Superyacht News

Quest for the fastest monohull on the planet.

2010-03-04T15:34:00.017Z

News Release 2 – 3^rd March, 2010

Revealing (some) Secrets Behind the SpeedDream Performance Concept

image from SpeedDream via www.ajaxnetphoto.com

In this News Release the SpeedDream team lifts (only slightly) the veil surrounding their revolutionary design concept and shares some ideas on how they plan to advance monohull performance to a totally new level. “We want the sailing public to be aware of our campaign and to get involved in the SpeedDream challenge with their ideas, comments and support,” says design coordinator Vlad Murnikov. “We do, however, have to be careful about how much information we can let out on this very early stage of the project. This News Release should be viewed with the understanding that our team has many more tricks up our sleeves which we will keep there for a time being. We will continue to work tirelessly on improving our radical SpeedDream concept until it evolves into the most extraordinary speed machine ever. And we will continue sharing our progress with you every step of the way.”

Items covered in this News Release are:

Monohull versus Multihull

A Slender Hull that Sails through the Waves

The search for the Ultimate Canting Keel

A Boat with Wings

Making a Wet Boat Less Wet – and More Beautiful

Learning from Powerboats

SpeedDream Design Background

Monohull versus Multihull

The SpeedDream campaign, the quest to create the world’s fastest monohull, is gaining momentum. The reaction to the SpeedDream announcement in early January was overwhelmingly positive demonstrating that the sailing world is ready for a radical super-fast monohull, capable of competing on equal terms with the record-setting multihulls.

"If everything comes together as anticipated our revolutionary boat will be capable of reaching and maintaining unprecedented open-ocean speeds," says project leader Vlad Murnikov. Murnikov is confident that many new records will be set in open ocean conditions including the fastest transatlantic crossing as well as the fastest non-stop global circumnavigation.”

Why a monohull?

“For decades catamarans and trimarans have proven themselves to be the fastest boats under sail," says Murnikov. "All this time these multihulls have enjoyed unrestricted development leaving their designers free to explore every possible recipe for speed. Monohull development, on the other hand, has always been governed by strict class rules which puts a big damper on single-hull performance capabilities."

Today’s fastest monohull, the VOR 70, is a relatively conservative design developed in accordance with a stringent 'box' rule in order to keep all boats similar and to reduce costs, and risks, associated with the ultimate ocean race. These rules put limits on length, beam, draft, displacement, rig dimensions, and sail area, all the major design parameters, as well as materials that can be used for boat’s construction. And yet, despite all these restrictions, VOR 70s are capable of reaching speeds in excess of 40 knots, the same as some of the fastest multihulls. The problem is, much wider and shorter monohulls tend to slow down after each burst of speed, while catamarans and trimarans, with their needle-like hull forms, can sustain higher speeds for a substantially longer periods of time. This explains why multihulls dominate the record pages.

The SpeedDream team believes, however, that the current superior multihull performance could be matched and even exceeded by a monohull if we are able to throw away all restrictions and design the most advanced boat possible.

“After all multihulls, no matter how long and slender, still sail in displacement mode while high-speed monohulls can glide over the water in a much more efficient planing mode,” explains Murnikov. “We see potential for a quantum leap forward in monohull performance, a true design revolution. While this is happening catamarans and trimarans would continue their incremental advancement becoming larger and wider while growing more complex and costly.”

Generally, light boats are fast. Monohull critics are quick to point out that the ballast weight that a traditional single-hull boat has to carry in order to achieve sufficient stability is dead weight most of the time. Recent advancements in canting keel design allow for enormous gains in stability while reducing ballast weight. In fact you can hardly call a canting keel a “keel”. It’s more accurately a ‘stability strut’ that adds power in a very efficient and effective manner. It’s true that multihulls don’t need ballast for generating righting moment but they do have to carry around the weight of at least one or even two extra hulls, plus all the complex structure necessary to keep it all together.

“Advancements in modern technology and design make it possible to produce a monohull with a comparable weight and righting moment of a multihull while taking full advantage of the drag reduction of a high-speed planing hull,” says Murnikov. “Our preliminary estimates show that the SpeedDream concept would result in a monohull capable of reaching speed in excess of 50 knots and maintaining an average speed on par with the fastest multihulls. Creating the world’s fastest monohull questions the status quo and shatters existing stereotypes of high performance sailing, while adding a new level of excitement to the never-ending quest for speed.”

When SpeedDream is built, the boat will effect the sailing community in more profound ways than any speed-record multihull could ever do simply because the vast majority of sailboats on water are monohulls. The design innovation and research that will go into this project, and the experience gained from it, will benefit the future of sailboat design and set the direction for generations of yachts to come.

A Slender Hull that Sails through the Waves

image from SpeedDream via www.ajaxnetphoto.com

High performance results from a combination of two main factors: providing a boat with enough power and reducing resistance in order to utilize this power in the most efficient way possible. Most designers focus performance optimization on increasing power. Multihulls are typical of this approach as they grow larger and wider with each new generation in order to achieve higher and higher sail-carrying capability. This, however, results in over-powered vessels that are inevitably over-stressed requiring a more and more robust structure to survive. This all comes at the expense of extra weight which in turn calls for even more power to maintain speed.

“Our solution is to reduce drag, by all means possible,” says Vlad Murnikov. “This way all the available wind power is used more efficiently requiring less sail area to achieve higher speeds. Less righting moment is needed, the boat is less stressed and will be lighter while remaining strong. Lighter means faster”.

To greatly reduce resistance the SpeedDream boat features a relatively narrow, slender hull, almost triangular in plan view and equipped with a sharp wave-piercing bow. The goal is to reduce drag in heavy seas as well as minimize pitching and slamming.

The boat is designed to sail most of time at a constant heel angle of around 20-25 degrees. This angle of heel will be maintained by adjusting sail area and keel angle in accordance to the changes in wind strength. Both the hull and rig are optimized to be most efficient in such conditions with the hull having two narrow planing surfaces port and starboard, each tilted at 20-25 degrees. Further design development will concentrate on verifying the optimal heel angle and determining both the shape and width of the planing surfaces in order to achieve the best combination of maximum hydrodynamic lift and minimal hull drag. The resulting hull design will have minimal volume and surface area with its buoyancy and hydraulic lift moved as far outboard as possible.

The search for the Ultimate Canting Keel

VOR 70 rules limit keel cant to 40 degrees. The geometry of most modern canting systems allows for a maximum cant of up to 50 degrees. Beyond 50 degrees the loads grow dangerously high. For SpeedDream we have developed a proprietary system that allows much higher cant angles while at the same time being able to significantly reduce loads. The goal is to ultimately sail the boat with the keel completely out of water thereby removing a significant amount of drag. Even if the keel is going get submerged periodically, on the whole this concept promises sizable benefits to overall drag reduction.

A Boat with Wings

Wings were first attached to the keel in 1983 to help the Australians win the America’s Cup. Recently we saw a huge wing sail propelling BMW Oracle to its victory. Now the SpeedDream designers are looking closer at wings, trying to utilize uniquely shaped hydrofoils to create additional righting moment and to partially offset the boat’s displacement. Placed near the center of gravity to diminish the negative effect of hull movement on their performance, these foils will be capable of creating lift equal to 30-50% of the total displacement. The wings could be retractable or fixed and could be used as separate appendages or in combination with a daggerboard. The parameters of the wing will be decided in the later stages of design process.

Further analysis will be focused on finding the optimal size and shape of the hydrofoils and their profile in order to achieve maximum lift and minimal drag.

Making a Wet Boat Less Wet – and More Beautiful

It’s hard to underestimate the importance of the deck design and layout as it relates to performance since at high speed the deck will frequently get submerged. Its shape will be sculptured to shed water as quickly and to throw as little water and spray forward as possible and to prevent large amounts of water reaching the cockpit. All of this will help reduce resistance and provide the best protection for the crew.

“Naturally the task of protecting the crew from the elements on a boat intended to reach 50+ knots in real ocean conditions is an enormous design challenge, but we have a few interesting tricks up our sleeve that will help make this inevitably wet boat a little bit less wet and more comfortable for her crew,” says Murnikov.

The deck, with several strategically placed breakwaters, is designed to shed water aside as quickly as possible. The cockpit is set far aft and is significantly elevated relative to the rest of boat, and both the helmsman and crew are protected by good-size dodgers. The cockpit sole is a mesh trampoline with a deep, steeply sloped channel below that allows water to easily pass aft and discharge through the open transom with minimal impact on the crew and boat speed.

“It has to be said that so far no offshore sailboat has ever sailed at such speeds so we are venturing into totally uncharted territory. No one quite knows what we will face there,” admits Murnikov. “High-performance sailing could be dangerous, but so is climbing Mount Everest or driving an F1 car. Our design team will keep working on making this boat as safe as possible and we believe that the experience gained throughout our project will greatly benefit all offshore sailors.”

All the functional attributes of the SpeedDream design also contribute to the boat’s strikingly futuristic image. “I view design as part science and part art and believe that beautiful boats are fast boats. This boat looks like nothing ever seen before and to my eye she is very beautiful, and therefore she has to be very fast,” jokes designer Murnikov.

Learning from Powerboats

Among other venues the SpeedDream design team is actively exploring are applications of stepped hulls, spray rails and other speed-enhancing features that are widely used on powerboats. “The next step will be to take a closer look on the benefits of bottom aeration in order to further reduce wetted surface,” says Murnikov. “And that’s only a start. During the extensive research and development process, throughout design, construction and boat testing, our designers and engineers will keep improving our revolutionary SpeedDream concept until it evolves into the most extraordinary speed machine ever.”

SpeedDream Design Background

SpeedDream is the brainchild of Vlad Murnikov, a radical sailboat designer, born in Russia, now based in the USA. Vlad was the project leader and design coordinator for FAZISI, Russia's first-ever entry in the Whitbread Round the World Race, the premier oceanic sailing competition in the world, now known as the Volvo Ocean Race. In the 1989-90 Whitbread race, not only did the remarkable FAZISI with her minimal budget and crew of novice sailors overcome impossible odds to place 11th in a field of the world’s best yachts, she posted the next-to-longest 24-hour run racking up the then-incredible 386 miles in a single day.

FAZISI was one of the lightest boats in the entire Whitbread fleet. Although the almost twice-as–heavy, over-canvassed New Zealand ketch STEINLAGER won the race under the command of the legendary skipper Peter Blake, the light-displacement boats ultimately prevailed in the design competition. Today they fully dominate the racing scene getting lighter and faster with every new generation. Murnikov’s unique SpeedDream concept improves upon the once-revolutionary FAZISI blueprint and advances the scientific art of boat design into yet uncharted territory.

Another trend-setting design that influenced the SpeedDream concept was MX-Ray, a revolutionary boat that forever changed small boat sailing. When Murnikov came up with the idea of super-fast, single-handed dinghy with asymmetric spinnaker, nobody believed that the concept could work or that there would be sailors skillful enough to handle such a boat.

Not only did the tiny 13-foot MX-Ray proved to be extremely fast, capable of reaching 27 knots, she turned out to be great fun and very easy to operate. Over the years more that a half-dozen designs from various manufacturers followed in her wake, and today practically every dinghy producer has a similar boat in their line-up. It is from the MX-Ray that the SpeedDream concept has borrowed her sharp wave-piercing bow, very narrow waterline, and dart-shaped hull.

Other members of the SpeedDream design team are bringing their cutting edge expertise in offshore racing boats, record multihulls, hydrodynamics, structural engineering, hydrofoil and keel design. On top of this SpeedDream’s innovative rig and sails are going be developed by industry leaders. We are confident that our team is capable of producing the fastest sailboat ever.

For more information please take a look at the latest SpeedDream magazine found online at http://issuu.com/speeddream/docs/speeddream2

Attached 3D renderings are by Tyler Doyle of Doyle Sailmakers - www.doylesails.com

For more information and to obtain the high-resolution images, please contact SpeedDream Media:

Speeddreammedia@gmail.com

Brian Hancock - Media Relations

Vlad Murnikov – Design Aspects

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ATOLLVIC SHIPYARD SPONSORS WORLD SUPERYACHT AWARDS 2010

2010-02-01T12:53:00.003Z

Press Release

29 January 2010, Vigo, Spain.

Atollvic Shipyard, specialists in the construction, refit and repair of luxury sail and motor yachts, is proudly partnering with organisers of the World Superyacht Awards 2010 by sponsoring the category for the Best Sailing Yacht in 30m to 44m size range. The 5th annual ceremony of the World Superyacht Awards, taking place on Saturday 22 May at London’s Guildhall, will see Atollvic celebrate the best of the best in superyacht build and design.

Strategically positioned in Vigo on the north-west coast of Spain, Atollvic’s new-build team combines a highly skilled group of designers with naval architects and interior specialists to craft vessels that perform seamlessly and offer the ultimate in tailored comfort and style. The Spanish shipyard, which also provides refit and repair services, can fulfil a broad range of projects including motor yachts, sailboats and luxury superyachts and is part of Grupo Vicalsa, a group of companies with more than 35 years experience in the construction and repair of steel and aluminium boats.

The World Superyacht Awards is a celebrated event in the superyacht industry calendar and recognises the talents of industry professionals including builders, naval architects and designers. Judged by an independent panel, the awards will honour the best yachts launched during the last 12 months.

Marco Villar, Yard Director of Atollvic Shipyard, is looking forward to the forth-coming partnership: “Atollvic is delighted to be sponsoring the World Superyacht Awards 2010. We are committed to offering our clients the highest standards in all aspects of our work and welcome the opportunity to share the celebration with the industry’s very best.”

Atollvic Shipyard was founded in 2006 and is strategically positioned in Vigo on the north-west coast of Spain. Experts in custom sail and motor yachts in steel or aluminium, Atollvic is dedicated to the construction, refit and repair of luxury yachts up to 70 meters.

Atollvic is part of Grupo Vicalsa, a group of companies providing the technical and logistic support needed to successfully design and build the most complex custom yachts.

Ends

For more information
Contact: Zoe Thompson, PR Account Director, Marketing Matters
E-mail: zoe@marketing-matters.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 1202 777111

Visitors, users and viewers of the foregoing content may copy and re-use it in other internet content sites on condition the source of all material so used is acknowledged with the attachment of the following. >www.ajaxnetphoto.blogspot.com< href="http://archive.ajaxnetphoto.com">http://archive.ajaxnetphoto.com

The products and companies named in this website content are trademarks , registered trademarks or servicemarks of their respective owners or licensed users.

Panasonic’s DMC-FT2 – Unique Hybrid Tough Model

2010-01-29T22:17:00.006Z

Press Release

Panasonic’s DMC-FT2 – Unique Hybrid Tough Model –
Perfect for Capturing the Action

Panasonic is pleased to introduce the new Lumix DMC-FT2, a successor to Lumix’s first camera geared for active outdoor use, the DMC-FT1. Featuring AVCHD Lite HD movie recording capability, the new 14.1-megapixel FT2 further strengthens its toughness to be waterproof to 10m, shockproof to 2m, freezeproof to -10 degrees C and dustproof. The camera is also empowered internally by the newly developed Venus Engine HD II integrating “Intelligent Resolution” technology.

The FT2 features a high-quality LEICA DC VARIO ELMAR 28mm wide-angle lens with a 4.6x optical zoom[1]. A folded optics shaft guide method is adopted to secure the toughness of the lens unit. Comprising 10 elements and a prism unit in 8 groups, including 1 ED lens and 5 aspherical lenses with 6 aspherical surfaces passing the Leica's stringent standards to deliver exceptional optical performance to the edge. Thanks to the newly incorporated Intelligent Resolution technology, the Intelligent Zoom is available with the FT2 which extends the zoom ratio by approx.1.3x maintaining the picture quality even combining the digital zoom. This means the 4.6x optical can virtually extend to 6x equivalent. Furthermore, the Extra Optical Zoom function that extends zoom power to 9.8x (at 3-megapixel resolution) by u sing the center part of the 14.1-megapixel high resolution CCD to bring subjects even closer.

Take Me Swimming

Thanks to rubber padding, reinforced glass and carbon resins inside the camera, the FT1 features an airtight body that lets users operate the FT2 underwater to a depth of up to 10 meters. The FT2 can even be used in seawater, so users can take images of friends snorkelling or tropical fish darting in and out of coral reefs. Since additional housing is unnecessary for underwater operation, the FT2 is an extremely versatile camera that you can take with you wherever the action calls. The FT2 can be used at a beach, ski resort, hiking trips, festivals and in a host of other active, outdoor situations where no-one would dare use a conventional camera.

Designed with users in mind, the FT2’s cover panel of the LCD is thickened by 1.3x compared to the predecessor FT1 to withstand pressure underwater as deep as 10 meters.

Feel Free to Drop Me

It’s true – the FT2 is drop proof from a height of up to 2 meters[2]. In addition to reinforcing the exterior of the camera with shock-resistant material, the FT2 uses folded optics to prevent its lens unit from taking damage when dropped during operation. The lens unit is protected by a supplementary damper to absorb the force from shock impact. Combined with its dustproof, waterproof and freezeproof performance, this makes it the ideal camera for anytime use outdoors, in active situations, and for casual everyday shooting.

Dust Proof Too

A dust proof design[3] shuts out airborne dust particles that can lead to malfunction – enabling worry free shooting in places like the beach, or any place with lots of dust.

Freeze Me

Expanding your photographic opportunities, the new FT model is now freezeproof up to -10degrees C – perfect for active winter travellers, skiers, and snowboarders for example. Don’t be fooled by the durability of this camera – the FT2 still looks good too! Sporting a folded optics design, the FT2 is sleek and sophisticated.

Film me in High Definition

In addition to Motion JPEG images[4], the DMC-FT2 can record high-definition motion picture in AVCHD Lite. It features almost doubling the recording time in HD quality compared with the conventional Motion JPEG format. The picture quality is greatly enhanced thanks to the newly added Intelligent Resolution technology. The FT2 also features Dolby Digital Creator to record high quality audio, so you can match the beautiful motion images with outstanding sound.

Now on the FT2, the popular iA (Intelligent Auto) is also available in motion image recording. Optical Image Stabilizer (O.I.S.) helps prevent handshake when using zoom or shooting in low lit situations. Face Detection automatically detects a face in the frame and adjusts focus, exposure, contrast, and skin complexion on it so it always turns out beautiful. Intelligent Exposure continually checks the ambient light level and adjusts the exposure setting as conditions change to prevent blown highlights and blocked shadows. And Intelligent Scene Selector automatically switches between Normal, Portrait, Macro, Scenery, and Low Light modes according to the situation to optimize visual quality.

The 4.6x optical zoom is also available in movie recording. With the newly added Video Divide function, users can divide the video into two sections to shorten or to delete the unwanted half on the spot in the camera. You can cutout a still image from a movie in the camera. Intelligent Resolution makes it possible to produce 1920x1080 still images from 1280x720 HD movies even recorded in AVCHD Lite. A Wind Cut function is also available to block out most of the noise from background wind.

Still or motion images recorded in AVCHD Lite on SD Memory Cards are easy to view on a Panasonic VIERA TV[5]. Simply insert the card into the VIERA Image Viewer (SD Memory Card slot) on VIERA TV or DIGA Blu-ray Disc Player to playback your contents. Alternatively, you can use an optional mini HDMI cable to output the still and motion images you took from the FT2 directly to the TV for VIERA Link. You can take maximum advantage of Lumix camera's playback functions including the slideshow in which both still and motion images are integrated in the timeline, category playback according to the scene mode you used or calendar display and so on. All control is possible using only the TV's remote control.

In addition, with the included software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition, it is easy to view and edit your recorded contents. You may also choose to upload your videos to YouTube or burn them to a DVD disc for archiving.

Intelligent Resolution Technology Assures High Picture Quality for Both Photo and Movie
The high-speed, high-performance Venus Engine HD has been re-engineered to compile the new image processing technology “Intelligent Resolution”. It enables the recording of beautiful photos and high-definition movies with higher quality signal processing.

With the Intelligent Resolution technology, 3 areas –outlines, detailed texture areas and soft gradation areas are automatically detected. The outline parts are enhanced effectively to give edges more clearness while giving a moderate accentuation to the texture areas to look more finely detailed. To the soft gradation part, superior noise reduction system of the Venus Engine HD II is applied to make it smoother. Apart from the uniform enhancement of sharpness, the innovative technology Intelligent Resolution precisely performs signal processing pixel by pixel in the most effective way for it. As a result, images are naturally clear and crisp in both photo and movie recording.

The Intelligent Resolution technology also facilitates Intelligent Zoom, which virtually extends the optical zoom ratio to its 1.3x equivalent maintaining the picture quality even combining the digital zoom. Details of an image in high sensitivity recording tend to be lost in the noise reduction process, however, the Intelligent Resolution works to keep them.

At the same time, the multi-task image-processing engine Venus Engine HD II supports a super-fast response time. The shutter release time lag is as short as approx. 0.005 seconds and the camera's quick response makes it easier to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities together with the Sonic Speed AF (Auto Focus) that lets you lock on the subject minimum in approx. 0.24(wide-end) / 0.28(tele-end) seconds[6] and the short startup time of approx. 1.1 seconds. The high performance Venus Engine HD II is also energy efficient compared with the conventional Venus Engine HD, extending the battery life up to 360 shots (CIPA) per a single charge.

iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode Further Evolved with POWER O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer)
Panasonic incorporated the iA (Intelligent Auto) mode in pursuit of the ultimate ease of operation and the reduction of misshots. In the iA mode the camera does all the work, leaving you free to compose shots and capture moments. Just press, aim and shoot. This mode is now further advanced with the inclusion of a greater advanced image stabilization - system POWER O.I.S. and Intelligent Resolution technology for DMC-FT2.

Taking advantage of Panasonic's accumulated optical technologies, MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) has been incorporated into LUMIX cameras from the early stage of digital camera development. MEGA O.I.S. has evolved into the POWER O.I.S. on the DMC-FT2, with a great performance improvement - twice the shake suppression capability of the predecessor FT1.

The hand-shake component, which is physically generated when pressing the shutter button or when shooting at night with a slow shutter speed, is recognized as a low-frequency vibration, for which the new POWER O.I.S. is particularly effective. This greatly improves the quality of shots taken at night or indoors where a flash cannot be used, or where the photographer doesn't want to use a flash because it would spoil the mood. It captures beautiful photos in situations that previously resulted in blurring.

The DMC-FT2 features Face Recognition, a function that was made popular in the previous FT1, but with several upgrades. Three face images can be registered for each person, to raise the detection accuracy. And when the angle of view is changed horizontally, the name display also rotates for easier reading. The Intelligent Scene Selector, which automatically selects whichever of 6 Scene Modes - Macro, Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, Night Scenery and newly added Sunset -- that best suits the shooting situation.

In addition, newly incorporated Intelligent Resolution technology is always activated in iA mode which results in the clearer and higher picture quality in every photo and movie with extended zoom range equivalent to 6x optical zoom.

Once you enter the iA mode, these functions happen automatically together with other powerful shooting-assist functions - AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure - so you can shoot without the bother of adjusting settings every time conditions change. You can enjoy easy, trouble-free shooting in any situation and get the satisfaction that comes with capturing clear, beautiful images.

The new Happy Mode, a colour mode option in the iA mode, optimizes colour, saturation and brightness to make both photos and movies more vivid and true to the colour of the scenes you memorized.

Other Versatile Functions Adding to the Photographic Enjoyment

The FT2 is equipped with a 2.7-inch, 230,000-dot Intelligent LCD with wide viewing angle and AR(Anti-Reflection) coating. The screen brightness automatically adjusts in 11 steps as the surrounding brightness level changes, ensuring easy visibility at all times. The big screen reflects fine details, making it easy to check the focus before shooting. It also serves as a small photo and video viewer, allowing the user and friends to enjoy viewing the still and motion images together.

Scene modes, which are optimized for a variety of still-image shooting situations, are now available for motion images as well. The most commonly used scene modes for outdoor photography including Sports, Snow, and Beach & Surf can be accessed directly via the mode dial.

A High Dynamic mode is newly added to the existing Scene modes. This mode helps to capture a scene with moderate exposure, even though the scene contains both bright and dark areas together. The user can select either of three options, Standard, Art, or B/W, depending on the desired effect and personal taste to make the photo look natural to artistic.

The built-in LED light greatly supports shooting in dark situations and the included silicon jacket protects the camera by softening the shocks of dropping while preventing from scratching.

The optional marine case (DMW-MCFT2) is available for underwater photography even to 40m.

In addition to the conventional SD/SDHC Memory Card, the DMC-FT2 accepts the next-generation SD format SDXC (SD eXtended Capacity), that features high potential in both capacity and data transfer speed. The DMC-FT2 is compatible with Windows 7.

With an improvement of operational ease, an abundant of functions for both photo and movie recording

Enjoy stunning photos and HD videos with tremendous ease on land and under sea – the FT1 is the ideal partner for your outdoor adventures. The FT2 will be available in the UK from mid March in a choice of striking orange, cool blue or stunning yellow.

-ends-

Digital images available on request
Reader enquiry number: 0844 844 3852

Panasonic UK, Panasonic House, Willoughby Road, Bracknell Berks RG12 8FP

■About Waterproof / Dustproof performance of the camera
This camera’s waterproof/dustproof rating complies with the “IPX8” and “IP6X” ratings. Provided the care and maintenance guidelines described as following are strictly followed, this camera can operate underwater, to a depth not exceeding 10m(33FT) for a time not exceeding 60minutes. This does not guarantee no destruction, no malfunction, or waterproofing in all conditions.
- Attention -
To prevent water leak, take care not to nip any foreign objects, and close it by pressing until it clicks. ●Use the camera underwater up to 10m(33FT) depth, water temperature from 0℃ to 40℃, and not longer than 60 minutes continuously.●Do not leave the camera under low temperature in the cold climate, or where it has high temperature above 40℃ for long period of time.( Waterproof performance will degrade.)●Do not use chemicals, such as benzene, thinner, or alcohol, soap, detergents.●If it was used in the sea, soak the camera in fresh water a shallow container of for 10 minutes or less. Do not leave the camera uncared for more than 60 minutes after using it underwater. It may cause deterioration of the waterproof performance.●To keep the waterproof performance, it is recommended to replace the waterproof seal(with fee) at least once every 1 year at the retail store where you have bought the camera .● When the zoom lever or mode dial becomes difficult to operate, dip the camera in a fresh water and remove the foreign objects.

■About Shockproof performance of the camera
This camera complies with “MIL-STD 810F Method516.5-Shock”, the camera has cleared a drop test from a height of 2.0m.This does not guarantee no destruction, no malfunction, or waterproofing in all conditions.
Testing Method –
Drop height: 2,0m / Drop surface: thick plywood (lauan)
Drop orientation: On each face, edge and corner, for a total of 26 orientations. (5units)
Number of drops: Once for each orientation.
Camera was inspected after each drop, and found to be operating within product specifications.
Change of appearance - paint-loss or deformation not measured.

■About Freezeproof performance of the camera
●The performance of the battery (number of recordable pictures/operating time) may decrease temporarily when using in a temperature between -10℃to0℃( 14゜F to 32゜F)　(at the cold climate such as ski resort). ●If the camera gets cold in a cold environment, performance of the LCD monitor may temporarily drop immediately after turning the power on, such as the picture on the LCD monitor being slightly darker than usual or ghost images appearing. Keep the camera warm when using in a cold environment. The performance will resume to normal when theinternal temperature rises. ●When using the camera in a cold place such as a ski resort, if the camera is left with snow or water drops still on it , the snow or water drops in-between the zoom lever, the mode dial, or the camera (OFF/ON) button may freeze, making it difficult for some parts of the camera to function properly. This is not a malfunction. When the camera returns to normal temperature it will function normal.●It is recommended to use the camera while keeping it warm in the coat etc.

*Leica is a registered trademark of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH.
*The LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lenses are manufactured using measurement instruments and quality assurance systems that have been certified by Leica Camera AG based on the company's quality standards.
*The "AVCHD" is a high definition (HD) digital video recording / playback format jointly established by Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation. The "AVCHD Lite" is a subset of the "AVCHD format" for HD digital video cameras with HD video recording restricted to 720P. The new "AVCHD Lite" Logo and the "AVCHD Lite" License are restricted to devices within the AVCHD Video Camera category. Digital cameras have been added to the AVCHD Video Camera category.
*The "AVCHD Lite" and the "AVCHD Lite" logo are trademarks of Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation.
*AVCHD Lite motion images recorded onto an SD Memory Card or a DVD disc cannot be played from a device that does not support the AVCHD standard.
*Dolby and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
*HDMI, the HDMI logo and High-Definition Multimedia Interface are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing LLC.
*YouTube is a trademark of Google Inc.
*All other company and product names are trademarks of their respective corporations.
*This unit is compatible with both SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Cards. You can only use SDHC Memory Cards on devices that are compatible with them. You cannot use SDHC Memory Cards on devices that are only compatible with SD Memory Cards. (When using a SDHC Memory Card on another device, be sure to read the operating instructions for that device.)
*Some accessories are not available in some countries.
*The use of recorded or printed materials that are protected by copyright for any purpose other than personal enjoyment is prohibited, as it would infringe upon the rights of the copyright holder.
*Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.

[1] Equivalent to 28-128mm on a 35mm camera.
[2] This camera has passed a drop test from 1.5 m in height in accordance with “MIL-STD 810F Method 516.5-Shock
[3] Equivalent to “IPX8” and “IP6X” standard
[4] Motion pictures can be recorded continuously for up to 29min 59 sec in some countries. Continuous recording exceeding 2GB is not possible when recording motion JPEG. Remaining time for continuous recording is displayed on the screen.
[5] AVCHD Lite motion images recorded onto an SD Memory Card or a DVD disc cannot be played from a device that does not support the AVCHD standard. Use a card with SD Speed Class with”Class4”or higher when recording motion pictures in [AVCHD Lite]. Also, use a card with SD Speed Class with”Class6”or higher when recording motion pictures in [MOTION JPEG].
*SD Speed Class is the speed standard regarding continuous writing.
[6] Using 1-area AF.

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SP WORKS WITH ARGENTINEAN BOAT BUILDER ON RADICAL NEW PRODUCTION

2009-11-25T22:57:00.002Z

Press release,

24 November 2009,

Isle of Wight

SP, the marine business of Gurit, has teamed up with M Boats, the Argentinean yacht builder, to supply materials for an innovative production race boat project, the ‘S40 - One Design’ (SD40-OD). The S40-OD is a modern racer designed by Javier Soto Acebal Naval Architects and while conventional in its construction, it is radical in its design. The boat is 40 foot / 12.3m in length with hull lines that are the result of a long research period that aimed to achieve a combination of speed and balance.

The relatively young company M Boats is rapidly building itself a name because of its team’s wealth of experience and strong relationships with world-renowned designers and structural engineers. Founded by acknowledged naval and nautical experts, the company’s mission is clear-cut – to satisfy the increasing demand for custom, semi-custom and high quality production boats between 30’ and 90’ in an efficient and competitive manner.

SP has been involved with the project for over 14 months, supplying a selection of composite materials including epoxy laminating and adhesive systems as well as SP’s marine structural foam Corecell™ and reinforcements for the hull, deck and bulkheads.

SP’s laminating system Ampreg 22, which is ideal for manufacturing large, high performance composite structures due to its long working time and low exotherm, and the low viscosity Spabond 340LV adhesive system, were chosen. Corecell™ also provides increased strength and durability in return for significant weight reduction making the boats faster, stronger and more economical.

The fifth S40-OD was launched earlier this month and is the first boat to hit the water that utilises SP’s new Corecell™ M-Foam, the only core to offer a complete cost-effective package comprising high shear strength, low weight and high elongation, low resin uptake for infusion processes and high temperature stability for prepreg processes.

The first two yachts produced have been running the Circuito Atlántico Sur Rolex Cup and, on 5th July 2009, all four yachts constructed raced at Ilhabela Sailing Week in Brazil where they demonstrated their potential and competitiveness, and ignited a lot of interest in the class.

Lucas Dittrich, Director of M Boats, says: “The S40-OD is a thoroughbred racing machine already being sailed by some of South America’s finest sailors. The design is truly innovative and has attracted much interest in the market, indicating a successful future for the S40-OD.”

Orders for boat numbers five and six have been received and advanced discussions are in place with a number of other clients.

M Boats is one of SP’s major raceboat clients, and SP has also worked with them supplying materials for a one-off IMS 42, a conventional construction significant because it is a boat made of ST70 E-glass prepreg from SP’s SPRINT® range. The IMS 42 boat is now built, and work on a 48ft design by Javier Soto Acebal will commence soon.

Ends

Product Information

Laminating Systems
Ampreg 22
Ampreg 22 is an established and widely used laminating system. It is intended for both wet lay-up and vacuum bagging processes and uses the most up-to-date epoxy chemistry available. Its long working time, low exotherm and low viscosity make it ideal for the manufacture of large, high performance composite structures. Consisting of a resin and a choice of five hardeners to provide a complete range of working properties, Ampreg 22 can provide laminate working times of over 14 hours at 20°C whilst having low exothermic reactions even when used in thick sections. The Fast hardener has such rapid through-cure at 25-30°C that it can be used to produce small mouldings that are demouldable in just a few hours.

Ampreg 22 resin has one of the lowest diluent contents of any epoxy resin system available today. Together with the use of some unique chemistry in the hardeners, the overall system shows marked improvements in handling safety over other products.

Spabond Adhesives

Spabond adhesives have been designed to offer Production, Superyacht and Race boat builders a comprehensive range of adhesives for structural bonding of polyester and epoxy GRP boats. Offering outstanding performance in numerous composite and non-composite bonding applications, Spabond adhesives are perfect partners for SP laminating products.
Spabond 340LV – Epoxy Adhesive System
Spabond 340LV is a lower viscosity variant of Spabond 340. It has been designed for mixing/dispensing from cartridges and to provide higher dispense rates from mixing machines. This product is ideal for bondline thicknesses up to 20mm.

Corecell™ – Structural foam core
SP’s Corecell™ is the leading structural foam core and has become widely accepted for the construction of large, high performance structures. Instrumental in improving the speed of boat production due to its smooth finish and ease of application, Corecell™ also offers increased strength and durability in return for significant weight reduction making boats faster, stronger and more economical.

Corecell™ is supplied in a wide range of product forms, optimised for different applications and composite production processes. Current grades within the range are Corecell™ A-Foam, Corecell™ P-Foam, Corecell™ T-Foam and Corecell™ S-Foam.

The Corecell™ product range provides increased levels of performance, strength, structural integrity and comfort, unmatched by any other core material.

Corecell™ M-Foam
Corecell™ M-Foam is the performance leader for all marine applications, whether slamming area or superstructure, hull or deck, using hand lamination, infusion or prepreg.

This new core product offers a unique combination of properties through enhancing the qualities in all Corecell™ products such as chemical resistance, built-in toughness, fine cell size and unique ‘knife-cuts’ (which ensure resin absorption is very low, saving both weight and cost). Furthermore M-Foam is tough and easy to machine, offers superior uniformity through lower density variation and is compatible with polyester, vinylester and epoxy resin systems.

Corecell™ M-Foam is available in a wide range of thicknesses, multiple resin infusion formats and in four grades – M60, M80, M100, and M130.

About Gurit
SP is the marine business of Gurit and currently supplies the superyacht market, high-performance custom, production and workboat sectors. The companies of Gurit Holding AG, Wattwil/Switzerland, are specialised on the development and manufacture of high-end composite materials featuring bespoke physical and chemical characteristics. The comprehensive product range comprises fibre reinforced prepregs, structural foam, gel coats, adhesives, resins and consumables as well as certain finished parts. Gurit supplies growth markets in Wind Energy, Transportation and Marine. The international Group has production sites and offices in Switzerland, Germany, the UK, Canada, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, India and China.

For more information
Contact Zoe Thompson, PR Account Director
E-mail: zoe@marketing-matters.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 1202 777111
Address:
Marketing Matters, Unit C, Acorn Business Park, Ling Road, Poole, Dorset, UK, BH12 4NZ

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Multi One Design 70’ Official Supplier

2009-11-19T18:27:00.007Z

Press release
Lausanne, November 19th 2009

Advanced Composites Group

Multi One Design S.A. is pleased to announce, at the occasion of the METS (Marine Equipment Trade Show in Amsterdam), a partnership with Advance Composites Group as official supplier for the construction of the 12 Multi One Design 70’ trimarans.

ACG Ltd, world leader in advanced composite materials in motor sports
Advanced Composites Group Ltd (ACG) is an international company which has been active for more than 30 years in sports highest level projects such as Formula 1. ACG offers a one-stop source for tooling and structural prepreg materials, combined with in-house manufacturing, design and R&D facilities. ACG is a global leader in composite material innovation with technical and manufacturing facilities both in Europe and the United States serving the marine, motor sport, construction, aerospace, wind energy, automotive and leisure sports industries.

MOD S.A. and ACG Ltd, committed to an eco-responsible process.

MOD S.A. and ACG Ltd are committed, not only to supply carbon fiber to the official MOD 70’ shipyards, but also to comply with the qualitative standards and the tracking process defined for the contruction of the 12 MOD 70’. This partnership enables to guarantee, to both the owners and the sailing teams, a permanent control over the boats’ overall production. It is an appropriate response to the MOD 70’ one design concept: promote sports equity and enhance man’s value.

ACG and its « Recycling Projects » : in line with the Multi One Attitude.

With its « Recycling Projects », ACG complies with the Multi One Attitude philosophy: the world leader has actually initiated a number of projects intended to develop manufacturing processes of composite material resulting from recycled carbon. ACG takes thus an active part in the eco-responsible initiatives promoted by the Multi One Attitude. More details on www.acg.co.uk.

Contact: Henry Nicholson-Cole - Marine Sector Manager -+44 (0)1773 766 204 - hnicholson-cole@acg.co.uk

www.multionedesign.com

The purpose of the company MULTI ONE DESIGN S.A., based in Lausanne (Switzerland), is the promotion of the eco-responsible initiative “Multi One Attitude”, focussing on water preservation, and the management of the “Multi One Championship” professional circuit which brings together the MOD 70’ multihull fleet. This international event will give a new drive to the ocean multihull races, ensuring sports equity, cost control and international development (European tour – Ocean World tour – Ocean races).

Multi One Design S.A Contact
Franck David
Mobile : +33 6 31 06 60 00
franck.david@multionedesign.com

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Victory for Cork in South Atlantic leg of Clipper 09-10

2009-11-15T17:01:00.003Z

Press release
12 November 2009
Cape Town, South Africa

The jubilant crew of Cork, Ireland, has arrived in Cape Town after taking victory in Race 3, the South Atlantic leg, of the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race. They crossed the finish line in Table Bay at 1638 local time (1438 GMT), accompanied by a pod of dolphins surfing down the face of the waves. Earlier in the day the cloud had lifted to reveal the iconic shape of Table Mountain which dominates the Cape Town skyline but it was in brooding conditions that the team crossed the line with Capetonian crew member, Marlon Jones, 20, at the helm.

Marlon, who started sailing five years ago at Cape Town’s Izivunguvungu Sailing Academy, joined the crew of Cork in Rio de Janeiro for the 3,300-mile race across the Atlantic back to his home city and his family was at Royal Cape Yacht Club to welcome him.

Beaming proudly Marlon said, “Helming over the finish line was great! I wanted to give the wheel to the skipper but he said no, I must keep it – it made me feel so proud. The whole thing was great fun – they made me feel really welcome and part of the crew.”
 The Irish team, led by skipper Richie Fearon, has led the race for the last six days, working themselves into an unassailable position to claim their first win of the 35,000-mile challenge of a lifetime.

Stepping off Cork onto the pontoon at Royal Cape Yacht Club an ecstatic Richie said, “That was absolutely brilliant – it’s great to arrive here first. It was hard out there; big seas and big winds and we pushed the boat good and hard. As a crew we came well together and I’d say we deserve it. We kept the boat going ahead of the others and I’m really chuffed.”

News of Cork’s victory has already reached the Irish Ambassador to South Africa. His Excellency, Colin Wrafter, said, "This is fantastic, the crew have done marvelously well. There deserve a few good days in lovely Cape Town. I am so proud of them. Up Cork!"

The crew were entertained by a traditional Cape Town minstrel group, the Ghoema Entertainers. The colourful troupe are regulars in Cape Town’s unique annual minstrel competition and have also played at the opening ceremonies of the cricket and rugby union World Cups.

Competition among the fleet is fierce and a battle royal is being waged between Team Finland and Uniquely Singapore for second and third place. Both teams are expected to arrive at Royal Cape Yacht Club this evening.

The rest of the ten strong fleet, including Jamaica Lightning Bolt, Hull & Humber, Qingdao, Spirit of Australia, Edinburgh Inspiring Capital, Cape Breton Island and California are due to finish in the next few days and are all expected in Cape Town by Sunday afternoon.

The whole fleet will move to the V&A Waterfront on Friday 20 November where the yachts will be available for public viewing. The race will restart on Sunday 22 November, the yachts departing the V&A at 11am for start of the race from Cape Town to Geraldton-Greenhough, Western Australia, at 2pm.

The Clipper 09-10 Race started from the Humber on the north east coast of England on 13 September and will return to there on 17 July 2010. It is the only event in the world where people from all walks of life can take on the challenge of a lifetime and race around the globe on stripped down 68-foot ocean racing yachts. A presentation for people interested in signing up for the next edition of the Clipper Race is being held at the Royal Cape Yacht Club on Sunday 22 November at 6pm. Email oceanracer@clipperroundtheworld.com to book a place at the event.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

Race 3 Prizegiving
Tuesday 17 November, 6pm at Royal Cape Yacht Club. This event is not open to the public. To confirm your attendance please contact Heather Ewing (details below).

Media sail
Media are invited to experience sailing one of the 68-foot yachts themselves during a special two-hour sailing event on Friday 20 November. Exact timings to be advised. Places will be limited so please contact Heather Ewing (details below) for more information and to reserve your berth.

Race restart
Places will be available for television cameras/photographers on media boats for the start of Race 4 on Sunday 22 November. Exact timings to be advised. Places will be limited so please contact Heather Ewing (details below) for more information and to reserve your berth.

Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race
The Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race started on 13 September from the Humber on the UK’s east coast and return there in July 2010 after 35,000 miles of ocean racing. No previous sailing experience is required to take part as full training is provided. More than 40 nationalities an 230 professions are represented by crew competing in Clipper 09-10. Crew can sign up for the whole circumnavigation or one or more legs. The overall race is divided into individual races and points are accumulated according to each individual race position. The yacht with the highest total at the finish wins the race trophy.

Standings after Race 2
1. Spirit of Australia .......... 21 points
2. Team Finland .......... 20 points
3. Jamaica Lightning Bolt .......... 14 points
4. Cork ............ 14 points
5. Cape Breton Island ......... 14 points
6. Hull & Humber .......... 14 points
7. Uniquely Singapore ......... 9 points
8. Qingdao ........... 7 points
9. Edinburgh Inspiring Capital ........... 5 points
10. California .......... 3 points

For further information log onto www.clipperroundtheworld.com

For media information or interviews please contact:

Heather Ewing, Communications Manager (in Cape Town – GMT +2)
Local cell phone: +27 (0)82 636 3355
Mobile: +44 (0) 7792 408 695
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
Email: hewing@clipper-ventures.com

Zoe Williamson, Communications Manager
Mobile: +44 (0) 7793 417 751
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
Email: zwilliamson@clipper-ventures.com

Visitors, users and viewers of the content to which this notice is attached may copy it for re-use and syndicate the content by whatever means for use to other internet content sites on condition the source of all material so used is acknowledged with the attachment of the following notice.
www.superyachtnews.blogspot.com 2009
www.ajaxnetphoto.com 2009
This content may NOT be used in any print media made available for commercial resale.
The products and companies named in this website content are trademarks, registered trademarks or servicemarks of their respective owners or licensed users.

Race 3 of Clipper 09-10 gets underway in Rio de Janeiro

2009-10-28T06:37:00.003Z

Press Release - 27 October 2009
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

From one mountain to another... the ten yachts competing in the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race have started the next leg of the epic 35,000-mile global challenge, leaving behind the iconic Rio backdrop of Sugar Loaf Mountain for the race towards Cape Town, where Table Mountain dominates the skyline.

The 3,300-mile Race 3 will take the teams across the South Atlantic, dipping south towards the Roaring Forties and the treacherous seas of the South Atlantic, before approaching the notorious Cape of Good Hope at the end of the course.

The Brazilian sunshine which had shone so strongly all week was absent as the teams departed the Iate Clube do Rio and headed out into Guanabara Bay. With 12 to15 knots from the south, low cloud cover and heavy rain, the crews donned their waterproofs and hoisted their sails in preparation for the race start.

At 1511 local time (1711 GMT) the horn sounded across the bay for the start of Race 3. Race 2 winners Team Finland and Hull & Humber were the only two boats to opt for their Yankee 1, the largest of the upwind headsails, with the rest of the fleet opting for their Yankee 2 as the ten boats made for the start line. The choice paid dividends for Team Finland who crossed the line first just ahead of Uniquely Singapore and Spirit of Australia.

As the fleet made their way round the final mark at the end of Rio’s Copacabana beach and turned towards the African continent positions had altered considerably. Cape Breton Island had moved into the lead, closely followed by California and Spirit of Australia. Lying in fourth was Caribbean entry, Jamaica Lightning Bolt with Hull & Humber in fifth. Having made an excellent recovery from a disastrous race start, Edinburgh Inspiring Capital had moved up to sixth place with Team Finland, Uniquely Singapore and Cork in seventh, eighth and ninth place respectively. Bringing up the rear was Chinese entry, Qingdao, but, with more than 3,300 miles to go to Cape Town, these places are likely to change many times during the next two weeks of racing.

The Rio stopover has been a challenging one, none more so than for the crew of California. They have had just 58 hours to prepare for the start of the next leg after arriving in the early hours of Sunday morning. A herculean effort by California’s crew, including those who were waiting to join the yacht who had bought and bagged all the food supplies for the next race, and members of other teams who rallied around in support, has ensured that the yacht and her crew are ready to go.

The race to Cape Town should be much faster than the last one to Rio and the teams will be able to take advantage of the mountainous South Atlantic rollers to speed them on their way – provided they avoid the centre of the South Atlantic High Pressure system. After the light winds of Race 2, the skippers and tacticians will be very wary of getting too near to any wind holes that could slow them down.

Uniquely Singapore’s skipper, Jim Dobie, says, “I’m excited about the heavy winds and big seas coming up which is something I’m used to. Hopefully we’ll have more wind than on the first leg so I’m feeling pretty confident. We’ll be looking to dip down south to get as much breeze as we can whilst being mindful not to cover too much distance.”

Piers Dudin, skipper of Hull & Humber, is expecting a fast race to Cape Town. “You’ll see the level in racing really step up now,” he says. “The crews are getting pretty hot on trimming and driving the boats. It’s going to be a feisty run into Cape Town and barring any major damage I’m expecting most of the boats to get in within 12 hours of each other. We’re looking at a really tight race with a lot of slight variations in routes that will make a big difference to speed.”

Speed is one thing the crew of Jamaica Lighting Bolt know about. The team is named after the world’s fastest man, double world record holder and Olympic champion, Usain Bolt, and their result in Race 2 gave them Jamaica’s first ever podium position in the Clipper Race.

The sprinter has sent the team a message of support, “I would like to congratulate the crew of Jamaica Lightning Bolt for their very credible placing. I am happy that my name is associated with success and it can only get better. I am honoured to have the vessel named after me and so, therefore, it is important that the level of performance be maintained. I am excited at this opportunity and I am sure you are, too. I would therefore like to wish you all the best.”

With just two of the 14 individual races that comprise Clipper 09-10 completed, the race standings show that the competition is still wide open. Just a point separates the leader, Spirit of Australia, and second placed Team Finland. Jamaica Lightning Bolt, Cork, Ireland and Cape Breton Island all have 14 points each while Qingdao and Uniquely Singapore, with seven points a-piece, are just four points behind sixth placed Hull & Humber and only just ahead of Edinburgh Inspiring Capital and California. The Formula 1-type scoring system, which awards points according to the results achieved on each race, means all ten crews have an equal chance of a place on the podium in Cape Town.

Joining Cork, Ireland, for the race to his home town is young South African sailor, Marlon Jones, from Izivunguvungu Sailing Academy in Cape Town. The Academy was established by one of the major investors in South Africa’s America’s Cup syndicate, Team Shosholoza, in order to give underprivileged youngsters the opportunity to get out on the water and make a difference to their lives through sailing. Marlon, 20, has proved himself a major talent and represented South Africa in the 2009 Laser SB3 World Championships where he and his team finished second.

For two of the Clipper 09-10 skippers, Eero Lehtinen of Team Finland and California’s Pete Rollason, the race to Cape Town will be a particularly emotional one as both men have made the city their home. Their families will be waiting on the quayside at Royal Cape Yacht Club to welcome them and their teams to South Africa.

The 180 crew taking part on this leg of Clipper 09-10 aren’t the only ones getting ready to set sail for Cape Town. More than 51,000 people are competing in the Virtual Race on www.clipperroundtheworld.com and they will set off from Rio to Cape Town at exactly the same time – racing across the South Atlantic on their computer screens.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race
The Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race started on 13 September from the Humber on the UK’s east coast and return there in July 2010 after 35,000 miles of ocean racing. No previous sailing experience is required to take part as full training is provided. More than 40 nationalities an 230 professions are represented by crew competing in Clipper 09-10. Crew can sign up for the whole circumnavigation or one or more legs. The overall race is divided into individual races and points are accumulated according to each individual race position. The yacht with the highest total at the finish wins the race trophy.

Standings after Race 2
1. Spirit of Australia ....................... 21 points
2. Team Finland ............................ 20 points
3. Jamaica Lightning Bolt ............. 14 points
4. Cork ........................................... 14 points
5. Cape Breton Island ................... 14 points
6. Hull & Humber ......................... 11 points
7. Qingdao ...................................... 7 points
8. Uniquely Singapore ................... 7 points
9. Edinburgh Inspiring Capital ..... 5 points
10. California .................................. 3 points

For further information log onto www.clipperroundtheworld.com

For media information or interviews please contact:

Zoe Williamson, Communications Manager (in Rio de Janeiro, GMT -2)
Local Mobile: +55 21 8250 9210
UK Mobile: +44 (0) 7793 417 751
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
Email: zwilliamson@clipper-ventures.com

Heather Ewing, Communications Manager
Mobile: +44 (0) 7792 408 695
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
Email: hewing@clipper-ventures.com

Visitors, users and viewers of the content to which this notice is attached may copy it for re-use and syndicate the content by whatever means for use to other internet content sites on condition the source of all material so used is acknowledged with the attachment of the following notice.
www.superyachtnews.blogspot.com 2009
www.ajaxnetphoto.com 2009
This content may NOT be used in any print media made available for commercial resale.
The products and companies named in this website content are trademarks, registered trademarks or servicemarks of their respective owners or licensed users.

Second victory for Team Finland in the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race

2009-10-19T23:44:00.003+01:00

Press Release 19 October, 2009
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Team Finland has taken line honours in Race 2 from La Rochelle to Rio de Janeiro of the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race. Crossing the line at 16:00:36 local time (18:00:36 GMT) their latest victory makes it two out of two for the Scandinavian entry.

“Race 2 was a very balanced and professional performance from Team Finland,” says skipper Eero Lehtinen. “Crew work has been way above my expectations and we are well ahead of the game. Our watch leaders Minke Docter and Emil Vartiainen have been great and their assistants Barry Anderson and Andy Philips never took their eyes off the ball.

“The whole team has worked without a word of complaint, in the extreme heat, under pressure from competition, in the long hours with no wind and no boat speed, during the endless sail changes and trimming. Mark Cole has not only been a great navigator but also performed as King Neptune, a gourmet chef and round the clock boat entertainer.”

In a race which has been marked by light winds, Team Finland took an early lead out of La Rochelle but soon lost it by sailing into a wind hole as the fleet rounded Cape Finisterre. The fleet then headed on a westerly course towards the scoring gate south of the Canary Islands in an attempt to take the first points of Race 2. As weather forecasts indicated light winds across the 90 nautical mile long gate, Team Finland made the decision to bail out and focus on a ten point win into Rio. It proved to be the defining moment of Team Finland’s race, as they regained the lead and held it all the way to the line.

Race Director, Joff Bailey, says, “It took several days for Team Finland’s tactical move to pay off, but pay off it did. They took the lead which they have now held for nearly three weeks and at times have been ahead of their nearest competitor by more than 150 nautical miles. Their passage across the Doldrums was faultless and they hardly lost any miles at all. All they then needed to do was to get across the finish line which nearly caused an upset as light winds reduced their lead down to less than 50 miles. But this was enough to take line honours and Team Finland is worthy the winner of Race 2.”

Periods of light winds have dogged the fleet for the first trans-Atlantic crossing of Clipper 09-10. With virtually no wind at the start in La Rochelle, around the Canary Islands and for half the boats through the Doldrums, the normally reliable trade winds have also been lighter than expected. As the fleet neared its final destination of Rio de Janeiro, once again light conditions brought the leading boats to a near halt.

A three way battle has been taking place behind Team Finland for the final two podium positions and at one point it looked as though a Finnish victory may not be guaranteed. Spirit of Australia has led the charge and if the Australian team takes second place they will retain their position as overall race leaders. Both Cape Breton Island and Jamaica Lightning Bolt have also been chasing hard with their positions swapping regularly over the final week of Race 2. Cork is still not out of the race for a podium and the team from Ireland has kept further east in the hope of picking up stronger winds further offshore and closing the gap on the front runners.

The Clipper 09-10 Race Committee has announced a shortened course for Race 2 from La Rochelle to Rio de Janeiro. The amended Sailing Instructions has given the teams 24 hours notice of the shortened course and the final positions will be taken at midday GMT on Tuesday 20 October. Those teams that have crossed the finish line will be awarded the relevant finishing position, while the others will be awarded the position based on their distance to finish at that time.

This is a standard procedure used in both ocean racing and around the cans events and is called into play by race organisers who must ensure they meet the goals of the teams, the spectators and the overall event.

The decision is not one that was taken lightly. In all around the world yacht races, the first priority is the safety of the crews and their boats and this is most certainly the case with the Clipper Race. Race 3 is due to start on Tuesday 27 October and it is important from the point of view of good seamanship that the teams get the opportunity to prepare themselves and their boats correctly for the next stage of the race, which will take them towards the Southern Ocean on the way to Cape Town, South Africa.

Once finished, the teams will make their way by fastest means, through a combination of using their engines and sailing, to the Iate Clube do Rio de Janeiro, which will host the fleet for the duration of the stopover.

First priority on arriving in port will be to clean the yacht and begin the routine maintenance required to keep the boats in peak performance condition, as well as catching up on much needed sleep and food other than the tinned and dried variety on offer at sea. The victuallers must also ensure their yacht is fully stocked for the next 3,385-mile race to Cape Town.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race
The Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race started on 13 September from the Humber on the UK’s east coast and will return there in July 2010 after 35,000 miles of ocean racing. No previous sailing experience is required to take part as full training is provided. Crew can sign up for the whole circumnavigation or one or more legs. The overall race is divided into individual races and points are accumulated according to each individual race position. The yacht with the highest total at the finish wins the race trophy.

For further information log onto www.clipperroundtheworld.com

For media information or interviews please contact:

Zoe Williamson, Communications Manager (in Rio de Janeiro, GMT -2)

Local Mobile: +55 21 8250 9210
UK Mobile: +44 (0) 7793 417 751
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
Email: zwilliamson@clipper-ventures.com

Heather Ewing, Communications Manager
Mobile: +44 (0) 7792 408 695
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
Email: hewing@clipper-ventures.com

Visitors, users and viewers of the content to which this notice is attached may copy it for re-use and syndicate the content by whatever means for use to other internet content sites on condition the source of all material so used is acknowledged with the attachment of the following notice.
www.superyachtnews.blogspot.com 2009
www.ajaxnetphoto.com 2009
This content may NOT be used in any print media made available for commercial resale.
The products and companies named in this website content are trademarks, registered trademarks or servicemarks of their respective owners or licensed users.

Magnificent start for Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race

2009-09-14T22:45:00.003+01:00

Press Release
13 September 2009
Hull, Yorkshire, UK

More than 100,000 people lined the banks of the Humber to watch the start of the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race today. As the cannon fired, the ten internationally sponsored yachts crossed the start line at 1400 BST (1300 GMT) to the roar of the crowds at the beginning of their 35,000-mile challenge.

Edinburgh Inspiring Capital led the charge across the line, followed by the Irish entry, Cork, and Spirit of Australia. The first race takes the fleet from the east coast of the UK to La Rochelle, France. The northerly breeze at the start and the weather conditions forecast for the next few days indicate that the 780-mile race will be a fast one.

By the time the fleet had rounded the second mark Cork had overtaken the Scottish boat, Team Finland had moved up from sixth place to second and Edinburgh Inspiring Capital had dropped back to third.

Before the race start the world renowned RAF display team, the Red Arrows, drew gasps and applause with their display of precision flying, the Hawk jets flying just two metres apart during some of the formations. On the ground the Band of the Royal Marines played as the home team, Hull & Humber, left Hull Marina to join the rest of the fleet on the river.

Addressing the tens of thousands of people who had turned up to witness the spectacle, Terry Hodgkinson, Chairman of Hull & Humber’s sponsor, Yorkshire Forward, said, “This event is about much more than sailing. It’s about bringing in trade and tourism to Britain and, in particular, to a place on the Humber. It’s great to see so many people having such a grand time.

“May I give my best wishes to al the crews and wish them the very best of luck. I hope that we can do better with our boat than we did last time, but it’s not about winning it’s about changing people’s lives. That’s why we have invested in it and I’m very proud to be the chairman of the organisation that has put money into this. I want to say a big thank you and watch out for the gun at the start!”

The Clipper Race is the only race in the world where the crews come from all walks of life, all ages and with all levels of experience. Prior to their training, some 40 percent of the crews had never stepped aboard a sailing yacht before. Race start day was an emotional experience for the crew and their families and friends who had come to support them on their challenge of a lifetime.

Skipper of the home team, Piers Dudin, said, “This has been a fantastic week, not only for us but for the whole fleet. Hull and Humberside should be really proud of the show that they have put on. I would like to say a big thanks to Terry Hodgkinson, Dan Wilkinson and the team at Yorkshire Forward for all the work they have put in.

“Danny Watson (skipper of Hull & Humber, Clipper 07-08) and his team did really well last year and so he hasn’t done us any favours this time round with their second place performance. He has established a really strong legacy with Hull & Humber and it is something that we will keep working on.”

Ahead lies a ten-month-long, 35,000-mile course that will take the race to France before crossing to Brazil, South Africa, Australia, Singapore, China, California, Panama, Jamaica, New York, Cape Breton Island, Cork and the Netherlands. The race will make its triumphant return to the Humber on 17 July 2010.

The Clipper Race is the brainchild of legendary yachtsman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to sail non-stop single handed around the world. He wanted to open the sport of long distance sailing to all and allow others to experience the challenges of ocean racing.

“The reception on the Humber has been simply fantastic,” said Sir Robin. “The enthusiasm from the city, Yorkshire Forward and, most especially, from the people has been incredible. It is wonderful to see the interest they are taking in ordinary people going out to do something quite extraordinary.”

More than 400 crews have signed up for Clipper 09-10. Some will complete a full circumnavigation while others will race one or a combination of the seven legs available.

Each Clipper yacht is entered by a city, region or country and sponsors use the event to showcase themselves to the world. On the last running of the Clipper Race, more than 212 million people worldwide followed the adventure through television, print media, radio and online.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race
The Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race started on 13 September from the Humber on the UK’s east coast and return there in July 2010 after 35,000 miles of ocean racing. No previous sailing experience is required to take part as full training is provided. Crew can sign up for the whole circumnavigation or one or more legs. The overall race is divided into individual races and points are accumulated according to each individual race position. The yacht with the highest total at the finish wins the race trophy.

Order of teams across the start line.

First: Edinburgh Inspiring Capital
Second Cork
Third Spirit of Australia
Fourth Jamaica Lightning Bolt
Fifth Cape Breton Island
Sixth Team Finland
Seventh California
Eighth Hull & Humber
Ninth Uniquely Singapore
Tenth Qingdao

For further information log onto www.clipperroundtheworld.com

For media information or interviews please contact:

Zoe Williamson, Communications Manager
Mobile: +44 (0) 7793 417 751
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
Email: zwilliamson@clipper-ventures.com

Heather Ewing, Communications Manager
Mobile: +44 (0) 7792 408 695
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
Email: hewing@clipper-ventures.com

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Anchors aweigh for Scotland's newest, most prestigious marina

2009-08-25T23:53:00.003+01:00

Press Release: Portavadie Marina - Wednesday 26 August ,2009

A blot on the landscape created by the oil boom of the 1970s is to be turned into a £45million pound world-class tourist destination in the west of Scotland.

The first phase of the new 230-berth, deep-water, state-of-the-art Portavadie Marina complex and resort will be officially opened today (Wed) by Jim Mather, Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism.

Built on the site of a former 1970s oil-rig construction yard which never opened Portavadie Marina aims to provide some of the highest quality facilities in the UK for sailors, walkers, mountain bikers, golfers and other outdoor leisure enthusiasts.

The opening of the marina comes at a time when Scotland is experiencing a boom in sailing as marine leisure activities are now second only to golf in attracting revenue from tourism.

According to the latest figures from the Scottish Boating Alliance and VisitScotland golf attracts an estimated £300million a year to the national economy, closely followed by sailing and boating which brings in around £275million. Walking is said to be worth £240 million, mountaineering around £104 million and mountain biking £35 million.

Owners Portavadie Estates Ltd, have so far spent around £18million on the first phase of the development, including the marina, restaurant, accommodation and luxury facilities which will eventually create more than 100 jobs.

The 12 metre deep lagoon, which is situated directly east across Loch Fyne from the village of Tarbert, provides fully serviced berths for almost any size of leisure craft. There are also a variety of shore side benefits, including luxurious showers and toilets, a launderette, drying room and a number of self-catering family apartments and cottages for between two and eight persons.

"The facilities are second to none," said Robert Kitchin, manager of the marina which is just one and a half hours by road from Glasgow.

"We are in an ideal spot to attract people looking to explore the west coast of Scotland with easy access to Largs, Kip, Troon, Ardrossan, Arran and Northern Ireland."

The marina's quality bar and restaurant, winner of the Benromach Nautical Restaurant and Bar of the Year 2009 at the Scottish Licensed Trade Awards, provides a wide menu of high quality delicacies, including Loch Fyne seafood, locally shot game and produce prepared by Chef Steven Gilroy who recently joined the marina from The Hilton Hotel in Dunkeld.

The 100 acres marine resort is situated among some of the most picturesque scenery in the world and great care has been taken to preserve and enhance the environment.

"Portavadie is unlike any other marina, not just on the Clyde coast but beyond, throughout Britain," said Brian Stewart of Stewart Associates, architects for the project.

"We have tried to create something special, a landmark building which has more of a Mediterranean feel to it rather than a traditional British marina.

"The restaurant, offices, board room, function suites and high-level viewing terrace all overlook the marina in a series of interlinking glass and stone buildings which are extremely environmentally friendly.

"The buildings are highly insulated and designed in such a way that they don't need a lot of energy because it's naturally lit and ventilated. The heating is all under floor and the LED lighting system, the first of its kind in Europe, is very, very energy efficient."

Wherever possible, local materials, suppliers and craftsmen have been used to create the show-piece development.

"We've used a lot of local firms. That's part of our sustainability approach," said Mr Stewart.

"It's all very well trying to use as much local materials as you can but if you bring in contractors from far away then it's not of great benefit to the local economy. We have tried to maintain as much of the construction and supply work within the Argyll area as possible."

Much of the appeal of Portavadie is that it is designed to be a year round destination for all types of visitors, whether they want to stay for a few weeks or a few hours.

"Portavadie is more than a marina. The idea is to create a destination which will appeal all year round to walkers, mountain bikers, golfers, horse riders, fishermen, divers and wildlife watchers as well as sailors," said Iain Jurgensen, General Manager.

"Everybody is more than welcome to enjoy what nature has given us - a wonderful view. On a clear night the stars are absolutely stunning and seeing the sunset across the loch is phenomenal.

"It's a beautiful part of the world and somewhat of a wee secret gem. There are a lot of people who have still to discover what we have to offer."

Minister for Tourism Jim Mather described the Portavadie Marina complex as an exemplar development.

"This marina development will really put Portavadie on the sailing map," said Mr Mather.

"The new pontoons, restaurant and bar and viewing terraces are a welcome addition for all those marine-based visitors and the proposed tourist hostel and letting apartments will further boost the local economy."

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Coutts Quarter Ton Cup 2009

2009-07-19T19:10:00.003+01:00

RCYC Cowes, England: Press Release - 18 July 2009

Peter Morton Wins Final Day Showdown At Coutts Quarter Ton Cup

There was a cliff-hanger ending to the Coutts Quarter Ton Cup in Cowes today as husband and wife adversaries Louise and Peter Morton faced each other down in a veritable gunfight at the OK Coral that was ultimately decided by just one second and half a point. Sailing their Farr designed sister-ships Espada and Anchor Challenge they went into the final day with Louise leading the regatta by 4.5 points from Peter.

The race committee exercised their right to run additional races if conditions permitted and laid on three final races making a total of ten with one discard. With the south-westerly wind ranging from 20-25 knots and occasional gusts up towards 30 the race committee set up shop over the Ryde Bank giving choppy wind over tide conditions and plenty to challenge the navigators.

In the battle of the Mortons Peter's Anchor Challenge won the opening salvo taking second place in race eight, a windward leeward, behind Howard Sellars and Mike Till's Bullet with Rob Gray's Aguila third and ASAP, owned by the Layton/Christie/Crawford/Churchill partnership fourth. Louise in Espada did not fare so well with an incident on the first beat and some confusion over their first mark approach and as a result finished the race in eighth place, her worst result of the series, putting Anchor Challenge half a point ahead in the overall standings.

For race nine the committee varied the course a little to add some close reaching and while Aguila romped to victory Anchor Challenge and Espada were scrapping away for second and third place. At the finish it was too close for the crews to call the corrected times and so they went into the final race unclear who was leading overall.

With everything still to play for the Committee set a longer round the cans final race finishing off Cowes and from the outset Espada and Anchor Challenge were neck and neck battling it out with Bullet and Aguila. The first few legs were relatively short mixing beats, three and two sail reaches and as the fleet rounded the final mark before the long beat back to Cowes Espada and Anchor Challenge were within seconds of each other. Initially everyone headed up the Bramble Bank, seeking shelter from the tide, but about half way up Anchor Challenge broke ranks and tacked off for the Island shore leaving Aguila to head the pack, including Espada, on the mainly port tack drag to the western end of the Bramble. It was a brave move by Anchor Challenge and it was only on the final approach to the line that it became clear it had made little difference. Aguila took the line honours to win the race, her second win of the day, with Bullet taking second on corrected time, Espada third and Anchor Challenge fourth just six seconds behind her.

As the crews came ashore it was still unclear who had won the regatta. Who ever had the upper hand in race nine had the series so there was a mad dash for the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club where trusty scorer Jo Chugg finally delivered the news that Anchor Challenge had beaten Espada by just one second on corrected time meaning that Anchor Challenge wins the 2009 Coutts Quarter Ton Cup by a mere half point with Espada second, Bullet third, Aguila fourth and ASAP fifth.

For Louise and her young team of Vicky Lenz, Colette Blair, Libby Deegan, Josie Gibson and Mike Edmonds it was a huge disappointment, but as she joked at the prize giving "It's probably better at home this way!" For Peter, sailing with Kelvin Rawlings, John Newnham, Jules Salter and Jason Carrington, this was his second Coutts Quarter Ton Cup win, his first being with Espada in 2007. At the prize giving Peter thanked the Race Committee and the Royal Corinthian for their sterling work before paying tribute to all the competitors for a wonderful regatta and thanking his own crew for getting him out of a number of tight situations. He closed by asking ruefully, "Does anyone have a spare room I can use tonight?"

Alongside the main prizes there are also a number of special awards presented at the Coutts Quarter Ton Cup:

The Ruff-As-Gutz Trophy is a legend of the event and is traditionally awarded to the boat that Quarter Ton Class Chairman Peter Morton judges to be the scruffiest in the fleet. This year Morty decided it shouldn't go to a boat as they were all far too well turned out and not one of them truly deserved it, so instead he looked around for an individual who might be worthy of the title. After much careful consideration he was delighted to confirm that he had indeed found a worthy recipient. With the unanimous agreement of the assembled fleet the trophy was awarded to Mark Brammer of Shamu, who travelled all the way from Blackpool for the event and having played a leading role in the revelries at last night's Gala Dinner, was last seen staggering up the road asking everyone he passed where he lived! It's still not entirely clear whether he ever made it home.

For the second year running the Oldest Bowman Trophy (a beautifully engraved walking stick) went to Mike Till of Bullet at 70 years young

The Trophy for the First Production Boat went to Laurent Beaurin's Farr 727 45° South, winner of the 1975 Quarter Ton Cup in Deauville for New Zealand. Laurent travelled from France for the regatta and with his multinational scratch crew of Julien Sellier (French), Humphrey Carber (English) and Piers Taylor and Ben Gladwell (New Zealanders) he put in an excellent performance to finish sixth overall including winning two races.

The award for the Oldest Crew went to Bullet, owned by Howard Sellars and Mike Till and crewed by Jamie McWilliam, who had travelled all the way from Hong Kong to take part, Yachts & Yachting MD John Heyes, and young nipper Henry Bagnall. Despite Henry weighing in at only 22 years of age this team still managed to register a combined age of 261 years!

Manzanita won the prize for the youngest crew with George Kenefick (20), John Downey (24), Nathan Kirwan (20), Donagh Good (18) and Gavin Laverty (19) between them clocking up a mere 101 years. These Irish lads also ably demonstrate how Quarter Ton sailing runs in families. Manzanita was originally sailed by George's father Neil, co-owner Joxer O'Brien, designer Ron Holland and legendary boat builder and bowman Killian Bush who have been keeping a watchful eye on the boy's progress and are no doubt delighted to hear that the lads are following in their footsteps both on the water and in the bar!

Last but my no means least the Marineware Concourse de Elegance Trophy was presented to the beautifully turned out ASAP owned by Simon Crawford, Paul Churchill, Adrian Layton and Alex Christie. With her all black livery ASAP is one of the most striking boats in the fleet and this was a most popular win.

With a record 27 boats competing at this year's Coutts Quarter Ton Cup it simply isn't possible to mention every one by name but the quality of racing this year has been exceptional and truly thrilling to watch. Throughout the fleet there have been battles galore and one of the most exciting of these has been amongst the Bolero class, which was designed in 1977 by David Thomas. The five Bolero's competing in this year's Cup enjoyed some of the closest racing of the regatta with the ultimate victor being Sergeant Pepper owned by David Thomas's son Richard and his wife Ann. Second place went to Tony Dodd's Purple Haze (the original prototype for the class) with Roger Swinney's Ayanami third, Peter Hewitson's Shamu fourth and Andrew Greensmith's Hazard fifth. We hope to see even more Bolero's competing at next year's event.

Speaking after racing Paul Lees of race three winner Echo, who finished 11th overall, was thrilled to be back in a Quarter Tonner once again saying, "My first Quarter Ton Cup was in 1973 and I also did 77 and 78. We are the smallest and oldest boat in the fleet, a 1967 design by the brilliant Van de Stadt, and it's all my son Mark's fault that we're here. I've got a soft spot for Van de Stadt boats and Mark was trawling the web when he spotted Echo and called me over saying 'Dad, Dad, I've found a really cheap boat...' It was only Euro 500 and lying in Spain - which should have told us something! She had been abandoned by her owner and was being sold off by the marina. My son completely rebuilt her and redid the deck, she has her original keel and rudder and I was in charge of the rig and sails. It's been a great event - we'll be back next year."

Rupert Holmes of the 1975 De Ridder designed Minestrone was equally effusive saying, "If I'd know about this event last year when I was compiling the Top 50 Regattas for Yachts & Yachting it would definitely have made my top ten. We'll be back again next year."

A very special thank you must go to event sponsor Coutts whose support of the Coutts Quarter Ton Cup has been invaluable. Coutts and their guests have been out watching racing and meeting the sailors after racing each day and their presence has helped to build a very special bond between the class and its sponsor.

Coutts Quarter Ton Cup Overall Top Five

1 Anchor Challenge, Peter Morton - 29.5
2 Espada, Louise Morton - 30
3 Bullet, Howard Sellars & Mike Till - 39
4 Aguila, Rob Gray - 41.5
5 ASAP, Layton/Christie/Crawford/Churchill - 52
6 45° South, Laurent Beaurin -56.5
7 Runaway Bus, Paul Kelsey - 58
8 Diamond, Graydon and Thomas Dawson - 70.
9 Sergeant Pepper, Richard and Ann Thomas - 71.5
10 Snoopy, David Tydeman - 99

FULL RESULTS

For further information about the Coutts Quarter Ton Cup 2009 please contact Fiona Brown, Coutts Quarter Ton Cup Press Officer, E-mail fiona.brown@fionabrown.com, Tel +44 (0)7711 718470, Skype fpbrown, or Anthony Collis, Club Secretary, Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, The Parade, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7QU, Tel +44 (0)1983 293581, Fax +44(0)1983 294385, E-mail anthony@rcyc.co.uk or visit www.rcyc.co.uk.

For further information about Coutts please contact Antony Antoni on e-mail Antony.antoni@coutts.com or visit www.coutts.com

For further information about the Quarter Ton Class please contact Louise Morton, Class Secretary on e-mail louisemorton2@aol.com or visit www.quarteronclass.org .

To view archive galleries of past Ton Cup Championships visit the Yacht racing section of AjaxNetPhoto Picture Library

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Wood is Wonderful…

2009-07-05T22:19:00.003+01:00

The Wooden Boatbuilders Trade Association - Press release June 2009

…say the craftsman of the Wooden Boatbuilders Trade Association and to prove it, they are exhibiting on Stands B022 to B030 at the 2009 Southampton Boat Show.

Wood is wonderful as a boatbuilding material because it allows ‘one-off’ boats to be
hand-crafted and customised to the individual owner’s specific needs, yet they need not be more expensive than run-of-the-mill GRP craft. Wooden boats are wonderful because they are ‘proper’ boats; they feel right to the touch and traditionally built using time-proven methods, they look like boats ought to look.

Wooden boats are about pride of ownership in a mass-produced world. Modern wooden boatbuilding techniques produce boats that require as little or less upkeep as plastic production craft…. yet they look gorgeous, are environmentally friendly and have a smaller carbon footprint! And wooden boats lend themselves to being repaired and restored, making them last for generations.

Ten individual wooden boats, some traditional, some modern, will be exhibited by 7 member companies of the Wooden Boatbuilders Trade Association. Founded 20 years ago, the WBTA – www.wbta.co.uk – exists to promote best practice in wooden boat construction and design and encourage green practises in the choice and use of materials. WBTA members come from all round Britain and overseas and each has to prove their skills to their fellow craftsmen to be accepted for membership. Contact details of all members and further information about wooden boats will be available at the show.

The companies and boats featured on Stands B022 to B030 this year will be:

Lakeland Wooden Boats: Mallard sailing dinghy & Cape Cod angling launch
North Quay Marine: NQ19 daysailer & NQ12 sailing dinghy
The Slipway Cooperative: Pilot Gig
Swallow Boats: BayRaider dayboat & BayCruiser 20 pocket cruising yacht
Willow Bay Boats: Shilling – Open 17 version
Jamie Clay: Clinker double-ender
Adrian Donovan: Whitehall Skiff

For further information and hi-res images of the boats being shown, please contact
Ted Spears on 01795 521711 or email: info@northquaymarine.net

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Horus Superyacht Cup update 27th June 2009

2009-06-29T07:40:00.002+01:00

SUNSHINE TAKES FIRST PLACE ON HORUS RACE DAY AND GLISS WINS THE HORUS SUPERYACHT CUP OVERALL

 A perfect end to racing at the Horus Superyacht Cup today, with stronger winds and bright sunshine giving spectators and photographers just what they wanted.
With event title sponsor HORUS also sponsoring the day, it was only fitting that 'Sunshine' finished in first place with their guests onboard. Antara came in second and Ithaka in third.
The overall ranking of the three days of racing has Gliss in first place, Antara in second and Open Season in third.

For more information and a full list of results go to: www.thesuperyachtcup.com

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Portimão Global Ocean Race update 13th June 2009

2009-06-13T12:49:00.003+01:00

Points, prizes, rules and regulations

With the Chilean duo of Felipe Cubillos and José Muñoz crossing the Leg 5 Scoring Gate at 2122 UTC on Thursday, Desafio Cabo de Hornos took the maximum gate score of two points, bringing their overall total for the circumnavigation to 41 points (the scoring system and individual team scores for Legs 1-5 are listed below).

For the German team of Boris Herrmann and Felix Oehme on board Beluga Racer, second place at the scoring gate crossed at 1800 UTC on Friday (12/06) supplies 1.5 points, bringing Herrmann and Oehme’s total pre-finish line to 47.1 points. In effect, as long as Beluga Racer now complete Leg 5 in first, second or third place or are even scored DNF (Did Not Finish) in the double-handed fleet, the German team have won the inaugural Portimão Global Ocean Race overall.

However, the threat of the damaged upper port spreader on the blue, German Class 40 has been a concern, although both Herrmann and Oehme are supremely confident that the lashings they have fitted and prudent sailing will get them across the North Atlantic to Portimão. Until the scoring gate there was, though, one threat to an overall victory by Beluga Racer.

The rules of the Portimão Global Ocean Race are very specific regarding a DNF boat. The event’s Notice of Race (NOR) supplies the information in NOR 14.3 ‘The time limit at a finishing line (not a scoring gate) will be 12 days after the first boat has finished, after which time any yacht not finished or retired will be scored DNF (changes RRS 35).’ Effectively, if the damage became worse and Herrmann and Oehme are forced to fit a jury rig or make a pitstop for repairs in the Azores, they would have to finish within 12 days of the first boat to arrive in Portimão.

read more

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Yachts prepare for Horus Superyacht Cup

2009-06-03T08:37:00.005+01:00

Meteor and Windrose to head to Palma

The gaff-rigged schooner Meteor and the elegant modern-classic Windrose have confirmed they will be taking part in The Horus Superyacht Cup in Palma in June. These two beautiful yachts were designed by Gerry Dijkstra & Partners; Windrose at 46m and Meteor at 52m.
Windrose was built by Holland Jachtbouw and launched in 2001. She made her racing debut at Antigua Classic Week in 2002, going on in the same year to race across the Atlantic against the 58m Jessica, beating her by 17 hours. Meteor, built by Royal Huisman, was launched in the spring of 2007 just in time to take part in the famous "Mother of all Regattas", The Superyacht Cup in Palma in June '07, when 52 superyachts seemingly filled the whole of the Bay of Palma and stunned the sailing world. Windrose and Meteor will be out racing hard again this year and with the contrast of the contemporary designs such as Open Season, Mari Cha III and Black Pearl it will be another truly spectacular occasion.
With less than a month to go to the Horus Superyacht Cup many yachts are preparing for their summer cruising and racing. Tenaz, the 40m Dubois designed sloop is finishing off a winter refit at the Pendennis Shipyard in Falmouth, England. Tenaz was originally built by Pendennis and launched in 1996. Following an extensive world cruise with her present owners she returned to Pendennis where according to her owner, she was 'put back to how she was when launched'. The work included a complete top to bottom interior and exterior repaint, some interior re-touching work as well as main engine exhaust rebuild . After successful sea trials the yacht recently left Falmouth bound for Palma, where she will be in action at the Hours Superyacht Cup with a combined Pendennis/Tenaz team and a few special guests. The newly-refurbished yacht is being considered for charter throughout the summer in the Mediterranean and the winter in the Caribbean.
Still heading across the Atlantic and bound for Palma are the Tripp-design Baltic 25 Black Pearl and Superyacht Cup veteran Sojana, (winner of the Superyacht Cup in Antigua 2007). 13 yachts are currently confirmed and with another 8 or so yachts still 'planning to attend' organisers are anticipating 15 -18 yachts in the final line-up.
For more information and a full list of provisional entries go to: www.thesuperyachtcup.com

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Cape Breton Island confirmed entry in Clipper Round the World Yacht Race

2009-04-16T08:13:00.006+01:00

15 April 2009 Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada

The image of a magnificent eagle, the emblem of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, will adorn the 68-foot racing yacht which has today been confirmed as an entry in the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race.

Cape Breton Island gets set to soar in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race
Artist’s rendition of how the Cape Breton Island yacht will look.

Following the hugely successful stopover there in the 07-08 edition of the race Sydney, Cape Breton, is also confirmed as a stopover on the Clipper 09-10 route and will play host to the fleet in June 2010.

Named Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia’s Masterpiece, the entry will be one of ten identical, stripped down 68-foot racing yachts competing in the event, each sponsored by an international city, region or country. They include Uniquely Singapore, Qingdao and Hull & Humber, all of whom will be making return appearances, the team sponsors having discovered that the Clipper Race provides a unique platform delivering cost-effective global market exposure. Joining them for the first time will be California, whose participation has been endorsed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger following the fleet’s inaugural visit to the state in the last edition of the biennial race. Also making a debut is Cork, the first ever Irish entry in the Clipper Race and the destination for the fleet when they leave Sydney.

The campaign to enter a Cape Breton Island yacht that will showcase Nova Scotia’s masterpiece, the majestic beauty of the region and the warmth of its people to a worldwide audience of more than 200 million people has been backed by Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation and Sydney Ports Corporation. They will use the event as a dynamic platform from which to promote tourism, investment, education, immigration and trade opportunities as well as establishing economic development contacts and opportunities in the countries the race visits.

On board the racing yacht will be a team of normal folk, many of whom who have never sailed before, who are taking up the challenge of a lifetime. Cape Breton native Elisa Jenkins, 30, signed up to take part when she saw the ten-strong fleet in Sydney in June last year and knew it was for her. The physiotherapist is using her experience to raise funds and awareness for the Cape Breton Cancer Center.

Elisa says, “I’m proud to be sailing into global harbours with Cape Breton Island on the hull. Our symbol of the eagle will be a source of strength for crew members as we race across the world’s oceans. The Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race has given me an opportunity to pursue personal challenges and draw attention to a meaningful cause in our community.”

Joining her will be two other Nova Scotians, Alyson Murray from Bridgewater and Achilles Huczel from Halifax, who will represent Cape Breton Island on a global stage. Six other Canadians have also signed up to take on the challenge of a lifetime. Housewives, lorry drivers, farmers, doctors, lawyers, stockbrokers and even a vicar are among the former Clipper crews who have demonstrated to the world their unique, inspirational qualities.

In addition to those people with a thirst for adventure who will race around the world representing the region, there are exciting opportunities for local businesses to be part of the event – benefiting both from the economic impact of the race visit and also using the race to showcase their products and services to the world. Teams in previous Clipper Races have helped galvanise the community spirit in their sponsoring city or region, generating a huge sense of ownership and pride in their achievement.

The Clipper Race was set up by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to sail solo, non-stop around the world, in order to give ordinary people the chance to do something truly extraordinary.

Sir Robin says, “Sydney provided the backdrop for one of the most spectacular starts of the last Clipper Race so I’m thrilled we’re coming back. We had some fantastic close quarter racing in the harbour and down the channel out into the Atlantic and I hope we’ll see that spectacle again – this time with Cape Breton Island among the fleet.

“We already have a Cape Bretoner who has signed up to take part in the race, along with two other Nova Scotians, and I hope everyone in Cape Breton and, indeed, across the province will get behind the team and support them all the way around the world.

“The Clipper Race will provide a unique platform for you to showcase Cape Breton around the world, both for business and tourism. We had a wonderful welcome in Sydney last June so we are very much looking forward to bringing the Clipper fleet back here to experience the warmth of the hospitality we know the whole of Cape Breton is renowned for.”

Berths are still available for Clipper 09-10. More information can be found at www.clipperroundtheworld.com, by emailing oceanracer@clipperroundtheworld.com or by calling +44 (0) 2392 526000. No sailing experience is necessary as all crew must go through a comprehensive pre-race training programme.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race will start on 13 September from the Humber on the UK’s east coast and return there in July 2010 after 35,000 miles of ocean racing. No previous sailing experience is required to take part as full training is provided. The overall race is divided into individual races and points are accumulated according to each individual race position. The yacht with the highest total at the finish wins the race trophy.

High resolution race images are available on request. Images from Clipper 07-08 are available free for editorial use at www.w-w-i.com/clipper_0708_race/

For media information or interviews please contact:

Heather Ewing, Communications Manager (in Canada GMT -3 until Thursday 16 April)

UK Mobile: +44 (0) 7792 408 695
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
Email: hewing@clipper-ventures.com

For further information log onto www.clipperroundtheworld.com

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Superyacht Cup 2012 regatta to be held in Cowes IOW

2009-04-14T20:47:00.004+01:00

London, April 2009 -

The organisers of The Superyacht Cup and the Royal Yacht Squadron have announced plans to hold a Superyacht Cup 2012 regatta in Cowes on the Isle of Wight prior to the start of the 2012 London Olympics.

The four-day regatta will take place from 22-25 July 2012 and is open to superyachts over 24m. The Royal Yacht Squadron will be the Organising Authority responsible for providing the race management and course setting for the event. The Superyacht Cup team will manage the overall event including the social programme.

The regatta has been carefully planned to immediately precede the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Olympics in London on 27 July 2009, and the start of the Olympic sailing races in Weymouth on 28 July. The participating yachts may opt after the event to head up the Thames to London for the Opening Ceremony, or alternatively to the sailing venue in Weymouth, where plans are being considered for Superyacht moorings to be made available to visiting yachts.

“The summer of 2012 in the UK is going to be the focus of many sporting, cultural and business activities, and with the help of the Royal Yacht Squadron we plan to host a very special event for superyachts from all over the world to join in the Olympic excitement. Cowes and the Solent are a world famous sailing venue and the perfect location for such a prestigious event” commented James Pleasance, SYC Marketing Director.

Full details of the racing and social schedule will be announced in due course. In the meantime, owners wishing to register their interest in competing in the 2012 Superyacht Cup are invited to contact the Superyacht Cup office in Palma, Mallorca at +34 971 70 87 95 or by email to info@thesuperyachtcup.com

About the Superyacht Cup
Established in 1996 in Palma, Mallorca, the Superyacht Cup is an annual series of regattas for superyachts over 24m. Each event is held over four days, with racing fleets split into cruising and performance divisions. In 2007, over 55 superyachts participated in the Palma regatta prior to the 2007 America’s Cup in Valenica, the biggest fleet of superyachts ever to compete in a single regatta.

The Superyacht Cup is part of the Informa Yacht Group, the global leader in yachting events and a division of Informa plc, the world’s largest public-owned organiser of exhibitions and conferences. The current IYG portfolio includes such high-end events as the Monaco Yacht Show, the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show, The Superyacht Cup Regattas, the Phuket International Boat Show and the World Yacht Racing Forum.

THE SUPERYACHT CUP | www.thesuperyachtcup.com

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The SYZ & CO hydrofoil catamaran has taken off !

2009-04-06T08:25:00.004+01:00

Genève, 3 April 2009

After two years of development and hard work, the SYZ & CO hydrofoil catamaran took off yesterday for its maiden flight in a northerly breeze averaging 13 knots on the slightly choppy waters of Lake Léman and has demonstrated its striking manner the validity of its concept. The next weeks will be devoted to tuning up in order to be ready for the main races of the season. To allow the public to follow project developments, a web site is now available (www.syzfoiler.com).

The SYZ & CO hydrofoil catamaran has flown over Lake Léman
After over two years of development, thousand of working hours and first trials marked by teething technical problems between December and March, the hydrofoil catamaran finally took off yesterday evening in the waters off Société Nautique de Genève.

Copyright photos: Loris Von Siebent hal

This historical outing started yesterday evening a little before 6 pm and the crew, comprising Alex Schneiter, Patrick Firmenich, Arnaud Psarofaghis and Boet Brinkgreve, had a superb navigation in the Geneva harbour. Sailing in a breeze of approximately 13 knots with gusts going up to 16 knots, the hydrofoil catamaran first started with a reef on the main sail and the genoa. As the wind picked up, the crew quickly changed the fore sail and switched to the forestaysail. The SYZ & CO then proceeded windward until Creux-de-Genthod and the bearing away already promised to be spectacular. The crew gained in confidence in the prototype and rushed downwind towards Geneva at a speed of 10 knots. A magical moment, every one holding his breath until finally a hull lifts up out of the water followed a moment later by the second one! The catamaran accelerates to quickly reach 20 knots. The water is a little choppy and the boat dances on the waves. Helmsman Alex Schneiter later tells: « She’s quite light to steer and responds quickly but remains tolerant. In flight, she stays pleasant to steer and easy to trim. When she’s on the water, in Archimedean mode, she’s heavier than a conventional yacht but I think that a lot will depend on the tune up. »

Around 6.15pm, the wind weakens a little and the crew puts the genoa back on and continues with the full main sail. François Psarofaghis, on the chase boat, cannot hide his satisfaction: « It’s a good start, but it’s only the start! You can feel she has a great potential but we’ll need hours and hours of tuning. She’s really a racing monster and for the time being, we’re only using a tiny part of the boat’s potential. We’re really looking forward to sailing with the gennaker on on our next outing! »

Arnaud Gavairon, from North Sails, is also closely following the sailing: « These new 3Di sails also require a lot of tuning. It’s like the boat: we’ve gone very far with the technology and a lot of detailed work will be needed. There is a lot of room for progression. »

The beginning of an adventure
Back ashore, the crew confides: « It really went on very well and we got a very good feeling. Given our obviously limited flight experience, we needed little time to adjust to sailing aloft. We are now very confident in the gear but, as we don’t know the boat very well yet, we’re going step by step. »

Once these initial moments of emotion and the pleasure of discovery have passed, the crew will start a performance development phase and will indentify all the tuning factors. In fact, for this first test, the crew stayed voluntarily cautious and did not try to break any speed records. There’s a lot of tuning up to do, be it on the foils, on the flaps, on the crew position and the tilting of the mast. The first impression is very reassuring and encouraging: « She flies very well and you can drive her hard. We’re very happy because the concept proves to be very sound » adds Arnaud Psarofaghis.

Next sailing and test and tuning phase
An intensive training and testing program has been established. During this crucial phase, Pierre-Yves Jorand, member of the Alinghi team, and Boet Brinkgreve will be the key people. Pierre-Yves, who logically is very interested in this project, will be able to share his America’s Cup experience and the discipline that defines it. Boet, the on-board tactician, has put in place a test and checks program, managed from an on-board computer, and has created a systematic analysis database for all parameters. Moreover, an optical fiber sensor system has been installed in order to analyze the performance and the loads on the foils.

www.syzfoiler.com – all the news immediately
Encouraged by the strong interest received by the prototype both in Switzerland and abroad, the team has set up a website entirely dedicated to the SYZ & CO hydrofoil catamaran. This new site, www.syzfoiler.com, recounts the whole development of the project and features regularly updated photo and video galleries. All team results and news will be available.

For additional information, please contact:

Sandra Mudronja
Ricardo Payro
Sandra Mudronja Consulting & Co
Banque SYZ & CO S.A.

Tel : +41 (0)22 320 95 00

Mobile :+41 (0)79 445 87 92
Tel. : +41 (0) 22 819 98 05
E-mail : sandra.mudronja@smc-co.ch
E-Mail: ricardo.payro@syzbank.ch

Note to editors

About SYZ & CO

Founded in 1996 by Eric Syz, Alfredo Piacentini and Paolo Luban, Geneva-based banking group SYZ & CO has established itself as a respected financial firm thanks to its original concept and years of strong results. SYZ & CO focuses exclusively on asset management, with more than CHF 20 billion under management and 350 staff.

Headquartered in Geneva, the Group also has offices in Zurich, Lugano, Locarno, London, Luxembourg, Vienna, Milan, Rome, Nassau and Hong Kong.

Its activities are based on three complementary cornerstones:

· High-end private banking with Banque SYZ & CO SA

· High-performance investment funds with OYSTER, the Luxembourg SICAV

· High-quality alternative investments with 3A SA (Alternative Asset Advisors), one of Europe’s leading hedge fund management specialists

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Portimão Global Ocean Race update 26th March 2009

2009-03-26T21:59:00.002Z

Trouble ahead!

With 1,000 miles remaining to the Leg 3 finish in the tropical, Brazilian island of Ilhabela, the Portimão Global Ocean Race fleet are set for a finish line scramble early next week. Over the past 24 hours, the German team of Boris Herrmann and Felix Oehme on Beluga Racer have made a break away, consistently averaging the highest speeds in the double-handed fleet yesterday afternoon (25/03) as the boats beat north-east on port tack. This morning at 0620 GMT (26/03), Herrmann and Oehme have extended their lead over Desafio Cabo de Hornos by 27 miles since dawn on Wednesday and now lead the fleet by 71 miles, averaging eight knots.

Holding third place in the double-handed fleet, furthest west and 300 miles off the coast of Argentina, Jeremy Salvesen and David Thomson on Team Mowgli were the first to feel the breeze turn northerly, but have kept hard on the wind, averaging one knot slower than Beluga Racer and Desafio Cabo de Hornos sailing in slightly freer and stronger breeze further east. The net result for the British team is a loss of 16 miles to the Chileans and the British team now trail Desafio Cabo de Hornos by just 59 miles. Meanwhile, solo sailor Michel Kleinjans on Roaring Forty is pacing the double-handed fleet, matching speeds with Beluga Racer and Desafio Cabo de Hornos and is currently 200 miles astern of the race leader and 77 miles behind Team Mowgli.

After 6,500 miles and 33 days of racing, the closing stages of Leg 3 are going to be a tactical minefield for the four boats and the slightest lapse of strategic judgement or poor weather analysis could overturn the leaderboard. Felipe Cubillos, skipper of Desafio Cabo de Hornos explains: “We have 990 miles left to reach Ilhabela, but with the meteorology ahead, this is going to be a very complex six days.” As the area of high pressure east of the fleet expands across the South Atlantic, dragging the breeze further round to the east, the chances of the fleet having to tack back towards the coast of Uruguay and Southern Brazil increases.

If the wind stays more northerly, or moves to the west, sailing hard on the wind on port towards Ilhabela can be achieved. “The approach to the Brazilian coast is going to be winding,” predicts Cubillos. “We know that the final attack closing in on Ilhabela is going to be very, very complicated and pretty much anything can happen.” For Cubillos and his co-skipper, José Muñoz, there is only one clear plan: “Now, we have to work hard on recovering our lead,” he explains. “And never, never surrender!”

Note to Editors: For Rights Free images, flash videos, logos and other materials please contact:

Brian Hancock: brian@portimaorace.com
Tel: +1 617 314 4468

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Portimão Global Ocean Race update 19th March 2009

2009-03-20T00:00:00.003Z

VIVA CHILE! Desafio Cabo de Hornos are first to Cape Horn

At 0050 GMT this morning, (19/03), Felipe Cubillos and José Muñoz sailed into the history books on Desafio Cabo de Hornos when the Chilean duo rounded Cape Horn earlier today. Instantaneously, their offshore sailing CV has quadrupled in size. The first yacht in the Portimão Global Ocean Race to pass the cape; the first Chilean team to round Cape Horn in a race; the first modern, 40ft yacht to race around the bottom of the globe and the first Class 40 to take on the Southern Ocean and reach 56°S.

The overture to rounding of the world’s southernmost cape has been dramatic for Cubillos and Muñoz. At 1700 GMT yesterday (18/03), Desafio Cabo de Hornos passed three miles south of the Islas Ildelfonso: nine jagged, uninhabited and unlit stacks of rock at the western entrance to Drake Passage. Immediately, Cubillos fired off an email to the rest of the fleet: “Please take care of these rocks,” he warned. “They are north of our current position, but my impression is that they are a little bit south of the position marked on the chart and they’re unlit.” Three hours later, a Chilean Navy P-111 spotter plane buzzed Desafio Cabo de Hornos, quickly followed by a congratulatory call from the office of the Chilean President and greetings from Boris Herrmann and Felix Oehme 85 miles astern in second place on Beluga Racer.

With the light beginning to fade at 56°S, Felipe Cubillos sent a final message before rounding the cape: “I have an important message to deliver,” he wrote. “Everyone can fulfil their dreams if they apply passion and determination. If you can overcome pessimism, self-doubt and triumph over the fear of failure, it is worth it as the prize at the end is immense. For me – and possibly many of you – it is our reason for living. Each of us has a personal Cape Horn: it’s a matter of locating this goal and then heading straight for it. In a few hours we will be at the cape and we can hoist our country’s flag and shout VIVA CHILE!” In the latest 0620 GMT position poll, Desafio Cabo de Hornos has hardened up since passing the cape and Cubillos and Muñoz are making just over nine knots, 60 miles south of the Le Maire Strait, the 16 mile wide channel of strong tides and confusing currents between Tierra del Fuego and Isla de Los Estados.

On Beluga Racer, 37 miles west of the cape at 0620 GMT today and 76 miles behind Desafio Cabo de Hornos, Boris Herrmann and Felix Oehme have mixed emotions as they approach this crucial waypoint at the bottom of the world: “I am a bit sad to round the cape because that destroys the dream of challenging the Southern Ocean,” commented Herrmann late last night. “By passing the cape we have reached the summit, we have fulfilled that dream.” Averaging eight knots with a current ETA of 1030 GMT at the cape, the duo are just hours from German sailing celebrity. “I don’t want to leave the Southern Ocean behind us,” he continues. “It is cold, it is rough, but it is that intense sailing that makes me feel alive more than normal.” However, the duo will have company at the cape with Bouwe Bekking and his ten crew on the Volvo Ocean Race backmarker, Telefonica Blue, likely to pass Cape Horn around three hours after Beluga Racer.

Note to Editors: For Rights Free images, flash videos, logos and other materials please contact:

Brian Hancock: brian@portimaorace.com
Tel: +1 617 314 4468

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Cape Horn - drama or dream?

2009-03-16T20:35:00.003Z

When the fleet of four boats in the Portimão Global Ocean Race round Cape Horn over the next few days, it will mark the first rounding by a race of 40ft yachts and the first race rounding by a Chilean team. A truly momentous achievement for the seven yachstmen.

Debate continues over the original discovery of the world’s southernmost cape: did Francisco de Hoces - the Spanish commander of the caravel San Lesmes – first site the rocky outcrop in 1526 after being swept south while trying to navigate the eastern entrance of the Straits of Magellan? If so, he predates the 1578 rounding of Sir Francis Drake by a little over half a century. However, since the Amsterdam merchant, Willem Shouten, formally named the place in 1616, Cape Horn has been a craved destination and right of passage for offshore sailors: a prime objective in sailing aspirations, part maritime bogeyman, part Holy Grail.

The Horn marks the northern limit of Drake Passage, a fearsome stretch of water between South America and the Antarctic continent where the Southern Ocean is squeezed through a narrow and relatively shallow gap: a concentration of wind and waves that can produce monstrous seas. The cape’s legendary status and fearsome reputation has filled the pages of many books, but the “Long Drag Shanty” conveys a true sense of dread that the area can inspire:

Round Cape Horn where the stiff wind blows,
Round Cape Horn where there’s sleet and snow.
I wish to God I’d never been born
To drag my carcass around Cape Horn

Cape Horn has wrecked countless ships and claimed the lives of many sailors attempting to round this barren, rocky, outcrop; the southernmost, drowned peak of the Andes Mountains chain. One survivor of a Horn gale was Charles Darwin during the voyage of exploration that formed his theories on evolution. This experience totally demoralised the brilliant naturalist: “The necessary discomforts of the ship heavily pitching and the miseries of constant wet and cold, I have scarcely for an hour been quite free from seasickness. How long the bad weather may last, I know not; but my spirits, temper, and stomach, I am well assured, will not hold out much longer.”

For more information, please go to www.portimaorace.com.

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An even bigger lift for Sunseeker International

2009-02-17T08:31:00.005Z

PRESS RELEASE FEBRUARY 2009

A new 320 tonnes travel lift, believed to be one of the largest hoists of its type in the UK, has been installed at Sunseeker International’s Osprey Quay Shipyard on Portland in Dorset. The new hoist, supplied by Wise Handling Limited, has a height of 13.5 metres, an overall width of 15 metres and weighs 108,000 kg.

The new Wise 320 Tonne Travel Hoist shown here moving a Sunseeker 30 Metre Yacht Hull

The new travel hoist, which has been built to launch or retrieve boats up to 320,000 kilograms, has been acquired to operate with a brand new lifting dock. The dock, similar to that at the company’s Poole Shipyards, has been specifically built to meet the demand for boats over 30 metres (100 feet).

With a successful range of larger craft already in production – including the 37 Metre, 34 Metre and 30 Metre Yachts, along with the Predator 108 – the travel lift will also have the ability to elevate and move even larger vessels such as the Sunseeker 46 Metre Yacht currently in development and the Predator 130, which is due to be launched later this year. In addition, the hoist will have full remote control facility with double speed winching – enabling greater flexibility in moving boats.

Sunseeker recently announced its intention to build superyachts over 50 metres and the 11 acre site at Osprey Quay, along with the facilities now available, will be an important part in the company’s future development.

Robert Braithwaite CBE, Sunseeker’s managing director commented: “The investment in this type of machinery is vital to the future success of the business. With our range of models increasing in both length and weight having the new travel hoist will enable us to move the boats efficiently and safely.

“The continued development at Osprey Quay is very important to us if we are to maintain our position as one of the world’s major yacht builders.”

- Ends

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Sunseeker PR and Marketing, Gemma Langridge
Tel: +44 (0) 1202 381111 Fax: +44 (0) 1202 777005 Mobile: +44 (0)7764 320536
e-mail: marketing@sunseeker.com
Website www.sunseeker.com

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Portimão Global Ocean Race update 15th Dec 2008

2008-12-16T00:50:00.000Z

Fleet splits as they head south

Less than 24 hours into the race things are already starting to get interesting. The fleet has split tacks with the boys on Beluga Racer, alongside the leading solo sailor Michel Kleinjans on Roaring Forty, have chosen a south-easterly course away from Cape Point. Heading due south are the early race leaders Kazimir Partners, and the British entry Team Mowgli. Two different strategies for tackling the critical first stage of the race.

After a rousing start to Leg 2 from Table Bay yesterday things quickly changed as the yachts found pocket after pocket of light patches. First to slow up was the early leader Michel Kleinjans who found his own private wind hole off Sea Point. He was quickly followed into the hole by Boris Herrmann and Felix Oehme on Beluga Racer. Seeing their dilemma the Chilean team of Felipe Cubillos and José Muñoz headed offshore in the hope of better luck and could only look on in dismay when the wind filled in closer to land. They also found themselves in a bit more counter current as the ice cold Benguela Current drifts slowly northwards up the coast.

Then, in a fitting way, the South Africans aboard Kazimir Partners found their own private winds and took off. “They were right alongside of us,” Boris Herrmann lamented. “The wind got to them and not us and before long they were out of sight over the horizon.” While Beluga Racer sat going nowhere slowly with old nemesis Roaring Forty alongside, the brothers on Kazimir Partners, Peter and Lenjohn van der Wel jumped from zephyr to zephyr and took off. “I think we were lucky,” Lenjohn said in an email. “But then again I think we deserved a little luck.”

By nightfall all the sailors were treated to a spectacular sight as they tacked along the coast toward Cape Point. The Table Mountain range extends from the City of Cape Town all the way along the Cape Peninsula to Cape Point and as a setting sun sinks lower into the Atlantic the mountains take on a ruddy hue. It’s dramatic, stunning beautiful to watch, and a fitting way to start a long offshore passage. As the last light left the sky all the yachts, with the exception of Kazimir Partners, could still be seen slowly making their way along the coast.

This morning it’s a different story. Overnight the wind picked up from the south forcing the sailors to make some hard choices. There are two different schools of thought. Hedging their bets Beluga Racer and Roaring Forty are sailing closer to the rhumb line and therefore are leading their respective Classes. Further inshore and to the east the Chileans onboard Desafio Cabo de Hornos are following the same logic. The van der Wel brothers, as well as Jeremy Salvesen and David Thomson on Team Mowgli, have opted to head due south in search of fresh westerlies. Same too for Nico Budel on Hayai. It’s a time honoured tactic, but only time will tell if it’s a good tactic.

The veteran navigators of the early Whitbread Round the World races, now the Volvo Ocean Race, all suggest getting south out of Cape Town as quickly as possible but that’s only if all options look equal. There is nothing in the immediate forecast to tempt the rest of the fleet into the southerly option. The first low pressure cell is still miles to the west. It’s precisely this kind of scenario that makes ocean racing so interesting and the next 48 hours will be fun to watch as the Race Viewer gets it’s usual heavy traffic.

Note to Editors: For Rights Free images, flash videos, logos and other materials please contact:

Brian Hancock: brian@portimaorace.com
Tel: +1 617 314 4468

Visitors, users and viewers of the content to which this notice is attached may copy it for re-use and syndicate the content by whatever means for use to other internet content sites on condition the source of all material so used is acknowledged with the attachment of the following notice.
www.superyachtnews.blogspot.com 2008
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Portimão Global Ocean Race update 14th Dec 2008

2008-12-16T00:40:00.000Z

They're off - next stop Wellington

With a heavy cloud shrouding Table Mountain the six boats participating in the Portimão Global Ocean Race set off on their 7,900 nautical mile voyage to Wellington, New Zealand. Executive Deputy Mayor, Cllr Grant Haskin fired the start gun and seconds later Michel Kleinjans aboard Roaring Forty crossed the line, sails sheeted in tight and wide grin plastered on his face. Moments later the German team of Boris Herrmann and Felix Oehme on Beluga Racer crossed followed closely by the other solo sailor in the race, Nico Budel aboard Hayai. The wind, a steady northerly, made for an upwind beat to the first obligatory mark, Fairway buoy No 2 off Sea Point.

The fleet immediately split tacks with Jeremy Salvesen and David Thomson aboard Team Mowgli heading offshore toward Robben Island, and Kleinjans on Roaring Forty choosing instead to head for land hoping to pick up a nice lift off the wind bending around Signal Hill. The rest of the fleet chose a middle ground with Beluga Racer and Desafio Cabo de Hornos already locked in a neck-and-neck match race, the German yacht slightly ahead of the Chilean team of Felipe Cubillos and José Muñoz.

A large spectator fleet was on hand to watch the boats tussle their way out of Table Bay. The entire racing fleet for the Crock’s Regatta, a local regatta also taking place this weekend, was on hand to give the Portimão racers a rousing send-off with local sailors Peter and Lenjohn van der Wel surrounded by well-wishers waving and clapping. Earlier in the day it was an emotional scene at the Royal Cape Yacht Club as hundreds of cheering people gave each yacht a fitting send-off. The fog slowly lifted and by the time all the boats were away from the dock there were peeks of blue sky forcing their way between dark rain clouds.

Forty minutes into the leg it was clear that Michel Kleinjans was once again going to show the rest of the fleet how to sail. He sailed right up to the land, tacked over in front of the new stadium being built for the 2010 soccer World Cup, and picked up a massive lift. As the offshore yachts converged off Sea Point, Kleinjans was clearly in the lead and at the first poll at 13:20 UTC he was .2 of a mile ahead of second place Beluga Racer. Two hours into the race less than half a mile separated Kleinjans from the back-markers Desafio Cabo de Hornos and Hayai.

As the boats round Sea Point and sail past Cape Town’s famous Clifton Beach, the skippers will be able to ease sheets and enjoy some fast sailing. The forecast for the next 24 hours looks good as the wind will slowly back first into the west then into the southwest giving them all a clean getaway from land.

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Ambition Racing to attend The Southampton Boat Show 2008

2008-09-01T22:18:00.001+01:00

Press Release – September 2008

The amateur, double-handed sailing team of Jeremy Salvesen and Victoria Sanders-Perrin to meet journalists and the public and share their plans and ambitions for the 2008/09 Portimão Global Ocean Race

Jeremy Salvesen and Victoria Sanders-Perrin only started sailing back in August 2005 but they have already secured an entry into the inaugural Portimão Global Ocean Race. Last month they completed a 2,000mile compulsory qualifier and were accepted onto the starting line-up of the ocean race departing in October - the only UK team to do so.

Salvesen and Sanders-Perrin have spent the last 4 months making sure that their Akilaria Class 40 yacht, Mowgli is up to the challenges of Ocean Racing and, whilst Mowgli withstood all that the Atlantic threw at it during the qualifier, the two sailors got more than a taster of what could be in store for them when the race starts However, they are not daunted and are all guns blazing for the race in the autumn. They set sail for Portugal on 20th September.

The Portimão Global Ocean Race is the first ever solo-double around-the-world yacht race. The event, open to 40 and 50-foot monohull sailboats only, will start from Portimão, Portugal in October 2008 and circumnavigate the world stopping in South Africa, New Zealand, Brazil and the United States before finishing in Europe in June 2009.

Race founders Josh Hall and Brian Hancock, themselves veteran offshore sailors, say “The principal intention with this new event is to make around-the-world yacht racing as accessible to as many people as possible”

Salvesen and Sanders-Perrin gave up their jobs, sold their houses and moved to Portsmouth to embark on a vigorous training programme.

The Ambition Racing team will be the first ever male / female team to take on the challenge to race around the world in a 40ft boat in the Southern Ocean and, as if the experience in itself won’t be challenging enough, a camera crew will be following the team every step of the way.

Goldhawk Media are developing a series of documentaries to reflect the reality, glamour and danger of offshore racing and the adventures of the Ambition Racing team will be central to the programmes.

Once the domain of the super-rich, around-the-world yacht racing is becoming more and more accessible and by sharing their experiences, Ambition Racing hope to inspire and motivate sailors who may feel that a global circumnavigation is out of their reach both financially and practically.
For further information on Ambition Racing and the Portimão Global Ocean Race 2008/2009 please go to:
http://www.ambitionracing.com http://www.portimaoglobaloceanrace.com

OR contact Susie Reid Thomas at Silver Thread Communications on:
susie@silverthreadpr.com / 020 8875 8444 / 07802 670 995

NOTE TO EDITORS

Jeremy, 45, from Fife on the east coast of Scotland and owner of an entrepreneur confectionary business, was hugely inspired after a trip to New Zealand and a conversation with a ‘Round the World’ yacht crew. So inspired was he that, after signing up to this incredible global challenge, he sold his business and set up home on Mowgli.

Victoria, 33 and born in Cape Town, was, until recently, still looking after a ½ billion turnover for Xerox. She decided to take on this life changing experience after meeting Charlie Smith (a Xerox employee who was in the news after a freak wave hit his boat whilst racing off the coast of Australia). Personal issues also inspired her to take on this adventure with huge determination and great spirit.

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Red Arrows Headline British Excellence at Moanco Yacht Show 2008

2008-08-31T22:45:00.000+01:00

The Red Arrows will form the highlight of British Excellence and Superyacht UK’s (SYUK) presence at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show.

The award winning Royal Air Force display team will be performing a 30 minute routine in front of the outer breakwater at Monaco Harbour. The event will be followed by the chance for those attending to ‘Meet the Pilots’ at a SYUK evening reception.

First established in 1965, the Red Arrows have flown over 4,000 displays in 52 countries. They aim to act as ambassadors for Great Britain overseas and to support UK industry by demonstrating the capabilities of British equipment and expertise.

The organisation of the display results from the initiative of several members of SYUK and is designed to celebrate British excellence in the industry. Led by Pendennis and supported by SYUK the group also includes The Yacht Report, Superyacht World, Superyacht Business, Underwriting Risk Services Ltd, Burgess and DEVONPORT.

The Monaco Yacht Show is an ideal opportunity to bring the successful superyacht industry in the UK and its new project and product launches to international attention. The Superyacht industry in the UK employs over 3000 people and had a turnover of £300m pounds based on 2006/7 figures.

Superyacht UK representatives have attended the Monaco event for the last 8 years, and in addition to the appearance of the Red Arrows, will be helping promote British industry through on-site support for members including a meeting pavilion located in the heart of the Show with over 27 companies. The new annual statistics for the 2007/08 value of the UK Superyacht sector will also be announced at the Show.

Toby Allies, Head of Sales and Marketing at Pendennis, said:

“I always thought that having a Red Arrows display at the Monaco Yacht Show was just a pipe dream, but after some hard work behind the scenes it has become a reality. Once the rest of the SYUK committee heard about our proposal, they instantly got behind it and the momentum grew from there.

“For us personally having the Red Arrows at Monaco provides yet another highlight for our 20th anniversary year - following on from the success of the Pendennis Cup in August and our reception at the St Barths Bucket in March.”

Tom Chant, International Commercial Manager for Superyacht UK added:

“The Red Arrows are a powerful symbol of British excellence and it is fantastic for the industry that they will be appearing at this year’s show. Superyacht UK will be working extremely hard to support our members in Monaco as they seek to promote British expertise and success to the international Superyacht community. I’m looking forward to a productive and successful time in Monaco.

“Our thanks go to Pendennis, The Yacht Report, Superyacht World, Superyacht Business, Underwriting Risk Services Ltd, Burgess, DEVONPORT and the team at Monaco Yacht Show for their support in hosting the Red Arrows.”

The display is currently scheduled to take place on Thursday 25th September at 15.30 outside the outer breakwater of Monaco harbour.

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Life begins at 69

2008-08-29T08:11:00.001+01:00

Portimão Global Ocean Race news update 28th August 2008

Dutch sailor Nico Budel will be the oldest sailor in the Portimão Global Ocean Race.

Just when most people would be thinking about kicking back and easing into a more gentle way of life after a long and hard career, Dutch sailor Nico Budel is planning on fulfilling his lifelong dream of sailing alone around the world. Budel, the oldest sailor in the Portimão Global Ocean Race, will be 69 when the start gun fires on October 12, but to him age is just a number.

I plan to live to at least 100,” he says. “So there will be plenty of time for work but every now and then you need to take some time for fun and a solo circumnavigation is something I have been dreaming about my whole life. My dream will come true.”

T.E. Lawrence wrote: “All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their mind wake in the day to find it was all vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men for they may act upon their dream with open eyes to make it possible.” Nico Budel is one who dreams by day and by that measure he may be considered a dangerous man. You would never know it though. A loving husband, father of five and grandfather of 10, he is a family man first and foremost and while he talks about his upcoming adventure with enthusiasm and passion, there is a note of caution in his voice.

“I am not at all concerned about the sailing,” he says. “Racing around Great Britain two years ago we encountered 65 knot winds. It was a thrilling experience. The boat handled very well. My most important goal is to come back; safely, to my wife Myrna, my children, I have two daughters and three sons, and my grandchildren. That’s the most important thing for me.”

Budel is no stranger to offshore sailing. He has raced very successfully in the OSTAR, a single-handed crash and bast fest across the North Atlantic winning his class in 2005. “That’s a tough race,” he says. “Sailing upwind is tough. I am looking forward to sailing downwind in the Portimão Global Ocean Race. It’s always more fun sailing downwind.” In addition to twice racing solo across the North Atlantic he has raced the double-handed Fastnet race six times, raced the AZAB to the Azores and back numerous times and competed in many lesser known, but no less tough shorthanded races in Europe. “I have enjoyed them all,” he said. “But I want the big one. Sailing around the world solo. Some people have called me crazy, some say whoa, do you dare do it? Some say, awesome adventure, and other just say simply, enjoy. That’s what I plan to do. Enjoy myself. And when it’s over I will return to my career as a Real Estate developer, work I really like, and life will go on.”

For his trip around the world Budel has a proven boat. His Open 40, Hayai, has already completed two circumnavigations, first with designer/builder Viktor Yazekov during the 1998/99 Around Alone race and later with Danish sailor Jan Moller. “The boat is proven,” Budel says. “It is easy to sail and I feel it is very seaworthy. Also, it’s not too big for me. I can manage the boat very well.”

In fact the boat has proven to be all Budel says, and more. During the Around Alone race Yazekov had to perform some self surgery lancing a severely infected cut. Unknown to his doctors the Russian sailor had been taking Asprin for pain. When he lanced the infected cut he bled profusely before finally passing out. Twelve hours later he came to to find that the boat had sailed perfectly on course without an autopilot and furthermore, did the best 12-hour run of the entire race!”

Hayai, which means ‘speedy’, is a carbon-fiber rocketship with a canting keel and generous sail area. “This is just the kind of boat I like,” Budel said. “Simple, light, back to basics, no shower, no galley, no luxury.” Nico is in for one great adventure and he is just the kind of competitor we hoped to attract when we came up with the idea of the Portimão Global Ocean Race. Someone who lives life to its fullest.

--- Brian Hancock brian@portimaorace.com

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WEST SYSTEM Epoxy Workshops 2008

2008-08-28T21:55:00.000+01:00

PRESS RELEASE
26th August 2008

Wessex Resins announces the dates for the next series of WEST SYSTEM Epoxy Workshops!

Due to the continued success of these epoxy workshops, covering many marine applications and basic handling techniques Wessex Resins is delighted to announce the dates for this seasons

WEST SYSTEM Epoxy Workshops.
Thursday 30th October 2008
Saturday 1st November 2008
Thursday 27th November 2008
Thursday 5th February 2009
Saturday 7th February 2009

The workshop includes a brief history of epoxy technology, the advantages of using epoxy in the marine environment and highlights the benefits of WEST SYSTEM products for all types of applications.
Everyone attending gains hands on experience in using epoxy, being able to mix as much epoxy as they like and have the opportunity to experiment with the entire range of WEST SYSTEM fillers for bonding, gap filling, filleting and fairing. Delegates will have the opportunity to utilize their new skills and build their very own toolbox In addition, to using WEST SYSTEM epoxy and fibreglass fabrics to complete a sheathing excise. At the end of the day delegates take home over £50 of WEST SYSTEM materials.
These courses are provided by the Wessex Resins Technical Support Group. There is an open forum at the end of the day that allows the WEST SYSTEM users to ask specific questions regarding the use of epoxy for the construction, repair and maintenance of their own boats. It will also give rise to some general epoxy/boating discussions.
These courses become over subscribed very quickly and it is therefore essential to book early.

For More Information Please Contact Hamish Cook!!

Wessex Resins and Adhesives Ltd.
Cupernham House, Cupernham Lane, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 7LF
Tel. 01794 521111 Fax 01794 521271
information@wessex-resins.com www.wessex-resins.com

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Portimão Global Ocean Race - News Update

2008-08-17T23:57:00.000+01:00

Thursday, 14th August, 2008 PGOR - NEWS UPDATE

Mowgli Qualified

The UK duo of Sanders-Perrin and Salvesen complete their qualifier.

Wet, exhausted, but exhilarated at having taken on a challenge and prevailed. Those were the emotions running through Victoria Sanders-Perrin and Jeremy Salvesen when they finally made it back to land after 10 tough days out on the open ocean. Sanders-Perrin and Salvesen had just completed their mandatory 2,000 mile qualifying sail for the Portimão Global Ocean Race and jumped the last big hurdle standing between them and the start line in October. It had not been an easy sail.

“We were hammered with very strong winds every day,” said Salvesen. “Rarely below 25 knots and often as much as 40 knots. It was a real test in every sense and I am elated that we came through it without a scratch. Vicky and I are a terrific team and we worked together to make sure that we kept ourselves as warm as possible, as dry as possible, which was not easy, and most of all to keep our boat, Mowgli, in good working order.”

The duo set off from Portsmouth on August 4, originally with an eye toward circumnavigating Great Britain, but with a gnarly forecast and after some sage advice from veteran solo sailor Alex Thompson, they opted to sail out into the Atlantic a 1,000 miles. Race rules call for a qualifying sail of no less than 2,000 miles incorporating all points of sail including hard upwind. And some hard upwind sailing they did, finding the weather less than cooperative.

“We did have some hard upwind stuff,” said Sanders-Perrin. “And it was not without it’s trials. I must admit I did have a bit of a sense of humor failure at times but looking back on it, it was a thrilling experience and I am so happy that we came through it OK and now on to Portugal for the race start.”

Sanders-Perrin may have had a sense of humor failure at times, but in her emails from onboard she showed that she has what it takes to make it around the world and return sane; the canny ability to see the funny side of a less-than-funny situation.

“As I filled a bucket from the bilge below the nav station,” she emailed, “I laid hand to a squidgy bit of what can only be described as flesh-feeling gunk. I hurled the bucket out of the companionway with said gunk and quickly washed my hands and shut my eyes. The woodcock. Dear god, had it got in and drowned in the bilge. No, it wasn't the cute little bird that sailed a bit with us last week, it was a rehydrated pork scratching. If you eat them, each one becomes the size of a large pork chop when soaked in water.”

While to some, a 2,000 mile offshore sail may not seem like a monumental challenge, but remember that just two short years ago neither Jeremy or Victoria had ever sailed. Both were inspired to do the Global Challenge, Sir Chay Blyth’s now (sadly) bankrupt around-the-world race. They had reached a point in their personal and corporate lives where they discovered that there was something missing. It was time for new challenges. With the Global Challenge opportunity gone they decided to team up and enter the Portimão Global Ocean Race. The pooled resources, bought a boat, took sailing and safety-at-sea lessons, and are now prepared and fully ready to race double-handed around the world. Seasoned sailors they are not, but sensible, ambitious and intrepid they are, and it’s going to be fun to follow their exploits over the coming year, pork scratching and all.

--- Brian Hancock

Race Start - 12th October 2008 - Portimão Portugal

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Clipper 07-08 fleet arrives to spectacular welcome in Liverpool

2008-07-06T12:06:00.001+01:00

06 July 2008

A spectacular welcome greeted the crews of the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race as they arrived back in Liverpool at the end of their 35,000-mile circumnavigation. For the non-professional crew onboard the ten 68-foot ocean racing yachts, the return to Albert Dock marks the end of a challenge of a lifetime as they battled the elements in search of victory and the title of Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race champions.

Crossing the finish line overnight at the end of the 14th and final stage of the Clipper 07-08 Race, the US entry, New York, claimed the maximum ten points for securing their sixth first place of their campaign and the Clipper Trophy. Hull & Humber, New York’s closest rival on the overall leaderboard ahead of Race 14, saw their hopes of claiming the title fade as New York stretched out a small but significant lead in the fast reaching race from Cork, Ireland to Liverpool, UK.

Arriving in Albert Dock, skipper Duggie Gillespie, from Kirkudbright, Scotland, said, “It didn’t sink in last night. It was relief last night just to get over the line. We’d been pushing behind Hull & Humber, working really hard – teamwork, teamwork, teamwork, all the time – and it was relief when we crossed the line. And it’s only now, when you come in here and there’s I don’t know how many thousands of people, you think well, we’ve actually done it. We’ve won the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.”

After his team had crossed the finish line Duggie let off two flares on the bow of the boat in celebration. “That was a bit of fun,” he said, “But I was trying not to burn the sails! But it was great, in the Irish Sea, in the middle of nowhere, to know you’d not only won the leg, but won the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. And to win that leg was really just so sweet – it wasn’t expected. We didn’t need to. When we went round the last gate we had a team meeting and said right boys, here we are, we’re in the lead. We’ve got to the do the same thing to cover Hull & Humber as we’ve got to do to cover the fleet, so let’s really try and win this. So we made the decision then to really try to win and we just had to stop them from coming through. And we did!”

The Clipper fleet’s arrival back in Liverpool at the end of their 35,000-mile circumnavigation was part of the city’s European Capital of Culture 2008 celebrations and thousands of Liverpudlians, race supporters and friends and family of the crews lined the banks of the Mersey to welcome the yachts back home. The iconic Albert Dock provided a fantastic venue for the prize giving ceremony and crowds thronged the colonnades as each of the top three teams overall was presented with their pennant by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Steve Rotheram. Third place went to the Scottish entry Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper, the only boat in the ten-strong fleet to be led by a female skipper, Hannah Jenner. Hannah said, “It’s a bit surreal. I don’t think it’s really dawned on any of us what we just did and where we just came and it’s great to be here. In some ways it does feel like we’ve been away almost a year and in some ways it feels like we were just here last week when we first pulled up nervously but it’s really exciting. We’re very, very proud of third place. We’re delighted to have the boat not just on the podium for a single race for the first time in four campaigns, but overall, which is what we set out to achieve and we’ve achieved it.”

Second place was presented to Danny Watson and his Hull & Humber team. Danny said, “It was a good race, we got another podium in Race 14. Obviously it wasn’t just quite enough but we gave it everything and it’s great to be here, second overall and the crew are made up. One of our key objectives was to strive for a podium position and to achieve a second place overall is a fantastic result.”

The yellow first place pennant was handed to a jubilant New York crew. Round the world crew member, Gary Purdom from Bainbridge Island, Washington, USA, said, “It’s spectacular in the sense that you think about doing something for 30 years and it really is a dream to be here at Albert Dock and not only doing it but doing it in style. The team was great, we were very competitive and fortunate to win the overall thing. That’s the icing on the cake when you have a dream just to circumnavigate, so I’m thrilled with every measure of the whole thing.”

Doctors, students, teachers, lawyers, secretaries and a taxi driver are among the crew members who have succeeded in their challenge. On board each of the ten internationally-backed yachts is just one professional, the skipper, whose role it is to lead the team to victory. The crew members are all amateurs, nearly forty percent of whom had no sailing experience when they embarked on their Clipper Training, before setting off on this adventure ten months ago. For every crew member this final race is a poignant moment. Sailing around the world is a considerable achievement – more people have climbed Mount Everest than have raced yachts around the world. The fleet’s arrival in Albert Dock this afternoon is the climax of this once in a lifetime adventure.

Clipper 07-08 began in Liverpool on 16 September 2007 and, over the last ten months, the teams have circumnavigated the globe, crossing the Atlantic three times, the Pacific once, and sailed across the infamous Southern Ocean, with stopovers on five continents.

The Clipper Race is the brainchild of legendary yachtsman, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, who, in 1969 became the first man to sail solo, non-stop around the world. In 1996, he created the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race to give ordinary people the opportunity to follow in his footsteps. At the crew reception and prize giving set against the atmospheric backdrop of the imposing St George’s Hall, Sir Robin addressed the massed crews, their families and friends. He told them, “I said to you one thing before you set out. At the end of this race I wanted you to be able to say, that’s the best thing I’ve done with my life – so far. I hope this has been the experience you hoped it would be. I hope you’ll continue to sail. And I suppose for many of you there’s a small matter of work to get back to. I hope you’ll go back with very different attitudes. You’ll be able to say, ‘I’ve sailed around the world with Clipper now and I can probably do better than I did before.’ That’s what you’ve taught yourselves. You’ll have made friendships that will last for the rest of your lives. And above all, you’ve achieved one of the most difficult things in sport, and the highest achievement in sailing – a circumnavigation.”

To date more than 1,400 people have become ocean racers by taking part in the Clipper Race and, of these, nearly 300 have achieved the rare accolade of becoming a circumnavigator by racing around the world under sail. Sixty-two new circumnavigators have joined the ranks of this exclusive club following the fleet’s arrival in Liverpool today.

Councillor Warren Bradley, leader of Liverpool City Council and Deputy Chairman of the Liverpool Culture Company said, “We’re delighted to welcome the Clipper crews back to Liverpool at the end of their journey – I’m sure our famous waterfront was a welcome sight after such an epic round-the-world adventure. “This is the third time that the race has ended in Liverpool and it is particularly fitting that the yachts are sailing back into the city right in the middle of our European Capital of Culture celebrations. In fact, the Clipper Race finish heralds the start of a month of maritime activity for Liverpool, with the Tall Ships’ Races arriving in just two weeks’ time.”

For the ten sponsoring cities and territories, which also include Durban, Western Australia, Singapore, Qingdao, Jamaica and Nova Scotia, the benefits of the race are immense with the race providing an international platform to promote their messages and brands to a truly global audience. Along with the media opportunities, the Clipper Race also offers sponsors a multitude of global trade openings and networking opportunities. The Clipper Race provides inspirational stories that captivate readers and viewers around the world. More than 354.4 million people worldwide will have seen coverage of Clipper 07-08, generating an undiscounted media value of US$56.85 million for the sponsors.

The ten-part television series to accompany the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race, produced by the event’s host broadcaster, Sunset+Vine I APP, is currently being shown by broadcasters around the world and others are preparing to show it in the coming months. Current listings can be found in the multimedia section of http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com.

For media information, interviews or photographs, please contact:

Zoe Williamson, Communications Coordinator
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
Mobile: +44 (0) 7793 417751
Email: zwilliamson@clipper-ventures.com

Heather Ewing, Communications Coordinator
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
Mobile: +44 (0) 7792 408 695
Email: hewing@clipper-ventures.com

For further information about Clipper 07-08 visit www.clipperroundtheworld.com

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Clipper fleet departs Cork for final sprint to Liverpool

2008-07-04T08:32:00.000+01:00

Royal Cork Yacht Club, Cork, Ireland
03 July 2008

Race 14, the final race of the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race series from Cork, Ireland, to Liverpool, UK, is underway with the crew of Hull & Humber signalling their intent from the outset and crossing the start line first. Currently in second place overall with just this race remaining, Hull & Humber must beat New York by at least four places to claim the Clipper Trophy.

In 8-10 knots of wind from the southwest, Nova Scotia was second across the start line at Weavers Point, Crosshaven, County Cork. New York crossed third and quickly moved in behind Hull & Humber, putting pressure on the British boat.

Durban 2010 and Beyond, one of the teams locked in a four-way battle for fourth place overall crossed the start line behind New York, followed by Jamaica, Qingdao, and Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper. The Scottish boat is already guaranteed at least third place overall. Liverpool 08, Uniquely Singapore and westernaustralia2011.com completed the order across the start line.

With positions so close and so much at stake in the final race of the Clipper 07-08 series, the Race Committee called on the services of international sailing umpire, Mike O’Connor, to oversee events on the water and Peter Crowley, President of the Irish Sailing Association, as start officer at the Royal Cork Yacht Club’s Weavers Point starting facility.

The wind built to 15 knots as the fleet raced off towards the first turning mark four miles from the start line, where Hull & Humber held on to the advantage, with New York hot on their heels and Jamaica moving up through the fleet to round in third place. At the second mark westernaustralia2011.com, who had taken a wider course than the rest of the fleet, snuck in behind Hull & Humber and New York, just ahead of Jamaica.

As he made final preparations for the final 240-mile sprint towards Liverpool, Hull & Humber skipper, Danny Watson said, “First is still possible. We’ve got a bit of work to do but anything can happen. There’s still great belief on board as there has been all round, everybody’s going to give it their best shot and we’re going to go for it.”

Duggie Gillespie, New York’s skipper, said, “We’re taking the same approach here as we have all along. We’ve watched Hull & Humber all the way around the world and they’re fast. But at the same time anything can happen. It’s not in the bag yet. I’ve been saying to the guys we need to maintain focus and just keep doing what we’ve been doing.”

Joff Bailey, Clipper Race Director, fired the gun to start the final race of Clipper 07-08. He said, “The crews have had a fantastic time here at the Royal Cork Yacht Club. We’ve been well looked after and I’d like to extend my thanks to the entire team here, in particular Admiral Mike McCarthy, John Roche and Colin Morehead who have worked tirelessly to make sure everything ran smoothly during the stopover. I hope we will be able to bring the Clipper Race back in the future and it would be fantastic to see an Irish entry in the race as well.”

Fáilte Ireland and Cork County Council also backed the stopover at the Royal Cork Yacht Club where, on Tuesday evening, the crews were formally welcomed to the club at the Heineken-sponsored prize giving ceremony. Delegations from other sponsoring cities also attended, including Glasgow, Jamaica, Durban and Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia’s Tourism Minister, Bill Dooks, was reunited with the crew he sailed with during the stopover in the province.

John Roche, press officer for the Royal Cork Yacht Club, which has an extensive cadet programme, said, “We have really enjoyed having the Clipper 07-08 fleet here. What really summed up the whole event from the club’s point of view was the function at the County Hall where we had Sir Robin introducing Sonny Allott, one of the young sailors from Hull & Humber, which epitomized the whole thing: the experienced sailor to the young novice who acquitted himself so well in front of the County Mayor and the other dignitaries. This is really what it’s all about.”

Before the race start, the ten internationally-backed 68-foot yachts sailed in formation past the waterfront at picturesque Cobh. They were led by the Irish Naval ship, L.E. Aisling.

The ten internationally-backed 68-foot yachts competing in the 35,000-mile race are expected to finish Race 14 in the early hours of Saturday morning, and the fleet will gather at the Liverpool Bar buoy before racing down the Mersey in the Liverpool 08 Dash which will finish at approximately 1130 local time (1030 GMT) at Dukes Mast on the 2008 European Capital of Culture’s historic waterfront.

Large crowds are expected in Liverpool, European Capital of Culture 2008 to welcome the fleet back to Albert Dock. The programme for the day can be viewed here: Liverpool_Race_Finish_Programme.pdf

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Images from the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race are hosted by World Wide Images on their online gallery at www.w-w-i.com/clipper_0708_race/.
They are free for editorial use. Journalists may register on the site to obtain access to them.

The Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race will finish in Liverpool UK on 5 July after ten months and 35,000 miles of ocean racing. The overall race is divided into seven legs and a total of 14 individual races. Points are accumulated according to each race position, and the yacht with the highest total at the finish wins the race trophy.

For media information and to arrange interviews, photographs contact:

Heather Ewing, Communications Coordinator (in Ireland. GMT +1)
Local cell phone number: +353 (0)87 900 8308
UK Mobile: +44 (0)7792 408 695
Email: hewing@clipper-ventures.com

Zoe Williamson, Communications Coordinator
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
UK Mobile: +44 (0)7793 417 751
Email: zwilliamson@clipper-ventures.com

For further information log onto www.clipperroundtheworld.com

Visitors, users and viewers of the content to which this notice is attached may copy it for re-use and syndicate the content by whatever means for use to other internet content sites on condition the source of all material so used is acknowledged with the attachment of the following notice.
www.superyachtnews.blogspot.com 2008
www.ajaxnetphoto.com 2008
This content may be used in any print media made available for commercial resale.
The products and companies named in this website content are trademarks, registered trademarks or servicemarks of their respective owners or licensed users.

Clipper fleet arrives at Royal Cork Yacht Club

2008-06-29T12:47:00.000+01:00

29 June 2008

All ten of the internationally-backed yachts of the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race fleet are now berthed at Royal Cork Yacht Club, Crosshaven, Ireland following the finish of Race 13.

The penultimate contest of the 14-race Clipper 07-08 series was won by New York, who crossed the finish line a little over an hour ahead of second placed Qingdao and Hull & Humber, who came third. New York have stretched their lead over their closest British rivals to three and a half points.

Hull & Humber skipper Danny Watson said, “We have to beat them by a few places now, I guess. That whole thing was just a great race. We had some close quarters stuff in the fog at the beginning then heavy winds, some downwind sailing which was great, then back into heavy winds and then some downwind close quarters sailing again at the end. It was close with Qingdao at the end but we had eight days alongside Jamaica which just shows that the whole fleet is fairly evenly matched and it’s only small differences which mean you can get away. There was only one day that we weren’t alongside another Clipper. It’s like match racing across an ocean, which is fabulous, that’s what it’s all about.”

Reflecting on his team’s win, Duggie said, “We were aware of the situation between us and Hull & Humber at the start and it’s all part of a plan. The guys have focused, worked really hard out there, shown lots of teamwork and executed well. The team produced the goods. They’re all really happy.”

Joff Bailey, Race Director, said, “Both Hull & Humber and New York have demonstrated once again that they deserve their positions in the overall table. It’s not over yet for either of them; the result here sets up a very exciting finale to Clipper 07-08 when the final positions will be decided.”

After 2,080 miles of ocean racing all ten of the 68-foot yachts arrived within 20 hours of each other, the crews happy to enjoy the hospitality of the Royal Cork Yacht Club – burgers and kegs of Heineken – at the end of an arduous race across the North Atlantic.

The fleet set off from Sydney, Cape Breton Island, at the eastern tip of Nova Scotia 13 days ago and have coped with thick fog and light winds through the infamous Grand Banks as well as gales during the race to Cork, Ireland.

Now the crews will enjoy some time to relax in Crosshaven and the wider environs of County Cork ahead of the final sprint to Liverpool, where the arrival on Saturday 5 July will form part of the city’s European Capital of Culture 2008 celebrations. The Royal Cork Yacht Club, the oldest yacht club in the world, welcomed the crews with burgers and kegs of Heineken, which will also be flowing freely at the official welcome party and prize giving ceremony on Tuesday 1 July.

The results of Race 13 are as follows. All times are GMT

1 New York 10:59:13
2 Qingdao 12:01:22
3 Hull & Humber 12:16:17
4 Liverpool 08 15:09:18
5 Uniquely Singapore 16:16:53
6 Jamaica 16:29:32
7 Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper 17:11:28
8 Durban 2010 and Beyond 18:48:43
9 westernaustralia2011.com 02:55:47 (29 June)
10 Nova Scotia 06:54:38 (29 June)

Founder of the Clipper Race and legendary solo sailor, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, a regular visitor to Crosshaven, says, “I think the crews of the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race will discover something I learned in 1970 in the Round Britain Race and have re-learned on a number of occasions: that the Royal Cork Yacht Club provides and atmosphere and friendliness second to none.”

This is the first time the Clipper Race, now in its sixth edition, has visited Ireland. Fiona Buckley, General Manager of Fáilte Ireland South West, says, “Fáilte Ireland South West is delighted to support the Clipper arrival into Cork, and welcomes the support of Cork County Council and the Royal Cork Yacht Club. Sailing is central to the development of tourism in the South West and particularly in Cork and is central to the Fáilte Ireland South West Regional Development Strategy 2008-2010.

“Cork has an enviable sailing and maritime reputation worldwide, stemming from its unique natural harbour, yacht clubs and maritime history. What makes it so special is the vibrancy of the people and culture, the unsurpassed beauty of its landscape and the array of quality local food. Sailing along the East and West Cork coastline is a magical experience. I am confident that this week’s pit stop in Cork, which brings with it worldwide media, officials and crew and Ministerial parties form the Department of Tourism in both Nova Scotia and Jamaica, will impress the importance of the Cork region upon the event organisers and hopefully lead to the return of the race in a formal capacity.”

The final race to Liverpool will start on Thursday 3 July.

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Images from the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race are hosted by World Wide Images on their online gallery at www.w-w-i.com/clipper_0708_race/.
They are free for editorial use. Journalists may register on the site to obtain access to them.

The Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race will finish in Liverpool UK on 5 July after ten months and 35,000 miles of ocean racing. The overall race is divided into seven legs and a total of 14 individual races. Points are accumulated according to each race position, and the yacht with the highest total at the finish wins the race trophy.

For media information and to arrange interviews, photographs contact:

Heather Ewing, Communications Coordinator (in Ireland. GMT +1)
Local cell phone number: +353 (0)87 900 8308
UK Mobile: +44 (0)7792 408 695
Email: hewing@clipper-ventures.com

Zoe Williamson, Communications Coordinator
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
UK Mobile: +44 (0)7793 417 751
Email: zwilliamson@clipper-ventures.com

For further information log onto www.clipperroundtheworld.com

Visitors, users and viewers of the content to which this notice is attached may copy it for re-use and syndicate the content by whatever means for use to other internet content sites on condition the source of all material so used is acknowledged with the attachment of the following notice.
www.superyachtnews.blogspot.com 2008
www.ajaxnetphoto.com 2008
This content may be used in any print media made available for commercial resale.
The products and companies named in this website content are trademarks, registered trademarks or servicemarks of their respective owners or licensed users.

Penultimate race of Clipper 07-08 starts in Sydney, Nova Scotia

2008-06-16T22:46:00.000+01:00

16 June 2008

The penultimate race of the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race series is underway with the fleet of ten internationally-backed yachts setting off on their final ocean crossing from Sydney, Nova Scotia, at 1300 local time (1600 GMT). The 2080-mile race will take them across the North Atlantic to Cork, Ireland.

It was an anxious start to the morning for the Race Team as the Clipper crews woke to a light breeze but, as the morning progressed, the wind filled in and by the time the yachts slipped their moorings at the Sydney Marine Terminal at midday it had strengthened to ten knots to allow a spectacular start in beautiful conditions in the harbour.

Durban 2010 and Beyond was first across the start line in a tightly packed leading group. They beat New York and Hull & Humber by a metre. Qingdao came up fast behind them to cross fourth, followed by Liverpool 08 who are aiming to be on the podium when the fleet arrives back in Albert Dock on July 5 at the end of the 35,000-mile circumnavigation.

westernaustralia2011.com was the only team to use their Yankee 2 headsail and to cross the line on the port tack. Their manoeuvre allowed them to pick up the better winds on the east side of the harbour and they quickly moved from sixth across to the line and into the lead as they sailed close to the Marine Terminal where the crowds including hundreds of local school children cheered them on.

Jamaica, Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper, Uniquely Singapore and Nova Scotia brought up the rear, with the team on the yacht representing the province clearly sad to leave after the stopover where they have been made so welcome, first in Halifax, then in Sydney.

Nova Scotia skipper, Rob McInally, said, “It was always a big billing for Nova Scotia and it has been fantastic being here. We knew it would be very good and it has far exceeded expectations. I’m really speaking from the heart, I’ve been very proud to be representing Nova Scotia. Being here, meeting the people and being involved in the community has been really heart warming.”

For some of the crew who joined the team for the last leg in Jamaica, this will be their first ocean crossing, for the round the worlders it will be their last on their ten-month adventure. Rob says, “We had a crew briefing yesterday and we talked about the fact that we’ve done lots of short races lately and we’ve been very close to land and we need to be a bit more responsible for each other and I think the crew are in the right mood. There’s a little bit of nerves, which is perfect, it will keep them on edge. There are a few colds around but the weather’s pretty nice today and I think we’ll get a few days to settle into the watch routine and it’s going to be a rollercoaster ride down to Cork.”

Half an hour into the race Qingdao were pulling out a healthy lead over the rest of the fleet. Durban 2010 and Beyond were second, westernaustralia2011.com third and New York in fourth place.

Crowds lined the dockside to wave off the yachts. Sydney resident Amanda McLeod, who has been to visit the fleet every day they have been in port, said, “It’s been amazing for Sydney. It’s the first time we’ve had something of this magnitude here. We’ve always had the music stuff but as far as using the harbour goes, besides the cruise ships this is the best thing I’ve seen. It’s better than the cruise ships because you get to meet them. All the people are amazing – I loved all of them. I got the tour of the boats and I’m definitely going to be applying to do the race!”

There has been strong interest from people from Nova Scotia who would like to compete in the biennial Clipper Race and three applicants have been offered places on the next race, which will start from the Humber on the east coast of England. Berths are now available for Clipper 09-10 and more information is available by emailing oceanracer@clipperroundtheworld.com, or by calling +44 (0) 2392 526000. No sailing experience is required. Applicants must be over 18 and there is no upper age limit.

Founder of the Clipper Race, legendary sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnston has been with the fleet during the stopover in Halifax and Sydney. He says, “It’s been wonderful to be back in Nova Scotia. We’ve had a great reception here and everybody has been wonderfully friendly. We had a great start watched by large crowds and it just shows how Sydney has taken the race to its heart.”

The fleet is due to arrive at the Royal Cork Yacht Club in Crosshaven, Ireland on approximately 30 June.

NOTES TO EDITORS

High-resolution files are available on request or free for editorial use at http://www.w-w-i.com/clipper_0708_race/

For media information, please contact:

Zoe Williamson, Communications Coordinator
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
UK Mobile: +44 (0) 7793 417 751
Email: zwilliamson@clipper-ventures.com

Heather Ewing, Communications Coordinator (in Nova Scotia, GMT -3)
Local cell phone in Nova Scotia: +1 (902) 402 5432
UK Mobile: +44 (0)7792 408 695
Email: hewing@clipper-ventures.com

For further information log onto www.clipperroundtheworld.com

Visitors, users and viewers of the content to which this notice is attached may copy it for re-use and syndicate the content by whatever means for use to other internet content sites on condition the source of all material so used is acknowledged with the attachment of the following notice.
www.superyachtnews.blogspot.com 2008
www.ajaxnetphoto.com 2008
This content may be used in any print media made available for commercial resale.
The products and companies named in this website content are trademarks, registered trademarks or servicemarks of their respective owners or licensed users.

Clipper 07-08 Race 12 - New York Start

2008-06-06T08:02:00.000+01:00

04 June 2008

RACE 12: - NEW YORK TO HALIFAX - DAY 1

CLIPPER FLEET BIDS FAREWELL TO THE BIG APPLE

LIGHT WINDS LE MANS START FOR RACE TO HALIFAX

VARIALBE WIND CONDITIONS FOR SHORT SPRINT AHEAD

Following New York’s historic achievement of a home port win and a short but action-packed stopover in the city that never sleeps, the ten-internationally sponsored boats slipped their moorings at Lower Manhattan’s North Cove Marina and headed out into the Hudson River on Wednesday morning. The low cloud and light drizzle failed to dampen spirits as the crews prepared their boats for the race and waved farewell to supporters on the dockside ahead of the 570-mile sprint to Halifax. With only three of the 14 individual races that make up the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race remaining, the pressure on to secure an overall podium position when the race finishes in Liverpool on 05 July.

With main sails raised and flags flying high, the teams performed a formation sail past the iconic Statue of Liberty before heading up the Hudson to a rendezvous point next to Ambrose Light for the start of Race 12 to Halifax.

At the agreed point the boats lined up for a Le Mans start with main sails hoisted, headsails on deck and the crew poised ready for action in the cockpit. At the signal from lead skipper Danny Watson on Hull & Humber at 1730 local time (2130 GMT), Race 12 got underway as each team rushed to get their headsail hoisted and trimmed ahead of the others. Danny said, “It was a rather slow start and ten minutes after we got underway the wind dropped. All the teams chose a variety of different sail plans and have slowly scattered in various directions.”

With a variable weather forecast for the next couple of days the skippers and crews will need to keep focused, as any mistake could prove costly with a general lack of recovery time in the short sprint to Nova Scotia.

Race Director, Joff Bailey, said, “With the overall leader board being so competitive I think we will see some very close and exciting racing on the way to Halifax.

“As the water gets cooler the yachts will experience some fog and mist but they can be assured that even if the air and water is cold they will receive a warm welcome when they arrive in Nova Scotia.”

The fleet is due to arrive in Halifax this coming weekend where they will congregate at the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron before parading in formation along the Halifax waterfront on the afternoon of Sunday 8 June.

Following the successful New York stopover attended by sponsor delegations from Hull & Humber, Glasgow, Jamaica and Nova Scotia, New York City Sports Commissioner, Ken Podziba, said: “It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Clipper’s enthusiastic and energetic skippers and crews to New York City.

“Their adrenaline rush from the sea carried with them to shore, and I wish each of them continued success as they head to Halifax. We look forward to welcoming back Clipper 09-10 to New York and I hope to see yet more smiling faces then.”

Berths are now available for the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race. Those interested in participating in the world’s only round the yacht race for non-professionals can find out more by contacting Clipper Ventures on +44 (0) 2392 526000
or email oceanracer@clipperroundtheworld.com.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

High-resolution files are available on request or free for editorial use at http://www.w-w-i.com/clipper_0708_race/

For media information, photographs and interviews with skippers, crew or Race Team, please contact:

Zoe Williamson, Communications Coordinator (in New York until 6 June)
US Cell: +1 (808) 228 2646
UK Mobile: +44 (0) 7793 417 751
Email: zwilliamson@clipper-ventures.com

Heather Ewing, Communications Coordinator (In Halifax)
UK Mobile: +44 (0) 7792 408 695
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
Email: hewing@clipper-ventures.com

For further information log onto www.clipperroundtheworld.com

Visitors, users and viewers of the content to which this notice is attached may copy it for re-use and syndicate the content by whatever means for use to other internet content sites on condition the source of all material so used is acknowledged with the attachment of the following notice.
www.superyachtnews.blogspot.com 2008
www.ajaxnetphoto.com 2008
This content may be used in any print media made available for commercial resale.
The products and companies named in this website content are trademarks, registered trademarks or servicemarks of their respective owners or licensed users.

Clipper 07-08 Race 11 - New York home win

2008-05-31T15:26:00.000+01:00

31 May 2008

Historic win as New York romps to victory into home port

Breaking what has been referred to as the ‘home port curse’, skipper Duggie Gillespie and his team have achieved an historic victory by winning into New York at the end of the 1,420-mile race from Jamaica of the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race.

This elusive accolade of a home port win has only been achieved once before in the history of the biennial round the world race, by Canadian entry Victoria Clipper, in Clipper 05-06.

In what has been one of the closest races of the ten-month series, the New York team was able to hold its nerve and clinch victory in a nail biting finish that saw the top six teams finishing within eight nautical miles each other.

Skipper of New York, Duggie Gillespie, said, “I am extremely pleased with our win. The team worked really hard under busy light wind conditions and I am very proud of them all. It is a new experience for me to go to New York and what better way than to lead the fleet into our home port.”

Round the world crew member on New York and city resident, Justyn Comer, said, “I’m incredibly proud to have won on New York coming into my home town and our home port. It’s been a very interesting race with so many different types of conditions. We worked very hard and made very few mistakes. Of course at the end of the day we owe most of it to our fearless skipper, Duggie.”

New York was just three and a half points behind overall race leaders Hull & Humber at the start of Race 11 from Jamaica and, subject to protests upon the fleet’s arrival in port, the result catapults the US team to the top of the leader board. A disappointing eighth place result means that Hull & Humber has now slipped into second place overall and they now find themselves with a three and a half point deficit on the new race leaders.

On hearing the news of New York’s victory, Ken Podziba, New York’s Sports Commissioner, said: “The city of New York is proud of New York’s victory in the latest leg of the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race. We’re excited to have the opportunity to personally show the skipper and crew of New York how much we appreciate them when they arrive here in a few days. Moreover, we look forward to welcoming all the teams from around the world to our city who, through this amazing and gruelling competition, have united countries through the great sport of sailing.”

westernaustralia2011.com scored their third podium position of the Clipper 07-08 Race by finishing in second place, less than 3 nautical miles behind New York. Skipper of the Western Australian team, Martin Silk, said, “What a fantastic but well deserved result for my team; they have worked so hard for every minute of this one and I feel very proud of them all. In my experience of ocean racing, this has been by far the closest result ever, with excitement and tension all the way. We’ve had a few setbacks in the past few months and it feels so good to prove we haven’t lost the plot and are back up to speed again. I’m also very thankful for the boats that raced us so hard and kept us pushing to the end. Once the celebrations are over I shall sleep very well tonight.”

Less than one nautical mile behind westernaustralia2011.com was Liverpool 08 who finished in third place to also achieve a third podium of the Clipper 07-08 Race series. Skipper of Liverpool 08, Ben Galloway, said, “Suspense and anticipation were killing myself and the rest of the crew. It’s definitely been the most intense race so far, especially the last fifteen minutes not knowing whether we stood in first, second or third. We were waiting for the emails to come in but as the cards unfolded they didnt turn up at first, but then they flew in revealing that we had came third to westernaustralia2011.com. Still, a triumphant victory over some boats that we needed to place well against. Having not been on the podium since Singapore, despite our efforts and sometimes not reflecting the efforts that we have put in, the result has come has a huge moral boost to the team.”

Despite some fast reaching conditions at the beginning of the race, the teams found themselves hampered by frustratingly light winds over the last 48-hours, clocking an average of around 50 miles a day. With these exceptionally light winds due to continue along the whole coastal region for some time and the projected ETA in New York at these speeds pushed out to another two weeks, the Race Committee took the decision to finish Race 11 at 0000UTC 31 May (2000 30 May local time in New York).

The final results for Race 11 have been taken from the positions that were reported at that time and the distance to finish to Ambrose Light, the location of the original Race 11 finish line.

Race Director, Joff Bailey, said: “Overall this must have been the closest fought ocean race of Clipper 07-08 as at any time six or seven of the leading boats were fighting for the podium positions and there were lots of place changes right up to the last minute.

“This has been a great race with many of the teams being within sight of each other since the start of the race in Jamaica. The closeness of the racing is a testament to how well all of the crews are performing and how much they have developed as sailors since the start of the race last September. The next five weeks of racing will be very exciting to watch as the Clipper 07-08 Race draws to its climax in Liverpool on the 5 July, during the height of the city’s celebrations as European Capital of Culture 2008.”

New York is now making best speed towards her home port where upon arrival the team is set to receive a rapturous welcome. Reflecting on the race and looking forward to arriving into the city where he was born, New York crew member, Nate Thompson, said: “After seven days of either a fair amount of wind or none at all and after exhibiting diligence, patience and dedication we achieved the result we were after - even more significant because we have broken the home port curse and it is really good to be going home.”

The first boats are expected to arrive in New York on Sunday evening (local time) and will be berthed at North Cove Marina, Battery Park City for the duration of the three-day stopover.

The internationally sponsored boats making up the ten-strong Clipper fleet are an impressive sight whether out racing or alongside in port. New Yorkers are invited to come down to see the fleet over the next couple of days and watch as the teams prepare their boats for the next race to Halifax, Nova Scotia. The fleet will slip their berths in North Cove at 08:00 local time on 4 June and perform a formation sail past the Statue of Liberty before heading out of the Hudson to start Race 12.

Berths are now available for the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race. Those interested in participating in the world’s only round the yacht race for non-professionals can find out more by contacting Clipper Ventures on +44 (0) 2392 526000
or email oceanracer@clipperroundtheworld.com

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

Media accreditation for the Clipper 07-8 New York stopover is available by contacting zwilliamson@clipper-ventures.com. A full programme of activities wil be forwarded to accredited members of the media.

A media sail will be taking place onboard New York on Tuesday 3 June, to which all media are invited. Places are limited so please register your interest early to ensure a place.

Clipper Race founder and legendary solo-sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnston will be attending the New York stopover and will be available for interview.

The nine teams competing alongside New York are: Liverpool 08, Hull & Humber, Glasgow:Scotland with style Clipper, Durban 2010 and Beyond, westernaustralia2011.com, Uniquely Singapore, Qingdao, Jamaica, and Nova Scotia. Many of these international sponsors will be hosting educational, cultural and business initiatives during the New York stopover.

For media information, photographs and interviews with skippers, crew or Race Team, please contact:

Zoe Williamson, Communications Coordinator (in New York from 29 May)
US Cell: +1 (808) 228 2646
UK Mobile: +44 (0) 7793 417 751
Email: zwilliamson@clipper-ventures.com

Heather Ewing, Communications Coordinator (in UK)
UK Mobile: +44 (0) 7792 408 695
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
Email: hewing@clipper-ventures.com

For more information visit www.clipperroundtheworld.com

Visitors, users and viewers of the content to which this notice is attached may copy it for re-use and syndicate the content by whatever means for use to other internet content sites on condition the source of all material so used is acknowledged with the attachment of the following notice.
www.superyachtnews.blogspot.com 2008
www.ajaxnetphoto.com 2008
This content may be used in any print media made available for commercial resale.
The products and companies named in this website content are trademarks, registered trademarks or servicemarks of their respective owners or licensed users.

New Sealine south coast office at Brixham

2008-05-26T11:34:00.000+01:00

PRESS RELEASE May 2008

Sealine enthusiasts discover the new Sealine South Coast Brixham office

The official launch of Sealine South Coast’s new Brixham office, in Brixham Marina (16th May–17th May), proved to be a hit with a high number of visitors and successful sales.

Over 150 people, complete with visiting Sealine boats from Torquay and Falmouth, came to view the new office and Sealine range on the water.

Sealine enthusiasts experienced the boats first hand through on the water demonstrations on board the stylish SC29, SC35 and SC38. Representatives from Darthaven Marina Services, Volvo Penta, Raymarine and MDL Marinas were onsite to offer advice throughout the weekend.

Sealine South Coast Managing Director, Mark da Costa, said “Yet again an impressive turn-out and a thoroughly enjoyable event, following on from our Hamble launch success. It was great to re-engage with so many Sealine owners from the area throughout the weekend”, he continued, “And there’s also congratulations in order for the Brixham Office Manager, Richard Allen, who became father to his first child over the weekend - a fantastic weekend all round for Sealine South Coast.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

• Sealine South Coast operates from a dedicated head office at Port Hamble Marina and is the authorised Sealine dealer for the South coast of England.
• Sealine South Coast is part of the Ancasta Group which has a network of 22 offices in the UK and Europe, which are open seven days a week.
• Sealine South Coast has its own brand dedicated website www.sealinesouthcoast.com.
• Sealine South Coast offers unparalleled after sales service including registration, valeting, servicing, tuition, winterisation services, berthing and maintenance.
• The Ancasta Group incorporates Ancasta International Boat Sales, Hamble Yacht Services and Sealine South Coast.

For press information, please contact
Naomi Fisher, events@ancasta.com
Tel +44 (0)23 80450002.

Visitors, users and viewers of the content to which this notice is attached may copy it for re-use and syndicate the content by whatever means for use to other internet content sites on condition the source of all material so used is acknowledged with the attachment of the following notice.
www.superyachtnews.blogspot.com 2008
www.ajaxnetphoto.com 2008
This content may be used in any print media made available for commercial resale.
The products and companies named in this website content are trademarks, registered trademarks or servicemarks of their respective owners or licensed users.

Clipper News - Race 11 Start - Jamaica to New York

2008-05-26T11:27:00.000+01:00

Clipper 07-08
26 May 2008

Lack of wind forces Le Mans restart for Race 11

Within a few hours of the start of Race 11 from Jamaica to New York yesterday, the fleet stopped racing and began heading towards a rendezvous point in the Windward Passage, midway between the islands of Haiti and Cuba, some 200 nautical miles from the start line at Port Antonio. The decision was taken because the weather forecast for today and the next week shows little or no wind for this initial stage of the race. To prevent the teams wallowing around for several days making no progress and the race becoming a lottery the Race Director decided to restart the race today north of the Windward Passage.

Joff Bailey, Clipper 07-08 Race Director, said, “The conditions that the crew will experience over the initial part of the race will be similar to the Doldrums. Unfortunately, unlike the Doldrums which move around, this area of light winds is very static at the moment and we could not see when, if at all, the light and even no wind would be replaced with more steady pressure that would allow fair racing.

“During the skipper and crew briefings all the teams were informed that this would be a likely possibility and Simon Bradley, the lead skipper at the moment, made the final decision after talking to me a couple of hours after the race start yesterday. The effort put in by the teams during the start was still recognised as the positions around the first turning mark were used as the start order for the Le Mans start today.”

westernaustralia2011.com’s skipper, Martin Silk, admits the start of Race 11 “…could have gone better. With some good tacks and bad tacks we ended up with an override on a winch trying to get to the windward mark in frustration.” The yacht hove to, allowing Jamaica to round the mark ahead of them and leaving the WA entry to bring up the rear.

Jamaica’s skipper, Simon Bradley, the lead skipper for Race 11, reported that a successful Le Mans start took place at 2211 GMT today, Sunday 25 May. It was slightly later than the fleet had planned. As they met at the rendezvous location Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper’s crew discovered they had several fishing nets caught around their keel, propshaft and prop and had to send a diver down to untangle the mess.

Simon said, “After Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper had freed themselves from the fishing nets the fleet had got very close to the TSS off the eastern end of Cuba. The decision was taken to motor just north of the TSS to ensure the safety of the fleet as the wind angles at the time would have meant sailing straight towards the shipping lanes.

“Hull & Humber, New York and Uniquely Singapore all had very good starts, but as expected we’re all very close together as we head towards New York approx 1200 nautical miles away. The wind is light from the northwest but boat speed is around the 8 knots mark.

“An interesting 24 hours is ahead of us as we negotiate our way through the Bahama Island chain into the open North Atlantic.”

The skippers used the downtime well and undertook some dry drills training with the crews who joined the yachts in Jamaica.

Ricky Chalmers, skipper of Durban 2010 and Beyond, reports, “I did some training in the remainder of the wind, and we are letting the new guys do all the helming to brush up on their skills, especially at night.”

Marcus Cholerton-Brown on Qingdao has also been blowing away the cobwebs for the latest additions to his crew. He says, “It was a real wrench to leave Jamaica, everybody had such a fantastic time and chilled out with the rum and good company. Then some great sailing yesterday afternoon. Just as we were thinking the wind would last all night we ran out of puff. Making good use of our time with some training.”

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS

High-resolution Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race images are available for free media use at: www.w-w-i.com/clipper_0708_race/

For media information contact:

Heather Ewing, Communications Coordinator (in Jamaica: GMT -5)
Local cell phone in Jamaica: +1 (876) 571 7906
UK Mobile: +44 (0)7792 408 695
Email: hewing@clipper-ventures.com

Zoe Williamson, Communications Coordinator
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
UK Mobile: +44 (0)7793 417 751
Email: zwilliamson@clipper-ventures.com

For more information visit www.clipperroundtheworld.com

Visitors, users and viewers of the content to which this notice is attached may copy it for re-use and syndicate the content by whatever means for use to other internet content sites on condition the source of all material so used is acknowledged with the attachment of the following notice.
www.superyachtnews.blogspot.com 2008
www.ajaxnetphoto.com 2008
This content may be used in any print media made available for commercial resale.
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Clipper 07-08: Hull & Humber wins Race 10 to Jamaica

2008-05-22T17:54:00.000+01:00

22 May 2008

Just 57 seconds separated the first and second placed teams in the race from Santa Cruz, California to Jamaica, Hull & Humber securing a fourth victory in the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race.

Crossing the finish line running a mile due north of Folly Point lighthouse, Port Antonio, Jamaica, at 2223:29 local time (0323:29 GMT) Hull & Humber brought to an end three days of fast and furious racing, beating New York by the narrowest of margins in the 590-mile race from Colon, Panama.

Eight of the ten internationally-backed yachts were in sight of each other as the fleet raced towards Port Antonio, the leading pack separated by 13 miles or less for much of the last 24 hours. The skippers pushed crews and boats hard to gain every extra knot of speed to put distance between themselves and the opposition.

The favourable easterly breeze helped the fleet speed towards their destination, a welcome change after the light airs on the race from Santa Cruz to Panama.

Spraying celebratory champagne over his crew, Hull & Humber’s skipper Danny Watson said, “Another win! Obviously it was very, very close. We had the other boats in sight for three days and squalls in the distance at night so the positions were always a bit of a mix up during the night time but we pushed hard. The guys just had belief all the way through. We had a good lead coming in to the end and found a bit of a wind hole but we just kept belief and it came good in the end.”

The victory extends Hull & Humber’s lead over New York to three and a half points, with Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper, who finished third in Race 10, ten points behind the English team.

Race Director, Joff Bailey, says, “This has been a very intense race and all the skippers are now focussed on the overall result of this competition. It’s a bit like the end of the Premiership season and it’s all building up to be decided on the last weekend. This is possibly the closest contest since the Clipper Race began in 1996 and there are still a lot of points to be won in a very short space of time. There are two big battles brewing at the top of the table and in the middle and it would be very easy for any of the teams to slip up as we saw during Race 9 from Santa Cruz when tactical choices failed to pay off.”

Port Antonio on Jamaica’s northern coast is Jamaica’s third largest port and one of the island’s most important tourist attractions. Now a centre for eco-friendly projects and untouched by mass tourism, it became a boom town in the 1880s after the beginning of the banana trade and promotion of the port as a destination for wealthy American travellers. It was glamorised by Hollywood as a model of paradise in the 1940s and 50s, an image reinforced by the arrival of movie star Errol Flynn when his yacht washed ashore in bad weather. His house on Navy Island overlooks Errol Flynn Marina in Port Antonio where the Clipper fleet is berthed for the duration of the stopover in Jamaica.

Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, The Honourable Edmund Bartlett MP, will visit Port Antonio during the Clipper 07-08 visit. Minister Bartlett will present the pennants to the first three teams at the prizegiving ceremony at the Ken Wright Cruise Ship Terminal on the evening of Thursday 22 May, and will meet the crews and visit the yachts on Friday 23 May.

The race will restart from Port Antonio on Saturday 24 May at 1400 local time (1900 GMT). The boats will leave Errol Flynn Marina at 12 noon (1700 GMT) and sail in formation past Folly Point where spectators will be able to have an excellent view of Jamaica and the other nine yachts in the Clipper 07-08 fleet.

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS

High-resolution Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race images are available for free media use at: www.w-w-w-i.com/clipper_0708_race/

For media information and to arrange interviews, photographs contact:

Heather Ewing, Communications Coordinator (in Jamaica, GMT -5)
Local cell phone in Jamaica: +1 (876) 571 7906
UK Mobile: +44 (0)7792 408 695
Email: hewing@clipper-ventures.com

Zoe Williamson, Communications Coordinator
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
UK Mobile: +44 (0)7793 417 751
Email: zwilliamson@clipper-ventures.com

For more information visit www.clipperroundtheworld.com

Visitors, users and viewers of the content to which this notice is attached may copy it for re-use and syndicate the content by whatever means for use to other internet content sites on condition the source of all material so used is acknowledged with the attachment of the following notice.
www.superyachtnews.blogspot.com 2008
www.ajaxnetphoto.com 2008
This content may be used in any print media made available for commercial resale.
The products and companies named in this website content are trademarks, registered trademarks or servicemarks of their respective owners or licensed users.

Clipper 07-08 Race 10 - Panama Start

2008-05-20T07:59:00.000+01:00

19 May 2008

RACE 10: PANAMA TO JAMAICA DAY 1

SHORTEST RACE OF CLIPPER SERIES GETS UNDERWAY

JAMAICA FIRST OFF THE START LINE IN SPRINT TO HOME PORT

OVERALL RACE LEADERS HULL & HUMBER TAKE EARLY LEAD

In fluky wind conditions, varying between 12 and 30 knots predominantly from a north easterly direction, Race 10 from Panama to Jamaica began at 10:02 local time (15:02 UTC) with a Le Mans start. Jamaica was first off the line, showing determination to break the so-called ‘home port curse’ and secure their first win of the Clipper series.

Following their headsail hoists the fleet was hit by a sudden squall causing the winds to shift temporarily to a southerly direction. As the fleet headed north towards the Caribbean island of Jamaica, overall race leaders Hull & Humber had moved into pole position with Durban 2010 and Beyond close on their heels, as both teams sacrificed direction in favour of speed by choosing to sail higher than best course.

The last four yachts to transit the Panama Canal sailed out into the Caribbean last night to join the six who had completed their passage during Friday and Saturday for the Le Mans start at a prearranged rendezvous point. In a Le Mans start the yachts line up with only their mainsails hoisted. On the starting signal they must raise their headsails as quickly as they can to gain as much advantage as possible over their competition.

The 590-mile race is one of the shortest of the 14 individual races in Clipper 07-08 and will be an upwind sprint to the Caribbean island and the finish line before the fleet arrives in Port Antonio, Jamaica.

Current leaders Hull & Humber are confident they can maintain their current form and make another appearance on the podium. Round the world crew member Nigel Rose says, “The race is going to be manic because it’s a sprint so there’s not going to be any weather routing issues or anything. It’s just going to be side by side for four days so it’s going to be tough and demanding. We seem to be able to push the boat harder than most. It’s challenging but we’re very good at it.”

James Douglas is a member of the ONE HULL Tag Team, a group of young people from Hull who are sailing a leg each in the 35,000-mile race around the world. He says, “I reckon this race is going to be a lot more difficult than the last one, definitely. It’s another different experience, beating all the way. We’re confident of getting another first place. We’ve got a good crew on here, so I reckon we can do it again.”

Skipper Danny Watson agrees. “We’ve got very good crew morale at the moment,” he says. “We’ve had two firsts out of the last three races and we all enjoy each other’s company. Everyone’s up for giving it a real good blast for four days up to Jamaica.”

The Panama Canal transit was completed in just four days from the arrival of the first yachts on Wednesday 14 May. Clipper 07-08 Race Director, Joff Bailey, says, “Our sincere thanks go to the Panama Canal Authority who ensured we transited with the minimum delay. It means we have managed to make up more of the time we lost in Hawaii last month and are on schedule to start Race 11 from Jamaica as planned next Saturday.”

Hull & Humber was in the second group of Clipper yachts to transit the Panama Canal. Brendan Decordova, another of the ONE HULL Tag Team, says, “Going through the canal was impressive – the locks are huge. When you see the gates close behind you, you get quite emotional about leaving the Pacific behind. When you get to the Atlantic you do feel like you’ve travelled across a continent.”

With approximately 8,000 miles left of their 35,000-mile circumnavigation and just five races to go, the Hull & Humber crew know they will have to maintain their momentum if they want to stay ahead of New York, Durban 2010 and Beyond and Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper who are all nipping at their heels.

The yachts are expected to arrive in Errol Flynn Marina, Port Antonio, late on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.

Berths are now available for the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race. For more information on applying to become a crew member, contact Clipper Ventures on +44 (0) 2392 526000 or email oceanracer@clipperroundtheworld.com.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

For media information, photographs and interviews with skippers, crew or
Race Team, please contact:

Heather Ewing, Communications Coordinator (in Jamaica)
UK Mobile: +44 (0) 7792 408 695
Email: hewing@clipper-ventures.com

Zoe Williamson, Communications Coordinator (in UK)
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000 Mobile: +44 (0) 7793 417 751
Email: zwilliamson@clipper-ventures.com

For further information log onto www.clipperroundtheworld.com

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Ribex 2008 Rigid Inflatable Boat Show

2008-05-07T20:46:00.000+01:00

RIBEX is the world’s only boat show dedicated solely to Rigid Inflatable Boats.

RIBEX 2008: Cowes IOW 9th-11th May 2008

The Ultimate Arena for checking out New RIBs

NEW AREA FOR 'STARTER RIB' PACKAGES IN 2008

WORLD LAUNCHES OF RIBS AND RELATED GEAR

TEST LEISURE & PROFESSIONAL CRAFT IN OPEN WATER

GET EXCELLENT ON THE SPOT SHOW DEALS

FUN, EXCITING, FAMILY DAY OUT

RIB RIDES, DEMONSTRATIONS, ATTRACTIONS

AIR, LAND & SEA DISPLAYS

EXCELLENT FOOD & BAR ON SITE

For ribsters - it is the show not to be missed!

For the industry, it represents a unique opportunity to target a highly concentrated audience of open boat mariners both private and professional. The show’s mission is to promote the awareness and use of RIBs in all sectors of the marine industry and to stage a true show in every sense of the word.

Cowes and its Yacht Haven are recognized as playing host to some of the most famous international powerboat and yachting events in the world. We are therefore delighted to have secured this exclusive event site in this beautiful waterside town as a home for RIBEX; a site affording the most excellent facilities and services plus a truly superb events marina and adjacent open water trialing ground

Website: www.ribexhibitions.co.uk

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This content may NOT be used in any print media made available for commercial resale.
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Clipper News 07-08 Race 9 finish

2008-05-07T08:25:00.000+01:00

Clipper 07-08
07 May 2008

Hull & Humber claims third victory of Clipper 07-08 campaign

Hull & Humber has won Race 9 of the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race, crossing the revised finish line at 2022 GMT on Tuesday 6 May. It is the team’s third individual stage victory of the 35,000-mile race which is being contested by ten internationally-backed 68-foot yachts.

Skipper Danny Watson says, “It was incredibly close racing from start to finish. Gybing under spinnaker at night with Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper a quarter of a mile away on our beam was pretty exciting stuff! Routing repositioning meant you dropped from first to mid-fleet within a sched. We needed to have belief in our navigation which ultimately paid off.

“Keeping Hull & Humber moving in the lightest of airs required a tremendous team effort from all but everyone brought something to the table. We have belief and pride in abundance!”

Hull & Humber was one of a group of boats which also included New York, Qingdao, Nova Scotia and Uniquely Singapore who have been matching each other move for move in the bid for a podium position and the all-important points to add to their overall tally and for much of the race from Santa Cruz several of them have been within sight of each other.

Crew member Natalie Booker, 28, from Beverley, East Yorkshire, joined the crew in Santa Cruz for the last two legs of the race back to Liverpool. She says, “It was very frustrating trying to keep the boat going in light airs but it turns quickly into perseverance to keep going forward. It gets increasingly exciting when another Clipper boat is in view. It gives you that extra energy and adrenaline to put in more and more effort to be able to push harder!”

New York was second across the finish line at 2223 GMT. Skipper Duggie Gillespie commented, “It was very good sailing for most of the race until we came across this light winds - that was frustrating, very frustrating and a lottery at times. I said to the guys that there would be winners and losers given this race finish amendment and the time scale. Still, we are always pleased to be on the podium in this competitive fleet. The team work on board reached new heights with the continual spinnaker work. They did really well.”

The results are provisional until all the skippers have submitted their race declarations for scrutiny by the race committee. If the results remain as they are Hull & Humber’s victory will take them into overall first position, one and a half points ahead of second placed New York.

Clipper Race Director Joff Bailey says, “As much as this has been a thrilling race for us to watch unfold at home, with the variety of tactics being played out and the really close racing, this has been a difficult one ace for the crews taking part. There is great skill involved in keeping a yacht moving in the kind of light airs they’ve been experiencing and Danny, Duggie and their teams have done very well.”

Because of the lighter than expected winds that the fleet has been experiencing since leaving the Californian port, and the forecast for the coming days, yesterday the Race Committee made the decision to shorten the course for Race 9, in accordance with the Sailing Instructions. The finish line is now off the coast of Mexico at ‘Gate Angel’, one of several pre-determined gates included in the Race 9 course. The rest of the fleet is expected to cross the finish line over the next 36-48 hours and will then motor sail towards Panama, with the arrival of the first yachts anticipated on 13 May.

Berths are now available for the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race.
For more information on applying to become a crew member
email oceanracer@clipperroundtheworld.com
call the Crew Recruitment Manager on +44(0) 2392 526000.
The Clipper Race is open to anyone over the age of 18 and there is no upper age limit.

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS
High-resolution Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race images are available for free media use at: www.w-w-i.com/clipper_0708_race/

For media information contact:

Zoe Williamson, Communications Coordinator
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
Mobile: +44 (0)7793 417 751
Email: zwilliamson@clipper-ventures.com

Heather Ewing, Communications Coordinator
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
Mobile: +44 (0)7792 408 695
Email: hewing@clipper-ventures.com

For more information visit www.clipperroundtheworld.com

Visitors, users and viewers of the content to which this notice is attached may copy it for re-use and syndicate the content by whatever means for use to other internet content sites on condition the source of all material so used is acknowledged with the attachment of the following notice.
www.superyachtnews.blogspot.com 2008
www.ajaxnetphoto.com 2008
This content may be used in any print media made available for commercial resale.
The products and companies named in this website content are trademarks, registered trademarks or servicemarks of their respective owners or licensed users.

Clipper News - Race 9 Start: Santa Cruz to Panama

2008-04-27T19:57:00.000+01:00

LIVELY NIGHT OF FAST DOWNWIND SAILING TESTS CREWS

TEAMS OPT FOR POLED OUT HEADSAIL TO PRESEVE SPINNAKERS

NOVA SCOTIA BREAKS AWAY FROM THE CROWD

Race 9 of the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race got off to a good start with the Race 8 victors, Uniquely Singapore, first across the line of the 3,116 nautical mile race to Panama. Skipper of Liverpool 08, Ben Galloway, who was third across the start line, said, “One of the best starts yet I think with most of the fleet hitting the line together. Anyway, we’re straight back in at the deep end with 40-knot gusts and heavy broach action. The new crew were a little terrified at first but much more comfortable now the kites down and in one piece.”

As forecasted the northwest trade winds that run parallel to the California coast is providing the ten teams with some exciting sailing conditions and propelling them south at a great rate. Many of the teams opted for the safe option of a poled out headsail overnight as the winds touched 40 knots; with a long way still to go they will be trying to preserve their valuable spinnakers. Choosing the safer option, skipper of Durban 2010 and Beyond, Ricky Chalmers, said, “I feel like the ultimate wimp tonight with almost all the other boats launching their heavy weight kites. The winds are 25 to 30 knots true with a quite lumpy sea and we are on night one of a 19-day race - almost all downwind. My heart wanted to follow the crowd, but the head just couldn’t reconcile the conditions, the timing and the state of the crew so I opted for a poled out Yankee Two.”

Those that did opt for spinnakers last night were soon dropping them again and in the case of Uniquely Singapore the drop happened a lot faster than they anticipated. Skipper Mark Preedy said, “We were just about to drop the spinnaker when the halyard broke and made the drop a little lively. Unfortunately it forced us to harden up and loose the inshore ground that we had worked hard to gain!”

Joff Bailey, Race Director, says, “With the strong favourable winds set to continue for the next few days the temperature will soon be hotting up as the teams make their way south. Many of the new crew who joined in Santa Cruz will still be feeling a bit green but that should pass in the next day or so and they will be able to enjoy some of the most exhilarating sailing available anywhere in the world.”

The early tactics being shown by the teams is to follow the crowd and not go too far offshore with nine out of ten boats within close proximity of each other as they head south. The exception is Nova Scotia who has taken an offshore route in order to benefit from the more consistent winds further west. Only time will tell whether this tactic pays off for them.

With the Clipper fleet on their way south the Race Team spent yesterday packing up the container and making ready to return to the UK before flying out to Panama for the next stopover. Joff Bailey says, “Santa Cruz Harbour was very quite yesterday afternoon following the departure of the Clipper fleet. The stopover has been enjoyed enormously by the skippers, crews and Race Team and the hospitality shown by the Santa Cruz Yacht Club, Santa Cruz Port Authority and everybody we’ve met was second to none. We would like to thank everybody in Santa Cruz who helped and supported our stopover and made everybody feel welcome.”

Berths are currently available for the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race. For more information call +44 (0) 2392 526000 or email
oceanracer@clipperroundtheworld.com.

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS
High-resolution Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race images are available for free media use at: www.w-w-i.com/clipper_0708_race/

For media information contact:

Zoe Williamson, Communications Coordinator
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
Mobile: +44 (0)7793 417 751
Email: zwilliamson@clipper-ventures.com

Heather Ewing, Communications Coordinator
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
Mobile: +44 (0)7792 408 695.
Email: hewing@clipper-ventures.com

For more information visit www.clipperroundtheworld.com

Visitors, users and viewers of the content to which this notice is attached may copy it for re-use and syndicate the content by whatever means for use to other internet content sites on condition the source of all material so used is acknowledged with the attachment of the following notice.
www.superyachtnews.blogspot.com 2008
www.ajaxnetphoto.com 2008
This content may be used in any print media made available for commercial resale.
The products and companies named in this website content are trademarks, registered trademarks or servicemarks of their respective owners or licensed users.

'SPOT' GPS Personal Tracker introduced by ExtremeGB.com

2008-04-22T22:09:00.000+01:00

EXTREMEGB.COM PRESS RELEASE April 21, 2008.

SPOT GPS PERSONAL TRACKER: GLOBAL SAFETY AND SECURITY FOR TRAVELLERS AND ADVENTURERS.

"SPOT", a potentially life-saving piece of equipment, has been introduced by ExtremeGB.com, the UK's leading online retailer of outdoor and adventure goods.

SPOT is a new and unique product for travelers and adventurers which can send a signal back to monitoring teams or potential rescuers through the satellite system asking for help - or confirming they're safe, well and on-track.

The message includes the exact co-ordinates of the person holding the SPOT, and a web link to view their location using Google maps.

"Walkie-talkies, and, more recently, mobile phones or sat phones, have become the default communication device for people who go well off the beaten track - deserts, jungles, wastes or oceans - but each of those has its limitations, either coverage, range or size," said Ed Giles of ExtremeGB.com.

"SPOT is a small device which can send pre-programmed messages asking for help at its location, emergency assistance in a life-threatening situation, or send messages confirming everything's going to plan - and confirming location every few minutes."

Priced at £139.50, there is also a subscription charge dependent upon use.

At the heart of the security provided by SPOT is 9-1-1 International Emergency Response Centres operated by GEOS, the global satellite monitoring, tracking and safety organisation. In addition to the peace of mind delivered by this partnership, GEOS can offer additional benefits to enhance the safety and security of users €99.00/year basic satellite service subscription includes:
ALERT 9-1-1: Dispatch emergency responders to your exact location. Unlimited usage included.
CHECK-IN: Let contacts know where you are and that you're okay. Unlimited Check-In emails included. Up to 200 annual Check-In or Help text messages to any mobile phone, worldwide, are also included in the plan. Additional text messages cost €0.10 per message.
ASK FOR HELP: Request help from friends and family at your exact location. Unlimited Help emails included. Up to 200 annual Check-In or Help text messages to any mobile phone, worldwide, are also included in the plan. Additional text messages cost €0.10 per message.

Upgrade services:
TRACK PROGRESS: €39.00/year Tracking Upgrade Option. Send and save your location and allow contacts to track your progress using Google Maps.
GEOS SEARCH & RESCUE SERVICE: €11.00/year (if purchased at initial activation; €150.00 afterwards). Provides up to $100,000 (USD) of additional search and rescue resources, including helicopter extraction around the world and reimbursement benefits - underwritten by Lloyds of London - for any emergency service expenses incurred.

ExtremeGB is part of the GB Group, an established online retailer providing marine equipment (www.sailgb.com), outdoor equipment (www.outdoorgb.com) and sports watches (www.watchesgb.com)

Ends

Further information:
Iain Macauley
0161 929 0446 / 07788 978800
im@pressrelations.co.uk
www.extremegb.com

Visitors, users and viewers of the content to which this notice is attached may copy it for re-use and syndicate the content by whatever means for use to other internet content sites on condition the source of all material so used is acknowledged with the attachment of the following notice.
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This content may be used in any print media made available for commercial resale.
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Raymarine Lively Lady Project circumnavigation

2008-04-22T21:55:00.000+01:00

April 2008

From India to Egypt

The historic yacht Lively Lady is en route to Egypt, due to arrive at the beginning of May following a three week sail from India. This leg crosses the Arabian Sea before the yacht heads into the Gulf of Aden and up into the Red Sea to reach the Suez Canal.

Lively Lady is the historic wooden sailing boat that was sailed from Britain to Australia and back in 1968 by greengrocer, Sir Alec Rose. Now, Lively Lady is being sailed around the world by a crew of adults and young people, as part of a project to help disadvantaged young adults realise their potential.

The vessel is due to arrive at Port Ghalib before heading to Abu Tig Marina for a stopover of around five days, due to arrive there around 6th May. While in port, the boat will be visited by Eastern Electronics, the exclusive and long standing sales and service agent for Raymarine. After that, Lively Lady will travel through the Suez Canal before heading across the Mediterranean Sea to Valetta, Malta.

The adventures of those onboard are being followed by people across the globe via the dedicated Lively Lady website (www.livelylady.net). Since the yacht left the UK at the end of July in 2006 the 14 skippers and 30 young adults who have taken part so far, have sailed their way across the Atlantic and the Pacific.

The project has been sponsored by marine electronics manufacturer Raymarine which is headquartered in Portsmouth, England – the city in which Sir Alec Rose lived and worked. When Sir Alec Rose bequeathed the boat to the city of Portsmouth, he intended that she should be used to help disadvantaged young adults realise their potential.

The Raymarine Lively Lady Project offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn valuable life skills whilst taking part in a truly unique circumnavigation sailing experience. Those onboard will also have the chance to use the latest in marine technology, as Raymarine kitted the classic boat with all the necessary technical equipment – including an autopilot system to help the boat safely around the world. While in port in Egypt, members of staff from Eastern Electronics will visit the Lively Lady to service all the Raymarine equipment aboard before the vessel leaves on the next leg to Malta.

The Raymarine Lively Lady Project is headed up by British ocean adventurer Alan Priddy who was inspired as a child by Sir Alec Rose. With the Raymarine Lively Lady Project, Alan is continuing this legacy, creating an exciting challenge which will see the boat returning to Portsmouth UK on 5 July 2008, having spent approximately 260 days at sea covering more than 28,000 nautical miles.

- Ends

Notes to Editors:

If you’d like to visit the boat or talk to any of the crew, Lively Lady will be berthed at Abu Tig Marina from the beginning of May until approximately May 12. Interested parties should contact Karim el Sabh, President of Eastern Electronics by email sabronic@link.net or by phone +20 66 324393 or Rachel Keeling in the UK on email rachel@mackaouicommunications.com.

For further information contact Alice Driscoll or Eloise Jakeman at
ADPR,
Tel +44 (0)1460 241641 or Fax +44 (0)1460 242719
or by email at raymarine@adpr.co.uk.

Visitors, users and viewers of the content to which this notice is attached may copy it for re-use and syndicate the content by whatever means for use to other internet content sites on condition the source of all material so used is acknowledged with the attachment of the following notice.
www.superyachtnews.blogspot.com 2008
www.ajaxnetphoto.com 2008
This content may be used in any print media made available for commercial resale.
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Clipper News - Santa Cruz Stopover

2008-04-20T15:04:00.000+01:00

19th April 2008

QINGDAO ARRIVES IN SANTA CRUZ

SOUTHERN HEMISPERE TEAMS MAKE GOOD PROGRESS

CALIFORNIAN CREW RECRUITMENT AT STRICTLY SAIL PACIFIC

Qingdao arrived in Santa Cruz yesterday, the last of the yachts racing in the Pacific leg from Hawaii to the west coast Californian port. A daytime arrival ensured the Chinese team received a huge welcome as Clipper crews, friends, family, and Santa Cruz Yacht Club members lined the pontoons.

“It’s great to be here,” said the skipper of Qingdao, Marcus Cholerton-Brown. “We got stuck in a wind hole for 48 hours, only managing about 12-miles in that time, and sat there surrounded by glassy seas. Then the wind filled in and we found ourselves in 30 to 35 knots, but unfortunately on the nose. We probably needed to be another 60 to 70-miles further north, but the Qingdao crew did very well, we were just unlucky and took a bit of a bad weather gamble.”

After making relatively slow progress for the first week since departing Hawaii the wind direction has finally allowed westernaustralia2011.com and Durban 2010 and Beyond to make better progress towards Santa Cruz today; covering nearly 200 nautical miles in 24 hours. The current forecast is favourable and should allow both teams to maintain good speeds towards Santa Cruz with an expected arrival date of Tuesday 22 April.

Joff Bailey, Race Director, says, “As neither team are racing they are permitted to use their engine during periods of light winds which will help to keep their speeds up.”

The progress of both teams was hampered yesterday when discarded fishing nets got wrapped around their propellers. westernaustralia2011.com became aware of the problem when “engine revs dropped as a slight knock was heard under the boat.” A short and very cold dive was required to cut away the offending netting.

Once westernaustralia2011.com and Durban 2010 and Beyond arrive in Santa Cruz the Race Director will announce the actual restart date and time. Presently the Clipper Race Team is working towards restarting the ten-strong fleet on Thursday 24 April.

The Santa Cruz stopover coincides with the Strictly Sail Pacific boat show in Oakland, California, and Clipper Crew Recruitment Manager David Cusworth paid his second visit there today. David said, “Most people attending the west coast’s largest sail only boat show didn’t know that the opportunity existed for non-professional sailors to race around the world in a yacht race. After the second of the afternoons presentations it looks as though more Americans than ever before will be taking part in a Clipper Race.”

Crew from Uniquely Singapore were in attendance to tell potential crew about winning the race from Hawaii, the weather they had sailed through and vital aspects such as food and sleeping conditions onboard the Clipper 68s.

Tomorrow sees the final presentation and another good turnout is expected.

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS
High-resolution Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race images are
available for free media use at: www.w-w-i.com/clipper_0708_race/

For media information contact:

Zoe Williamson, Communications Coordinator (in Santa Cruz, GMT-8)
Local cell phone: +1 (808) 228 2646
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
Mobile: +44 (0)7793 417 751
Email: zwilliamson@clipper-ventures.com

Heather Ewing, Communications Coordinator
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
Mobile: +44 (0)7792 408 695.
Email: hewing@clipper-ventures.com

For more information visit www.clipperroundtheworld.com

Visitors, users and viewers of the content to which this notice is attached may copy it for re-use and syndicate the content by whatever means for use to other internet content sites on condition the source of all material so used is acknowledged with the attachment of the following notice.
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Aquafax appointed national distributor for 'Peek'

2008-04-17T19:10:00.000+01:00

Press Release April 2008

Peek goes national

Peek, the popular cleaning, polishing and protection product for all metal, fibreglass, Perspex, glass and mirrors is now available across the UK marine business following the appointed Aquafax of Luton as national distributor.

Peek is a cream that will clean and polish without scratching. Its non-abrasive formula leaves a protective coating after polishing. It is made from the original 20 year old proven formula and is supplied in 100gm tubes and 1 litre cans. Retail prices range from only £3.99 for a retail tube to £17.50 for a large trade can.

Peek is recommended for application to all GRP marine products large and small – for hulls and decks, interior and exterior surfaces; Perspex; all metals including chromium ladders and stainless steel stanchions, rails, alloy cleats and shrouds; glass, mirrors and windows; ceramics, showers, metal cooking utensils and cooker tops - even anchors.

It will remove salt-water stains, scale, rust, oxidisation, heat discolouration and a lot more - without odour.

Peek is at home in the galley as it is on deck or below water level so don’t leave your mooring without it.

Richard Pardoe of Aquafax said: “Its great to have attracted this international high profile product to our portfolio. We can now offer a one-stop cleaning, protection and polishing product with hundreds of applications. Its something that should be in every boat owner’s tool box and below deck.”

From March 1st, all Peek products will be available through 95% of good boat chandlers, marine suppliers and retailers across the UK supplied by Aquafax. For details of local stockists contact: Aquafax on 01582 568700 or www.aquafax.co.uk

For free reader trial samples please send a stamped addressed envelope to: Tri-Peek International, PO Box 113, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4WW.

-Ends-

Press enquiries to: Peter Vezey
Tel 01438 832017 or 07702 915122
peter@prman.org.uk

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Uniquely Singapore wins Race 8 from Hawaii to Santa Cruz

2008-04-16T19:09:00.000+01:00

16 April 2008

Uniquely Singapore clinches victory in nail-biting finish into Santa Cruz

Uniquely Singapore has managed to steal line honours from Nova Scotia by crossing the finish line at 05:16 local (12:16 GMT) Wednesday morning at the end of Race 8 from Hawaii to Santa Cruz of the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race. In a nail biting finish in light airs the Singaporean team managed to overtake the team representing the east coast province of Canada crossing less than an hour later at 05:51 local (12:51 GMT).

Uniquely Singapore was the first of the ten internationally-sponsored yachts competing in the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race to arrive in Santa Cruz at the end of the latest 2,080-mile stage from Honolulu. They were closely followed into Santa Cruz Harbour by second placed Nova Scotia and both teams were greeted by a group of local volunteers and representatives from the Santa Cruz Yacht Club, who welcomed the crews and skippers to the Californian port.

The victory for Uniquely Singapore marks their first win of the Clipper 07-08 Race series and their first podium position of the race so far. Skipper Mark Preedy and his crew were clearly elated as they pulled alongside. “I’m over the moon!” exclaimed a delighted Mark “It seemed like a lot of the crew had settled for second place at the end there until we started to see the lights of Nova Scotia on the final approach. So we kept going, as we knew we had a good chance of getting closer, and we kept pushing hard. We were the northerly boat so we had an advantage and when the wind died it was a bit of a free for all. They chose to fly the spinnaker whilst we went for the windseeker and the wind came round the right way for us and we took them just before the line.”

A tactical decision to head north paid off for both teams as they achieved more favourable wind angles and avoided the wind holes that beset the rest of the fleet further south.

Skipper of Nova Scotia, Rob McInally said, “Absolutely fantastic, the team has been amazing, even when we were trying to keep first place and finished in second. It’s been a really good race, from being first across the start line in Hawaii to finishing in a podium position.”

The majority of the fleet are expected to arrive over the next couple of days with the US entry, New York expected to take the final podium position and arrive in Santa Cruz Harbour later today. Durban 2010 and Beyond and westernaustralia2011.com ,will complete the fleet by arriving in Santa Cruz early next week. The two southern hemisphere teams were delayed leaving Hawaii due to essential mast refit work as a result the dramatic dismasting of both yachts during Race 7 from Qingdao, China.

Clipper 07-08 is the sixth edition of the biennial Clipper Race and the Santa Cruz stopover marks the first time the race has visited a port on the west coast of the United States. During the teams’ short visit the fleet is being hosted by the Santa Cruz Yacht Club who will also host the prize giving ceremony on Monday 21 April.

SCYC Commodore Bret Grippenstraw said, “It was great to see the boats arrive this morning and we’re really excited about being involved in the stopover. It’s a great thing for Santa Cruz and the harbour and we’re really happy to have the Clipper yachts here.”

The Clipper Race is the only round the world yacht race for non-professional sailors and the amateur crews, representing 27 different nationalities across the ten teams, are each led by a professional skipper. As well as performing the routine maintenance required to keep their ocean racing yachts in top performance condition and shopping for food for the next race, the crews will also have some time to enjoy the sights, sounds and flavours of California during the stopover.

The Californian stopover of Clipper 07-08 has also been timed to coincide with the Strictly Sail Pacific boat show, which begins today at Jack London Square, Oakland, California. The Clipper Race will be exhibiting at the show today and this coming weekend and Crew Recruitment Manager David Cusworth will be on hand explain how prospective crew members can get onboard and take on the challenge of a lifetime. To find out more about the race and how to become a crew member on Clipper 09-10 please contact David Cusworth on +1 (831) 239 5116, or email oceanracer@clipperroundtheworld.com.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race began on 16 September 2007 in Liverpool. The race lasts ten months and takes in 35,000 miles of ocean racing. The overall race is divided into seven legs and a total of 14 individual races. Points are accumulated according to each race position, and the yacht with the highest total at the finish on 5 July 2008 wins the race trophy.

For media information, photographs and interviews with skippers, crew or Race Team, please contact:

Zoe Williamson, Communications Coordinator (in Santa Cruz)
Mobile in Santa Cruz (808) 228-2646 (from 15 April)
Email: zwilliamson@clipper-ventures.com

Heather Ewing, Communications Coordinator (in UK)
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
UK Mobile: +44 (0) 7792 408 695
Email: hewing@clipper-ventures.com

For further information log onto www.clipperroundtheworld.com

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Metre & Classic Keelboat Regatta - Update

2008-04-16T00:07:00.001+01:00

The Metre & Classic Keelboat Regatta at Cowes Classic Week 22-25 July 2008 (update)

Following the initial announcement of this regatta, there have been two major developments which will significantly enhance the appeal of this event:
· We have been able to agree with RORC Rating to use IRC as the rating system for mixed fleets. Standard class ratings will be developed for the one-design classes by the regatta organizers in conjunction with class measurers. Individual boat certificates will be obtained as part of the entry process. Individual certificates may vary from the standard class rating if the data for that boat is different, although fleets themselves may opt to race on a level rating basis - the boats may be one-design but, as classic boats they will have a history based on build date and past class rules and differing levels of upgrading and maintenance. One-off boats, such as the metre classes, which mostly already have certificates, will obtain their IRC certificate in the normal way. This means that competitive racing may be achieved by all the boats that participate regardless of their particular characteristics and racing may be organized across the whole regatta fleet. It also means that individual owners can join in regardless of whether their own fleets have been able to make a commitment to participate. After the event, the results will be analysed to evaluate the benefits of this approach.
· The week of the regatta is the exact centenary of the first Yachting Olympics which was organized by the Royal Victoria Yacht Club in 1908 from their club, then in Ryde, IoW. The same club are going to run one day during the regatta, to be known as the RVYC 1908 Olympic Yacht Race Centenary Celebration to commemorate this event with an on-the-water and off-the water programme, including a Gala Evening. Since our current Olympians will already be inChina by then, this is an opportunity for those left behind to cheer them on and recognize the contribution that GBR Yachting has made to the Olympic movement over 100 years.
To monitor updates to this event goto
http://www.classickeelboats.org
or
http://www.themetreregatta.org

BACKGROUND:
A new combined International Regatta is to be held in Cowes for Metre boats and classic racing keelboats from 22-25 July 2008 to be run by the Royal London Yacht Club - the same week as the British Classic Yacht Club Regatta which is being run in association with the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club. The event will be run annually and such an occasion will establish Cowes as the centre for classic racing in Northern Europe consistent with its heritage. Together, they will form a prototype Cowes Classic Week at which we will also welcome the 'Big Boats', some of which have not been seen in the Solent since the 1930's.

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New Regatta for Metre Boats & Classic Keelboats - Cowes, England July 2008

2008-04-15T23:48:00.000+01:00

A new combined International Regatta is to be held in Cowes for Metre boats and classic keel racing boats from 22-25 July 2008 to be run by the Royal London Yacht Club. This is the same week as the British Classic Yacht Club Regatta which is run in association with the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club and with which some socials will be combined. These events will bring to Cowes the largest fleet of classic boats ever assembled in the UK. In particular, expressions of interest have been received by BCYC from some of the big boats The Lady Anne, (15mR), Mariquita (19mR) and Lulworth (23mR) on their return from the Fife Regatta on the Clyde, boats that have rarely been seen recently in the Solent. The event will be run annually and such an occasion will establish Cowes as the centre for classic racing in Northern Europe consistent with its heritage. The event will be immediately followed by the Household Division Regatta and the Royal Yacht Squadron Regatta – two one-day regattas for invited racing classes.

There is real support for a continuing a Metre Regatta following the success of the Centenary Regatta for the International Rule held in Cowes during July 2007 at which 80 Metre boats attended. Fleet racing will be organised for 6mR, 8mR and 12mR boats. Other classes may sail in the mixed fleet or, if sufficient boats attend separate starts will be provided. Although the 6mR have a full calendar next year, the 8mR and 12mR have few opportunities to sail together so this provides them with a real opportunity and the event is timed to follow their respective World Championships.

There is additional demand from classic keel racing boats for an event that brings all these classic boats together. Support has already been received from owners of Darings, Classic Dragons and Sunbeams. It will be a great opportunity for the many one-design classes from around the country to come together once a year. In the past almost every major yacht club has commissioned their own one-design. Many of these normally only have the opportunity to sail in small local fleets based around the few remaining boats and enthusiastic owners and some fleets are so fragmented that they have little opportunity to sail together. On the whole, they are fairly easily moved and mainland facilities will be organised for launching and the crossing to Cowes. A rating system will be used for mixed fleet(s) and a separate start or fleet result will be provided if sufficient numbers attend. It is hoped that fleets may adopt the event as a regular or occasional slot in their calendar although the format is designed to enable all-comers. Class Captains are encouraged to contact David Elliott – see below.

We are fortunate that Bob Milner will act as Chief Race Officer – on his recent return from from assisting with the Superyacht Regatta in Palma Majorca, Bob said “It will be wonderful that Cowes can attract such a superb fleet of these wonderful classes which have had such a significant impact on racing over the last century.”

The Regatta was officially announced at the Whyte & MacKay Earl's Court Boat Show on Friday 30th November 2007.

To monitor news and event details goto www.classickeelboats.org or contact:

Rees Martin (Secretary GBR 6mR) rees@6mr.org.uk
David Elliott (Secretary for Racing Classes, BCYC) david.elliott@classickeelboats.org

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Global Yacht Racing - RORC Madeira Race

2008-04-14T21:30:00.000+01:00

The next big thing - RORC Madeira Race

Global Yacht Racing have taken part in some fantastic challenges over the last couple or years, In 2006 it was the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race, a 1600 mile race around the British Isles, in 2007 it was the Epic Rolex Middle Sea Race which saw some of the wildest weather that part of the Med has ever seen. They have also competed in four Rolex Sydney to Hobart races with amateur crews. So they are definitely up for the next big sailing challenge which RORC have recently unveiled, the Madeira Race 2008.

This 2600 nautical mile race is going to start and finish in Cowes and race down to the Island of Madeira in the Atlantic Ocean. The race is split into two legs; outbound and return, and crew changes are allowed. The race from Cowes to Madeira is due to start on the 11th of August and the race back from Madeira will leave on the 26th of August.

The tough racecourse will take racers west through the English Channel, past the Channel Islands and the French coast and out into the notorious Bay of Biscay then into the Atlantic Ocean heading south down the Spanish and Portuguese coast, and continuing south down the African coast to the Portuguese Island of Madeira.

It is bound to be a tough event given the different regions and seas that the crew will sail, the Bay of Biscay crossing is not for the fainthearted and the passage could take up to ten days of Atlantic sailing as the crews race south after clearing Ushant.

Global Yacht Racing will be training novice crews for this event, with a season of RORC races, race training and safety and sea survival training. This provides people with a passion for adventure the opportunity to compete in the sailing challenge of 2008 regardless of their previous sailing experience. Many non-professional amateur crews have competed with the UK based company in exciting and challenging ocean and offshore races such as the Rolex Fastnet Race, the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race, Round Britain and Ireland Race and the Middle Sea Race. The ethos behind the company is that yacht racing should be accessible to anyone with determination and a reasonable level of fitness and with the correct training and excellent instruction can compete succesfully against seasoned racers.

Global Yacht Racing will run two campaigns for the event, the first will be the full campaign with training and qualifying RORC races and the full race to Madeira and back. The second campaign will involve the full training package and RORC qualifying races but just one leg either to or from Madeira.

Race package & programme
· 4 days intensive race training: 2nd to 5th June 2008
· Rorc Qualifying race 1 Morgan Cup: 6th to 8th June
· Offshore qualifying Passage: 20th to 23rd June
· RORC qualifying race 2 Channel Race: 26th 27th July
· Madeira Race leg 1: Departs 11TH August ETA 20th August
· Madeira Race leg 2: Departs Madeira approx 22nd August Finish 31st August

More information for editors:

Global Yacht Racing

Global Yacht Racing was formed to provide people from all walks of life who have a passion for excitement access to yacht racing's premier events. Global Yacht Racing's world wide racing program offers ordinary individuals the opportunity to become part of an outstanding yacht racing team campaigning in major yacht races around the globe. Global Yacht Racing teams have competed in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart, the Rolex Fastnet Race, the Middle Sea Race, the ARC, Skandia Cowes Week and more. Experienced skippers, provide all training. Racing takes place on top quality performance yachts chosen to suit each race or regatta.

Contact Global Yacht Racing

Telephone (+44) 0845 634 1452
Email info@GlobalYachtRacing.com
Web www.GlobalYachtRacing.com

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Round Britain Powerboat Race product support from Raymarine

2008-04-13T21:12:00.000+01:00

April 2008

Raymarine to provide product support for 2008 Round-Britain Powerboat Race entries

The Round Britain Powerboat Race is a huge endurance battle of 1,600 nautical miles round the treacherous coast line of Britain that will test most boats and crews to their limits. However, competitors will have a helping hand, both before and during the event, as Raymarine has joined forces with the organisers to offer free product support for the entire race.

Dedicated product support teams will be available on site from two days prior to the start of the competition at Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, to offer professional technical advice and support to anyone who has questions and concerns about their kit, or requires additional training. In addition, Raymarine product support teams will be on hand at every stop-over to ensure on-site assistance is available for those who require it.

More than 40 boats are likely to start the race, including two Raymarine ambassadors; leading offshore powerboat racer Shelley Jory, and Greg Marsden, who's extreme 'Vampire' RIB is expected to give the on-board Raymarine equipment a punishing workout during the challenge.

The event, scheduled to last more than ten days, will start and finish off the shores of Portsmouth, at Southsea Castle. Set to follow the same format as the 1969 and 1984 events, the race is believed to be the greatest offshore powerboat race to be held in the world for many years.

The event, which starts on Saturday 21st June, is not for the faint-hearted. It's only the third time in the 100 year history of offshore powerboat racing in the UK that this race has been held, and it will echo the previous races when bravery, endurance and sheer grit saw pilots power their way around the UK coastline.

Raymarine's support schedule is as follows:

Date - Location - Raymarine distributor team

18-20.06.08
Portsmouth
Raymarine Service Department

21-22.06.08
Plymouth
Waypoint 1

22-23.06.08
Milford Haven
Dyfed Electronics

23-24.06.08
Bangor (Northern Ireland)
Marine Services Ireland

24-25.06.08
Oban
Boat Electrics

26-27.06.08
Inverness
Caley Marine

27-28.06.08
Edinburgh
Blue V

28-29.06.08
Newcastle
PA Lynch

29-30.06.08
Lowestoft
Cliff Marine

- Ends

For further information contact
Chloe Bartle UK Marketing Coordinator,
+44 (0)23 9269 3611 Ext. 1395 or chloe.bartle@raymarine.com
or Alice Driscoll at ADPR,
+44(0)1460 241641 or alice@adpr.co.uk.

Visitors, users and viewers of the content to which this notice is attached may copy it for re-use and syndicate the content by whatever means for use to other internet content sites on condition the source of all material so used is acknowledged with the attachment of the following notice.
www.superyachtnews.blogspot.com 2008
www.ajaxnetphoto.com 2008
This content may be used in any print media made available for commercial resale.
The products and companies named in this website content are trademarks, registered trademarks or servicemarks of their respective owners or licensed users.

Clipper 07-08 Race Restart set for Saturday 5th April

2008-04-05T09:07:00.000+01:00

04 April 2008

CLIPPER 07-08 RACE 8 HAWAII TO SANTA CRUZ START SET FOR SATURDAY 5 APRIL

Following a successful day of replacing rigging fittings on several of the Clipper fleet in Hawaii on Thursday, the Clipper Race Team has announced that Race 8 from Hawaii to Santa Cruz will start at 11:00 am local time (22:00 GMT) on Saturday 5 April.

Joff Bailey, Race Director, says, “The maintenance team, crews and myself have been working hard with the riggers all day today [Thursday] and it has really paid off. We have managed to get six out of eight boats finished before bad light stopped play and the rig fittings will be fitted on New York and Uniquely Singapore in the morning. At the current rate of work, we hope to have all the rigging work completed by midday on Friday.”

Race 8 from Hawaii to Santa Cruz is expected to take the fleet around 14 days to complete giving an ETA into Santa Cruz of 19 April, based on a restart this Saturday. Due to the delays in Hawaii the Clipper Race Team has made the decision to shorten the Santa Cruz stopover to make up time and is currently looking at a departure date of 23 April for Race 8 to Panama.

“By shortening the next couple of race stopovers, our overall aim is to depart Jamaica as per the original schedule on 24 May,” explains Joff. “There are several factors that can still prevent this occurring. However, if we get through the Panama Canal without too much fuss and reduce the Jamaica stopover to a short pit-stop, this can be achieved.”

The task of sourcing, freighting and fitting the new rigs and replacing fittings across the fleet has proved to be a complex logistical challenge. Clipper Chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said: “We would like to thank everyone for their patience through this difficult time. Sailing boats always have difficulties keeping to schedules but this sort of delay is unexpected. I would also like to thank those who have worked so hard to manufacture and obtain the spares required and then fit them.”

In the Ala Wai boat yard, on the opposite side of the harbour to where the rigging fittings are being replaced, the mast builder from Atlantic Spars has been getting to work on the two masts for westernaustralia2011.com and Durban 2010 and Beyond, the two yachts dismasted during Race 7 from Qingdao. Great progress has been made and the masts are now ready for the arrival of the spreaders in a shipment tomorrow morning.

Joff says, “With respect to westernaustralia2011.com and Durban 2010 and Beyond, we are currently working to a plan that will see them re-join the fleet in Santa Cruz. It will be a very short stopover for them and we are therefore focused on getting them going as quickly as possible, hopefully by Wednesday next week. This is obviously heavily dependent upon how the rig building goes and we will have a much better idea over the next couple of days.”

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS

A news release on the Race 8 start in Hawaii will be issued during the morning (GMT) of Sunday 6 April.

Images of the race restart in Hawaii will be available for free editorial use at: www.w-w-i.com/clipper_0708_race/

For media information contact:

Zoe Williamson, Communications Coordinator (in UK)
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
Mobile: +44 (0)7793 417 751
Email: zwilliamson@clipper-ventures.com

Heather Ewing, Communications Coordinator (in Hawaii; GMT -10)
Local cell phone: +1 (808) 228 2646
UK Mobile: +44 (0)7792 408 695.
Email: hewing@clipper-ventures.com

For more information visit www.clipperroundtheworld.com

Visitors, users and viewers of the content to which this notice is attached may copy it for re-use and syndicate the content by whatever means for use to other internet content sites on condition the source of all material so used is acknowledged with the attachment of the following notice.
www.superyachtnews.blogspot.com 2008
www.ajaxnetphoto.com 2008
This content may be used in any print media made available for commercial resale.
The products and companies named in this website content are trademarks, registered trademarks or servicemarks of their respective owners or licensed users.

Steering the Business of Yacht Racing and Marine Tourism

2008-03-29T16:20:00.000Z

World Yacht Racing Forum
10th – 11th December 2008 – Grimaldi Centre – Monaco

The Yacht Racing Business has come of age! Ranked 3rd highest recipient of European Sports Sponsorship, after football and motorsport, sailing is now a powerful and highly cost effective sponsorship alternative to other sports. Major corporations and brands have realised that a sailing event, project or regatta does project an environmentally ‘green’ ‘clean’ and ‘fresh’ identity.

The First Sailing Industry debate will cover the key issues that affect the future of our sport in eight sessions:

• Selecting Olympic Classes for Maximum Televisual Impact
• Regeneration of Coastal Areas through Marine Tourism
• Key Factors for a Successful Commercial Regatta
• How to Increase Global Participation in Sailing
• America’s Cup – Ensuring Continuity for the future
• Great Value Returns For Sailing Sponsors
• Opportunities for Sailing in Emerging Countries
• Advanced Sailing Communications Technology

Speakers and Panelists include:

• Sir Robin Knox Johnston, CEO Clipper Ventures plc
• Rod Carr OBE, CEO of Royal Yachting Association
• Malav Shrof , Chairman ISAF Olympic Classes Sub Committee
• Andrew Pindar, CEO Pindar Group & Team Pindar
• Stuart Quarrie , Chief Executive Cowes Week
• Tim Coventry, Chief Executive/Chairman of Performance Sailcraft 1981 to 2004
• Mark Turner, CEO of Offshore Challenges Group
• Paul Strzelecki Joint CEO Henri Lloyd and Director of International Sailing Summit

The World Yacht Racing Awards

This will be a main feature of the evenings activities in Monaco.. The Awards will be voted for by the global sailing community via our 15 official media partners. Nominations will be proposed for the Award categories, some of which include:

Sailing Regatta 2008 – Sailing Venue 2008 – Sailing Photographer 2008 – Sailing Team 2008 – Outstanding Achievement Award 2008 – Sailing Sponsor of the Year 2008 – Event Management Award 2008 – Sailing Technology Award 2008

Why come to the World Yacht Racing Forum?

Have your say in the future direction of our sport. Come and network with the movers and shakers in sailing and motorsport sponsorship. Exhibit and promote your business to identify opportunities within new markets and find new customers. Learn how ports and harbours have transformed the prosperity of their local business community from investment into marine tourism and events.

Quite simply the most outstanding value, sailing network event of the year. With hotel rooms from as little as 90 euro’s per night, and delegate tickets starting from 700 euro’s you cannot afford to miss this global gathering of the sailing world.

A unique feature of this event is our co-location with the motorsport business forum, including the fabulous ‘track and ocean’ cocktail party. This is where the key players from both sports have an opportunity to create and share opportunities.

What now?

Exhibitor – Speaker - Sponsorship – Delegate Opportunities

Make a smart and cost effective investment for your company, authority or organisation by being part of one of the most important commercial events in the sailing world. Your chance to reach a powerful delegate audience.

For further details about sponsor, exhibitor and delegate packages at the Grimaldi Forum, call Chris Trainor on +44 (0)1983 753586 or +44 (0)7919 370292 (Cell)

To request more information, email Chris on chris@worldyachtracingforum.com

Or visit our website: www.worldyachtracingforum.com

The World Yacht Racing Forum is organised by Informa Yacht Group.

The World Yacht Racing Forum
Informa Yacht Group
3 rue du Léopard
1227 Carouge
Geneva
Switzerland

Visitors, users and viewers of the content to which this notice is attached may copy it for re-use and syndicate the content by whatever means for use to other internet content sites on condition the source of all material so used is acknowledged with the attachment of the following notice.
www.superyachtnews.blogspot.com 2008
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Pershing & Parmigiani - First sports watch collection

2008-03-24T09:07:00.000Z

Press Release
Pershing & Parmigiani

NEW PARTNERSHIP PERSHING & PARMIGIANI FLEURIER

The ambitious partnership now binding PERSHING (a FERRETTI Group brand and prestigious Italian shipyard specialising in luxury yacht construction) with PARMIGIANI FLEURIER (a Swiss Fine Watchmaking brand) arose from a shared entrepreneurial culture.
The fusion of the values of excellence of PERSHING and PARMIGIANI FLEURIER sealed the promise of a unique history, marked by the aim of constant perfection of tried and tested know-how.
The result of this partnership was the creation of the first range of PERSHING aquatic sports watches, dedicated to its gentlemen and lady customers, with a comprehensive variety of models and mechanisms on offer. The Pershing collection comprises two different lines: The limited edition "one-one-five", available in 18 carat rose gold and 950 palladium, created in honour of the biggest and most prestigious Pershing vessel, measuring 115 feet, and the Pershing Chronographs collection, available in steel with four dial variants, which is non-limited edition.

The new partnership is also the starting point for a long-term association that may also be manifested in more advanced collaborations in creating timekeepers customised to a yacht or the customer's wishes.

For more information:

Pershing S.p.A.
Press Office & Advertising
Laura Vanessa Carboni – laura.carboni@pershing-yacht.com

Pershing S.p.A.
Via J. J. Pershing 1/3
61037 Mondolfo (PU)
Italy
Phone (+39) 0721 956211
Fax: (+39) 0721 956289
http://www.pershing-yacht.com

Visitors, users and viewers of the content to which this notice is attached may copy it for re-use and syndicate the content by whatever means for use to other internet content sites on condition the source of all material so used is acknowledged with the attachment of the following notice.
www.superyachtnews.blogspot.com 2008
www.ajaxnetphoto.com 2008
This content may be used in any print media made available for commercial resale.
The products and companies named in this website content are trademarks, registered trademarks or servicemarks of their respective owners or licensed users.

Clipper 07-08 Race 7 called after second yacht dismasted

2008-03-15T08:13:00.001Z

Race 7 - Qingdao to Hawaii - Day 19
13 March 2008

Durban 2010 and Beyond dismasted in Pacific Ocean - Race 7 called at 0600 GMT

Durban 2010 and Beyond, one of the ten yachts competing in the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race has been dismasted during the race from Qingdao, China, to Hawaii.

At 0610 GMT on the 19th day of the 4,400-nautical mile Pacific Ocean leg, the team representing Durban, South Africa, contacted the Race Office to report that they had been dismasted at deck level, whilst sailing in approximately 20 knots of wind.

There are no injuries onboard and the crew of 16, including the professional skipper, is in the process of clearing the decks, cutting away the trailing rigging to prevent damage to the 68-foot yacht’s hull from the 81-foot (24.5 metre) mast, which weighs approximately one tonne.

Durbanite skipper, Ricky Chalmers says, “The conditions were bouncy, but we weren’t slamming. Just before the mast broke, the helm said he bore away from a wave. I think there was a slam, but not major, then a double crack and then lots of shouts of “Ricky” from on deck.

I got everyone down below, instructed them to wake everyone and get everyone in lifejackets in the saloon/galley area.”

Then began the process of clearing the deck. “We first secured the boom which was lying partly on deck, with the aft end about six feet over the side,” explains Ricky. The crew, working together also managed to save the mainsail and headsails. They had to cut some of the rigging to release a portion of the mast and haul in the mainsail by hand but, says Ricky, “After that it was pretty straight forward. Main on deck, headsails retrieved. Then we took a break, had a chat, had supper.”

The yacht, currently 780 miles from the finish line in Honolulu, Hawaii, remains seaworthy, guard wires re-secured and a full deck check carried out to assess the extent of the damage.

Durban 2010 and Beyond’s dismasting is not thought to have been caused in the same manner as westernaustralia2011.com’s rig failure on Wednesday 5 March.

With 85 percent of this stage of the race complete and as a precautionary measure in the interest of the safety of the crews taking part in the Clipper Race, which is always the paramount consideration for race organiser Clipper Ventures Plc, the Race Committee, headed by renowned yachtsman, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, has told the rest of the fleet to stop racing and to proceed to Honolulu.

The Clipper Race Committee decided to shorten the course in accordance with the Clipper Sailing Instructions and Race 7 of the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race finished at 0600 GMT this morning, 13 March.

Durban 2010 and Beyond currently does not need assistance and will motor towards Honolulu as soon as the remainder of the rigging has been made safe. Uniquely Singapore and Qingdao, two of the other yachts competing in the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race, have been diverted to rendezvous with the South African boat in the next 36 hours to transfer fuel and offer any support the team needs.

The crew’s next of kin have been informed.

Race Director Jonathan Bailey says, “Durban 2010 and Beyond contacted me this morning soon after the incident. It was obvious the skipper and crew were dealing with the situation in a professional and orderly fashion. They are working through the night to clear the decks and make the boat safe before proceeding to Hawaii.

“It is a testament to the skipper and crew and the Clipper Training they have all received that they are dealing with a very difficult situation well and calmly. As well as diverting Uniquely Singapore and Qingdao, I have asked three other yachts, Liverpool 08, Nova Scotia and Jamaica, to revisit their passage plans to Honolulu on the island of Oahu in order to converge with Durban 2010 and Beyond in several days’ time in case their assistance is required.”

Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper, New York and Hull & Humber are proceeding to Honolulu, where they are due to arrive early next week. westernaustralia2011.com is continuing under jury rig to Midway Island, where the are expected to arrive on Friday 14 March to refuel before continuing to Honolulu.

Chairman of Clipper Ventures Plc and founder of the Clipper Race, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston says, “After ensuring the safety of our crews our priority is to get the yachts racing again as soon as possible and it is unlikely this will cause any significant delay to the race. We have already sourced a new mast for Durban 2010 and Beyond and are awaiting confirmation of the delivery date in Hawaii.”

The results for Race 7 will be taken from their schedule positions at 0600 GMT today, 13 March. The results are provisional until declarations have been made by the skippers.

Positions at 0600 were as follows:

1. Hull & Humber: Distance to Finish (DTF): 696
2. New York: DTF: 737 Distance to Leader (DTL): 41
3. Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper: DTF: 745 DTL: 49
4. Uniquely Singapore: DTF: 757 DTL: 61
5. Qingdao: DTF: 765 DTL: 69
6. Durban 2010 and Beyond: DTF: 778 DTL: 82
7. Liverpool 08: DTF: 819 DTL: 123
8. Jamaica: DTF: 1062 DTL: 366
9. Nova Scotia: DTF: 1083 DTL: 387
10. westernaustralia2011.com retired

Going into Race 7 of the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race Durban 2010 and Beyond was in the overall lead, three points ahead of nearest rivals, Hull & Humber. The South African boat was in sixth place on this race when the dismasting occurred and, subject to ratification, will collect five points for this individual race.

The yachts’ status on the Race Viewer has been set to “Finished” which automatically removes the Distance To Finish numbers. However the yachts’ positions will still be tracked so families, friends and supporters can follow their progress into Honolulu.

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS

High-resolution Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race images are available for free media use at: www.w-w-i.com/clipper_0708_race/

For media information contact:

Zoe Williamson, Communications Coordinator (in UK)
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
Mobile: +44 (0)7793 417 751
Email: zwilliamson@clipper-ventures.com

Heather Ewing, Communications Coordinator
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
Mobile: +44 (0)7792 408 695.
Email: hewing@clipper-ventures.com

For more information visit www.clipperroundtheworld.com

Visitors, users and viewers of the content to which this notice is attached may copy it for re-use and syndicate the content by whatever means for use to other internet content sites on condition the source of all material so used is acknowledged with the attachment of the following notice.
www.superyachtnews.blogspot.com 2008
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westernaustralia2011.com dismasted in Pacific Ocean

2008-03-05T20:57:00.000Z

Race 7 - Qingdao to Hawaii - Day 11
5 March 2008

westernaustralia2011.com, one of the ten yachts competing in the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race, has been dismasted during the race from Qingdao to Hawaii.

At 0600 GMT on the eleventh day of the 4,400-nautical mile Pacific leg, the team representing Western Australia reported that their 81-foot (24.5 metres) mast had snapped approximately halfway down whilst sailing in approximately 10-15 knots of wind under spinnaker.

There are no injuries onboard and the crew of 12, including the professional skipper, has cut away the trailing rigging using hydraulic cutters to prevent damage to the 68-foot yacht’s hull. The yacht remains seaworthy and a full assessment of the damage is underway.

Skipper Martin Silk said: “At 0600 GMT the starboard cap shroud [one of the wires supporting the mast] lower fitting sheared on our rigging and our mast folded at the mid point. Nobody was hit by the mast or rigging. We have now detached the rigging and cleared the lines and although darkness has stopped us from continuing to jury rig at this stage, we will continue at first light.”

The yacht is currently located approximately 700 nautical miles east of Yokohama, Japan in the Pacific Ocean. Due to strong winds from the west, the yacht will continue towards Hawaii under jury rig. The Clipper Race Team is looking at options for refuelling en route and it is likely that westernaustralia2011.com will head for the island of Midway approximately 1,400 miles from their current position.

Clipper Race Director Joff Bailey said: “westernaustralia2011.com’s Skipper, Martin Silk, telephoned me early this morning soon after the incident. It was obvious that the skipper and crew were very calm and dealing with the situation in a professional and orderly fashion. The top half of the rig has now been cut away to prevent any risk of further damage to the hull. The crew are resting overnight before setting about the task of making a jury rig and continuing sailing.

“It is a testament to the skipper and crew, and the Clipper Training that they have all received, that they have dealt with a very difficult situation so well and so calmly. The Race Team is making plans to get westernaustralia2011.com safely to port in the quickest and safest way and get the team racing again as soon as possible.”

Clipper Ventures is in the process of sourcing a new mast section and rigging for the yacht so that westernaustralia2011.com can resume racing as soon as is practicably possible.

The reigning champions from Clipper 05-06 are currently lying in sixth place overall after six of the 14 races in the ten-month round the world series. When the dismasting occurred the team was in ninth place with 2,648 miles to run to Hawaii.

ENDS/

NOTES FOR EDITORS

For media information contact:

Zoe Williamson, Communications Coordinator
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
Mobile: +44 (0)7793 417 751
Email: zwilliamson@clipper-ventures.com

Heather Ewing, Communications Coordinator
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
Mobile: +44 (0)7792 408 695
Email: hewing@clipper-ventures.com

Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race images are available for free media use at:
http://www.w-w-i.com/clipper_0708_race/

For the latest race news, blogs, images and video clips log on to www.clipperroundtheworld.com

Visitors, users and viewers of the content to which this notice is attached may copy it for re-use and syndicate the content by whatever means for use to other internet content sites on condition the source of all material so used is acknowledged with the attachment of the following notice.
www.superyachtnews.blogspot.com 2008
www.ajaxnetphoto.com 2008
This content may be used in any print media made available for commercial resale.
The products and companies named in this website content are trademarks, registered trademarks or servicemarks of their respective owners or licensed users.