP42 class will be sailing on Italian waters by mid April 2008.

Main Technical Data
Design: Felci Yachts Design
Construction: Decison shipyard
Engineering: High Modulus Felci Yachts
Mast: Southern Spars
Deck Gear: Harken
Sails: Montefusco
Launch: April 2008

We only have a rendering of the new GP42 yacht but we will soon have more photos from the actual construction. Stay tuned and don't forget to visit the official website at www.gp42.net.

James Spithill shows his match racing skills on day two of the Dubai Gold Cup

[Source: RC 44] The match-racing fans had what they wanted today in Dubai, with six hours of intense racing, six flights and eighteen matches on the menu! It goes without saying that the after-racing beer on the pontoon was more than welcome by some tired, sun burnt and happy faces!

The breeze was light and steady (8 kts), allowing the Race Committee to align the races without interruption. James Spithill (Team Ceeref) opened the show against Ray Davies, pro helmsman onboard the Japanese entry Beecom. There is no easy win, but the Slovenian team didn’t have to push it too hard to win.

James Spithill (Team CEEREF) and Russell Coutts (Team OMEGA) race during the second day of the the Dubai Gold Cup. Dubai, 14 December 2007. Photo copyright Jacques Vapillon

The second flight offered an interesting dual between Team Aqua (Cameron Appleton) and Team Ceeref (James Spithill), dominated by the kiwi sailor until the last downwind leg. “He got in a strong position, jibed and rolled us over”, explained a disappointed Cameron Appleton after the race.

The intensity increased throughout the matches, with innumerable exciting and close situations. The fourth flight proved to be particularly interesting, with a match between Dean Barker (on board Team ES Bankers Dubai) and James Spithill (note that at this stage Russell Coutts and his Team Omega were just entering in the competition). Both sailors were unbeaten: was this match going to be the decisive one? Spithill took the best start and controlled his opponent throughout the race, winning a well deserved point. The match was great to watch: Spithill-Barker, what more can you ask for?

Well, may be Russell Coutts is the answer. After clearly dominating Beecom, Team Omega won a second point against Dean Barker before meeting Spithill for another “possibly decisive” match; a match that lived up to its promises, close and intense from the beginning to the end. Once again, Spithill managed to take the best start and control the race. But the attacks were constant and there was no rest for the Slovenian crew, whose perfect manoeuvres certainly helped their talented helmsman to always remain in control. Unbeaten after competing against Appleton, Barker and Coutts, James Spithill will be difficult to overtake tomorrow during the last three flights scheduled.

Both Ceeref and Team ES Bankers Dubai have only one more race to sail whilst Team Omega and Team Aqua have three. It’s not over!

Ray Davies at the helm of BEECOM during the second day of the the Dubai Gold Cup. Dubai, 14 December 2007. Photo copyright Jacques Vapillon

Sébastien Col, helmsman, Team Hiroshi – Città di Milano: “I took the helm for the first time this morning, so obviously it didn’t go the way I wanted. I got really surprised by the effect of the trim tab and lost three starts because of this. It’s very efficient and quite comparable to America’s Cup boats. I wasn’t expecting this as you don’t see it on any other boat. Having said this, our goal in Dubai is to see where we are at and establish a strategy for next year. We have many areas to improve, and particularly communication. For the moment, our on-board language is English but I am going to learn Italian over the winter.”

Julia Mazzotti, main sail trimmer, Team Ceeref (and former 420 World Champion): “It’s a great emotion for me to be sailing alongside James Spithill and such talents from the world of sailing. What impresses me most is that they are calm, professional, and precise. I also love the boat. It’s fast and exciting. Being the only woman on board is not a problem. One of my advantages is that I’m light.”

Mateusz Kusznierewicz, helmsman, Team Organika: “We loose too much on maneuvers. We are much too slow and can’t even get in a situation where we can fight. It’s quite frustrating. Our team is entirely Polish. We have two crewmembers with America’s Cup experience. Otherwise there are three beginners and the others are Olympic sailors. We need time to improve. But next year I’m doing the Olympics on Star, so 2009 is probably the time when we will be at the top.”

Dean Barker, helmsman, Team ES Bankers Dubai: “I definitely need more time to get used to this boat. The standard of racing is very high and the boat technical. But I have enjoyed today. It’s a good change from what we usually sail.”

They can't race in AC90's in Valencia so they race on RC44's in Dubai. James Spithill (Team CEEREF) races Dean Barker (Team ES Bankers) during the second day of the the Dubai Gold Cup. Dubai, 14 December 2007. Photo copyright Jacques Vapillon

Match-racing (provisional results)
Ranking, number of victories/losses, points

1) Team Ceeref (7/0) 7 points
2) Team Omega (3/1) 3 points
3) Team Aqua (2/2) 2 points
4) Team Hiroshi (2/4) 2 points
5) Beecom (2/4) 2 points
6) Team ES Bankers Dubai (2/4) 2 points
7) Team Cro-A-Sail (1/3) 1 point
8) Team Organika (0/6) 0 point

Brand new Ericsson VO70 leaves boatyard

[Source: Ericsson Racing Team] The second generation Volvo Open 70, designed by Argentina’s Juan Kouyoumdjian, was wheeled out of Irish boat builder Killian Bushe’s state-of-the-art facility next to the Ericsson corporate headquarters.

With less than 300 days remaining to the race start in Alicante, Spain, “Ericsson 3” left the shipyard on December 13 to be transported to the team's training base in Lanzarote in the Canary Islands.

“It’s almost six months since we began building the boat and we’re all proud of what we’ve achieved now that she’s leaving Kista,” says Bushe. “It’s been a lot of hard work, but also very rewarding and stimulating, not least because we’ve had more than 9,000 visitors to the shipyard.”

The brand new VO70 "Ericsson 3" leaves the boatyard. Stockholm, 13 December 2007. Photo copyright Oskar Kihlborg / Ericsson Racing Team

The boat left Kista by truck bound for Frihamnen in Stockholm, and then loaded onto a cargo ship to Lanzarote, where she is expected to arrive late December. The transportation of the boat, with her 21.5 meters of length, almost six meters of width and the weight of some 6 tons, through central Stockholm required a lot of planning.

Ericsson already has two VO70 boats in the water. That includes the boat that Ericsson sailed with in the last Volvo Ocean Race, now used for corporate sailing, and the boat that won the last race under the name of ABN AMRO ONE, now used for tests and training. These two are named Ericsson 1 and Ericsson 2. The team has its training base in Puerto Calero, Lanzarote, which offers excellent training conditions and facilities.

“It’s very important for the team to start two-boat testing. And it’s going to be very exciting,” says Brazilian skipper Torben Grael.

The brand new VO70 "Ericsson 3" leaves the boatyard. Stockholm, 13 December 2007. Photo copyright Oskar Kihlborg / Ericsson Racing Team

Team Omega dominates day 1 of the Dubai Gold Cup

[Source: RC44] The first day of the Dubai Gold Cup exceeded the sailors’ expectations, with three races sailed despite the light wind forecast. Indeed, a fairly regular sea breeze started blowing after lunch time, allowing the eight strong RC 44 fleet to set sail and compete in light but good conditions.

Clearly on great form, Vittorio Codecasa, the 65 years old helmsman onboard Russell Coutts’ Team Omega – and President of the Swan 45 Class – took the best start in the first race. He was also first to reach the windward mark and set the trend: he was not going to let any competitor sail a single mark ahead of him throughout the afternoon!

The first race was very intense, with Isao Mita’s Beecom – always very good by light wind - chasing Team Omega and being pressurised by Team Aqua. Less lucky, James Spithill and Igor Lah’s Team Ceeref struggled to come back after arriving too late on the starting line, finishing the race in sixth.

First day of the Dubai Gold Cup. Dubai, 13 December 2007. Photo copyright Jacques Vapillon

The young Australian sailing talent took his revenge on race two, coaching his owner Igor Lah perfectly over the starting line and throughout the race, finishing second. Also looking for a revenge, Miroslav Reljanovic and the team of Cro-A-Sail, disappointing eighth of the first race, started well and sailed a consistent race concluded in fourth. But the good surprise of the day came from Armando Giulietti’s Team Hiroshi – Citta di Milano, who managed to improve from his previous fourth place and finish third. A great achievement for this new team.

Team Omega took once again a great start in race three, benefiting from an early lead ahead of Cro-A-Sail and Team Hiroshi. The racing was fierce, and the umpires – who were judging directly on the water – had a lot of work. First victim, Team Ceeref was penalised for a classic port-starboard situation against Team Aqua. Soon after, it was Chris Bake’s turn to maker a 360° after a close encounter with Team Hiroshi. This was the conclusion to a very bad day for Chris Bake’s team, who didn’t manage to confirm their leadership over the RC 44 Class today.

Team Omega leads the Dubai Gold Cup with three points, ahead of team Hiroshi – Citta di Milano (10 points) and Team Beecom (12 points).

The professional sailors will be back at the helm tomorrow for a match racing round robin.

Armando Giulietti, Team Hiroshi – Città di Milano: “It’s a new boat for us, so we needed to find the right adjustments. We are obviously happy with our result. I am grateful to our pro sailor Sébastien Col, who has been doing a great job. Before every race, we talk and analyze what we need to achieve. We set clear goals. Then we don’t talk too much during the race. Lorenzo Bodini is very helpful with the main sail and Sébastien gives me some advice. There is a great mentality on board. No “Italian shouting”.

Yoichi Yabe, world Class sailing photographer and guest on board Beecom: “It’s always great to be on board during a race; it’s a real privilege. From a photographer’s point of view, it is interesting too. The boats look good and the sailing is aggressive and very exciting.”

James Spithill, pro-sailor, Team Ceeref: “This boat is good for the crewmembers, because there is work for everyone. On other classes, half the crewmembers are just sitting on the rail. Here it’s full on.”

Patrick De Barros, Team ES Bankers Dubai: “Alongside the racing, we organized a corporate day with ES Bank. It’s a Portuguese group who has just been granted a license here in Dubai, so the Gold Cup is a great platform to organize such an event. We had the CEO and some personalities from the local finance on board; everybody was happy, it was great. I’m the only one unhappy: our results were not too good but we’ll come back!”

Vittorio Codecasa, guest helmsman, Team Omega: “The boat is great, very sensitive to steer. Compared with the Swan 45, it’s a completely different concept. It’s purely racing oriented. With the Swan I can cross the Atlantic. Here it’s like a dinghy. I like it.”

Results:

Team Omega (1, 1, 1) 3 points
Team Hiroshi - Città di Milano (4, 3, 3) 10 points
Team Beecom (2, 6, 4) 12 points
Team Ceeref (6, 2, 5) 13 points
Cro-A-Sail, (8, 4, 2) 14 points
Team ES Bankers Dubai (5, 5, 7) 17 points
Team Aqua (3, 8, 6) 17 points
Team Organika (7, 7, 8) 22 points

Alinghi/SNG change lawyers in New York, plan to appeal

Update: We have been contacted by Alinghi and received the official comment on the article:

"We confirm that we have hired a new firm of lawyers in New York, with the revision of the Deed of Gift in mind, and we are still considering all options as we still haven't received the court order".

According to an article that appeared in today's El Mundo, Alinghi/SNG changed their lawyers in New York. According to information from the court, the new lawyers representing the Defender of the America's Cup is the firm Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP (STB).

That news could have passed unnoticed if it weren't for the imminent (always according to the El Mundo newspaper) presentation by STB of an appeal to Justice Cahn's decision.

It also seems that our information last week that the CNEV was preparing an appeal were indeed correct.

We will publish more news as soon as we get it.

One day to go to the start of the Dubai Gold Cup

[Source: RC44] The Dubai Gold Cup – the last event of the RC 44 Championship Tour - starts tomorrow. The regatta will reassemble eight teams representing eight nations. All of them went out today for a couple of practice races.

The conditions were quite difficult, with a fairly big leftover seaway, consequence of the strong “Shamal” that blew during the previous days. However, the conditions didn’t stop the favourite teams to dominate the training session, with Team Aqua, Team Omega, Cro-A-Sail and Team Ceeref leading the fleet.

The RC44 fleet trains on the eve of the Dubai Gold Cup. Dubai, 12 December 2007. Photo copyright Jacques Vapillon

The Dubai Gold Cup is the first overseas regatta for the RC 44 fleet. An exceptional group of some of the best sailors in the world is reassembled here, with amongst others Dean Barker, James Spithill, Russell Coutts, Sébastien Col, Cameron Appleton, Morten Henrikson and many more.

Many teams are new, even though some of them have already competed in Trieste or Portofino. Amongst them, Maciej Nawrocki’s Team Organika, Igor Lah’s Team Ceeref, Patrick De Barros’ ES Bankers Dubai and Armando Giulietti’s Team Hiroshi – Citta di Milano.

The first RC 44 Champion will be crowned at the end of the Gold Cup, on Sunday, December 16.

Dean Barker, Team ES Bankers Dubai: “The conditions were tough today, with big waves and fairly light wind. All you need is a bad wave to stop your boat. Patrick De Barros did a good job at the helm although I think we have some space for improvement.”

Igor Lah, owner, Team Ceeref: “This Class fully meets my expectations. I was looking for something new. I think it is a good mixture between mathematics and feeling. It’s very interesting. I really have the feeling that the boat listens to me, and reacts directly and precisely to what I do.”

The RC44 fleet trains on the eve of the Dubai Gold Cup. Dubai, 12 December 2007. Photo copyright Jacques Vapillon

Green Team has been confirmed as the seventh entry in the 2008-09 race

[Source: Volvo Ocean Race] The boat, designed by Reichel Pugh and in build at McConaghy Boats in China, will be skippered by British Olympian Ian Walker.

The team’s participation is twinned with a race stopover in the west Irish port of Galway. Green Team have secured initial funding from a combination of private investment (led by a project board which includes John Kileen, Enda O’Coineen, Eamon Conneely and Jamie Boag as Team CEO), commercial sponsorship and government backing.

“To be able to announce Ian Walker as skipper and show we have a framework in place for a competitive entry if fantastic,” Boag said.

Walker will oversee both the design and build programme along with crew selection.

“Everybody I have spoken to enthuses about these boats and this race,” he said. “I have not looked forward to going sailing so much for a long time. Many people will see me as a predominately inshore sailor, but you would have said the same about Torben Grael before the last race.

“You have to keep learning new things and pushing yourself in order to progress. I want a new challenge and offshore sailing is arguably the biggest growth area of our sport.”

Walker, though making his round-the-world debut at the age of 37, has world-class sailing credentials.

He won two Olympic silver medals for Great Britain in the 470s (Atlanta, 1996) and the Star Class (Sydney, 2000). He was also personal coach to Shirley Robertson’s Olympic gold medal-winning Yngling team in Athens in 2004.

Walker was skipper and helmsman of GBR Challenge in the 2002-2003 America’s Cup in Auckland and was tactician with the Italian entry +39 in Valencia in 2007. He has also been at the helm of the Irish entry Patches in the highly-competitive TP52 series for the past three years.

The build of the Green Team Volvo Open 70 is well underway. The moulds are completed and the hull lamination has begun. Reichel Pugh and the structural engineers at Applied Structural Analysis Ltd (ASTA) are working on all the drawings to a strict timescale. The deck plan is progressing as is the sail plan. The rig is under design and the team have completed their first sail wind tunnel testing in Auckland New Zealand. The aim is to have the boat commissioned in June 2008.

“I am pleased with the design and build team we have put in place and the progress made to date,” Walker said. “Reichel Pugh have had great success in ocean racing, even though this will be their first Volvo project. They were the designers behind Alfa Romeo and Wild Oats; two of the most successful and fastest canting keel offshore racing yachts on the planet.”

Glenn Bourke, CEO of the Volvo Ocean Race said: “It is fabulous to have another super-professional team skippered by an Olympic medalist entered in the race. After months of knowing about this team, it is wonderful that it is now formally announced. Ian Walker is a high profile skipper who will put together a professional campaign.

“We now have a fleet of seven boats, the same number as the previous iteration of the race, but higher still in caliber. We can never predict whether the numbers might increase, but with the possible postponement of the America’s Cup there are now a couple of possibilities.”

Desafío Español worried about the delays in the America's Cup

[Source: Desafío Español] It is with great concern that the Desafío Español views the current situation regarding the America's Cup. The delay in making decisions about the format and dates for an event in which teams can participate other than the Defender and the new Challenger of Record is alarming.

Without wishing to point the finger or apportion blame anywhere precious, time is being lost. With this loss of time comes undue uncertainty, which is dramatically affecting all teams, their families and sponsors, saying nothing of the image of the event as a whole.

Desafío Español implores both parties to use common sense and basic sportsmanship to resolve this conflict now. Put aside personal agendas and think of a greater good.

The Defender and the Challenger of Record must assume their respective responsibilities within the America's Cup community, including the potential challengers of the 33rd America's Cup and all other parties involved. They must find an exit to this conflict that will allow the finalisation of a schedule for the competition.

The lack of certainty today and into the future is only of both parties' making. The damage that is being willfully done can only be blamed on them both. Maintaining today's situation into the future is a serious irresponsibility which they may have to assume.

Larry Ellison sends Ernesto Bertarelli letter asking for his decision

Larry Ellison: "Ernesto, are we going to have a challenger selection series and an America's Cup in Valencia in 2009? Please give us your answer".

It appears Larry Ellison shares, to some degree, Ernesto Bertarelli's idea of making changes to the Deed of Gift, but he is adamant in his view that any discussions on that matter should not delay the 33rd America's Cup.

Although he sees "nothing wrong with discussing potential changes to the Deed of Gift", his uncompromising position is for a conventional America's Cup raced on the AC90's here in Valencia in 2009, something also desired by the majority of the officially accepted challengers. This is the reason why he asks Bertarelli for a swift decision.

This website has avoided taking any sides during the 33rd America's Cup so far but it seems to us that BMW Oracle's position is at least guaranteeing certainty for the future. It's either a catamaran race in 2008 and then a conventional event here in Valencia in 2011 or a conventional event here in 2009 and then up the new defender to decide. Either way current and potential teams know the dates and venues and can decide on their future.

Ernesto Bertarelli's view on a "modern" America's Cup is certainly appealing but the timing is not appropriate.

Click on the image to read the letter Larry Ellison sent Ernesto Bertarelli earlier on Tuesday.

Golden Gate Yacht Club: Defender's Decision Needed

[Source: Golden Gate Yacht Club] The Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) today made a renewed call for the America’s Cup Defender to confirm whether it will agree to a mutual consent challenge so that planning for the next regatta can go ahead.

This follows a meeting in New York yesterday where the American club was disappointed that Alinghi representatives were only prepared to discuss a new vision for the Deed of Gift rather than concrete proposals.

Last week Ernesto Bertarelli, Alinghi’s President, issued a public letter on his vision for a new Cup. Larry Ellison, the owner of the American club’s BMW ORACLE racing team, wrote to Bertarelli today asking him to first declare where Alinghi stands on accepting GGYC’s proposal for a conventional America’s Cup in Valencia in 2009.

“We have heard Ernesto’s vision, but what we really need is his decision,” Larry Ellison said.

The club said time is running out. Teams need to plan their campaigns, and GGYC cannot continue to prepare for two different types of racing at the same time.

On December 4, GGYC sent Alinghi a proposal for a conventional regatta in Valencia in 2009 that was supported by many challengers. Alinghi has not responded to this.

Barcelona World Race: Delta Dore becomes second boat to be dismasted

[Source: Barcelona World Race] Sylvie Viant, Race Director of the Barcelona World Race, has been notified by skipper Jérémie Beyou onboard the fourth-placed IMOCA 60 Delta Dore that his boat has been dismasted. Both he and co-skipper Sidney Gavignet are unhurt and safe onboard and the boat itself is structurally intact.

Jérémie contacted the Race Direction team by Iridium satellite phone at 0120 GMT (11 December) just minutes after the incident: “We have just been dismasted, we have wind from 300°, 25 knots increasing to 35 knots sometimes, and waves not too bad at about 4 metres. We were sailing with one reef in the mainsail and staysail (small headsail). The mast seems to have fallen backwards.”

Delta Dore makes its way towards South Africa sailing under jury rig. Southern Atlantic Ocean, 11 December 2007. Photo copyright Delta Dore

Just under an hour later Jérémie reported: “We had to quickly cut the mast and boom away in to the water because it they were becoming dangerous and was going to start damaging the hull. The boat is okay, the deck is okay, only there are no more lifelines. And we have nothing big to use to make a jury rig for now.”

The boat’s position at the time of dismasting was 47°00 S 033° 25 E, nearly a thousand miles south east from South Africa, drifting slowly at between 1 and 2 knots east. The reason for the dismasting is unknown at this time.

The Race Direction Team is in regular contact with the two French sailors Jérémie Beyou and Sidney Gavignet and their shore team headed up by Gilles Chiorri. The skippers have 188 litres of diesel onboard, which will provide approximately 60 hours of motoring, the equivalent of approximately 240 miles. The team are also already studying the options of a jury rig using spare mainsail battens onboard.

Nearest land to their current position:
Edward Islands 175 nautical miles to the east (uninhabited)
Crozet Island 685 miles to the east (uninhabited)
Port Elisabeth (South Africa) 850 miles to the north west
Perth (Australia) 3700 miles to the east

The Maritime safety organisation, MRCC Cape Town, has been informed, however the skippers have not requested any outside assistance at this time.

Delta Dore makes its way towards South Africa sailing under jury rig. Southern Atlantic Ocean, 11 December 2007. Photo copyright Delta Dore

Barcelona World Race fleet powers ahead

[Source: Barcelona World Race] The exertion of pushing an Open 60 through the Southern Ocean is becoming clear as the race leaders battle through near 40-knot winds and towering seas. Paprec-Virbac 2, with a lead of some 100 miles, has been pushing the boat hard, en-route to a 472-mile day. It’s a fierce pace, but skipper Jean-Pierre Dick insists they’re managing the boat well, and not pressing too hard.

“We’ve had very strong winds, 40 knots, high seas, clouds, very dense, black clouds, it is really very impressive,” he said on the afternoon video conference. “We are trying to make sure that everything is under control and in a few hours we hope to be out of this because it really is quite hard on the boat.”

They can’t let up, because behind them, Veolia Environnement is pushing nearly as hard with a 443-mile day. “We’re still in the depression with 25 to 35 knots,” said skipper Roland Jourdain. “We are trying to limit our speed. It’s easy to get going too fast – say 24 or 25 knots. That’s when we back off in order to manage the boat as well as possible...there is always someone on deck to take a reef in or ease the sheet.”

Where the race leaders are sailing it is cold, windy and relentless. Hugo Boss, for example, is reporting sea water temperatures of 4-degrees, which is when ice becomes a possibility. But to this point, none of the boats have reported problems with icebergs or growlers.

Further back boats like Temenos II and Mutua Madrileña face a different set of problems. The different weather circumstances are most starkly illustrated by the mileage made in the past 24 hours by these two, compared to the race leaders; Temenos II has made 299, and Mutua Madrileña 267. So despite heroic efforts, they’re dropping significant miles to the top pack.

“We started sailing upwind yesterday afternoon at around 18:00 and since then we have been close-hauled at 11 knots with winds of between 25 and 34 knots - now we are using the starboard water ballast and the leeward rudder, the keel at 100% to windward the mast at 55 degrees, two reefs and the solent jib,” wrote Mutua Madrileña skipper Javier Sansó in an email to race headquarters this morning.

“We have to go down to 45 south to find downwind conditions again because further north there are only attacking easterlies. And all the while the boat is slamming around so much it could shake the fillings from your teeth. I don’t know if you can imagine what a southerly wind in this part of the planet really means; the Southerly comes straight from the Antarctic; the outside air temperature is 9 degrees and the water 12, which rains down like piercing needles on our faces. The option of becoming a shepherd and having my little herd of sheep under the olive trees is becoming stronger by the day.”

Meanwhile, PRB is drawing closer to making landfall at Cape Town. The French team is out of the race, as it will not be able to effect repairs in time to continue. Behind them, Estrella Damm is also heading to Cape Town – with an ETA of Wednesday evening – where its shore team is preparing to make repairs in an effort to get the boat back onto the race course as quickly as possible.

Day 30 – December 10, 16:00 GMT – Position report with distance to leader

1. PAPREC-VIRBAC 2 - Jean Pierre DICK / Damian FOXALL – 0
2. VEOLIA ENVIRONNEMENT - Roland JOURDAIN / Jean Luc NELIAS - 110
3. HUGO BOSS - Alex THOMSON / Andrew CAPE - 197
4. DELTA DORE - Jérémie BEYOU / Sidney GAVIGNET - 409
5. TEMENOS 2 - Dominique Wavre / Michele PARET- 819
6. MUTUA MADRILENA - Javier SANSO / Pachi RIVERO - 1194
7. PRB - Vincent Riou / Sebastien JOSSE – 1203
8. ESTRELLA DAMM - Guillermo ALTADILL / Jonathan MCKEE - 1430
9. EDUCACION SIN FRONTERAS - Servane ESCOFFIER / Albert BARGUES - 1934

In Quotes – Dominique Wavre, Temenos II: “The sea is choppy, tough on the boats and we are slamming our way through it. It bangs around terribly. The new wind is cold, and any gybe or change to the sail is done under torrents of freezing water, which soaks us from head to toe. We have to quickly change of clothing afterwards or the cold is just too much to bear…There is only one way out for Temenos II and so we have to take it full on, against the waves. Ahead of us the guys will continue to move forward with good wind from behind which is what we have just missed out on.”