Team Aqua leads the fleet event of the Valencia RC44 Cup

This is getting very repeating but you can't avoid it when conditions are amazing for so long. It has been yet another great day of sailing in Valencia and the 11-strong RC44 fleet had a blast under the shiny Valencian sky, the 20-knot breeze and the big waves. I had the opportunity to be onboard Chris Bake's Team Aqua during the first race and witness how the tandem Chris Bake - Cameron Appleton together with the rest of the crew worked wonders, scoring two bullets, a third and a fourth.

No matter how many times one I have the chance to be onboard these rockets they never cease to amaze me. Unfortunately, the funkier the conditions get the tougher it is to hold on and shoot acceptable video and photos. It's not an easy task upwind but it gets a bit easier downwind, especially when planing. I saw a top wind speed of 20.5 knots and top boat speed of 17.5 knots, while in the third and fourth race boat speeds of up to 20 knots were reported.

The start of the first race was quite average for Team Aqua and up to the second weather mark, Chris Bake's boat was 6th or 7th. That's where Appleton made a great call, opting for the right side of the course for the final run while the rest of the fleet kept on the left. Team Aqua found more pressure there, sneaked in front of 3 or 4 boats and crossed the finish line 3rd.

However, the best was still to come with two bullets in a row and a fourth in the last race. Given the awful performance by "17" today, the US boat ceded 15 points, Team Aqua is now leading the fleet race event with 23 points, closely followed by Artemis with 27 points.

Prestart procedure onboard Team Aqua in the 1st fleet race of the day. Valencia, 31 July 2010. Video copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Chris Bake helming Team Aqua in the first race of the day. Valencia, 31 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Onboard Team Aqua in the first race of the day. Valencia, 31 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Gybing onboard Team Aqua with 20 knots of wind. Valencia, 31 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Aqua in the approach to the finish line in the first race of the day. Valencia, 31 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Aqua gets in front of BMW Oracle in the first top mark. Valencia, 31 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Aqua gets in front of Islas Canarias Puerto Calero in the first top mark. Valencia, 31 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

BMW Oracle sailing downwind in the first race of the day. Valencia, 31 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The back of the fleet sailing downwind in the first race of the day. Valencia, 31 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Taking the spinnaker out while still hiking the Spanish way. Valencia, 31 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Video: Highlights from day 4 of the RC44 Valencia Cup

Highlights from day 4 of the RC44 Valencia Cup. Valencia, 30 July 2010. Video copyright RC44 Class Association

RC44 Valencia Cup - Day 4: Anders Myralf on "17" annihilates the RC44 fleet

Greetings from Valencia where the fleet portion of the RC44 Valencia cup started with a bang for "17" and Anders Myralf, her Danish amateur driver. Four races took place in lighter conditions (8 to 12 knots) on Friday and the Danish helmsman, aided by James Spithill on tactics, scored an impressive three bullets and a fourth.

Being onboard Sea Dubai in the first race and Mascalzone in the third one, I have to admit it wass very difficult to follow the action but the lead "17" had over the rest of the fleet at times was daunting. They clearly sailed in a league of their own.

Mascalzone Latino is now sitting 10th in the overall leaderboard, however this should be taken with a pinch of salt, especially taking into account the nearly two-year absence of the Italian team from the circuit.

Race 1Harm Mueller-Spreer at the helm of Sea Dubai. Valencia, 30 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Danish match racer Jes Gram-Hansen calling tactics on Sea Dubai. Valencia, 30 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Rounding the bottom mark on Sea Dubai. Valencia, 30 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Torbjorn Tornqvist helming Artemis under the watchful eye of Terry Hutchinson. Valencia, 30 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mascalzone Latino ready to round the leeward mark. Valencia, 30 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Katusha in the second beat of the race. Valencia, 30 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Igor Lah helming CEEREF in the second beat of the race. Valencia, 30 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Race 3 Vincenzo Onorato drives the RC44 Mascalzone Latino after a nearly two-year absence from the circuit while Tommaso Chieffi, his tactician hikes. Valencia, 30 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Vincenzo Onorato drives the RC44 Mascalzone Latino after a nearly two-year absence from the circuit. Valencia, 30 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Gybing on Mascalzone Latino. Valencia, 30 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The "Hand of God" in sailing

It's been another long and exciting day in Valencia with the first four fleet races of the RC44 Valencia Cup, even if the breeze didn't reach the levels we've been accustomed to during the last two weeks. Our full report with some beautiful pictures will be online in a couple of hours.

The undisputed leader of the day is "17" with three bullets and a fourth. Still, the final race of the day had its bit of controversy and was resolved in the jury room after the Spanish team Islas Canarias Puerto Calero filed a protest against the American team.

For all those football-illeterate readers that wonder what relation the title of the article has with today's races, it refers to Diego Maradona's infamous goal in the 1986 World Cup when the Argentinean scored against the English, with an illegal, but unpenalised, handball. At the post-game press conference, Maradona claimed that the goal was scored "a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God", coining the phrase "Hand of God".

The "Hand of God" in the RC44's took place in the prestart of the final race when James Spithill helped amateur helmsman Anders Myralf by taking the helm, something that under the RC44 Class rules is only allowed in emergency situations. As a result of Spithill taking the helm, the Spanish felt they were forced to cross early the starting line and protested. The Jury found "17" in breach of the rule, as they judged there was no emergency situation while Anders Myralf is an experienced sailor. Finally, the Jury decided to penalize "17" with one point since, in their view, the yacht didn't gain any advantage in the race by Spithill's action.

The "hand of God" in sailing. James Spithill takes the helm of "17" during the prestart of the fleet race, something that is allowed only in emergency situations according to the RC44 Class rules. Valencia, 30 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The "hand of God" in sailing. James Spithill takes the helm of "17" during the prestart of the fleet race, something that is allowed only in emergency situations according to the RC44 Class rules. Valencia, 30 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

“New” Little America’s Cup Attracts Dynamic C-Class Catamarans and International Talent

[Source: New York Yacht Club] Six (possibly seven — pending dramatic repairs) of the fastest, lightest, highly innovative 25-foot catamarans will compete on America’s Cup courses off the coast of Newport, RI.

August 22-28, New York Yacht Club will host the International C-Class Catamaran Championship, also known as The Little America's Cup.

Nine fleet races will seed the match racing contenders for actual Cup racing. With speculators reviewing monohull and multihull options for the (Big) America's Cup, this C-Class event provides all of the technology, sportsmanship and spectator highlights that favor a multihull design.

“The boats are the most efficient sailing machines on the water,” maintain Fred Eaton and Magnus Clarke. Winners of the 2007 trophy at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club, in Toronto, they will unveil their new boat, Canaan, in Newport.

Designers are free to experiment. There are no weight or material restrictions. The boats are custom built by the teams to be extremely light — to the edge in fact. With wing rigs they are capable of twice the wind speeds seen on most race courses.

“We can fly a hull in less than five knots of breeze while double trapezing in just six knots of wind,” says Clarke. They can sail fast, but can their repair skills match their boatspeed? A wing was destroyed by a 30-knot gust during mid-July sail trials.

“The mast and control system look intact, and it seems that many of the moldings are OK as well. This wing is not dead, it’s just pining for the fjords!” commented Steve Clark in an online review of the photos. His optimism sums up the technological camaraderie of the fleet.

Clark, along with three longtime multihull champions from Bristol, RI will race the new Aethon, and Cogito, the former gold standard C-Class Cat. The regatta will be as much about twist control as it will be about the latest in pre-impregnated unidirectional carbon, laminate strength, Autoclaves and thermal coefficients.

James Spithill, helmsman of BMW Oracle’s 90-foot catamaran, and winner of the 33rd America’s Cup, will ramp up the focus with fellow Australian Glenn Ashby, an Olympic Silver medallist in multihulls and nine-time, A-Class, world champion.

Paul Larsen, another renowned high-speed sailor will drive England’s entry, Invictus. The event will also feature the French team of Antoine Koch and Jean-Baptiste Le Vaillant.

Six days of sailing, six boats, and only seven design rules. If the Toronto-based shore crew can pull together another wing assembly, the start line will see seven high-speed cats. Three races a day, each totaling six miles, will make for remarkable racing. The exact location on Narragansett Bay is weather dependent.

Sailors, designers, engineers, and lovers of high-speed action can inspect the boats at close range for days prior to the event at Sail Newport, Fort Adams. From August 21 onwards boats will be stored at NYYC. Live footage and post-race interviews will be available.

RC44 Valencia Cup - Day 3: Preview

Good morning from Valencia in this third day of the RC44 Valencia Cup. Unfortunately, wind conditions are disappointing and after having been pampered during two weeks with 20 plus knots it is indeed a blow to be at 1pm in the press room with a postponement ashore. Fortunately, the schedule calls for a number of practice fleet races today, so the damage shouldn't be so important.

The problem lies in a low front that reached the Iberian peninsula from the Atlantic and brought clouds, killing the sea breeze. According to the forecasts made earlier in the week, it was supposed to reach the eastern coast of Spain on Sunday but it seems it is affecting us earlier. Still, PRO Peter Reggio will intent to give a start at 2pm.

In the meantime, why not have a private class in match racing prestart procedures from the grand master himself, Paul Cayard? Imagine being a physics university student and have Albert Eisntein as your private tutor or a pianist with Amadeus Mozart sitting next to you. It's true though that the race was against AEZ, the Austrian team that finished the match race event with 10 losses in 10 races, but still Katusha overcame the mishap with their jib and won the match. As Cayard states himself, a batten in the jib was "fu--ed".

Onboard Katusha during the prestart of the race against AEZ. Valencia, 28 July 2010. Video copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Video: Highlights from the day 2 of the RC44 Valencia Cup

Highlights from day 2 of the RC44 Valencia Cup. Valencia, 28 July 2010. Video copyright RC44 Class Association

JAGUAR partner with TEAMORIGIN for summer of sailing

[Source: Team Origin] Jaguar announced today a partnership with TEAMORIGIN –‘TEAMORIGIN racing with Jaguar’.

TEAMORIGIN, the British America’s Cup sailing team, created by Sir Keith Mills with the single purpose of winning the America’s Cup for Great Britain is joined by Jaguar for a summer of sailing activities. The first event that will see ‘TEAMORIGIN racing with Jaguar’ is during Cowes Week this August, when they will face BMW ORACLE Racing (the current holder of the America’s Cup) in the 1851 Cup event.

This new partnership is part of Jaguar’s commitment to the best of British sport under the umbrella of the Jaguar Academy of Sport, which aims to recognise, celebrate and inspire the very best of British sporting talent and success. The partnership is further strengthened by the shared commitment of both organisations to strive for improved environmental performance. This is highlighted through TEAMORIGIN’s ‘Race for Change’ strategy, and Jaguar’s advanced Lightweight Aluminium technology, which resulted in the recent win for the new XJ of a Green Award from What Car? magazine.


Sir Keith Mills, Team Principal, TEAMORIGIN, commented, “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Jaguar as our partner.There is a superb fit and alignment of purpose between TEAMORIGIN and Jaguar. Jaguar is clearly one of the most revered and iconic British brands and, just as Jaguar is now taking on and beating the best in the automotive world, so our mission is to take on and beat the best in the world on the water. The fit is further enhanced through our shared commitment to improve our environmental performance.”

Geoff Cousins, Managing Director, Jaguar UK commented, “To partner with TEAMORIGIN is a fantastic opportunity for Jaguar. We are looking forward to the first appearance this summer at the 1851 Cup event, an exciting competition, which will see Britain’s best sailing talent compete against the current holders of The America’s Cup. It’s a mouth-watering prospect and one we are proud to support. This is a serious British endeavour, which fits perfectly with the recently launched Jaguar Academy of Sport, which is all about investing in the future of British Sporting talent.”

TEAMORIGIN’s newly branded livery will appear during Cowes Week (racing takes place between Tuesday 3rd and Friday 6th August) and will feature striking Jaguar branding on both the hull and sails. The spinnaker will feature a Jaguar leaper in Union Jack Motif, the symbol of the Jaguar Academy of Sport.

Denise Lewis, Patron of the Jaguar Academy of Sport,commented: "As a Patron of the Jaguar Academy of Sport I was excited to learn about another exciting venture by Jaguar, which is continuing its efforts to support the best of British sport. Jaguar is building on the Jaguar Academy of Sport and really showing its commitment to the success of British sporting athletes. I am looking forward to following the racing during Cowes week, Ben Ainslie and I were together at the Sydney Olympic games, where we both won gold, and I want to wish him and the team all the best for the race and look forward to hearing the result of the 1851 Cup event."

Ben Ainslie, Skipper and Helmsman of TEAMORIGIN,commented: “TEAMORIGIN’s goal is to win the America’s Cup for Great Britain, to achieve this we need to engage the support of like minded partners. In Jaguar, we can see great synergies where they share our passion for sport and competition at the highest level.”

It's rock-and-roll time for the RC44's in Valencia !!!!

If you had any doubt the RC44's are true racing machines that take off downwind just watch the video I took onboard Katusha in the last downwind leg of the race against AEZ. Even if the Russian team, skippered by Paul Cayard, had a comfortable lead over the Austrian team at the approach to the second top mark, the first minute of the downwind leg had plenty of drama in store for Cayard and his crew.

The spinnaker hoist was flawless and all seemed to be smooth, until Marco Constant, the South African mainsail trimmer, slipped and fell overboard. A frantic 11 seconds followed on Katusha but Paul Cayard and the rest of the crew safely brought Constant back onboard.

As for the rest of the races, it was yet another glorious day with perfect but rough conditions. Similar to yesterday, organizers decided not to allow more guests after the fourth flight, so we missed the really funky sailing.

Marco Contant, Katusha mainsail trimmer, falls overboard.

RC44 Valencia Cup - Day 2: Preview

Greetings from sunny Valencia where another excellent sailing day is forecast. The 11-strong RC44 fleet will certainly be able to complete the scheduled 7 flights remaining in the match race round robin. The weather forecast is very similar to yesterday's and the sea breeze has already been blowing from 10am. Today, I will be onboard Katusha and then Artemis.

The 11-strong RC44 fleet docked in front of the Veles e Vents building, ready for another splendid day of racing. Valencia, 28 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Video: Highlights from day 1 of the RC44 Valencia Cup

Highlights from day 1 of the RC44 Valencia Cup. Valencia, 27 July 2010. Video copyright RC44 Class Association

RC44 Valencia Cup - Day 1: Artemis leads undefeated

Just another day in sailing paradise! Pick any superlative from the dictionary and it will pretty well sum up today's conditions, first day of the RC44 Valencia Cup. It was a great, fabulous, glorious day and the 11-strong RC44 fleet raced the first 7 flights of their match race round robin. In what has now become the usual pattern during the last two weeks, the thermal breeze kicked in at around 11am, racing started right on time at 1 pm with a nice breeze of 10 knots that later built up to a testing 20 knots.

Artemis, helmed by Terry Hutchinson, comes out of the first day undefeated, having won all of its 6 races. As Hutchinson stated, it was one of the windiest days ever he had match raced. My report will, unfortunately, be quite limited as I was onboard "17", helmed by James Spithill, and missed most of the other action. After flight 4, the organizers decided not to allow more guests onboard as the gusts of 22 knots and the waves made it too risky. Still, being onboard a spectacular yacht helmed by Spithill with great wind conditions is similar to having a crash course in America's Cup top of the class racing. It also made me realize how fast these boats are downwind.

It was tremendously difficult taking any shots upwind, so I had no option but try my luck downwind. Nevertheless, by the time the camera was out of the plastic protection, the lens cleaned and I was in a good position, Spithill was ready for the last gybe to the gate!!! The race was against the Spanish team Islas Canarias Puerto Calero and Spithill & Co had no trouble at all getting the point.

Planing onboard "17" with 19 knots of wind in the match against Islas Canarias Puerto Calero. Valencia, 27 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Gybing onboard "17" in the match against Islas Canarias Puerto Calero. Valencia, 27 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

James Spithill helming "17" in the match against Islas Canarias Puerto Calero. Valencia, 27 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Remember the name: Kyle Langford. He still can't buy a beer in the States but the young Australian sailor will certainly be one of the world's top trimmers. Valencia, 27 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

It was a very tough day for Islas Canarias Puerto Calero. Not only did they lose all five races, they repeatedly suffered from gear failure. Valencia, 27 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

RC 44 VALENCIA CUP
(Match racing, after seven of 14 flights)
1. Artemis / Terry Hutchinson (SWE) 6-0
2. BMW ORACLE Racing / Russell Coutts (USA) 4-1
3. Team Aqua / Cameron Appleton (UAE) 4-1
4. 17 / James Spithill (USA) 4-1
5. Ceeref / Rod Davis (SLO) 3-1
6. No Way Back/Pieter Heerema and Ray Davies (NED) 3-3
7. Team Sea Dubai / Markus Weiser (UAE) 2-4
8. Katusha / Paul Cayard (RUS) 1-3
9. Mascalzone Latino Audi Team / Tommaso Chieffi (ITA) 1-4
10. AEZ RC44 Sailing Team / Christian Binder (AUT) 0-5
10. Islas Canarias Puerto Calero / José Maria Ponce (ESP) 0-5

34th America's Cup TV Trials in Valencia: The best videos

The first of the three 34th America's TV trials ended on Sunday in Valencia and the media team of the current Defender is making public parts of the footage the dozens of cameras captured during the four days of testing. Some of the videos are uninspiring, others are interesting and a few are simply extraordinary. Since the America's Cup organizers sought viewer feedback, we post here the two videos Valencia Sailing rates as the best.

Both are from the last day (Sunday) of testing when the two RC44 sloops sailed in glorious conditions and it is my belief the best suited yachts for the next America's Cup, and beyond, must be fast monohulls. Having observed two of the four test days, I believe there is simply no comparison in the close action the two types of yacht can provide. It is, obviously, true the Extreme 40 catamarans are much faster than the RC44's. No doubt about it.

However, before arguing over what type of yacht we should use, we should beforehand think about how we want to sell the America's Cup. In fact, I had a very interesting conversation right here in Valencia, a few days ago, with a New Zealander that has a handful of America's Cup under his belt, while he was on his way to Barcelona for the AUDI Medcup. Do we want to claim that the America's Cup is the Formula 1 on water? Well, then we should opt for the Hydroptère. It's not any weird looking, one-man prototype, it is a conventionally looking sailboat that even the least knowledgeable non-sailors can recognize as such. In addition, it is officially the world's fastest sailing yacht, so there you have it.

On the other hand, the America's Cup is a match race, a kind of chess on the water where you beat your opponent not by sheer speed difference but by better positioning yourself on the race course, blocking your opponent while causing him to infringe the rules and receive a penalty. In that case only monohulls can deliver that. The Extreme 40's fly on one hull and produce the "wow factor" but that's short lived. Human and boat-on-boat action are few and far between.

One of the best videos, in our opinion, from the 34th America's Cup TV Trials. Valencia, 25 July 2010. Video copyright BMW Oracle

I have to admit I take my hat off to the person that came up with the idea of placing a camera at the end of the boom. The footage it produces is quite dramatic and captures the frantic action that takes place in the prestart. I suppose the camera is rotating and remotely controlled because otherwise it would miss half the race, each time the yachts tacked or gybed. It's a pity though there is no sound coming from it but then with so many microphones onboard that wouldn't be a problem, even less 3-4 years from now.

One of the best videos, in our opinion, from the 34th America's Cup TV Trials. Valencia, 25 July 2010. Video copyright BMW Oracle

Ultimately, BMW Oracle will choose the boat that will give them the best chances to successfully defend the Cup while stripping Team New Zealand from its strengths, as much as possible. There's nothing wrong with that though, that's the America's Cup...

What is this?

Update 4pm: It seems it was quite easy a test and almost immediately some of the readers recognized the D-One. Well, guess who was having a blast with one of those yachts this afternoon in Valencia? Once again, conditions were just perfect and Valencia's bright sun was putting more coal into the sea breeze steam engine. The forecast for tomorrow is pretty similar and as a result the RC44's will most probably have a very nice race.


While we're waiting for the RC44 Valencia Cup to start why not have a quick quiz? What boat is this?

RC44 teams training in Valencia

Sunday was just another perfect day with spectacular sailing conditions and I doubt it could ever get much better. Similar to what has been taking place for the last two weeks, the sun breeze was already blowing nicely from as early as 10:30am. Starting at 6-7 knots it built up during the day reaching 13-14 knots at 2pm and that's when it got really funky.

I had the chance to spend the day onboard Sea Dubai, one of the 11 RC44 yachts that will race in the RC44 Valencia Cup next week. When I was informed that dockout would be at 11am, I was surprised and didn't expect much of a breeze so early. It turned out I was completely wrong. It was getting more interesting and fun as the day progressed but when the sea breeze fan was turned to the maximum at around 2:30pm it was simply great. I saw a peak of 20.7 knots true wind speed and 17.6 knots boat speed while planing downwind. I had the intention to do my own "TV & Media trials" on an RC44 but with 20 knots of wind, waves and a yacht heeling 31 degrees, not going overboard was my main worry. As a result, my photos must definitely be much tamer than the ones the TV crews onboard BMW Oracle's boats got.

Sailing onboard the RC44 Sea Dubai. Valencia, 25 July 2010. Photo copyright

In fact, the current Defender of the America's Cup was conducting its TV and Media Trials at the same time we were sailing. The four American yachts, the two RC44's and the two Extreme 40's, left their base at 2pm and although they were too far to take any meaningful picture, they were close enough to observe them. The RC44 sloops were Sunday's protagonists and carried out a number of upwind-downwind races, very close to the beach but with the difference that the starting line was placed no more than 200 meters from the weather mark. Unfortunately, I missed the starts but the downwind legs were full of action and close gybing duels. Unless they do it on purpose, today's footage will be anything but dull, boring or uninspiring.

If these fantastic conditions continue next week, the RC44 Valencia Cup promises to be thrilling. In addition to Sea Dubai and the two BMW Oracle RC44 yachts, I spotted sailing No Way Back and Team AEZ while Mascalzone Latino's yacht was in her base, getting the final touches before Monday's, I suppose, first sail after a long absence from the circuit.

Sailing onboard the RC44 Sea Dubai. From left, Yann Gouniot (mainsail trimmer), Harm Mueller-Spreer (fleet racing helmsman), Markus Wieser (match racing helmsman / tactician). Valencia, 25 July 2010. Photo copyright

Sailing onboard the RC44 Sea Dubai. From left, Yann Gouniot (mainsail trimmer), Harm Mueller-Spreer (fleet racing helmsman), Markus Wieser (match racing helmsman / skipper). Valencia, 25 July 2010. Photo copyright

Harm Mueller-Spreer at the helm of Sea Dubai. Valencia, 25 July 2010. Photo copyright

America’s Cup television trials conclude with bang

[Source: BMW Oracle] A strong sea breeze on the final day of the America’s Cup television trials concluded what has widely been regarded as a highly successful evaluation.

Over the past four days two high-performance monohulls and multihulls have been loaded with a plethora of cameras and microphones and put through match racing maneuvers to help find new camera angles and test surround sound format.

Racecourses were also modified by changing the percentages of upwind and downwind work to see if it helped keep the yachts engaged at close quarters.

“I’d have to rate the trials an unqualified success,” said BMW ORACLE Racing CEO Russell Coutts. “We plan to do this again in the coming weeks and months, but I think we found some things that work that we’d like to explore again down the road.”

Final day of the 34th America's Cup TV Trials. Valencia, 25 July 2010. Photo copyright Gilles Martin-Raget / BMW Oracle

One camera angle that got people’s attention was at the top of the mast looking down on the yacht. In HD format, the picture jumped off the screen with clarity and crispness. Those angles combined with the surround sound format helped create an immersive experience.

The trials were also used to test monohulls versus multihulls and the excitement they lend to television. A new yacht design is being created for the 34th America’s Cup, and concept papers have been issued to rule writers to create a monohull and multihull design.

The monohulls were the focus of the trials on Days 1 and 4, while the multihulls were featured on Days 2 and 3. Each design was sailed in light to strong winds during its time on the water.

Final day of the 34th America's Cup TV Trials. Valencia, 25 July 2010. Photo copyright Gilles Martin-Raget / BMW Oracle

Next month, positioning and performance data will be experimented with during the 1851 Cup in Cowes, England. The regatta features BMW ORACLE Racing and TeamOrigin of the U.K. in a series of match races aboard V5 America’s Cup Class sloops off the Isle of Wight.

“We have a long way to go still, but we’re very upbeat about this process,” said Coutts. “We really want to transform the next Cup to make it appealing and enthralling for television, and we feel we’re heading down that path.”

Final day of the 34th America's Cup TV Trials. Valencia, 25 July 2010. Photo copyright Gilles Martin-Raget / BMW Oracle

Artemis wins AUDI Medcup regatta in Barcelona

[Source: AUDI Medcup] With everything to play for on the final day Artemis completed a great recovery to win the Camper Regatta – Conde de Godó Trophy Barcelona.

Paul Cayard (USA) and the crew of Torbjorn Tornqvist’s (SWE) Artemis (SWE) won the Camper Regatta – Conde de Godó Trophy – Barcelona TP52 Series in considerable style, after a fantastic finale, coming from eighth at the first windward mark to finish second behind Bribón (ESP) on the finish line of the last race, to clinch the Swedish flagged team’s first MedCup Circuit regatta win since 2007.

Leading into the one and only race of today by a single point, the odds looked suddenly to be stacked against an Artemis regatta win when they picked the wrong side of the first beat and rounded the top mark in eighth place, with their main rivals Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) in second.

But two electrifying downwind legs, twice gybing away for clear air and flatter water, diverging from the line taken by the pack, saw Cayard and crew gaining three places on each run to secure Barcelona’s top trophy.

Follow the leader. Artemis wins the AUDI Medcup Barcelona Trophy. Barcelona, 25 July 2010. Photo copyright Sander van der Borch / Artemis

Emirates Team New Zealand at one stage seemed to be hanging on, just on target for their second regatta win of the season, with Luna Rossa (ITA) between them and their rival Artemis representing the 1-point margin that they needed to win, but in the end the Kiwi champions could do nothing to control the firepower of Artemis downwind.

On the final run Cayard, tactician Cameron Appleton and the Artemis crew gained 44 seconds, to cross just 16 seconds behind José Cusí’s (ESP) Bribón who finished their regatta with a flourish to clinch a creditable fourth overall in owner Cusí’s home city.

Artemis top the Camper Regatta – Conde de Godó Trophy – Barcelona TP52 fleet after a miserable Marseille, where they finished eighth overall. In Barcelona they have sailed with confidence and cohesion, bolting together all of the required components to win a testing 10 race series.

Third overall last season their overall win at the first of two Audi MedCup Circuit regattas in Spain this season, boosts Tornqvist’s team from sixth overall on the 2010 standings to third.

And, after Emirates Team New Zealand in Cascais, Quantum Racing (USA) in Marseille they become the third TP52 Series team to win an event this season.

Artemis last won a MedCup regatta in Hyeres, France in 2007 when Russell Coutts skippered the team to win the Circuit title. In that season five different boats won the five regattas.

Emirates Team New Zealand finish disappointed not to have won in Barcelona. They were hobbled for boat speed at times, citing a plastic bag that they caught around the rudder which left them lacking speed.

But the reigning title holders head to Cartagena for next month’s (August 24-29) fourth regatta of the 2010 season, the Caja Mediterráneo Region of Murcia Trophy having extended their overall lead by ten points at this regatta. They now lead Quantum Racing (USA) by 28.5 points.

Camper Regatta – Conde de Godó Trophy - Barcelona - Final Results

1. Artemis (SWE), 7+2+4+5+2+4+1+5+1+2= 33 points
2. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 1+4+8+1+3+2+5+3+5+3= 35
3. Quantum Racing (USA), 5+5+2+11+1+1+9+2+5+6= 44
4. Bribón (ESP), 3+3+7+7+5+11+10+7+4+1= 58
5. Cristabella (GBR), 2+1+11+9+6+9+4+6+6+8= 62
6. TeamOrigin (GBR), 10+6+3+3+9+7+8+1+7+9= 63
7. Matador (ARG), 4+9+9+10+10+3+6+9+3+4= 67
8. Bigamist 7 (POR), 8+7+10+8+4+5+7+4+10+7= 70
9. Luna Rossa (ITA), 9+11+1+6+11+10+2+10+8+5= 73
10. Synergy (RUS), 6+10+6+2+7+8+3+8+11+12= 73
11. Audi A1 (FRA/GER), 12(DNC)+8+5+4+8+6+11+11+9+10= 84

Video: Highlights from Day 4 of the AUDI Medcup Barcelona regatta

Highlights from Day 4 of the AUDI Medcup Barcelona regatta. Barcelona, 24 July 2010. Video copyright AUDI Medcup

GP42's adopt improvements for 2011

[Source: International GP42 Association] The International GP42 Association announces today several innovations to the class rules that for the 2011 season and beyond will reduce operating costs while not compromising on the high-performance nature of the world’s fastest offshore-capable 42-footer. These include some structural changes to the boat as well as new limits on crew, sails, and outside assistance.

“We have been exploring ways to make cost-effective evolutionary changes to the GP42’s without compromising on performance,” says Javier Goizueta, President of the GP42 Class and owner of current Audi MedCup GP42 Series leader Madrid-Caser Seguros. “These boats are fantastic to sail, and the competition has been intense, but we want to attract new teams to join us yet not make the existing fleet uncompetitive. We think these changes strike the right balance.”

GP42 Class Manager, Paolo Massarini, talks to Zero Gradi Nord about the decision the class took to withdraw from the AUDI Medcup in 2011 and reestablish its own independent circuit. Barcelona, 24 July 2010. Video copyright Zero Gradi Nord

The changes for 2011 include the following:

1. Allowance of a removable bowsprit of a maximum length from 1.5 to 1.7 metres. The final length will be determined from a study of existing designs and optimization to sail design and rating rule parameters;

2. The change to bowsprits anticipates use of larger gennakers and a reduction of crew needed for downwind crew work. Therefore a lower crew weight limit will be imposed from 800 kg to 720 kg plus the addition of one mandatory on board guest. This reduces the number of crew onboard by one. The guest will be restricted to the stern section of the boat and not allowed to hike with legs outboard;

3. Sails will be limited to seven per year, down from the existing nine. These will be 1 mainsail, 3 jibs, 2 gennakers, and 1 staysail, plus one free sail of any type.

4. No outside assistance will be allowed before racing, except to transfer guests.

In addition to these approved changes, square-top mainsails may also be adapted, depending on the participation of teams who have already made this change to their boats and are currently racing outside the Audi MedCup. A change in bulb weight to compensate for the change in crew weight has been deemed unnecessary, given the addition of the onboard guest.

“These and other ideas have been in discussion for over a year now,” says GP42 Class Manager Paolo Massarini, “and we have received a lot of constructive input from designers and builders for the right solutions. So we feel these are evolutionary changes in line with the current design trends, and should help both attract new interest and enhance the current value of the boats and the class.”

Ximo Lopez from Longitud Cero in Spain and Vittorio Urbinati from Marine Composite in Italy, both experienced builders of GP42’s, have already assembled very attractive proposals for the construction of new boats based on these changes. Lopez has built the two newest GP42’s, last year’s Botin & Carkeek-designed GP42 Series Champion Islas Canarias Puerto Calero, and this year’s series leader, Madrid-Caser Seguros. Urbinati built and owns the Reichel/Pugh-designed Sea Wonder 007, a perennial winner of numerous regattas in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Assuming interest, these and other boatyards are even considering building new boats off the same mould…Lopez, for example, says he can build up to five more boats off tooling made from his last two hulls.

“These boats and the racing we enjoy is absolutely fantastic,” said Roberto Monti, owner/driver of AIRISESSENTIAL. “We want to use these changes and other incentives to attract more owners to our group, as we feel there are many others out there who can appreciate the value of close racing amongst truly high tech, high performance yachts.”

Once finalized, these changes are intended to remain unchanged until 2014, giving a measure of stability to the class and preserving the value of the existing designs.

Modus Vivendi crowned Platu 25 World Champion

Greetings from Alicante where the Greek yacht Modus Vivendi has just been crowned World Champion in the Platu 25 class. The world title is the result of a very consistent performance throughout the week where the Greek yacht, owned by Kostas Karageorgiou and helmed by Takis Mantis, managed to finish in the top three in six out of the 13 races of the entire regatta.

Conditions on Saturday were quite tough and tricky as the front affecting the eastern Spanish coast passed over Alicante, bringing choppy seas, overcast skies and shifty and light breezes, not more than 7-8 knots. Modus Vivendi went to the starting line this morning with an 8-point advantage over 2nd placed Movistar and had to deliver in order to hold on to their overall leadership.

The first race was perfectly executed by the Greeks. Takis Mantis helmed the Platu 25 yacht to the middle of the starting line, had a clear start and stayed ahead of the fleet until the finish line. Their overall lead increased, as the 2nd, 3rd and 4th placed had a disappointing race.

In the second race, things didn't turn out that well as the tactical decision to opt for the left side of the course in the first beat cost them dearly. The 15-degree right shift meant they were 20th at the first weather mark. In this 60-strong fleet where the first 20 boats approach the leeward gate in a tight group, it's quite easy to drop 5-10 places in a matter of minutes. The Greeks had to fight hard at the leeward gate and dropped to 25th. However, their form was more than evident in the second half of the race when they weaved their way through the fleet and finished a very respectable 11th.

Being mathematically World Champions, Modus Vivendi decided to sail conservatively in the final race, trying not to influence the fierce battle for 2nd and 3rd place. Still, they had yet another good race, finishing 6th.

With this win, Karageorgiou and his crew are the undisputed leaders of the Platu 25 class, having won the world championship in 2008 in Greece and coming shy to another victory in Italy last year, when they were second.

Quote

Kostas Karageorgiou, owner: "As you can see, we kept the promise we made last year at the World Championship in Italy where we finished second. We came here and won the title. Jokes apart, the result doesn't reflect the difficulty we had this week in order to become champions. This fleet is extremely tough and competitive and you can finish first as easily as you can finish twentieth. I would like to thank the crew for their excellent and flawless work in this regatta and, once again, they clearly demonstrate they are among the best in the world."

Modus Vivendi, brand new Platu 25 World Champion. Alicante, 24 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Modus Vivendi, brand new Platu 25 World Champion. Alicante, 24 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Modus Vivendi, brand new Platu 25 World Champion. Alicante, 24 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Modus Vivendi, brand new Platu 25 World Champion. Alicante, 24 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Modus Vivendi, brand new Platu 25 World Champion. Alicante, 24 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Modus Vivendi, brand new Platu 25 World Champion, leads the fleet. Alicante, 24 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Three top threes send Emirates Team New Zealand to the top

[Source: AUDI Medcup] With a consistent scoreline across three races today (1-3-2), Emirates Team New Zealand now lead the Camper Regatta - Conde de Godó Trophy - Barcelona.

The reigning champions won the first race after leading round each mark, finished third in the second race and chased Quantum Racing (USA) across the finish line of the third contest for a second place.

After a morning postponement ashore waiting for sufficient breeze to build, the Garbi sea breeze offered two excellent races under clear skies and sunshine with up to 17 knots of breeze before the wind backed to the left for the third race of a long day on the water.

Quantum Racing and Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) were best placed from the scrabble off the pin end of the line for the final race, fighting to get left. They were rewarded with first and second places as the 2008 champions held off the current Audi MedCup TP52 title holding Kiwis down the final run.

Quantum Racing's 11,1,1 ironically fits the description of the type of inconsistency which skipper-helm Terry Hutchison (USA) recently described them trying to avoid, dropping them to third overall in the event, behind Artemis. Paul Cayard steered the Swedish flagged boat to 5,2,4 for the day to hold second place one point ahead of Quantum Racing.

Yet another great day for the world's best monohull sailing team. Barcelona, 23 July 2010. Photo copyright Chris Cameron / Emirates Team NZ

TP52 Series - Day 3

1. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 1+4+8+1+3+2= 19 points
2. Artemis (SWE), 7+2+4+5+2+4= 24
3. Quantum Racing (USA), 5+5+2+11+1+1= 25
4. Bribón (ESP), 3+3+7+7+5+11= 36
5. Cristabella (GBR), 2+1+11+9+6+9= 38
6. TeamOrigin (GBR), 10+6+3+3+9+7= 38

7. Synergy (RUS), 6+10+6+2+7+8= 39
8. Bigamist 7 (POR), 8+7+10+8+4+5= 42
9. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER), 12(DNC)+8+5+4+8+6= 43
10. Matador (ARG), 4+9+9+10+10+3= 45
11. Luna Rossa (ITA), 9+11+1+6+11+10= 48

First video footage from the Valencia 34th America's Cup TV Trials

Here's the first video footage from yesterday's opening day of TV trials by the Defender of the America's Cup in Valencia.

Video: Onboard the TP52 Quantum Racing in Barcelona

While BMW Oracle is carrying out its TV trials in Valencia, the TP52 fleet is busy racing in Barcelona and among the 11 TP52 yachts that are taking part in the regatta, Quantum has by far the best TV footage. Here's a short clip from the start of a race. It's a pit though we can't hear what Terry Hutchinson and the rest of the crew are saying.

Onboard the TP52 Quantum Racing during the start of a race. Barcelona, 22 July 2010. Video copyright Keith Brash / Quantum TV

34th America's Cup Media & Race Trials - Full report

Note: You can find all of the day's photos here

I have to admit I was skeptical about BMW Oracle's "34th America's Cup Media & Race Evaluation Trials" that started on Thursday morning in Valencia. What kind of uncommon wisdom does the Defender of the America's Cup hold in order to find in just four days the magical TV formula that has eluded for years dozens of experts in the Olympics, the America's Cup, the Volvo Ocean Race or any other major or minor regatta?

After spending the entire day on the water aboard the race committee boat with PRO Peter Reggio and getting to see first-hand the entire procedure, I realized the key word in what took place today was "trials". This is exactly what they did; try all possible TV positions and configurations in order to check how they work out. The official press release talks about a total of 16 cameras and 25 microphones onboard and around the two yachts. I didn't obviously count all of them but judging from what I saw and then from the pictures it is true that there were cameras in every possible spot one could think of. There were cameramen onboard the yachts (two on one of them), there were cameras on the bows, the booms, the stern scoops, the masts, the spreaders, on helmets worn by some of the crew, on a helicopter and, obviously, the handful of TV tenders. I spotted two 3D cameras, one onboard Russell Coutts' yacht and another on the helicopter.

So what is so extraordinary about that one might wonder? BMW Oracle took two RC44 yachts, a class created four years ago, stuffed them with cameras and match raced them. It's true the boats have been around a while but the priority isn't to try a new boat but to try getting the best possible TV result by combining what is available. Take the TP52's for example. Since the start of this season they have been producing a very interesting daily TV feed, streamed live through the internet, but there is neither video nor audio from onboard the yachts.

One way to better describe it is that up to now the TV and photographers had to find their way around the race while now it is the other way round. The race is probably molded around the TV and photographer needs. This was evident as well in the way the TV tenders were crisscrossing in front of the two yachts and even the helicopter was flying unusually low, not more than 10-20 meters high. One side effect is that you get easily soaked, like we did on the race committee boat, and I'm sure the guests on the VIP spectator boats won't find it to their taste.

Do we have to get used to helicopters flying close to the masts? Valencia, 22 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

It is probably the first time an America's Cup defender spends the time and money to properly do this, as it is my understanding this is the just the first in a series of three media & race trials. The next one will take place in Cowes two weeks from now, during the 1851 Cup and the third one will be in Puerto Calero right before the RC44 World Championship. In addition, even if trying to innovate, both the TV producer and director are veterans in their fields.

The Valencia trials last four days, from Thursday to Sunday. Thursday and Friday are dedicated to testing as many TV and camera configurations as possible with conventional race formats, the first day on the RC44 sloops and the second one on the Extreme 40 catamarans. On Saturday and Sunday the focus will switch to the race format, testing the various innovations and alternatives the Defender has in mind, again alternating between the RC44 and Extreme 40 boats. As Peter Reggio commented, "Saturday and Sunday we are trying the crazy ideas...", like downwind starts or upwind starts but with a weather mark situated as close as 300-400 meters from the starting line.

As a result, Thursday's program was quite conventional format wise. The two RC44 yachts, one helmed by Russell Coutts the other by James Spithill, spent almost five hours carrying out multiple prestart procedures and a handful of full upwind-downwind races, four if I counted well.

Things became more interesting as the afternoon progressed when they tried a couple of prestart procedures with a twist. First the starting line was made very short and then the two yachts were obliged to stay within the starting box once they had entered. As a result, conventional match racing was not entirely possible, so the two yachts were circling for more than 2 minutes before heading to the starting line.

The two yachts circling around for more than 2 minutes as they were required to stay inside the starting box. Valencia, 22 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

During the last 45 minutes of the day, the two yachts practiced a number of what they called "downwind drills", basically consisting of sailing downwind, extremely close to the breakwater. The commercial port of Valencia being expanded, the new, extended breakwater must be at least half a mile long and at times the two RC44 boats were a few meters from its rocks.

So, what's my conclusion? I do believe it's a genuine, open and open-minded attempt at making the America's Cup and sailing much more accessible to the media, in particular the TV. The footage produced every day will be freely available on the internet and feedback will be possible. At the end of the day, if BMW Oracle wanted they could have just held those tests somewhere else, keep it as low profile as possible and then simply implement the results. Or even simpler, not do anything at all!!

34th America's Cup Media & Race Trials - First shots

It's been a long, interesting and productive day for the Defender of the America's Cup in particular and the sport of sailing in general. I'll just post some of the best shots I've got today in no particular order and my full report will be online later. I was on the race committee boat together with PRO Peter Reggio, so there are dozens of nice and detailed shots.

I only have one quick comment. If this is not a genuine, open and open-minded attempt at making the America's Cup and sailing much more accessible to the media then I'll be damned! As you'll see in the photos there are plenty of cameras, cameramen and photographers, some of them in the most unusual places. Some of the ideas will certainly turn out to be useless, impractical or even stupid. However, I'm sure that some others will give us great footage. Unless you try all of them, you'll never know if they work or not.

Conditions were simply perfect today in Valencia. It is sunny and the yachts were lucky to have a nice steady, sea breeze already from 11am, peaking at 12-13 knots at 4pm.

First day of the 34th America's Cup Media & Race Evaluation Trials. Valencia, 22 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First day of the 34th America's Cup Media & Race Evaluation Trials. Valencia, 22 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First day of the 34th America's Cup Media & Race Evaluation Trials. Valencia, 22 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First day of the 34th America's Cup Media & Race Evaluation Trials. Valencia, 22 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First day of the 34th America's Cup Media & Race Evaluation Trials. Valencia, 22 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First day of the 34th America's Cup Media & Race Evaluation Trials. Valencia, 22 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First day of the 34th America's Cup Media & Race Evaluation Trials. Valencia, 22 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First day of the 34th America's Cup Media & Race Evaluation Trials. Valencia, 22 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First day of the 34th America's Cup Media & Race Evaluation Trials. Valencia, 22 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First day of the 34th America's Cup Media & Race Evaluation Trials. Valencia, 22 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First day of the 34th America's Cup Media & Race Evaluation Trials. Valencia, 22 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing