Testing Conditions At St. Moritz Match Race Set To Challenge Tour Leaders And Wildcard Qualifiers

[Source: World Match Racing Tour] The race village at the Segel-Club St. Moritz was buzzing today, with 12 world-class sailing teams making their final preparations for a week of fierce head-to-head competition in the St. Moritz Match Race, the sixth stage of the ISAF World Match Racing Tour Championship.

After a light dusting of snow on the hills above the lake overnight, St. Moritz sparkled in the morning sun. However, the unseasonably cold weather meant the trademark Maloja wind was absent today, leaving sailors to contend with an erratic and chilling northerly breeze. This was light and fitful at the start of the competitors’ registration and weigh-in session, but built to a useful 10-15 knots for the first practice session.

With the Maloja not expected to be fully active for a few days, the challenge of making the most of the shifty winds is uppermost in the minds of many skippers.

Mathieu Richard, current WMRT leader, trains under cold and tricky conditions for the St Moritz Match Race 2010. St Moritz, 31 August 2010. Photo copyright Ian Roman/Subzero Images

Johnie Berntsson (SWE), Berntsson Sailing Team, commented: “This is the second time for us here – it’s a stunning venue and we’re looking forward to it. The shifty winds make it a very challenging place for us, but we are used to that from our home waters near Gothenburg.”

One skipper who is not so worried about the tricky conditions, however, is Eric Monnin (SUI) Swiss Match Racing Team. Switzerland’s best match race helmsman, Monnin is currently ranked 26th in the world and has competed at every St. Moritz Match Race. He stepped ashore after today’s practice session relaxed and smiling, saying:

“We like sailing at our home event. We know the boats and we know we can do well in the shifty conditions – it’s what we’re used to. We do as many of the WMRT events as we can – it’s always great to sail against these people.

“The standard of racing is increasing over time, with dedicated teams having a chance of winning against the America’s Cup sailors. There were coaches on many of the boats today – you didn’t see that here five years ago.”

Ben Ainslie trains under cold and tricky conditions for the St Moritz Match Race 2010. St Moritz, 31 August 2010. Photo copyright Ian Roman/Subzero Images

The WMRT is well established as a pathway to stardom for sailors. Jérôme Clerc (SUI) Team CER Genève is an up and coming Swiss sailor, with the distinction of being the second amateur team in this year’s Tour de France a la Voile. The St Moritz Match Race will be Clerc’s first ISAF Grade WC event, having been awarded a wildcard entry after finishing second in the Qualifier Event 2010 Volvo Match Race, Zug.

Clerc added: “This is a very big challenge for us – we’ve been match racing during the winter for training, but this is our first time with the Tour. It’s a great pleasure to be able to race against the big sailing stars we’ve seen on TV. Match racing is perfect for improving our manoeuvres and crew communication – the courses are very short, so you must be very precise.”

Tomorrow morning will see Clerc pitched straight into one-on-one battles with three of the biggest names in the sailing world, starting with double ISAF World Match Racing Champion Ian Williams (GBR), Team GAC Pindar. In his next race the young Swiss sailor will face Mathieu Richard (FRA), French Match Racing Team, who’s currently at the top of the Tour rankings. Clerc will then go head-to-head against triple Olympic gold medallist and America’s Cup skipper Ben Ainslie (GBR), TEAMORIGIN.

Year, new fast boat and fair Protocol rules will be unveiled September 13th

[Source: BMW Oracle] Organizers for the 34th America’s Cup plan on September 13 to host a press conference in Valencia to reveal three of the four cornerstones of the next competition:

- The year in which it will be held
- The new Class of Boat for the competition
- The competition rules (The Protocol)
- The objective for the 34th America’s Cup has been to create the fairest-ever competition, sustainable to teams and their partners with transformed racing to attract the widest possible audience for an event planned for either 2013 or 2014.

A new, dynamic and exciting class of boat will be revealed. The year of the 34th America’s Cup Match will also be confirmed.

Negotiations over the host city venue – the fourth cornerstone – continue, but organizers are confident of making an announcement ahead of the December 31 objective.

The Protocol is now finalized and will be formally signed by the defending Golden Gate Yacht Club and the Challenger of Record, Club Nautico di Roma, in a live-streamed ceremony on the official America’s Cup web site www.AmericasCup.com.

WHAT: 34th America’s Cup Press Conference

WHY: 34th America’s Cup year, Protocol and new class of boat announced

WHEN: September 13, 2010

TIME: 1300 CET

WHERE: BMW ORACLE Racing Team Base, Port America’s Cup, Valencia, Spain

WHO: Russell Coutts (CEO BMW ORACLE Racing Team) Vincenzo Onorato (syndicate head of Challenger of Record, Mascalzone Latino)

ADTA Appoints Farr Yacht Design To Develop Team’s Volvo Open 70

[Source: Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority] US-based Farr Yacht Design (FYD), one of the world’s foremost racing-yacht design teams, has been appointed to develop Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing’s Volvo Open 70 for the 2011/12 Volvo Ocean Race, representing a major boost to the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA)-backed outfit’s title ambitions.

With more than 25 years experience, FYD-designed racing yachts have won more than 40 World Championships and have achieved a multitude of successes at international grand prix events including the Volvo Ocean Race, America’s Cup, Vendee Globe, Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, Barcelona World Race, Transat Jacques Vabre, Copa del Rey and many others.

FYD is undertaking a five-stage research & design process with the final geometry to be completed for a late September build start.

“Farr Yacht Design was selected because of its ability to tailor to our specific requirements and its strong commitment to research and design which has been ongoing since the conclusion of the 2008/2009 Volvo Ocean race,” said His Excellency Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, ADTA. “We anticipate being able to announce the appointment of the yacht-builder early September after finalising selection of six tender qualifiers from throughout the Middle East, Europe and the Far East.”

FYD’s appointment comes hard-on-the-heels of ADTA’s announcement that two-time Olympic medallist, Ian Walker of Great Britain, will skipper Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing. Walker will also play a key role during the research and design of ADTA’s Volvo Open 70 racing yacht, drawing on years of practical experience to give the team a competitive edge in the nine-months of intense, head-to-head sailing over the 39,000 nautical mile course.

The FYD team - led by the company’s President, Patrick Shaughnessy - brings significant expertise to the table, having worked extensively with the Telefonica team in the 2008/09 Volvo Ocean Race – an experience it believes is critical to making Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing a competitive force.

HE Al Muhairi (left), with HE Mohammed Ibrahim Al Mahmood, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, charts new maritime horizons for Abu Dhabi. Photo copyright Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority

“In preparation for and during the 2008/2009 Volvo Ocean race, every member of the FYD team spent considerable time sailing Volvo Open 70s. The experience we gained has allowed us to view the design challenges a little bit differently. That real world experience adds to an always evolving set of tools that we bring to bear on any R&D project,” said Shaughnessy.

“The 2011/2012 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race will be a great sporting challenge and we feel that a well managed process can deliver competitive advantages. The Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team has made good decisions in its key resource appointments, starting with Ian Walker as skipper. We believe the team will have a well designed yacht, a well built yacht, and a well sailed yacht.”

One of FYD’s key challenges is to adapt to the 2011/12 campaign rule changes, namely sail number restrictions – something the company is confident of achieving.

“The largest change comes from the restriction on the number of sails a team can use. These restrictions place a large priority on sail inventory planning, and ultimately sail reliability. The choices we make during the design process regarding sail inventory have large consequences for the way the yacht will be used throughout the race,” added Shaughnessy, who has a 14 year competitive sailing pedigree and 21 years design experience with FYD.

ADTA has also contracted Jason Carrington of Great Britain as Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing’s Technical Manager.

Carrington - who has helped build five Volvo Ocean Race yachts, has project managed three campaigns and competed in more than 30 top-tier events globally - is a major addition to the team’s on-shore and competitive race credentials, bringing with him a unique insight into all aspects of the demanding campaign.

ADTA and Walker are also currently in the final stages of appointing the team’s other crew members, and are committed to including a UAE national in the Sporting Team and another two on the Shore Team. An open selection process will begin this month in the emirate.

Plans are also being progressed with Abu Dhabi stakeholders for the UAE capital’s New Year 2012 hosting of the Volvo Ocean Race, when it sails into the sport’s record books as the first Middle East stopover in the event’s 37-year history.

Valencia Sailing talks to Christian Scherrer, organizer of the St. Moritz Match Cup

Christian Scherrer
© Juerg Kaufmann

While waiting for the breeze to pick up and the weather to cool down in Cartagena, Valencia Sailing caught up with Christian Scherrer. Not only is the Swiss sailor an accomplished trimmer with all America's Cup editions since 1994 under his belt, he's also the president of the organizing committee of the St. Moritz Match Race, the sixth stage of the World Match Racing Tour and a major sailing event in Switzerland.

Valencia Sailing: St. Moritz Match Race is Switzerland's premiere match racing event. Can you walk us through the history of the event?
Christian Scherrer: Initially, we brought match racing to St. Moritz together with Alinghi back in 2001, during my campaign with them for the 2003 America's Cup in Auckland. In addition to my job as sailor in Alinghi I was in charge of the UBS Alinghi Swiss Tour, which was, as its name implies, a match racing tour in Switzerland whose aim was to promote match racing and, of course, Alinghi. In 2001 and 2002 we held one event in St. Moritz and it turned out to be hugely popular.

I was familiar with the St. Moritz Sailing Club from my childhood days when I was sailing in the mountain lakes during the summer camps. I had fond memories from those years and since I knew the people well, after we won the 2003 America's Cup and brought it to Switzerland, I was approached by Roni Pieper, one of the club's members, in order to help them organize a match racing event, independent from Alinghi. As a result, we worked together and in the summer of 2003 we created the St. Moritz Match Race, initially a grade 3 event. From that starting point, the event grew each year and steadily built up, becoming a grade 1 event in 2005 and then in 2006 joining the then Swedish Match Tour.

Racing takes place right in front of the grandstands. Photo copyright Loris von Siebenthal

Valencia Sailing: What made you and the St. Moritz Sailing Club decide to join the Swedish Match Tour?
Christian Scherrer: At that time I was sailing a lot in the Tour and after going to various events and seeing how they worked, I was approached by James Pleasance, who was then working for the Tour. He suggested it would be very interesting for them if we could become part the Tour, so in 2005 he came to visit us and was really excited with the quality of our event. Since 2006 we are a permanent event of the Swedish Match Tour and then the World Match Racing Tour.

Valencia Sailing: How does St. Moritz Match Race compare to the other major Swiss sailing event, the Bol d'Or in Geneva? Which one is bigger?
Christian Scherrer: It's really difficult to compare the two events, it obviously depends on how you measure it, what criteria you use. For example, in terms of the number of top internationals sailors, prize money and media and TV coverage, we are probably more important than the Bol d'Or. During the events there is always a crew from the Swiss national TV and the coverage they provide on a national level is very extensive. On the other hand, they have more participating sailors and boats since we only have 12 teams.

In 2009 we attracted approximately 5,000 spectators, with the biggest group being Swiss but we also have a number of sailing fans that come from Italy, Germany and Austria, in that order. This is a big success if you take into consideration the geographical situation of St. Moritz. It is a small city up on the Alps, far away from the major Swiss cities, so you don't have the casual stroller that happens to be passing by and stops to have a look. When people come to the St. Moritz Match Race, they come for the races. We might have some tourists that come by but the vast majority take the decision to spend a few days in St. Moritz, watch the races and combine them with some other activities, like hiking, climbing or sailing on the lake. If you measure in terms of quality but not sheer quantity, these are very good numbers. Our spectators are really interested in the sport of sailing.

Racing takes place right in front of the grandstands. The iconic Badrutt's Palace Hotel at the background is one of the two main event sponsors. Photo copyright Loris von Siebenthal

Valencia Sailing: In a recent interview in Valencia Sailing, Andrew Pindar stated he took the decision to sponsor Ian Williams after going to the St. Moritz Match Race.
Christian Scherrer: Yes, Andrew has come several times to our event and really enjoys it. In my opinion it's a spectacular event for several reasons. We are at an altitude of 1,800 meters in a beautiful setting, right in the middle of the Swiss apls. It's not the only event of the World Match Racing Tour that takes place on a lake but it surely is the only one on a mountain. We also have grandstands for the spectators that are partially on the water, so the action takes place right in front of them. We try to put the race committee as close as possible, not more than 3-4 boatlengths from the edge of the stands. Initially, sailors weren't very comfortable with sailing so close to the shore but as the number of the events held very close to the shore has increased they now don't seem to mind. The boats we use are the Blu26, crewed by four sailors, that are fun to sail, competitive and especially designed for the Swiss lakes.

Valencia Sailing: If now talk about the financial aspect of the event, is it sponsor-funded?
Christian Scherrer: Yes, absolutely. We are 100% funded by our sponsors and we have two main ones. The first one is the Swiss group AFG (Arbonia-Forster-Holding) while the second one is the Badrutt's Palace Hotel. It is one of Europe's most famous and prestigious hotels and you could say it's the icon of St. Moritz. Actually, there's a long history that links the Badrutt family and the St. Moritz Sailing Club because it was founded by Hans Badrutt together with the father of Roni Pieper in 1941. These two sponsors provide the biggest part of our budget.

Since last May we also have signed Volvo Cars Switzerland as a co-sponsor. The car manufacturer supports St. Moritz Match Race but also the Volvo Match Race Zug. The Zug Yacht Club has been organizing match racing events during the last 4 years but their aspirations were to upgrade their events to a higher level. As a result, together with Volvo, we organized the first Volvo Match Race Zug last May. It has now become our second qualifier event, together with Open de España in Calpe, and its winner, Eric Monnin, secured a berth at St. Moritz Match Race.

Racing takes place right in front of the grandstands. Photo copyright Loris von Siebenthal

First victory for Groupama 70

[Source: Team Groupama] It was at 1126 hours BST on Sunday that Franck Cammas and his ten crew took victory in the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland off the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes on the Isle of Wight. By covering the 1,802 miles in 5 days 21 hours and 26 minutes at an average speed of 12.74 knots, the French crew considerably improved on the best time over this course which had previously been in the hands of the British sailors Dee Cafari and Sam Davies since 2009.

"Our arrival in the Isle of Wight was pretty magical. We powered along the island at over twenty knots under spinnaker before tacking against the current in the Solent. On crossing the finish line off the Squadron, the exhaustion swept over us. That's how you build a team; it's important" says Jean-Luc Nélias, navigator aboard Groupama 70.

Just a 150 miles left to shatter the record. Cowes, 29 August 2010. Video copyright Team Groupama

As the winner of the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland tied up to the dock in the port of Cowes, the bottle of champagne was passed around the whole crew. Very much in demand, Franck Cammas had to do a steady stream of telephone interviews and after his first confrontation against a Volvo Ocean Race specialist, the skipper of Groupama 70 was ready and waiting: "Our aim in this race was to see how the work this new team, on a new boat, has been doing over the past six months would measure up to a reference like Telefonica. The battle was great and very close-fought. We really battled hard. The confrontation was worth its weight in gold with the crew forced to sail under pressure for the first time since Groupama's engagement in the Volvo. This victory has motivated the whole team to push themselves as hard as they can. As far as the record is concerned, it's the icing on the cake" explains a happy Franck Cammas.

By taking 14 hours and 3 minutes less time than the previous Sevenstar RBI reference, Groupama 70 has confirmed the fast pace of these Volvo Ocean Race monohulls, which are capable of peak speeds in excess of 30 knots, as well as regularly sailing faster than the strength of the wind, like the multihulls that the skipper of Groupama is so familiar with.

However, the greatest satisfaction for the recent winner of the Jules Verne Trophy is a human one: "We have a new team. None of my crew come from the multihull and the three Groupama trimarans. It was necessary for me to become integrated. For that there's nothing more valuable than a race to get to know each other well and gain trust. I've learnt more in six days of racing than in six months of training in Lorient during our day sails. This victory binds our crew for the future".

Next up the crew will quickly have to head back out to sea to return to the base in Lorient: "We'll have left before Telefonica arrives. We're not being prudish, but our work schedule is a busy one and every minute counts until the start of the Volvo in November 2011. It would be a mistake to underestimate our rivals" concludes Jean-Luc Nélias.

- Time of passage over the finish line: 1126 hours BST
- Race time: 5 days 21 hours and 26 minutes
- Average speed over the 1,802 mile course: 12.74 knots
- Lead over the previous record: 14 hours and 3 minutes

Crew of Groupama 70
1. Franck Cammas, skipper
2. Jean-Luc Nélias, navigator
3. Laurent Pagès, watch leader
4. Magnus Woxen, watch leader
5. Charles Caudrelier, trimmer
6. Erwan Israël, trimmer, under 30 years of age
7. Martin Strömberg, trimmer and pitman, under 30 years of age
8. Sébastien Marsset, trimmer and pitman, under 30 years of age
9. Mike Pammenter, bowman, under 30 years of age
10. Martin Krite, bowman, under 30 years of age
11. Yann Riou, media crew

GP42 class to announce 2011 season schedule

[Source: GP42 Class Association] At the Audi MedCup in Cartagena, the GP42 Class has held a meeting to discuss plans for its future in the 2011 racing season, and beyond.

In an effort to maximize participation and interest for next year, the class has decided to announce its 2011 season championship schedule prior to the next stage of the Audi MedCup in Cagliari. This is to both attract previous GP42 teams back to class racing, as well as to attract new teams interested in the class.

An early commitment made by the GP42 owners will help event organizers in their planning, as well as to give the class a strong hand in pursuing potential sponsorship opportunities.

The choice of events will be made based on a variety of criteria, including:
- prestige of the regatta and its organization
- its excellence in race management;
- suitable locations for all participating teams
- press and media coverage

Venues currently under consideration include:
- Capri (ITA)
- Palma (ESP)
- Porto Cervo (ITA)
- Valencia (ESP)

Other venues and events are also under consideration.

“We are excited to make this firm commitment to the 2011 season,” said GP42 Class President Javier Goizueta. “The Audi MedCup has been fantastic for us, but we look forward to expand class racing to new and exciting racing venues.”

In addition to the season schedule options, confirmation was made of rule changes discussed at the previous class meeting in Barcelona:
- bowsprit allowed
- reduction of crew weight to 720 kg
- new sail limits (1 main, 3 jibs, 2 spinnakers, 1 staysail & 1 free sail)
- no outside assistance allowed while racing
- square-head mains are under consideration
- once approved, no further rule changes made until after December 2013

Furthermore, proposals have been submitted by the Comar, Longitud Cero, and Marine Composite boatyards to offer a series-produced GP42 design to be available for lower cost than comparable custom-built designs.

“These changes will help make the GP42’s even higher performance while limiting costs,” said GP42 Class Manager Paolo Massarini. “These changes are also made to help include boats into the class who are currently racing outside the MedCup.”

Move Over Monohulls, Final Results of C Class Championships

[Source: New York Yacht Club] If wing technology didn’t have everyone’s attention after BMW Oracle Racing’s victorious 33rd America’s Cup, it definitely does now. The high speeds and almost instant acceleration of cambered foils had members of America’s Cup syndicates, top designers, and all sailors in awe.

Canadian C Class Catamaran Team of Fred Eaton, Magnus Clarke, Steve Killing, Rob Paterson, and Rossi Milev have been along for the entire ride, one way or another. Clarke, Paterson, and Milev took six months off from their C Class program to manage wing protection for the largest wingmast ever built for a race-boat: BMW Oracle’s (223 foot) 68 metre-tall wing. Reunited in March, their team brought four wings to the International C Class Catamaran Championship hosted by New York Yacht Club on Narragansett Bay this past week.

“Upwind the camber is moderate, but downwind with the flap set at 40 degrees, the wing will produce almost double the force of an equal area soft sail,” explains Killing.

Eaton and Clarke raced Killing’s latest design, Canaan, to a thrilling victory today in the final day of match racing.

Thrilling for a number of reasons, not the least of which was that they sparred with two of sailing’s most accomplished sailors and proven match-race experts, James Spithill and Glenn Ashby.

Final day of the C Class Championships. Newport, 28 August 2010. Photo copyright Christophe Launay

"It's fun to sail with your buddies because you mostly sail on your own in the class, and because the guys in the class are universally interesting, “ says Eaton. “They are interested and passionate about sailing high performance boats and I appreciate that because I am too. We rarely get to race these boats. There can't be that many of them since we're all trying to make it a fleet of one — we're all trying to make the other guy's boat look slow. The C Class is a great exploration of yacht design."

Eaton’s interest in developing his fleet of cats was in large part inspired by American Steve Clark’s 11-year hold of the class trophy in Cogito. Eaton arranged with a French team to race Patient Lady VI, the Australians Ashby and Spithill to race his 2007 C Class trophy winner Alpha, and a second Canadian entry of Rob Paterson and Dan Cunningham to race Orion.

Over the years England’s Team Invictus has been percolating a program with the help of Airbus engineers and the UK’s finest multihull sailors. The UK sailing team of Paul Larsen and Gordon Kaiser made it round the buoys this week, which Clark unfortunately did not — both of Steve Clark’s boats and new wings were damaged right before the event commenced, and the second boat only minutes after the first start.

At the outset of racing, the older Alpha appeared better equipped to handle the heavier air and the Ashby/Spithill team took the lead. The newer Canaan was in her element in the lighter conditions at the end of the week.

The next C Class Championship is slated to be raced in Weymouth, England, date to be determined.

AUDI Medcup - Cartagena Trophy - Day 4: When the going gets tough Emirates Team NZ get going

I often refer to Emirates Team New Zealand as the "world's best monohull sailing team" and as a result I have received quite a few emails asking when was the last World monohull sailing championship held because they seemed to have missed it. Obviously, such a kind of world championship has never been held but if there was the slightest doubt about ETNZ it was surely dissipated in today's two races.

Saturday was a very tough and testing day with rough seas and strong breeze, reaching 25 knots. The schedule called for a windward/leeward race, followed by a 22-mile long coastal race. Emirates Team NZ showed their excellent form and dominated the fleet by scoring two bullets. I don't remember how many time I must have repeated this but they just sailed flawlessly while their yacht was "flying" in the fresh breeze. Not only did they win both races but the disastrous coastal race for Team Origin gave them the opportunity to leap to first place overall in the regatta. Team Origin where around the middle of the fleet in the reaching leg but after rounding the small rock island off the coast they broke their forestay and had to sail the rest of the race with just the mainsail on. The crossed the finish line inside the port in last position, certainly not the result they wanted in a race with weight 1.5 times.

I was onboard Matador in the coastal race and I have to admit it wasn't an easy ride. We got completely soaked 4-5 times, the waves were unforgiving and just avoiding falling doing was a demanding exercise. As a result, unfortunately, I had to put a premium on securing my gear over taking spectacular photos or video.

Riding the waves onboard Matador. Cartagena, 28 August 2010. Video copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The coastal race for Matador could be very well summed up in two sentences. The first one was voiced by Francesco Bruni, after rounding the mark at the end of the long upwind leg in second position behind Emirates Team New Zealand, and it was "The shore is good". Indeed the shore proved to be very good for Matador. The Italian brainpower onboard the Argentinean boat, Francesco Bruni and Vasco Vascotto, took the bold decision to part from the rest of fleet and go as close to the shore as possible. Not only did they find very strong breeze, I saw up to 25.5 knots in various occasions as we were almost touching the rocks, a positive current of almost 2 knots propelled them ahead to second place.

Unfortunately, the reaching leg to the small rock island of Las Palomas wasn't as successful and that's where the second sentence comes. Matador is an Argentinean boat and as a result, even if the long term tactical discussions are in Italian and the maneuvers are in English, Spanish is the prevailing language onboard. So, the second sentence that summarizes the coastal race on Matador is "El kukú cost us two places". As we were approaching the island, Matador were defending their second place but Artemis and Bigamist had threateningly closed in and were ready to grab every opportunity Matador would give them. Bruni and Vascotto had decided the next move was to do a peeling and go for "El kukú". As I was told after the race, "El kukú" is the nickname the crew has for a particular A3 gennaker they have. Unfortunately, sloppy crew work meant the gennaker couldn't come down, 2 minutes of furious yelling and shouting took place and when the gennaker was finally down, Artemis and Bigamist were ahead. Matador crossed the finish line frouth

Caja Mediterráneo Region of Murcia Trophy - Day 4
1. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 4+2+5+4+3+1+1,5= 20,5 points
2. TeamOrigin (GBR), 3+1+3+2+1+3+16,5= 29,5
3. Matador (ARG), 1+4+1+5+8+5+6= 30
4. Artemis (SWE), 5+6+2+10+4+6+3= 36
5. Quantum Racing (USA), 9+5+6+3+7+2+7,5= 39,5
6. Bribón (ESP), 7+11+4+1+10+4+12= 49
7. Luna Rossa (ITA), 2+7+9+6+2+9+15= 50
8. Synergy (RUS), 8+3+7+11+6+7+10,5= 52,5
9. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER), 6+8+11+8+9+10+9= 61
10. Bigamist 7 (POR), 11+9+8+9+11+11+4,5= 63,5
11. Cristabella (GBR), 10+10+10+7+5+8+13,5= 63,5

Classic beauty

Not all sailing is about the America's Cup, the TP52's, carbon fiber or 3Di sails. While the world's top sailors are racing in the Cartagena regatta of the AUDI Medcup, fifty beautiful classic yachts are taking part in the 7th edition of the Vela Clásica Menorca - Trofeo Panerai in the Balearic island of Menorca.

For all those that were born when personal computers and mobile phones didn't exist, the boat Eilean (flag 15) might strike a chord because it was the yacht Duran Duran were pretending to be sailing in the videoclip of their hit Rio back in 1982.

Here's a selection of excellent photos young Spanish photographer Pedro Martinez sent us for the event.

Vela Clásica Menorca - Trofeo Panerai. Menorca, 27 August 2010. Pedro Martinez: Photo copyright Pedro Martinez

Vela Clásica Menorca - Trofeo Panerai. Menorca, 27 August 2010. Pedro Martinez: Photo copyright Pedro Martinez

Vela Clásica Menorca - Trofeo Panerai. Menorca, 27 August 2010. Pedro Martinez: Photo copyright Pedro Martinez

Vela Clásica Menorca - Trofeo Panerai. Menorca, 27 August 2010. Photo copyright Pedro Martinez

Vela Clásica Menorca - Trofeo Panerai. Menorca, 27 August 2010. Photo copyright Pedro Martinez

Vela Clásica Menorca - Trofeo Panerai. Menorca, 27 August 2010. Photo copyright Pedro Martinez

Day One of Match Racing Sees Two Winners in the International C Class Championship

[Source: New York Yacht Club] The wind was light and patchy on this first day of match-racing in the International C-Class Catamaran Championship. Canaan, the black cat raced by the Canadian defenders Fred Eaton and Magnus Clarke, was in her element yesterday, winning three of three races.

Today, was not so smooth. After a significant shift to the south the seabreeze filled in at 12 knots and the third attempt to run a race was a success. More of a success for Alpha however, sailed by Australians, Glenn Ashby and James Spithill.

At the approach to the line Canaan stalled, losing the start and six legs later the first match-race. 1-0 for Australia. In the fleet race designed for the French, British and second Canadian entry, Orion retired. Invictus, of England, crossed the finish line first, and despite powering around the course, just milliseconds after crossing the line Patient Lady VI’s wing tumbled.

First day of match racing at the Little America's Cup. Newport, 27 August 2010. Photo copyright Christophe Launay.

The Australians again took the start of the second race. The beat up to the windward mark just north of the Pell Bridge saw them round ahead of Canaan, but not by much. A boat length or two. The Canadians, however, passed the Aussies in a diminishing breeze on the downwind leg and then they were off. Canaan finished ahead of Alpha, by over a minute.

“Not bad for a couple of hosers from Canada, eh?” says Eaton with a humble grin.

A twist-control repair to the Aussie boat paired with a dying breeze curtailed racing for the day. The score is now 1-1 and racing is scheduled to resume tomorrow morning for the final day of the championship.

First day of match racing at the Little America's Cup. Newport, 27 August 2010. Photo copyright Christophe Launay.

Emirates Team New Zealand struggle in light and tricky day; Team Origin excel

Friday in Cartagena, third day of racing for the TP52 fleet, was long, tricky and very hot. Emirates Team New Zealand struggled in the light winds in the first two races, finishing 5th and 4th, but managed to make an incredible comeback in the second beat of the last race to cross the finish line 3rd. Team Origin showed overall consistency throughout the day scoring a 3rd, a 2nd and a bullet. Still, not all is bleak for the kiwis. They are second in Cartagena, so far, but they have also managed to increase their overall lead in the circuit, given the disappointing performance so far by Quantum.

My report today is almost exclusively focused on Emirates Team New Zealand as I had the unique opportunity to be onboard their TP52 boat in the first and third race. Who would turn down the offer to be on the yacht of the world's best monohull sailing team in two races the same day?

Caja Mediterráneo Region of Murcia Trophy - TP52 Series - Day 3
1. TeamOrigin (GBR), 3+1+3+2+1= 10 points
2. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 4+2+5+4+3= 18
3. Matador (ARG), 1+4+1+5+8= 19
4. Luna Rossa (ITA), 2+7+9+6+2= 26
5. Artemis (SWE), 5+6+2+10+4= 27
6. Quantum Racing (USA), 9+5+6+3+7= 30
7. Bribón (ESP), 7+11+4+1+10= 33
8. Synergy (RUS), 8+3+7+11+6= 35
9. Cristabella (GBR), 10+10+10+7+5= 42
10. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER), 6+8+11+8+9= 42
11. Bigamist 7 (POR), 11+9+8+9+11= 48

Race 1 Finishing in the middle of the fleet, certainly isn't a performance the kiwis were looking forward. It took about an hour for the breeze to fill in to acceptable levels and the race committee fired the starting gun under a southwesterly between 6 and 8 knots. Emirates Team New Zealand simply didn't have their mojo. They had a pretty average start, rounded the top mark fourth but slipped to fifth, after an incredible Matador passed them in the second beat. It becomes evident that NZL-380 is optimized for fresher breezes and struggles in the range we had in the first race.

Onboard Emirates Team New Zealand in the prestart of the race. Cartagena, 27 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Excellent start for Matador and Team Origin. Cartagena, 27 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Quantum in the first beat. Cartagena, 27 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Tony Rae working hard on the runners in the first beat. Cartagena, 27 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa had a mediocre first race, finishing 9th. Cartagena, 27 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ and Matador at the approach to the top mark. Cartagena, 27 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ round the top mark in fourth place. Cartagena, 27 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Adam Beashel checking the race course in the first run. Cartagena, 27 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Jules Salter checking the race course in the first run. Cartagena, 27 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Onboard Emirates Team New Zealand in the second beat of the race. Cartagena, 27 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Origin leads at the second top mark, followed by Matador and Artemis. Cartagena, 27 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Tony Rae and Winston Macfarlane grind during a gybe in the last stretch of the race. Cartagena, 27 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ head to the finish line while Matador and Artemis find a good puff at the committee boat side and push Team Origin to third place. Cartagena, 27 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Race 3 After a fourth place in the second race, the final race of the day could have turned out to be a pitiful one hadn't been for an incredible recovery in the second beat. Once again, the kiwis had an average start and struggled in the first beat, rounding the top mark eighth. Convinced a left shift would pay out handsomely in the first run, NZL-380 stayed on the left hand side, reaching a lateral separation from the rest of the fleet that had never been seen. The shift was there but not the pressure. It was almost straight line sailing to the leeward gate for NZL-380 but the gain was just one place. That's where the cards turned around and Emirates Team New Zealand fired on all cylinders. The right side was definitely favored and with the fresher breeze NZL-380 powered ahead, rounding the top mark in third place, behind Team Origin and Luna Rossa, and finishing the race in the same order.

Prestart of the second race onboard Emirates Team NZ. Cartagena, 27 August 2010. Videocopyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of the third race. Cartagena, 27 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

This race as well would be average for Quantum. Cartagena, 27 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ approaching the top mark. Cartagena, 27 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Is this type of intense physical action at the mark roundings going to disappear in the 34th America's Cup? Cartagena, 27 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ afterguard takes the decision to separate from the fleet and sty on the left side. Cartagena, 27 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The entire fleet stays on the right in the first run. Cartagena, 27 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The tactical play doesn't pay while Team Origin start the second beat with a comfortable lead. Cartagena, 27 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The right is definitely favored in the second beat and NZL-380 storms ahead. Cartagena, 27 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ rounds the top mark in 3rd place. Cartagena, 27 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Last gybe before the finish line. Cartagena, 27 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Finally! A shot with more than 3 boats at the stern of NZL-380. Cartagena, 27 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

AUDI Medcup - Cartagena Trophy - Day 2: No racing due to lack of wind

It's been a disappointing day in Cartagena as the most pessimistic weather forecasts became a reality. After holding the fleet ashore for almost two hours, the race committee tried to find, unfortunately in vain, a spot with some decent breeze in order to set a race course. The breeze never passed the 4-knot barrier and as a result they called off racing for the day.

Tomorrow Friday, the GP42's will try to hold their first races while the TP52's will drop their scheduled coastal race for more windward-leeward races. Unfortunately, that might not be an easy task as a heatwave originating from northern Africa is affecting Spain. In fact today was the hottest day of the year so far and it won't get any cooler before next week.

Caja Mediterráneo Region of Murcia Trophy - Day 2
1. TeamOrigin (GBR), 3+1= 4 points
2. Matador (ARG), 1+4= 5
3. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 4+2= 6
4. Luna Rossa (ITA), 2+7= 9
5. Synergy (RUS), 8+3= 11
6. Artemis (SWE), 5+6= 11
7. Quantum Racing (USA), 9+5= 14
8. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER), 6+8= 14
9. Bribón (ESP), 7+11= 18
10. Bigamist 7 (POR), 11+9= 20
11. Cristabella (GBR), 10+10= 20

Quantum Racing's Ed Reynolds. Cartagena, 26 August 2010. Sander van der Borch: Photo copyright Sander van der Borch / Artemis

Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race: Groupama ahead of Telefonica

[Source: Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race] At 07:00 this morning, Groupama were bound for St. Kilda with Telefónica Azul closing the gap behind them. Groupama are still out in front on Day Four of the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race, but overnight the wind speed dropped from 15 knots to just a zephyr of wind. Groupama are now barely moving forward but Telefónica Azul is a weapon in light airs and they are clawing back the miles. Although conditions on board are now calm, concentration levels need to be maintained. After the physical exertion of the last three days, it is now mental strength that becomes paramount, keeping alert when every part of your being is willing you to sleep is just as grueling.

Onbaord Groupama 70. Shetland, 25 August 2010. Video copyright Team Groupama

Video: Russell Coutts talks to TVNZ's Martin Tasker

TVNZ's yachting correspondent Martin Tasker talks to Oracle skipper Russell Coutts about plans for the next America's Cup. I don't think there is any doubt that Coutts favors multihulls over monohulls as the choice of boat for the 34th America's Cup. Officially, the decision on the type of yacht will be made public before the end of September. Any bets?

Russell Coutts talks to TVNZ about his team's plans for the 34th America's Cup. Auckland, 26 August 2010. Video copyright TV New Zealand

Spithill and Ashby Dominate Day 1 of International C Class Championship

[Source: New York Yacht Club] The nor’easter departed New England today — more or less — and is off to ruin Canada for a couple of days. Its departure — better late than never — gave the half-dozen winged multihulls sailing in the International C-Class Catamaran Championship at the New York Yacht Club’s Harbour Court a chance to stop talking and start performing. As if they needed any other encouragement.

Wednesday’s racing took place near Half Way Rock, north of the Pell Bridge, to minimize the remnants of the seas and breeze from the northeast. The wind at the start of the first race was 16 to 20 with puffs pushing it a bit higher. In the first race, Alpha, sailed by Australians Glenn Ashby and James Spithill, had a brilliant port-tack start. It was a shot over the bow. Ashby is an Olympic Silver Medalist and nine-time A-Class, world champion; Spithill was helmsman on BMW Oracle’s wing-sailed trimaran that won the recent 33rd America’s Cup.

Certainly a major story line was the first-leg capsize of Aethon, Steve Clark's and Oliver Moore’s C-Class Cat. This was a new boat for Clark, an American, the absolute prime-mover in the class, who held the International C-Class Catamaran trophy for 11 years, from 1996-2007. Clark has been as important to the class as Tony DiMauro was to the previous generation. These boats motor — on the sunny side of 20 knots — and the disturbed air off a freighter set off a chain reaction that resulted in a capsize and the loss of the wing.

Spithill and Ashby Dominate Day 1 of International C Class Championship. Newport, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Christophe Launay

There would be other casualties as well. Orion, sailed by a Canadian team of Dan Cunningham and Rob Paterson, dropped out of the first race with a broken chainplate, and the venerable Patient Lady VI, sailed by the French team of Antoine Koch and Jérémie Lagarrigue, had rudder problems. All were accounted for. Indeed, Patient Lady VI returned to finish the second race and the third.

Ashby and Spithill were passed on the first leg by the event’s defender Canadians Fred Eaton and Magnus Clarke. Then it was a full-on rumble between these two cats, both designed by Steve Killing, and indeed, both owned by Eaton. Anyone who ever said that multihulls can’t match race was forever silenced by this display.There were passes galore – the absolute essence of racing. The winning margin was two seconds in the Australians’ favor.

The second race, in 12 to 14 knots of wind, was less dramatic with Ashby and Spithill leading Eaton and Clarke around the course.

The third race of the day was won by the Canadians, Fred Eaton and Magnus Clarke onboard Canaan.

And tomorrow is another day…

Results after day 1:

1. Alpha (AUS 1), 1+1+2= 4 points
2. Canaan (CAN 9), 2+2+1= 5 points
3. Invictus (GBR 38), 3+4+3= 10 points
4. Patient Lady VI (FRA 2), 7+3+4= 14 points
5. Aethon (USA 104), 7+7+7= 21 points
6. Orion (CAN 9), 7+7+7= 21 points

Aethon, Steve Clark's and Oliver Moore’s cat, capsizes. Newport, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Christophe Launay

Aethon, Steve Clark's and Oliver Moore’s cat, capsizes. Newport, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Christophe Launay

Aethon, Steve Clark's and Oliver Moore’s cat, capsizes. Newport, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Christophe Launay

Aethon, Steve Clark's and Oliver Moore’s cat, capsizes. Newport, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Christophe Launay

Aethon, Steve Clark's and Oliver Moore’s cat, capsizes. Newport, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Christophe Launay

Aethon, Steve Clark's and Oliver Moore’s cat, capsizes. Newport, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Christophe Launay

Cartagena Trophy - Day 1 - Race 2: Team Origin wins and grabs overall lead

The second race of the day took place under slightly lighter conditions and with a definite bias on the committee boat end of the start line. According to Paul Cayard, the right hand side of the course was very favored upwind due to the Easterly flowing current offshore. The committee did not bias the line to the left so the fleet was bunched up at the committee boat end of the line at the starts. In fact, the start was the key for Team Origin's great race and the overall lead.

Ben Ainslie helmed the British TP52 yacht to a clean start, with good speed ahead of the fleet. Team Origin was again the first boat to get to the very favored right side and rounded the first weather mark first, ahead of Synergy and Emirates Team New Zealand. A combination of excellent tactics, boat handling and boat speed allowed Team Origin to keep the lead to the finish line. The top three spots would have remained unchanged if it weren't for a badly executed gybe on Synergy in the last run that put the New Zealanders ahead of the Russians.

Caja Mediterráneo Region of Murcia Trophy - Day 1
1. TeamOrigin (GBR), 3+1= 4 points
2. Matador (ARG), 1+4= 5
3. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 4+2= 6
4. Luna Rossa (ITA), 2+7= 9
5. Synergy (RUS), 8+3= 11
6. Artemis (SWE), 5+6= 11
7. Quantum Racing (USA), 9+5= 14
8. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER), 6+8= 14
9. Bribón (ESP), 7+11= 18
10. Bigamist 7 (POR), 11+9= 20
11. Cristabella (GBR), 10+10= 20

Start of the second race of the day and it's a very good one for Team Origin. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Bribón find themselves at the wrong side of the committee boat. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Origin lead the fleet in the first beat of the second race. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Origin lead the fleet at the first weather mark. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Synergy and Emirates Team NZ follow at the first weather mark. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Quantum had another mediocre beat, rounding the top mark in eighth place. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Origin extend their lead in the first run. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Origin round the leeward gate in first place, ahead of Synergy. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Probably the day's funniest incident took place when a furious cargo ship went streaming right in the middle of the course when the fleet was halfway through the second beat. Fortunately, it didn't affect the race. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of last run. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

It ain't over till it's over. Emirates Team NZ steal second place from Synergy after a badly executed gybe on the Russian boat. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing