Earlybird leads Rolex Swan 45 World Championships on opening day

[Source: Rolex Swan 45 World Championships] An optimal start to the Rolex Swan 45 World Championships in Cala Galera (Argentario) organised by the Yacht Club Italiano and the Circolo Nautico e della Vela dell'Argentario (CNVA) in partnership with Rolex.

The day got off to a good start with the skippers' briefing at 0900 on the terrace at the CNVA and just before midday the 17 teams participating, from eight nations, headed out into Gulf of Argentario.

The first start was at 1300 with 5-6 knot winds from the south. It was the Finnish team of Tea Ekengren-Sauren onboard Blue Nights who were first at the top mark, closely followed by 2008 World Champions Earlybird (GER) who quickly took the lead followed by Fever (GBR) and Carlo Perrone's Atlantica Racing, the first Italian team.

At the leeward mark it was Nico Poons' team onboard Charisma (NED), with tactician Ray Davies (Team New Zealand) who moved into first place for the rest of the race, while Earlybird and Fever finished second and third respectively.

Earlybird, leads the Rolex Swan 45 World Championships. Cala Galera, 31 August 2009. Photo copyright Rolex / Bruno Cocozz

As the afternoon progressed, the wind shifted to the West and built to eight knots in time for the start of the second race at 1450. Grant Gordon and Klaus Diederich's FEVER, winners of IRC-1 at the Giraglia Rolex Cup, were strong off the start line and led the entire race. In second place and Ishida's Yasha (JPN), followed by Earlybird.

At 1625, the wind unexpectedly picked up to 10 knots and it was possible for the Race Committee to get in a third race. World Champions Earlybird were once again the team to beat and it was the Dutch on No Limits, helmed by owner RW Bol in second at the first windward mark. Earlybird kept the lead and won the race followed by No Limits, Ulika and Atlantica Racing.

The Rolex Swan 45 World Championship continues tomorrow with the second day of racing and the Owners' Dinner at Il Pellicano.

Fever, is second in the Rolex Swan 45 World Championships. Cala Galera, 31 August 2009. Photo copyright Rolex / Bruno Cocozz

Countdown to Bank Sarasin RC 44 Portoroz Cup; Paul Cayard enters circuit with new Russian team

[Source: RC44] The fifth regatta of the RC 44 Championship Tour 2009 – the Bank Sarasin RC 44 Portoroz Cup - will take place in Slovenia on September 29 – October 3. Current leaders of the Championship Tour, Chris Bake / Cameron Appleton (Team Aqua) are only two points ahead of Torbjorn Tornqvist / Dean Barker (Artemis). The RC 44 Class welcomes a new Russian team called Katusha skippered by Paul Cayard.

Preparations in Portoroz on Slovenia's narrow coastline are well under way for the fifth stage of the RC 44 Championship Tour. Racing begins in one month and the local organisers as well as the Class management are getting ready for the Championship Tour’s autumn season.

It is the third time that Portoroz welcomes an RC 44 regatta after the events held here in 2006 and 2007. Bank Sarasin is the title sponsor of the 2009 event being organised by the Slovenian Sailing Federation.

Leader of the Championship Tour, Chris Bake’s Team Aqua is only two points ahead of Torbjorn Tornqvist’s Artemis. “We look forward to getting back on the water”, says Bake. “The last regatta on Lake Garda was a good challenge, and the last day was a great endorsement of the strength and depth of our Team; I was really proud to be a part of it. Portoroz will with no doubt be tough too. We plan to get out there, work hard and try and sail a consistent series.”

Currently third of the Championship Tour on a tie with Larry Ellison’s BMW ORACLE Racing, Igor Lah (Ceeref) has been instrumental in bringing the regatta to Portoroz. “This is a very important regatta for our team, because it is the first time we will be sailing on Slovene waters”, he explains. ”We will have some more practice than usual prior to the regatta. Unfortunately we’ve had many crew changes this season, which had an effect on crew work. I believe it has stabilized now so we are able to stay with the same team for the rest of the season. We will try to do our best.”

The RC 44 Class looks forward to welcoming a new team in Portoroz. “Katusha” will fly the Russian flag and will be skippered by Paul Cayard, who has already been involved in several events with the RC 44 Class.

The Practice Race and media day will open the regatta on Monday September 28. The Bank Sarasin RC 44 Portoroz Cup will begin on Tuesday September 29 with the match racing event. The fleet regatta will take place from Thursday October 1 till Saturday 3.

Following a long summer break, the ten teams involved in the Championship Tour will be keen to get back to the water and compete in the last “conventional” regatta of the Tour before the double points Gold Cup in Dubai.

The teams involved:
(Name of team, owner, pro sailor)

Team Aqua, Chris Bake / Cameron Appleton
Team Ceeref, Igor Lah / Sébastien Col
Sea Dubai, Yousef Lahej, DIMC / Markus Wieser
BMW ORACLE Racing, Larry Ellison / Russell Coutts
Team Organika, Maciej Nawrocki / Karol Jablonski
Puerto Calero Islas Canarias, Jose Juan Calero / Jose Maria Ponce
Artemis, Torbjorn Tornqvist / Dean Barker
No Way Back, Pieter Heerema / Ray Davies
Team Austria, René Mangold / Christian Binder
Team Katusha, Paul Cayard

Nail-biting finish to iShares Cup Kiel

[Source: iShares Cup] Oman Sail Masirah could not have produced a more nail-biting finish to round 4 of the iShares Cup at Kiel, Germany. Last off the start line, their Oman Sail stablemate Renaissance, the only ones who could snatch victory, got a strong start to be third at the first race mark with Masirah 9th. At the finish line Renaissance clinched first place, whilst Masirah came in 8th putting them on an equal 149 points! “It was way closer than we would have liked and we went across the line thinking we had blown it,” said Pete Cumming. But on count back Cumming's team on Masirah came out on top, scoring 6 wins here in Kiel compared to Loick Peyron’s 5 first places. Completing the overall podium at the iShares Cup Kiel was Franck Cammas' Groupama whilst Yann Guichard's crew on Gitana Extreme, although finishing 2nd in the final race, are 4th overall. The racing was highly aggressive and, at times, completely nerve-racking. 50,000 spectators fully appreciating the intense racing over the 3-day event - even in the pouring rain! Oman Sail Masirah also retain their top spot on the overall series leaderboard going into the penultimate round in Amsterdam…

Highlights from the third day of the iShares Kiel Cup. Kiel, 30 August 2009. Video copyright iShares Cup

Going into the final day of the iShares Cup Kiel event, the podium was wide open – Oman Sail Masirah, Oman Sail Renaissance, Groupama and Gitana Extreme – Groupe LCF Rothschild all had a shot at the podium. In the tricky conditions that dominated the first two days of racing, nothing was certain, and the 10-boat fleet were set more challenging downwind start races. Mike Golding’s Ecover got back in the water in time to compete, recruiting Nick Houchin in place of the injured Bruno Dubois.

In a building breeze, 10-12 knots, the racing soon became fast and furious - the boats accelerating quickly as the big gennakers were hoisted. The first race was full of action – Yann Guichard’s crew on Gitana Extreme were over the line at the start and forced to restart, Oman Sail Masirah incurred a penalty that relegated them from first to seventh. Groupama and Oman Sail Renaissance went on to share the spoils in first and second. The racing was intense, every team pushing to the maximum – ten Extreme 40s piling into the windward mark just seconds apart, hoisting their massive gennakers, on the edge of their limits… The crowd could hardly bear to watch, surely there would be a collision...it was nerve-racking racing.



By the penultimate race Oman Sail Masirah’s lead had been reduced to 14 points with 20 points up for grabs in the double-points final race. Gitana Extreme were back in the podium fray only 7 points behind Groupama. And Team iShares, BT and Holmatro had their own battle going on mid-leaderboard.

Pete Cumming takes up the story: “In the final race we treated it as any other race regardless of who was attacking us in second… We knew we wanted to be on the right at the start so we set up near the committee boat and we had worked a nice gap to leeward that we were just going to accelerate through when the German team squeezed into the gap and we were luffed up really hard. We lost all momentum on the start, the fleet accelerated and we had almost engaged reverse gear at that point! But the message back to the team was just stay confident, do your job and don’t get flustered. It was way closer than we would have liked obviously and we went across the line thinking we had blown it. We were getting different messages coming from different RIBS and didn’t know what to do until we had it confirmed by the race officer. Before the season started, it was all about going up against the French multihull stars but, in my mind now, I’ve got the multihull experts on our boat. I can’t speak highly enough of the guys and we are as strong as anyone on the race course. We’re over the moon!”


Oman Sail Renaissance skipper, Loick Peyron, said after racing: “For the last race we were near the leaders and it was interesting to count all the boats behind us… We had a lot of problems with mathematics in our heads! In fact, everybody had a problem, even the committee who took a while to confirm who were the winners. We saw the ‘red boys’ had some troubles but not enough so we are really happy to have these sort of moments within our team.”

Groupama skipper, Franck Cammas: “We were really on it today but, unfortunately, we had a penalty which I thought unfair. The direct consequence was a 9th place in the third race today. We began to realise that second place overall that we wanted to reach was flying away. We had to concentrate and be careful because Gitana Extreme was becoming a real threat. Finally, we did it and we are on the podium this evening.”

Round 5 of the iShares Cup in Amsterdam over the 25-27 September. With their third event win in a row, Oman Sail Masirah can go into the penultimate event of the 2009 iShares Cup with confidence: “We know Amsterdam is a bit of a lottery so we knew we had to push hard at this regatta to put that buffer in place. But you never know – everyone thought we had it in the bag here but your lead can shrink to zero in a moment but that is the great thing about this series.”

Day 2 in Kiel: 6 races, 6 different winners - classic iShares Cup racing!

[Source: iShares Cup] Day 2 of the iShares Cup Kiel event – 6 races were staged, each delivering a different winner – BT, Groupama, Oman Sail Masirah, LUNA, Oman Sail Renaissance and Holmatro. No one team dominated in the tricky conditions, although Pete Cumming's crew on Oman Sail Masirah did enough to stay at the top of the leaderboard with a 17-point lead going into the final day of racing, but they are certainly not invincible and round 4 of the iShares Cup is still wide open. A grand battle developed for second place today between three of the French skippers - Yann Guichard's team Gitana Extreme raced a great final race which put them in second place overall, whereas Groupama's 7th place relegated the team to 3rd place overall, and Loick Peyron on Oman Sail Renaissance is waiting in the wings in 4th – only 1 point separates each of these 3 teams.

The 9-boat Extreme 40 fleet, minus Mike Golding’s Ecover that was dismasted in a capsize yesterday, went out on the Kiel Fjord today expecting 30 knots and instead had to deal with light, shifty conditions and torrential downpours with occasional gusts, thunder and lightning that turned today’s racing into a game of snakes and ladders for many.

Highlights from the second day of the iShares Kiel Cup. Kiel, 29 August 2009. Video copyright iShares Cup

Oman Sail Renaissance skipper, Loick Peyron: “It was a mixed day – some good, some really bad! Not easy at all today – it was supposed to be really windy but when its not windy, the wind is moving from one side to the other so you have to play –anything can happen. We did a really bad one today, a really bad one yesterday so it could be good to finish the last day with no really bad races! Tomorrow’s going to be the day!”

The battle for the podium looks set to be between Oman Sail Masirah (104 points), Gitana Extreme – Groupe LCF Rothschild (87 points), Groupama Extreme (86 points) and Oman Sail Renaissance (85 points). Pete Cumming’s Masirah crew who were so dominate in the UK round, did enough today finishing in the top 5 bar one race, but they will go into the final day feeling under threat as round 4 is really still wide open. Further down the leaderboard there is a tussle for dominance between LUNA (5th place on 75 points), Team iShares (6th on 65 points), BT (7th with 64 points) and Holmatro (8th on 62 points).

Team iShares skipper, Shirley Robertson: “We have our moments, if we have a good start, we can get ahead but I still feel like a bit of a novice multihull sailor against the likes of Loick Peyron and Franck Cammas! Everyone was good and bad, and going up and down. It was tricky racing the wind was coming and going with the rain clouds and very shifty. We all went out dressed for 30 knots and torrential rain so I think everyone is pretty happy.”


The Dutch team of Holmatro who have a new man at the helm for the rest of the season, were delighted to score a win in the final race today. Although just before the race started, they struck a rock performing a fly-by for the crowds. Skipper Mitch Booth explains: “We were just killing time between the races and thought we’d just do a little sail by the dock and, sure enough, there was a rock right in our way and we hit our daggerboard and crashed it pretty bad. We had to get a guy under the boat to get it out that way and we just got a replacement board out in time for the final race. It was good though in the end because we had a good last race [they won!]. We’re a brand new team here and it takes time to sort out all the team work but we’re pretty happy, we’ve had a couple of bad ones and some good ones too! It was that sort of condition today and that sort of course – the winner got away and then it was very difficult for anyone to pass. But it was a scramble in the middle, I can tell you, but good fun and looking forward to tomorrow.”

The local German team, WIRSOL TEAM KEIL.SAILING CITY our enjoying the racing and the support of the thousands of home supporters. A third-place in the penultimate race of today was there best result so far in the event, but in the final race skipper Roland Gäbler, fell overboard. He managed to scramble back on by himself to finish the race to the obvious appreciation of the crowd.

The forecast for the final day of the iShares Cup Kiel is similar to today’s forecast – SW 10-15 knots with strong gusts. In reality, the Extreme 40 fleet might end up with the same tricky conditions they had today. The Ecover team still has work to do preparing the spare mast and repair the mainsail damage, as well as find replacement crew following the injury to Bruno Dubois.

Oman Sail Masirah leads iShares Cup Kiel after tough first day

[Source: iShaares Cup] Capsize & collisions in gusty conditions on day 1 of the iShares Cup Kiel: “It was carnage out there…” said Oman Sail crew David Carr. Ecover's capsized between races 3 and 4, resulted in a broken mast. The mast was cut away from the overturned boat, and both boat and mast were towed back to the iShares Cup pitlane. Ecover crewman Bruno Dubois received a nasty cut to the head requiring stitches. And then after a full on day of racing, in the final race, Loick Peyron's Renaissance hit the new Wirsol Team Germany Kiel Sailing City resulting in major work overnight for both boats. It didn’t all go Oman Sail Masirah’s way today in the difficult and gusty conditions on Kiel Fjord but after 7 races on day of 1 round 4, Pete Cumming’s team are, once again, at the top of the leaderboard.

Mike Golding back on shore told the press: “Bruno’s had a scan and is being kept in overnight but otherwise he’s fine. It was a very quick capsize, the conditions had been very gusty and none of us were expecting to have a problem like that outside of the racecourse. We were between races and we had just boarded our guest and were heading back to the start area when a big gust came in, fully downwind, both bows went in and we just pitch-poled very, very quickly. All of us were in the water – even the experienced Extreme 40 guys were amazed at how fast the boat rotated. When we came up from under the net we saw Bruno had a head injury and were pretty shocked”

Highlights from the opening day of the iShares Kiel Cup. Kiel, 27 August 2009. Video copyright iShares Cup

And about racing again: “We will right the boat next and we have a spare mast here so we will make an assessment of what’s here and try and get the boat back out on the racecourse. We’re here to be racing so we want to get the programme back on track.”
The conditions for racing on the short and tight courses on the Kiel Fjord were demanding and pretty nerve-wracking for the Extreme 40 crews as the wind gusted over 30 knots (56 km/h) – this is sailing at the sharp end of the sport. It required slick boat handling and 100% focus.

Oman Sail Renaissance skipper, Loick Peyron, collided with Wirsol Team German Kiel Sailing City in the final race of the day as they tried to bear away behind the local team resulting in a black flag disqualification: “A little puff of wind, then boom – no more rudder, we were flying with no tiller – so after that you have a few seconds to pray. It can be dangerous but that is part of the game. I think it’s the first time I hit another boat and I don’t like that.” After two race wins, the disqualification cost them second place on the leaderboard which has been occupied by Franck Cammas’ Groupama Extreme who sailed well, scoring one victory and no worse than 6th place.

iShares Cup Race Director, Gilles Chiorri explained the damage to the German team: “There is serious damage to the port hull of the aft beam –it is where the aft beam is moulded to the hull so they will have a long night of repair work. I am pretty confident they will be racing tomorrow”

Overall iShares Cup series leaders, Oman Sail Masirah skippered by Pete Cummings, and now also occupying the top of the leaderboard at the end of day 1 in Kiel, had this to say: “The wind strength went from 5 knots up to 25 knots – it would just hit like that. So, yeah, it was all on! It’s really brilliant racing though and you can hear the crowds cheering you down the racetrack. Really unfortunate for Ecover – it’s just really tight racing and everyone is pushing hard, and when you’re at this level that’s how it is. You’ve got to be on top of your game that’s for sure.”

iShares Cup Kiel Day 1 - Leaderboard:
Oman Sail Masirah 61 points
Groupama Extreme 51 points
Oman Sail Renaissance 47 points
Gitana Extreme – Groupe LCF Rothschild 46 points
BT 38 points
Team iShares 37 points
LUNA 36 points
Holmatro 32 points
Wirsol Team German Kiel Sailing City 22 points

Big day of action at iShares Cup Kiel

Capsize & collisions in gusty conditions: Ecover's capsize between races 3 and 4, resulted in a broken mast. The mast was cut away from the overturned boat, and both boat and mast were towed back to the iShares Cup pitlane. Ecover crewman Bruno Dubois received a nasty cut to the head requiring stitches. In the final race today, Loick Peyron's Renaissance hit the new German team Wirsol Kiel resulting in major work overnight for both boats. Oman Sail Masirah are at the top of the leaderboard after 7 races...

Extreme 40 skippers ready for Kiel regata

[Source: iShares Cup] The 10 teams competing in the fourth event of the 2009 iShares Cup are ready for three days of fiercely contested Extreme 40 racing, which kicks off tomorrow, August 28th. With just one point separating the top two boats on the overall leaderboard, and some changeable conditions forecast, Kiel looks set for another exciting showdown between these legendary sailors.

“I’m looking forward to this weekend,” commented Ecover skipper Mike Golding. “Kiel is a great location, the racing will be fast and furious, and the conditions are expected to build over the weekend. We’ve had some good training this week, the mark roundings need to be clean and quick and we’ve focused a lot on this. I hope that we will see some improvements over this weekend and that we can close the gap on the teams ahead of us. It has the potential to be one of the best race courses so far!"

Highlights from the iShares Cup practice day. Kiel, 27 August 2009. Video copyright iShares Cup

At the front of the fleet all eyes will be on Oman Sail Masirah and Gitana Extreme-Groupe LCF Rothschild, with just one point separating the two teams overall at the halfway point in the 2009 iShares Cup. "We are just one point off the lead but we have no particular strategy for Kiel,” said Gitana skipper Yann Guichard. “This event should be really windy and gusty, we will do our best to sail well but there's nine other good teams, all really full on and nobody will let the victory go!"

Pete Cumming, skipper of Masirah, added: “When we look at the skipper and crew line up, we could think that our team is a lot less experienced. But we keep the same team since last year, we trained a lot and I think it's the key to our success for now.”

A familiar face returns to the helm of Holmatro, where Extreme 40 class founder Mitch Booth takes over the reins. He got off to a great start by taking today's first practice race win. "It's good to be back full-time in the circuit and specially with Holmatro as it's my original team,” he said. “It's like coming back to the family. We are all good friends, we used to sail together and it's always good fun.” Darren Bundock also returns to the helm of BT, having recovered from injury which saw him step aside earlier this season.

Valencia Sailing talks to Dr Khater Massaad

Dr Khater Massaad is Advisor to H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. As well as being Sheikh Saud's Advisor, he is also the CEO of RAK Ceramics and of RAK Airways and is the Executive Chairman of Rakeem, the company set up to be the master-planner and developer in real estate and township development within the Emirate and overseas.

Why then should Valencia Sailing be talking to Dr Massaad? Because he played a pivotal role in establishing the virtually unknown emirate of Ras Al Khaimah as the venue of the 33rd America's Cup. We talked to Dr Massaad about the emirate and its involvement in the world's oldest sports trophy.

Valencia Sailing: Why did Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) decide to host the America's Cup?
Dr Khater Massaad: It's very simple, the America's Cup is a prestigious, big and interesting event and we thought it would great to have it here.

Valencia Sailing: Did you approach Alinghi first or was it the other way round?
Dr Khater Massaad: No, we approached Alinghi first. We held discussions with them, we showed them the place, they were very happy with it and they took the decision to come here. The whole process, from the first contact until the final signature of the contract took approximately 3 months.

Valencia Sailing: Did the fact you are a Swiss citizen and alumni of the EPFL (the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Lausanne) play a role in the selection process?
Dr Khater Massaad: It definitely played a role. I have a lot of friends from the EPFL that also have good relations with Alinghi and this certainly helped.

Valencia Sailing: Were you a personal friend of Ernesto Bertarelli's?
Dr Khater Massaad: No, I was not a friend of his at all. I first met him only when we started discussing with Alinghi about the America's Cup.

Valencia Sailing: In the 32nd America's Cup, Valencia paid Alinghi a significant fee in order to be the host city. What fee did RAK pay this time?
Dr Khater Massaad: Nothing at all, we didn't pay any money. We only agreed that we would provide the necessary infrastructure. In addition, one of our companies decided to become a small sponsor of the event but that was after the signature of the agreement with Alinghi. As I told you, Ras Al Khaimah didn't pay any money for the right to have the 33rd America's Cup here.

Aerial view of Ras Al Khaimah and the venue of the 33rd America's Cup. Video copyright RAK Tourism

Valencia Sailing: Talking about the infrastructure necessary for such an event, less than 6 months are left before everything has to be ready and running. Do you think you will be able to make it?
Dr Khater Massaad: The infrastructure is ready. We have a beautiful island of 220,000 square meters, a beautiful lagoon and everything is ready now. What we are doing is the beautification of the venue and the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. The Crown Prince is taking this event as an opportunity to make significant infrastructure investments for Ras Al Khaimah but the infrastructure for the event itself is ready. The island is ready but the government is spending around 100 million US dollars for general infrastructure in the emirate as a whole.

Valencia Sailing: Regarding your emirate, BMW Oracle’s owner Larry Ellison voiced his concern, mainly, over the security, or potential lack of it, due to the proximity to Iran. Is there a reason for a US sports team to feel unsecure in RAK?
Dr Khater Massaad: No, there is no reason at all. First of all, Iran is 100 miles away. Secondly, Ras Al Khaimah is part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a sovereign country that is friendly with everybody and has good relations will all nations. The UAE are a growing tourist destination and we have now close to 10 million tourists that visit each year. There are many foreign companies established here and many foreigners live permanently here, peacefully and with no security problem whatsoever. There has never been any security concern so far in the UAE and I don't see any reason why we should have any now!!

Valencia Sailing: Yes, but unlike the previous event in Valencia, where the race courses were 2-3 miles long, next February the 2 yachts will have to sail for 20 miles. Is there a possibility they could enter or get near an area of disputed territorial waters?
Dr Khater Massaad: No, absolutely none. I know that this time the race course will be much longer but the UAE waters stretch 50 miles from Ras al Khaimah and I can guarantee all the 2 yachts will meet are our emirate's beautiful and clear waters.

Valencia Sailing: Another issue Larry Ellison mentioned was electricity supply. There are reports in the internet of a chronic problem in RAK that results in frequent power outages. Could the America’s Cup face such problems?
Dr Khater Massaad: No, no, there is no problem at all. On the contrary, two weeks we started the operation of two new power generation plants and in fact we now have excess electricity. There will be NO problem whatsoever with electricity, water or any other facilities. Everything is already available.

Valencia Sailing: You will provide all the infrastructure but will the authorities of the emirate be involved with the organization of the event? Or is it going to be run only by Alinghi?
Dr Khater Massaad: No, the organization of the event itself will solely be done by the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. We will organize the venue, the event, the hospitality, everything. We will organize everything for both teams and it has been clear from the very beginning that both teams will enjoy the same quality of facilities, and this is what we will do.

Valencia Sailing: I know very little about your emirate but certainly in sailing you are a newcomer. Ras al Khaimah has never organized any international sailing event, let alone something similar to the pinnacle of the sport of sailing. Isn't this going to be a problem?
Dr Khater Massaad: There will be no problem at all. As you know there are many important international companies organizing sailing events and we will use them. In fact, some of them already worked in Valencia. As a result, Ras al Khaimah will have no problem at all organizing such an important event. Finally, we have the unconditional support of the UAE sailing federation and they are very happy with it.

Valencia Sailing: The UAE are quite far from Europe or the US. Do you expect large numbers of visitors from those countries or mostly locals and Asians?
Dr Khater Massaad: We expect visitors from the entire world. We already have contacts in Europe and the US, and of course here in the UAE, that have shown great interest.

Valencia Sailing: The selection of your emirate as the venue of the 33rd America's Cup might be challenged in court by BMW Oracle. The worst case scenario for you would be that the judges find that the race can't be held in Ras al Khaimah next February. What have you planned in that case?
Dr Khater Massaad: I think the America's Cup should come here and we all hope there is no problem. There is no reason why the Americans shouldn't come, they are more than welcome here and we look forward to having them. Until now they haven't officially rejected the venue and we hope the two teams settle the situation.

Valencia Sailing: Last but not least, have you had any contact with BMW Oracle? Has anyone from the US team visited Ras al Khaimah?
Dr Khater Massaad: Our tourist department has informed us that representatives from both teams will soon come to Ras al Khaimah to view and check the venue and discuss about it. We will obviously welcome both of them and do whatever we can to help them.

Video: Highlights from the AUDI Medcup Portugal Trophy

Highlights from the AUDI Medcup Portugal Trophy. Portimao, 27 August 2009. Video copyright AUDI Medcup

A take on Graeme Spence, Mirsky Racing Team Bowman

How did you get into match racing? When you started did you think it was possible that in a few years time you would be one of the top 4 teams on the World Match Racing Tour and on the verge of breaking into the America's Cup?

I did my first match racing event when I was 22. It was the Perth qualifying event for the "Warren Jones International Youth Match Race", Torvar was looking for crew the day before the event started and I got the job on bow for him. My sailing background up until this event had almost purely been offshore racing and although I had very little understanding of what was going on I loved the short, intense racing format. We sailed ok and although not qualifying directly Torvar received a last minute entry into the 2005 Warren Jones. I ended up committing to do the event with an International entrant from Great Britain, which meant I was racing against Torvar. Throughout the event I was further impressed with Torvar’s skill, we got together after the event and decided to form a team and prepare properly for next years Warren Jones. Figuring with his talent and my organisational input we could make a pretty good team. That was really the beginning of MRT.

Torvar may have had ideas of international success when we started the team, but I was in it purely as an opportunity to learn from sailing with people who were better sailors than me. Like any successful endeavor we have always set goals and worked towards them. Initially it was to win the Warren Jones, MRT did that in 2007 and 2008, then it was to win a grade 1 event and hold a top 10 ISAF ranking, we achieved that later in 2007. I guess around about this time we knew we could be successful on the world tour. In 2008 we received invites to 9 of the 10 stages on the world tour and finished 8th overall. This year we received guaranteed entry into the full 2009 tour in January, won our first tour event in June and now lie 4th on the leader board 2 points behind match racing legend Peter Gilmour. Whilst still focused heavily on winning the tour it is fair to say our personal and team goals are now shifting beyond the World Match Racing Tour. With a solid track record behind us we have every confidence in our potential to succeed as a team and as individuals in any area of the sport.

Graeme Spence and MRT no their way to victory at the Portugal Match Cup. Photo copyright Wander Roberto

Your position on the bow is quite unique, how does a match racing bowman differ from a fleet racing bowman and what is required to be the best?

I guess the main difference is that every crew member of a 5 man match racing team has a lot more to do, in a much shorter space of time, than a comparable fleet racing crew. I often compare my role in the team as closer to that of a mast man than a bowman. Fleet racing bowmen such as on a farr40 will generally be smaller and lighter as they have a mast man backing them up for spinnaker hoists and drops. In a match racing team the bowman covers all of that by himself; therefore being tall and strong helps!

The facet I enjoy most about being the bowman in a match racing team is that I have far more strategic input than I would doing bow in a fleet racing class. As I am looking out of the boat for the duration of the upwind and downwind legs I am in the best position to feed wind information to our tactician. I enjoy having an input on our race strategy. Pre-Start is also interesting for the bowman as you have a large part to play in managing time on distance to the line, boat position on the laylines and communicating the swing/bow position to the helmsman. These roles are mostly unique to the match racing bowman.

I’m not sure if I have the experience yet to tell people what it takes to be the best. I have always looked to the guys that I think are the best and tried to improve from them. Myself and many others rate Peter Gilmour’s bowman “Fuku” as the best in the world and many of the things I do on the bow I have copied directly from him. I have also been watching Andy Fethers (ex Luna Rossa bowman, sailing with Team Pindar) a lot recently - his precise and consistent communication pre-start is very intimidating, I’m working on that!

You are known to be one of the fittest sailors competing on the World Match Racing Tour, what training do you and your team do to be the best?

We train on average 4 times a week, and this varies depending on which phase we are in. We mix western style resistance training with eastern techniques developed from martial arts, and of course regular cardio training, either running, swimming, or rowing ergo. We have received a great deal of instruction from local Perth physio and sailor Gregg Kerr an expert in his field he is an asset to MRT.

You have been training with Oliver Bond from GBR in preparation for the mini transat, is single handed offshore sailing where you can see yourself in the near future?

I have really enjoyed spending time helping Olli to prepare for this years Mini Transat. It is a great event, an awesome class, and definitely something I am seriously looking into for coming years. Whether I see my future in single handed sailing I’m not sure about. I love match racing and am heavily focused on a career in the America’s cup. I see the Mini as a great project in a very different area of yachting that I can pursue whilst we all wait for the next multi challenger America’s cup.

The Volvo Ocean Race is the pinnacle event for offshore sailing, is this a goal of yours, and is it possible to combine the VOR with the Americas Cup?

I see the Olympics, the America’s Cup and the Volvo Ocean Race as the big three achievements in sailing, and therefore many of the worlds best sailors compete in two or more of these events. With the Cup out of action for a while there will be many sailors and teams looking to the Volvo to fill this void. The Volvo has grown into an incredible event and it is definitely something I would like to do during my career. All teams are required to meet a minimum number of crew aged under 30 which opens up opportunities for sailors in my age bracket to get into Volvo teams.

Graeme Spence and Nick Blackman during the finals of the Portugal Match Cup. Photo copyright Wander Roberto

What other acheivements do you have away from sailing and do these contribute to your sailing career?

I think that regardless of where your career takes you you’re always able to draw from previous experiences despite how remote they might be. I have always been a very keen sportsman and always encouraged to pursue anything that took my interest by my parents. As a youngster I rode horses, and played T-ball and Football, later I played Australian Rules Football and elite level Waterpolo. Whilst at University studying Business Management I played bass in a few original rock bands, whilst a very average musician I did learn it was easier to manage a sailing team than a band! As far as work goes I have done most things from Antique furniture restorer, to professional fisherman, to IT technician (anyone who has seen me operate a computer will laugh at this).

I believe my most valuable achievement is my university degree, having a formal qualification whether it is a trade or a degree is an invaluable asset to forwarding a career in any field.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?

In 10 years I’ll be working within an America’s Cup team, perhaps the defender…maybe based in Perth… and representing Australia, likely still with the core guys from MRT.

Video: Alinghi 5 sailing in Genoa after Hublot sponsorship

UKA UKA Racing Stamp Their Authority On Fleet At 2009 Melges 24 Europeans

[Source: Melges 24 Europeans] Lorenzo Santini’s Italian crew aboard UKA UKA Racing showed their true mettle on day three of the 2009 Melges 24 European Championship in Hyeres; posting a near perfect 2,1 score to leapfrog into a commanding ten point lead at the top of the leaderboard. Rounding the first mark in the top five in the first race, they gained places on each of the five legs and by the final beat were snapping at the heels of leader Pilot Italia Hurricane steered by Alberto Bolzan. Race two saw UKA UKA Racing and Renato Valivero’s Allin round the first mark simultaneously before engaging in a race long battle for the lead with helmsmen Lorenzo Bresanni and Pietro Sibello both pulling out all the stops in their effort to get the upper hand. Sibello looked to have seen off the challenge from Bressani when he rounded the top mark for the final time several boat lengths ahead, but Bressani came up with some special magic on the last run to squeeze into a fifty metre lead at the finish.

Overnight leaders Maurizio Abba’s Alina had a nightmare start to their day when they were Z-flagged on the first attempt at starting the first race and then found themselves totally boxed in on the subsequent start. They bounced back well in race seven of the Championship, coming home in fifth place and maintaining their fervent hopes of challenging for the title by the end of the regatta. Nico Celon at the helm of Lanfranco Cirillo’s Fantastica remains in third overall this evening courtesy of the discard system, which allows him to exclude his disappointing eleventh place in race six. A hard fought third in the final race of the day keeps him firmly in the overall hunt, just three points adrift of second. Flavio Favini, the reigning European Champion aboard Franco Rossini’s Blu Moon, had a somewhat lacklustre day by his own high standards and whilst the team’s 9,8 score sees them into fourth place they have a real points mountain to climb over the last two days. Local French hopes are now pinned on Maxime Paul aboard Big Ship, whose steady improvement over the regatta so far continued today with fifth and seventh moving him up to fifth overall.

UKA UKA Racing’s Federico Michetti agreed that his crew had performed exceptionally today but denied that their fourteenth place yesterday had put on any undue pressure. ‘We are very happy with the fourteenth because in fact we rounded the first mark in the thirties after a poor start so the recovery was a good one.’ He gave testimony to just how good the competition and the racing had been today. ‘We had to fight very hard to earn our results today and particularly in the last race the battle with Pietro Sibello was fantastic. Sailors like him make the standard very high at this regatta.’ Whilst understandably delighted to be back on top at this point, with two days racing to go Federico says that UKA UKA Racing are far from complacent about their ten point lead. ‘We know that we have good people chasing us and in particular Nicolo Bianchi on Alina is having a very good Championship. We are enjoying ourselves in Hyeres and will try to keep on doing so.’

In the Corinthian Division the overnight leaders Storm Capital Racing dealt themselves a double blow to their title hopes by picking up a Black Flag in race six and a twenty percent Z-Flag penalty in race seven. This disastrous day sees them fall to second place in the Corinthian standings. Corinthian boat of the day was Estonian Tonu Toniste’s Lenny, who clocked up a pair of Corinthian bullets to move up the table to seventh overall. John Christian Eriksson’s Aqua Racing had a solid day, turning in a second and a third which leaves them as top Corinthian tonight. By way of their pair of sixes today, Rudolf Houdek’s Secret Men’s Business take the final Corinthian podium position.

With three races left to sail in the 2009 Melges 24 European Championship and given that conditions in Hyeres are predicted to lighten tomorrow and Friday, there are no certainties for any of the teams currently topping the results. The nature of big fleet one design racing and Melges 24 competitions in particular, means that this regatta is still very much open and it looks to be building nicely to an exciting climax by the end of the week. There are three further races to sail in the ten race series which concludes on Friday.

Alex Thomson stands on the keel of HUGO BOSS

Having already tried his hand at foiling, last week round the world sailor Alex Thomson went keel walking on his IMOCA Open 60 HUGO BOSS in the Solent.

Alex said: "I’ve wanted to stand on the keel while sailing for a couple of years, and last week in 17-20 knots of breeze I stood on the keel whilst sailing wearing a HUGO BOSS suit. It was pretty dangerous but a real buzz."

Alex Thomson stands on the keel of HUGO BOSS. Photo copyright Mark Lloyd

Alex Thomson stands on the keel of HUGO BOSS. Photo copyright Mark Lloyd

Alex Thomson stands on the keel of HUGO BOSS. Photo copyright Mark Lloyd

Alinghi announces Hublot as Sponsor for the 33rd America's Cup

[Source: Alinghi] Alinghi, Defender of the 33rd America's Cup, is proud to announce Hublot, the Swiss luxury watchmaker, as a team sponsor for the 33rd America's Cup. Alinghi president Ernesto Bertarelli and Hublot CEO Jean-Claude Biver held a joint presentation at the Alinghi base in Genoa, Italy, this afternoon to announce this union of Swiss expertise. The two brands share many common values, be it their constant pursuit of precision and excellence, or their approach to technology – developing it to a maximum for greater performance.

“I am often asked ‘what is more important the technology or the people?' and I always say that there is no technology without people and the partnership that we are announcing today symbolises exactly this sentiment. Welcoming Hublot – and more importantly Jean-Claude [Biver] – to the team as a Sponsor is a tribute to the fact that technology is about the people; those that understand what it means. I welcome them into the Alinghi family and onboard for the 33rd America's Cup,” said Ernesto Bertarelli of the alliance.

Alinghi 5 sails with the Hublot logo on her mainsail. Genoa, 25 August 2009. Video copyright Alinghi

Hublot was created in 1980 and made an immediate impact on the art of watchmaking with its signature porthole-shaped watch case. It was the first Swiss watchmaker to fuse a precious material – gold – with rubber, a design that immediately caught the imagination of trend setters guaranteeing the company's significant success. Jean-Claude Biver took the helm in 2004 as CEO and has steered the luxury brand to new heights. He comments on a ‘fusion' of two leading Swiss brands: “We were lucky enough to admire Alinghi 5 as it was launched and again when it sailed for the very first time on Lake Geneva. It is a fabulous boat and a culmination of Swiss savoir-faire with 200 Swiss providers playing their part in the construction. Alinghi 5 merits its Swiss Made label. The Swiss people have showed enormous support and enthusiasm for the team and I am among them. I am especially proud that Hublot is the first brand to become one of the principal sponsors in this formidable adventure and I am delighted to be able to help Switzerland win the America's Cup again, this time against the Americans.”

Alinghi is currently training in Genoa, Italy, before transferring the team to Ras al-Khaimah, UAE, in the autumn to continue preparations towards the 33rd America's Cup which starts on the 8 February 2010.

It's a deal now, Hublot sponsors Alinghi for the 33rd America's Cup. Ernesto Bertarelli, Alinghi Team President (left) and Jean-Claude Biver, Hublot CEO, shake hands. Genoa, 25 August 2009. Photo copyright Guido Trombetta/Alinghi

Alinghi 5 sails with the Hublot logo on her mainsail. Genoa, 25 August 2009. Photo copyright Guido Trombetta/Alinghi

Ernesto Bertarelli, Alinghi Team President, comments on the sponsorship deal with Hublot. Genoa, 25 August 2009. Video copyright Alinghi

One week to the start of the St. Moritz Match Race

[Source: World Match Racing Tour] The St. Moritz Match Race will commence from September 1 through to September 6.

The coveted ‘King of the Mountain’ trophy will be awarded to the best performing team from the five day match racing event, Mathieu Richard (FRA) and his French Match Racing Team, are the current leaders of the World Championship ranking and second in the ISAF rankings, as well as the current ‘defender’. He won the 2008 edition of the event ahead of Ian Williams (UK) Team Pindar.

Racing will take place on Lake St. Moritz, a natural amphitheatre that provides a perfect and natural viewing platform from the shore. The local Maloja thermal breeze blows daily from 8 to 20 knots and with a little help from the sun the breeze picks up, guaranteeing a fantastic show to the numerous spectators who flock to see their sailing heroes in action.

Twelve teams representing eight nations have been selected for this regatta. MathieuRichard (FRA), the current leader of the world ranking will be a firm favourite competing for the title however there will be tough competition amongst the line up, which include fellow French man Sébastien Col, the helmsman of K-Challenge’s America’s Cup team. Ian Williams of Team Pindar and current number one match racer Adam Minoprio and his BlackMatch. Peter Gilmour of YANMAR Racing is a veteran of five America’s Cups and quadruple winner of the world match racing title. Currently seventh of the world ranking, he is one of the event’s outsiders. Last but not least, Johnie Berntsson (SWE) has confirmed his participation and has a history of giving all the Tour regulars a run for their money.

Eric Monnin, from Switzerland, will be the local sailor of the event. Eighth last year, Monnin and his crew finished 3rd in 2007 and 6th in 2004. Their local knowledge of the lake will give them a slight advantage over fellow competitors.

The St. Moritz match race will once again take place on Blu26 one-design sailing boats. Conceived by the Swiss Bluboats, the Blu26 are 8 m. long and 2,2 m. wide. They are perfectly adapted to match racing.

Adam Minoprio Black Match / Team New Zealand NZL 1
Mathieu Richard French Match Racing Team FRA 2
Sébastien Col French Match Racing Team / K-Challenge FRA 3
Ian Williams Team Pindar GBR 4
Torvar Mirsky Mirsky Racing Team AUS 6
Philippe Presti French Match Racing Team FRA 7
Johnie Berntsson Berntsson Sailing Team SWE 9
Björn Hansen OnBoard Saling Team SWE 10
Peter Gilmour Yanmar Racing Team AUS 11
Alvaro Marinho Seth Sailing Team POR 17
Eric Monnin Swiss Match Race Team SUI 31
Francesco Bruni Joe Fly Match Race ITA 50

Two bullets give Uka Uka Racing lead at Melges 24 European Championship

[Source: IMCA24] Weather conditions for championship sportsboat racing don’t come much better than those experienced by the eighty-six Melges 24 crews racing on day one of their 2009 European Championship in Hyeres, France. With temperatures in the high thirties and winds touching eighteen knots at times, the high quality Euro fleet were able to complete the first two races of their twelve race series. Race one saw the fleet get away at the first time of asking but in race two things were more problematic. After an initial General Recall the Race Committee posted flags I and Z for their second attempt to start the race. This appeared not to dampen the fleet’s enthusiasm however and a subsequent second General Recall provoked the reluctant use of the Black Flag. For most this was a big enough deterrent and race two finally got under way. The Melges 24 was specifically designed to excel in exactly these sort of conditions and in both races the sailors and indeed the spectators were treated to some wonderful downwind action.

Branko Brcin, tactician on UKA UKA Racing, current leader of Melges 24 European Championship. Hyères, 24 August 2009. Video copyright Melges 24 European Championship

Lorenzo Santini’s UKA UKA Racing from Italy demonstrated why they are the current Melges 24 World Champions by taking comprehensive victories in each of today’s races. In the process they also sent a clear message to the fleet that they mean business this week in Hyeres. The stories behind both their victories are ominously similar; leading from the off in both races they rounded the windward mark in the lead and proceeded to extend their advantage on every leg. Back on the dock tactician Branko Brein was quick to praise UKA UKA helmsman, Lorenzo Bressani. ‘Conditions were tactically tricky at times today but sailing with a driver as good as Lorenzo makes a tactician’s life easy’ he smiled. Asked how they had managed to get such good starts today, Branko said that they had started towards the middle of the line on both occasions, before immediately heading out to the left of the racecourse. ‘There is a peculiarity of the bay in Hyeres that causes a bend in the wind favouring the boats furthest left. Obviously we wanted to take maximum advantage of this.’

It was a good day for Italy overall, with several of UKA UKA’s fellow countrymen also posting consistent scores to make the top five places overall a complete ITA whitewash. Nicolo Bianchi made the best of his opportunity to take over as helm of Maurizio Abba’s Alina with a third in the first race backed up by a fourth place in the next seeing them take the number two spot overall at the end of day one. Fellow Italian Nico Celon, who must hold fond memories of his 2006 World Championship victory on these waters, also performed well today and with a 2,7 scoreline holds the final podium position tonight. In fourth overall is Italian 49er ace Pietro Sibello at the helm of Renato Vallivero’s Allin and in fifth sits Michele Giovannini helming Carlo Fracassoli’s Saetta.

In the separately scored Corinthian Division, current Corinthian Melges 24 World Champions, Storm Capital Sail Racing Team, came out marginally on top in today’s two races. Their 2,4 score gives them just a one point advantage at the top of the Corinthian standings ahead of second placed Mikael Johansson at the helm of John Christian Eriksson’s Aqua Racing, who clocked up a five and a two. In third place and only marginally less consistent with a bullet and a seventh is Sergio Cosano’s Fish Dog helmed by Maurio Ziliani.

Tomorrow the competitors will have an earlier start to their day, as racing is scheduled to commence promptly at 10AM. Two more races are planned and with the spectacular weather conditions looking set to continue, it looks like another marvellous day of Melges 24 racing is on the cards here in Hyeres.

Arabian 100 makes her first splash

[Source: Oman Sail] The Arabian 100 hits the water for the first time in Oman on 23rd August 2009. It's a proud day for Oman as the Arabian 100 trimaran touches water for the very first time here in Salalah Port. She has been under construction since 2008 - her large components molded in Australia and then shipped to and assembled in Salalah in the south of the Sultanate. A team of up to 30 international and Omani boat builders and specialists have worked on her at any one time and the result is this phenomenal racing craft which is sure to be making headlines soon.

Arabian 100 hits the water for the first time. Oman, 23 August 2009. Photo copyright Lloyd Images / Oman Sail

Arabian 100 hits the water for the first time. Oman, 23 August 2009. Photo copyright Lloyd Images / Oman Sail

Arabian 100 hits the water for the first time. Oman, 23 August 2009. Photo copyright Lloyd Images / Oman Sail

Analysis of the new TP52 rule

In July 2009, the TP52 Class Administration issued a press release titled "Lifting The Lid Of the Box..." which educates the sailing public about the direction the class design rule will be taking. There are still some details left out of this press release, but we spoke with Rob Weiland to get more information. At the TP52 event in Cagliari, Italy, these changes met with approval of the class association.

Valencia Sailing asked Schickler Tagliapietra to look at the changes in the rules and provide a graphic presentation of the boats.

Without a doubt, the boats build from 2010 onward will look more like current IRC types, many of which are converted TP52 sporting more bulb mass and bowsprits. By 2011, the intention is to phase in all of the rule changes and blur completely the division between these types.

It is clear with the claim that the yachts will be built for 5-10% less than today, with the very strict limit on number of sails, and with the reduction on crew weight, that these are changes in tune with the current economic times. Build cost varies with displacement, as a rule, but secondarily with righting moment. So, with a 2.5% change in overall displacement it is not unreasonable to expect a less expensive boat. Righting moment, on the other hand will climb, with a 27% heavier bulb and a 5% deeper fin (and thankfully the end of the VCG requirements of 2009 and earlier). Less crew means less crew RM addition, of course. Rules for steel fin weight are not immediately clear, but must be expected.

Structural scantling rules will change to the ISO 12215 as opposed to the now outdated ABS 1994 Guide. The ISO standards will be authorized by Germanischer Lloyd, a company with whom ST has a long relationship. Structurally the boats have been quite refined already, but this will be more important than ever, to achieve maximum stiffness, bulb mass and minimum displacement. One would expect such refinement to cost in terms of engineering and building technique. In the end, if there is any reduced cost of the yachts, it is as likely to come from lower labor costs, as from the class rule changes. Cost of campaigns should see a significant drop, due to sail and crew limits.

2009 TP52 sailplan (left) compared to 2011 TP52 (right). Copyright 2009, Schickler Tagliapietra

The sailplan of the TP52 will come in line with current trends. Main heads will become fatter, jib overlap is still limited as before, and the downwind sails come off the pole onto a bow sprit. The maximum area of each of these sails changes only moderately, except for the gennekers. The fat head main will require the now-legal split backstay, but this will be to the top of the mast and not a set of runners. As the mainsail area if moved into a higher aspect ratio shape, the boom length will logically be reduced. The larger genneker on the bowsprit is the most obvious change of all. While upwind SAD ratios will increase by about 3% from 2009, downwind SAD will increase by almost 6%. The downhill sleighrides may not be at deep angles, but they will be quicker than ever. The guide for the sailplan changes are the IRC optimized TP52, such as Ran, Cristabella, Synergy (2007), Artemis (2008) and others (the certs have more mainsail area and much more displacement).

2011 TP52 overlay on 2009. Copyright 2009, Schickler Tagliapietra

The flush deck designs of 2009 will be even more advantageous with expected changes to the interior standing headroom area. However, the winches which have migrated to the main companionway hatch will almost certainly be back on deck based on regulation. The two "versions" of the TP52 rule have been rendered to draw attention to the changes described and expected. Initial indications are that the use of furling downwind headsails, a big part of crew reductions in the VOR, don't meet the needs of the TP52. They remain primarily W-L course and not trans-ocean racers.

2009 TP52 overview (left) compared to 2011 TP52 (right). Copyright 2009, Schickler Tagliapietra

There are some subtle changes to be expected, such as tweaks of mast position, keel position, size of the rudder. Many of these hinge on the crew weight changes, interior headroom and mainsail area rules. As always there will be the need to perfect balance. Apart from showing the box rule dimensional changes, the above images reflect such modifications as well.

2009 TP52 cockpit layout (left) compared to 2011 TP52 (right). Copyright 2009, Schickler Tagliapietra

In summary, the TP52 is telegraphing major changes to suit the mood of the marketplace. It should work, with more teams prepared to enter a class that can cross-over to local regattas more easily. The success of these changes will hinge on how it is phased in, and the willingness of IRC owners to adopt one season earlier than the "real" TP's. The existing fleet should be easy to convert unless, for example, masts are right near the compression limit dictated by the old VCG rules. It is doubtful that many of these converted yachts will be competitive in 12-18 months, however.

ST applauds the bold steps that the class is taking. There will be a shuffling of the deck with regard to design optimization, and we look forward to the re-moding of existing boats, and to purpose built 2011 TP52's.

Alinghi wins Open de Nyon regatta and leads the D35 championship by 3 points

[Source: Alinghi] Quote from the race boat: Pierre-Yves Jorand, mainsail trimmer onboard Alinghi SUI1 Décision 35, comments on what’s been a very successful racing weekend for Ernesto Bertarelli and his crew.

You’ve had a good day, a good weekend and you’ve won the regatta and now are leading the championship… How did all this happen?

“Today we had similar conditions to yesterday, so fantastic conditions of typical lake Geneva ‘Bise’ NE wind which was quite strong especially for the first two races, between 8 and 20 knots. We knew the wind was going to die down after the second race so we had a bullet and a second place, thanks to a great start from Ernesto (Bertarelli). He did a great job placing the boat in a perfect position at the start line, Tanguy (Cariou) called perfect tactics through the day and the rest of the crew: Nils (Frei), Yves (Detrey), Coraline (Jonet) and myself were working on the maneuvering and the boat speed, so it was a great success for the team today.”

From what you say and looking at the results it looks as if you had been sailing on these boats all summer…

“We made less mistakes than the other teams. We didn’t sailing during July and mid August due to the summer pause in the championship but we have sailed with the same crew as we have done since 2007 and we know each other very well, and we are very focused on race tactics and boat speed.”

You have more two regattas to go, how confident are you feeling that you can win this Challenge Julius Baer championship as you did last year and the year before?

“We knew that the conditions today were going to be lighter in the afternoon with big shifts both in speed and direction so anything could happen and we thought it was very important to secure the championship after race 6. In the two other races we focused in learning new things making sure that we were not going to make big mistakes.”

A word on Alain Gautier, another Alinghi team member, and his D35 team, Foncia…

“Alain had a great weekend in June, when he won the Bol d’Or and he managed to win one race this weekend. I know him and the team and I’m sure he will be back stronger in two weeks time.”

The next D35 regatta, HP Cup La Réserve, the seventh of the Challenge Julius Baer, will take place on 5 and 6 September

Alinghi SUI1 crew
Ernesto Bertarelli, helmsman
Pierre-Yves Jorand, mainsail trimmer and performance
Nils Frei, trimmer
Yves Detrey, bow/mastman and boat captain
Tanguy Cariou, tactician
Coraline Jonet, trimmer

First ever MedCup Hat Trick for Emirates Team NZ

[Source: AUDI Medcup] Emirates Team New Zealand became the first team ever to win three consecutive MedCup Circuit regattas when they clinched the Portugal Trophy for the TP52 Series today off Portimao, winning by just 1.5 points from Torbjorn Tornqvist’s Artemis.

With wins in Marseille, Cagliari and now Portimao, the Kiwi team, skippered by Dean Barker, now lead the Audi MedCup Circuit by 52 points heading to the final regatta of the season, next month in Carthagena, Murcia Spain.

The GP42 Series saw the first regatta win this season for Caser Endesa (ESP), skippered by Juan Luiz Paez. Their third place today was enough to secure the Portugal Trophy on countback from Roma Mk2 (ITA), but Islas Canarias Puerta Calero (ESP) still lead the Series.

Video highlights from the last day of the Portugal Trophy. Portimao, 23 August 2009. Video copyright AUDI Medcup

Seventh for Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) to Artemis’ (SWE) disappointing tenth in today’s one and only race was enough for the Kiwi team to prevail, but the final contest was a difficult one to call throughout with a streaky 5-9 knots of sea breeze mixed with some north westerly gradient wind, especially towards the windward mark.

With a 1.5 points lead in the regatta Artemis, missing tactician Paul Cayard (USA) for the final day, could only make a modest opening at the pin end of the start line, while Bigamist 7, the Portuguese entry lead to the windward mark.

On the first downwind the Russian pair Valars and Synergy mined the left, inshore line and passed the Portuguese team with the Synergy winning from Valars, the first time the two Russians have taken the top two places.

The key move for Emirates Team New Zealand was on the second beat when they were able to halt the recovery of Artemis, tacking on top of them and bouncing them above the lay line, but even down the final run the breeze looked shaky, ready to shift or collapse at any minute.

Relief, once again, rather than elation was the mood among the hard working New Zealand outfit. As the time limit expired at 1600hrs and with it the chances of a second race, general satisfaction with another job well done was evident. The steely, professional face drops when the champagne comes on board, and they are getting rather used to it.

With Artemis in second for the regatta, Terry Hutchinson’s Quantum Racing finished in third, just 1.5 points ahead of Bigamist 7, who finished fourth overall for the third time this season.


Emirates Team New Zealand lead the Audi MedCup Circuit, 52 points astern are Matador (ARG) on 170.5 points but only five points behind them are Quantum Racing, third, and Artemis, fourth, both on 175.5 points.

Winning skipper Dean Barker (NZL) commented that throughout the regatta they had never felt like they were sailing as well as last month’s win in Sardinia, confirming that they still have plenty to work on before Carthagena, Murcia, a venue which proved extremely challenging last year.

CEO and mast-man Grant Dalton (NZL), agreed: "We are relieved. It was a pretty tough regatta. I think we identified that as soon as we got here, that this was going to be tough, and I think we also identified Artemis as the boat which could beat us. And it felt that all the way. So we are just pleased to have got through another one really."

He continued: "It’s a big lead now, but we know what can happen, you can still sail badly, it changes pretty quickly. There are always improvements to be made and we made plenty of mistakes in this regatta."

Despite their relatively poor performance in Portimao, Islas Canarias Puerto Calero are the overall leaders in the GP42's. Portimao, 23 August 2009. Photo copyright Pedro Martinez

GP42 Series: Endesa wins the battle

Today’s single race in the GP42 Series was never easy to predict, as the lead changed several times depending on who was where on the shift cycle, the game of tactical chess, and lanes of leftover pressure in the dying seabreeze.

Caser-Endesa (ESP), for example, seemed to have a horrid start, late on the line by three lengths and having to tack early to port. But that move may have been fortuitous, as a right shift on the first beat got them right back into the game. That very same shift benefited Islas Canarias Puerto Calero (ESP) even more, as they vaulted beyond the tacking duels into a commanding lead at the top mark, one that would never be challenged except by Roma 2 (ITA) on the final fluky run into the finish.

And Roma’s runner-up finish was remarkable in itself, as they were no better than last around the first top mark, redeemed only by having split from the pack to the left on the second beat to vault into second.

Caser-Endesa’s two victories to Roma’s one wins them the Portugal Trophy, but Islas Canarias Puerto Calero’s win gets them tied up in the war for the lead in the overall GP42 Series. With one event left, Roma 2 and the Kids from Canarias are now tied on 82 points, making for a final showdown at Stage 5 in Cartagena.

"We think for the excitement of the circuit, this is a really good scenario,” says Daniel Calero (ESP), owner of Islas Canarias Puerto Calero. “But it means the pressure will really be on in Cartagena!"

Audi MedCup Circuit 2009 - Overall (4 events)

TP52 Series
1. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 38+27,5+28+25= 118,5 points
2. Matador (ARG), 36+47,5+42,5+44,5= 170,5 points
3. Quantum Racing (USA), 40+41,5+65+29= 175,5 points
4. Artemis (SWE), 37+62,5+49,5+26,5= 175,5 points
5. Bigamist (POR), 46+55,5+57+30,5= 189 points
...

GP42 Series
1. Islas Canarias Puerto Calero (ESP), 20+23+23+16= 82 points
2. Roma (ITA), 22+17+30+13= 82 points
3. Caser-Endesa (ESP), 33+27+26+13= 99 points
4. Airis (ITA), 21+38+28+25= 112 points
5. Turismo Madrid (ESP), 35+35+43+23= 136 points
...

Russians dominate today's 1st race in Portimao; Emirates Team NZ overall leader again

[Source: AUDI Medcup] A seventh place compared to Artemis' tenth means the tables are turned and the winners of two consecutive regattas, Emirates Team New Zealand, now lead the Portugal Trophy by 1.5 points.

The SW'ly 5-9 knots sea breeze proved unstable, streaky and challenging with puffs, lifting shifts from the right side, especially up towards the windward mark in the Lagos-Alvors corner. After Bigamist lead around the first mark, by virtue of their early hitch inshore to the right, it was the Russian pair Valars and Synergy which then profited on the downwind leg when they, too, stayed inshore, closer to the beach.

Leading the Portugal Trophy into Race 7, Artemis were found wanting at the start when they failed to nail the pin end start they sought. From eighth position they dropped to tenth on the final run. Emirates Team New Zealand also slid on the last downwind, dropping to a seventh but lead the regatta again.

The Race Committe are holding racing until a more settled breeze returns.

ETNZ lead by 1.5 from Artemis who are 2.5 points up on Quantum Racing, with Bigamist only 1.5 points shy of their first podium finish.

In the GP42 Series, Spanish Caser Endesa's third place mean they are tied on points with Roma for the regatta lead. Islas Canarias Puerto Calero won ahead of Roma, but the spanish team is still suffering Thursday's double 5.

No wind in Portimao but lots of changes for the future; 2010 Medcup calendar announced

[Source: AUDI Medcup] With no racing possible today due to the lack of breeze the Audi MedCup Circuit and the TP52 Class Association took the opportunity to present some of the changes to the class rule which will be applied for the 2010, and to confirm the dates for the five events which will comprise next year’s Audi Med Cup Circuit.

The Portugal Trophy regatta in Portimao was the venue for the TP52 Class Association to agree a series of changes applicable to the 2010 season as part of the transition to the new Box Rule which is planned for 2011.

Last month owners and the TP52 Class Manager gathered in Cagliari, Italy, at the Region of Sardinia Trophy, the third event of the Audi MedCup Circuit. There the agreement was reached to update the Box Rule which governs the design of the boats for 2011.

Video highlights from the fourth day of the Portugal Trophy, as well as the 3rd given the lack of wind today. Portimao, 22 August 2009. Video copyright AUDI Medcup

The main objectives are to produce faster, easier to handle boats, to reduce campaign costs whilst respecting and maintaining the spectacle that characterizes these 52 foot grand prix monohulls.

The key changes for the new Box Rule are designed to produce a faster, more powerful boat, the reduction in crew weight from 1,273 kilos to 1,100 kilos – in other words, reduction from 15 to 13 crew - and the removal of internal ballast, other than a small amount of correction to bring the displacement up to the required 7,400 kilogrammes.

The Portugal Trophy gathered the principal parties of the TP52 Class who decided on the improvements which will be applied for 2010. The main objective is to reduce the costs and implement the modifications that will promote a streamlined transition of the current boats to adapt to the Box Rule for 2011. In economic terms, the aim is to reduce the campaign running costs by one third but not make it too expensive to modify the existing boats.

It was decided here in Portimao that the for 2010 the spinnaker pole will be replaced by a bowsprit (thus allowing for larger spinnakers and easier maneuverability), a square top mainsail, twin backstays, and 150 kilogrammes increase in weight of the bulb.

Back to the future. The 2008 Artemis, here racing in this year's Copa del Rey as CAM, is now a 2010 TP52. Palma, 4 August 2009. Photo copyright Nico Martinez

Nacho Postigo (ESP), Technical Director of the Audi MedCup Circuit believes that these modifications are positive for the fleet and therefore for the Circuit: "The consensus from all the owners has been very positive looking forward to next season but it is also going to be much more appealing to the newcomer who will be sailing with three less people than we are sailing with this season. Reducing costs whilst maintaining the philosophy of the Circuit is a good way of attracting new entries."

"As Audi MedCup Circuit organisers we are working on a set of new rules for the 2010 season based upon these changes and our plan is to contain costs for the teams. We will be announcing the changes shortly which will surely encourage potential owners to come and join the Circuit." Continues Postigo.

Postigo, in his position as a sailor, also highly regards the changes positively: "I think from a sailing point of view the boats will be simpler and easier to sail, faster, and especially they are going to look much different. But there will still be a great challenge for crews. As soon as you lose the (spinnaker) pole, by virtue of the simple luxury of not having the pole you immediately start to push it harder and do different things. As the boat becomes simpler to maneuver it becomes easier to push harder. It will be interesting to see how the teams develop new techniques. For the coastal races you will now pretty much have to use the windward-leeward inventory. The gennaker will be 15 square metres bigger and so the boat will be much faster downwind, not perhaps in top speed, but in acceleration and speed after gybing. If you take the drawing of a TP52 2009 and a 2010 TP52 it will look like ten years of change but only with two changes, the bowsprit and the square top mainsail will make it look great.

The programme for the 2010 Audi MedCup Circuit will broadly follow the same pattern as this year with the emphasis, where possible, with each venue hosting the fleet from the Saturday right through to the Sunday finish.

Ignasi Triay, the Audi MedCup Circuit Director confirms: "This year has proven that the teams prefer a five events calendar. The format we suggest for 2010 is based on the idea of the fleet to be moored from Saturday, in order to the public to come and visit. On Sunday they start training, and on Tuesday is the Official Training for the TP52s, with 5 days of racing for this Series and four day for the GP42s. With this format, we offer to the public two full weekends of Audi MedCup show".

The Audi MedCup 2010 calendar is:
Audi MedCup Event 1, 11 to 16 May
Audi MedCup Event 2, 15 to 20 June
Audi MedCup Event 3, 20 to 25 July
Audi MedCup Event 4, 24 to 29 August
Audi MedCup Event 5, 13 to 18 September