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Brought to you by Yachtworld.com Europe and Boats.com Europe, Scuttlebutt Europe is a digest of sailing news and opinions, regatta results, new boat and gear information and letters from sailors -- with a European emphasis. Contributions welcome, send to
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Editorials, Opinions And The Rumour Mill...
F1 and America's Cup in Valencia: What a Missed Opportunity!
Motor racing and former sailing and America's Cup correspondent for the Times, Ed Gorman was in Valencia last week, with one eye over the F1 circuit and the other over the empty America's Cup bases. We spoke to him after the race.
"I see this as a huge missed opportunity to showcase the America's Cup in a Formula One environment," he says. "There was absolutely no visible evidence of the Cup, not a single boat on show. All America's Cup presence has been obscured by the commercial control of the Formula One organization," Gorman comments. "I guess that's why Bernie Ecclestone is so successful: he controls everything."
"The only visibility was on some aerial shots, where we could see the harbor and the bases. Some camera angles also showed the Luna Rossa, BMW Oracle Racing, Shosholoza and Alinghi bases briefly, but that's all. It would have been great to bring the two sports together."
"I know that some teams wanted to benefit from the Grand Prix, but the Formula One management didn't allow this to happen. In fact, they wanted to hide all the logos and keep the two events apart. I guess they were probably quite happy with the current situation of the Cup: they didn't have to fight too hard."
"I can't think of two sports that are closer than Formula One and the America's Cup," comments Ed Gorman. "Both are at the top end of technology, the human factor is essential; some even share the same sponsors. It's a great pity that they didn't find a way to get closer during this week-end."
"Most journalists who follow Formula One know about the America's Cup. But they need some education and could have been told about the event's current situation. However, nothing has been done and they have left Valencia knowing no more about the Cup than they did when they arrived. It is the same for the pilots; as far as I know, they haven't been involved in anything to do with sailing and the America's Cup during their stay in Valencia. Really, it is a shame and a great missed opportunity."
Sir Keith Mills, Bruno Trouble, Alessandra Pandarese, and Salvatore Sarno will discuss "The Future of the America's Cup After AC 32" during the World Yacht Racing Forum. -- Bernard Schopfer/World Yacht Racing Forum, cited in CupInfo.com, www.cupinfo.com
The World Yacht Racing Forum will be held December 10-11, 2008, in Monaco.
worldyachtracingforum.com
Olympic Sailing and the Media
Sailing secures the least television ratings interest of any Olympic sport according to the IOC and the Medal race was implemented in an attempt to make the sport more media friendly. Did it deliver in Qingdao?
The ISAF designed Medal race, with ten boats instead of say 15-40, proved certainly less of a spectacle than much larger fleets.
Some believe the double points field of ten Medal race, has in fact reduced the excitement and drama that a single points compulsory full field final race would have delivered.
There are other problems caused by the double points system that we hope the ISAF designers had not intended. In the Laser class Paul Goodison (GBR) could take Gold by match racing his only competitor, Sweden's Rasmus Myrgren back through the fleet to 10th and last place and Goodison could finish ninth. The Swede had gone into the Medal race in the silver medal position but came out sixth.
If Mygren had been just one point back going into the medal race that scenario would not have occurred because he would not have threatened Goodison.
Understood by sailors, but ugly television and a tragedy for a sailor who did not deserve that result. -- Rob Kothe, full editorial in Sail-World.com: www.sail-world.com/USA/Olympic-Sailing-and-the-media/48484
Simmer On Dogzilla
BMW Oracle's team launched their DoG boat this week and the team is conducting engineering tests of the 90x90 multihull in preparation for sailing. Sebastien Destremau asked Alinghi Design Coordinator Grant Simmer for his opinion on the American Dogzilla.
SD: We have seen the launch of what might be the sole opponent for the America's Cup should BMW Oracle win their appeal. What are your first impressions of the American Boat?
GS: It is a very impressive and powerful boat, the photos we have seen suggest that the boat is extremely well built, it looks like their designers and boat builders have done a great job.
SD: Were you expecting a boat like this? Are you impressed or disappointed with what BMW Oracle has put together to take you on?
GS: BOR has done an impressive job with the design and construction of this boat, there may be controversy about whether their certificate of vessel describes this boat but that would be an issue for lawyers and not designers, this boat will always be a credit to their designers and boat builders.
SD: Putting yourself in their shoes, given the challenge ahead would you be satisfied to have built something like this or would you feel that you have been a little conservative?
GS: I hope we would have a built an AC90 and would now be preparing to race all the other challengers.
SD: The US team managed to build a state of the art multihull in record time (9/10 months) whilst another giant multihull (i.e.: the new Banque Populaire) took 18 months to build. When did you start building yours? When are we going to see what the Defender has in store?
GS: We started building our DoG boat in Switzerland in April/May and despite the last appeal decision we are planning to finish the boat and you should see it early next year
SD: At first sight is the BOR DoG boat in accordance with the dimensions and other information stated in the Notice of Challenge received by SNG a year ago?
GS: It is difficult to say because their Certificate of Vessel is ambiguous.
SD: We have recently seen an exchange of letters between SNG and GGYC re: Custom's House Certificate - When can Alinghi expect the Custom's House Certificate?
GS: The Deed says the Challenger has to provide the Customs House Certificate "as soon as possible", in the case of this yacht we argued that the Certificate should have been provided during construction so between four and six months ago. -- Sebastien Destremau, www.adonnante.com
Spidertech - On The Podium Again!
Punta Ala, Italy: The overall Italian titles having been decided at XV Campionato Italiano Assoluto Vela di Altura, the two winning boats again have performed with Spidertech! The 60 participant boats, all winners from the various Italian championships have sailed for five days (24th - 30th August) 10-15 miles in line with constant winds of 12 - 20 knots. LIBERTINE, the 45S Comet by Maurizio Biscardi is First Overall in the Racing Class with sails by Banks Sails Italy designed with Spidertech technology. First position for FRAL 2, the Comet 45 S by Alessandro Nespega in Cruise Class again with sails by Banks Sails Italy designed with Spidertech technology.
www.spidertechsail.it/news/archives/category/news-english/
Green Dragon Arrives in Alicante
The Green Dragon Racing Team arrived in Alicante after our 1500-mile delivery trip. Compared to the 2000 mile qualifier, which was rough, wet and all in all a pretty brutal trip, this was a slightly different experience. Somehow you can never relax on these boats not least as much of the sailing is done in the pitch black with no idea of what dangers lay ahead. Last night we spent five hours dodging commercial shipping as we tacked our way through the Straits of Gibraltar into a 35-knot headwind. The day before we had to slow right down to clear a sunfish off the port rudder.
Life onboard is tough; the trimming, hoisting, lowering and moving sails drains every ounce of energy that you have. We sail in watches with four people on deck plus two of us on standby, while four people get to rest. It is four hours on, two on standby and two hours off in every eight, if you are lucky. Everybody gets up for any tacks, gybes and heavy air sail changes. All of the food is freeze dried, and there is little respite from the constant motion and intensity of the boat. So why on earth would anybody choose to do this? The answer is simple – it is a chance in a lifetime to be part of an incredible sporting event and to pitch ourselves against some of the best sailors in the world - we all want to win. We have a fantastic team both ashore and afloat, and we will share life-changing experiences over the next 10 months. Yes it will be unbearably hot, yes it will be unbearably cold, and at times it will be dangerous. And yes, this will certainly be the biggest test of our lives. It will also be an incredible journey for everyone involved.
So now we are in countdown mode for the start of the Volvo Ocean Race on October 11th. We are tied up in the race village in Alicante and we can see the Telefonica boats just across the water. Soon others will be arriving too. In this race the other teams are our competitors, but we are all acutely aware that we could also rely on each other for rescue in the most remote oceans of the world. This fact separates this event from many others. With a little over one month to go there remains much to do. Tomorrow, the boat will be lifted out of the water for our shore team to start work on our final re-fit. The mast and keel will be taken off for servicing and our new livery will be added. We will then be back in the water for some final testing before we kick start proceedings with the In Port race on October 4th. We can't wait to get started. -- Ian Walker
Skipper Green Dragon
www.greendragonracing.com
Will Britain Dominate Sailing at 2008 Paralympics?
The Beijing 2008 Paralympic sailing regatta will be sailed in the Sonar and the 2.4mR classes. It. starts on Sunday 8th September 2008 and finishes on Friday 13th September 2008 in Qingdao. A record 80 athletes representing 25 nations will contest this event.
While the Qingdao venue was anticipated to be a light weather venue, the Olympic sailing regatta proved that was generally not the case.
The A course, which will be used during the Parlympics, right outside Qingdao Harbour had a mixture of light and medium winds, but the tidal rip along the course meant that with a breeze of 15-18 knots, when the tide was running hard, the course quickly became difficult as the 49er Medal race showed. There was a similar discovery during the Paralympic test event as the SKUD 18 picture shows here, as winds reached 20 knots in some races.
Team GB won four Gold medals at the Olympic regatta in Qingdao and similar domination could happen at this regatta ,as the British won two Gold Medals out of the three classes in the 2008 IFDS Qingdao International Regatta, which was the most recent form guide.
The British team of Niki Birrell and Alexandra Rickham won Gold in the two person keelboat SKUD18 fleet. Scott Whitman and Julia Dorsett (USA) took silver ahead of Australians Dan Fitzgibbon and Rachael Cox.
The second British Gold Medal came from the three-person keelboat Sonar event. with John Robertson, Stephen Thomas and Hannah Stodel winning from the French team of Bruno Joudren, Hervé Larhant and Nicolas Vimont. 2004 Athens Paralympic gold medallists Dror Cohen, Arnon Efrati and Benny Vexter (ISR) took Bronze.
Athens Gold Medallist and reigning IFDS World Champion Damien Seguin goes into this weeks 2008 regatta as firm favourite in the one person keelboat 2.4 metre class. He dominated the test event ahead of Canada's Paul Tingley with Germany's Heiko Kroger third.
www.sail-world.com/USA/Will-Britain-dominate-Sailing-at-2008-Paralympics?/48478
PSP Southampton Boat Show Celebrates Its 40th Show
If you're looking for a great day out, look no further than the PSP Southampton Boat Show, in association with ITV Meridian. Celebrating its 40th Show, the sixth largest Show in the UK features Europe's largest purpose built on-water marina and runs from 12-21 September 2008.
There are plenty of activities off the water that you can enjoy too. Over 600 exhibitors will be showcasing their products including sailing accessories and marine fashion. To book tickets simply call the ticket hotline on 0844 209 0333 or book online at
www.southamptonboatshow.com
* Editor: SBS has a special discount for Eurobutt readers, use promo code SCBT1
Britain's Poul Richard Hoj Jensen Wins Cascais Dragon Gold Cup
Photo by Nico Martinez . Click on image to enlarge.
Great Britain's Poul Richard Hoj Jensen is the Cascais Dragon Gold winner. Poul Jensen/Theis Palm/Andrew Mortem were 9th in the final race and won the championship, with a four point advantage over Gavia Wilkinson-Cox/Jon Mortimer/Ron Rosenberg (GBR). Britain's day was completely successfully, with Robert Campbell's 3rd overall, and Nations Cup title, that Gavia Wilkinson-Cox will take home.
No one was able to stop Britain's supremacy. Portugal's Manuel Champalimaud started the final race, being 2nd overall, but the 24th today dropped him to 6th place.
Russia's Maxim Semerkhanov/Dmitri Tereshkin/Ruslan Formichev won race 6. Ukraine's Eugeniy Braslavets/Sergey Timokhov/Claus Olesen and Portugal's Antonio Mardel Correia/Pedro Rebelo de Andrade/Bernardo Santos, were 2nd and 3th.
Regularity was Poul Richard Hoj Jensen's secret to win Cascais Dragon Gold Cup. Jensen ended the championship with a total of 95 points. Gavia Wilkinson-Cox scored 4 points more but gets the Nations Cup, because she was the best placed boat of the top winning nation (Great Britain) on the last race.
Dragon Gold Cup 2009 will be held in Denmark.
The Cascais Dragon Gold Cup is part of Cascais Vela 2008 project and counts with the participation of 74 boats, representing 16 countries and is considered as the most important and prestigious regatta of the International Dragon Class, which returns to Cascais 10 years after it was held here in 1998.
Dubarry's New Sierra Shorts: Hard Wearing, Quick Drying, Good Looking
Click on image to enlarge.
A season of sun, seawater and sandpaper decks can take its toll on sailing shorts, and there are certain standards of decency to be observed. If yours are approaching that 'peek-a-boo' stage, save them for the bedroom and get yourself a pair of Dubarry's new Sierra shorts instead. With SPF40 UV-resistant fabric and tough, high-twist fabric reinforcement in the hardest-working areas, they're built to last. With a flip-up multitool pouch that won't dig in on the rail, a splashproof thigh pocket and button fly, everything you need is easily accessible.
Dubarry's Sierra Shorts: Same Rules. New Collection.
www.dubarry.com
LAUNCHINGS
The STP65 fleet is building in numbers, with a third boat soon to be launched and three additional campaigns having signed on to create their own versions of the much heralded 65' "Box Rule" racing yacht.
At the end of this month, Udo Schutz (Selters, Germany) will launch his previously announced Judel/Vrolijk-designed Container, built at Germany's Knierim Boatyard. As well, three additional owners have begun the process of designing and building STP65s. They are: Patrizio Bertelli (Arezzo, Italy), with his Judel/Vrolijk-designed Luna Rossa; Dario Ferrari (Milan, Italy), with his Reichel/Pugh-designed Cannonball; and Carlo Puri Negri, with his Umberto Felci-designed Atalanta III. Luna Rossa is being built by Richard Gillies of 3DM Composite and has a scheduled launch date of November, 2008, while Cannonball, to be built by Cookson Boats in New Zealand, follows with a launch date sometime in March. Atalanta III is scheduled for launch in the summer of 2009.
Already sailing are the Farr-designed Rosebud/Team DYT, owned by Roger Sturgeon (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), and the Reichel/Pugh-designed Moneypenny, owned by Jim Swartz (Edgartown, Mass.). Rosebud/Team DYT was built by California's Westerly Marine and launched in June 2007,while Moneypenny was built by Australia's McConaghy's Boat Yard and launched in April of this year.
An Owners' Advisory Committee has been formed, the purpose of which is to advise the STP65 Board of Directors (currently comprised of Storm Trysail and Transpacific Yacht Club representatives) prior to transfer of control from the STP65 Board to an Owners' Association. According to STP65 Bylaws, the Owners' Association can be established after five Owners have qualified by being Members in good standing and having a valid STP65 certificate on file with the Chief Measurer.
The first meeting of the Owners' Advisory Committee has been scheduled for this September's Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, held at Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Sardinia, Italy.
The STP65 rule, bylaws and other supporting information can be found at www.stp-65.org
* Luxury Yacht Group (Antibes, France) has confirmed its appointment as the worldwide central agent for the sale of the latest Ken Freivokh- designed 38m Sailing Yacht, 'Tiger'. The state-of-the-art sailing yacht combines top pedigree design and pioneering features.
Click on image to enlarge.
Powered by twin MAN 440HP engines and Kohler 33KWA generators, Tiger is finished to RINA / MCA standards and features Doyle sails which adorn its 35M and 26M Aluminum masts. Sporting huge interior and exterior accommodation, this sleek superyacht represents the latest in innovative yacht design from the team that created the pioneering 'Maltese Falcon' just two years ago.
Tiger boasts accommodation for ten guests and five crew. The superyacht can be set up with either a single master stateroom or two separate suites.
* Biancaneve (the Italian name of Snow White), the first unit of Wallynano, is successfully sailing in Antalya, Turkey, where the production of the boat has been set up.
Click on image for photo gallery.
Wallynano is the new day sailer uniquely combining classic lines with the most advanced construction technology, design techniques and sailing features.
She is developed from the 60 meter Pilgrim ideas to obtain a stylish, appealing, timeless and fast 36-foot boat. The classic design was selected because in this size range the modern lines result into an uncomfortable, not functional, and "poor" looking boat, while Wallynano has a spectacular aft transom overhang and a plumb bow, creating a long water line with a magnificent retro look.
Wallynano is built using the latest advanced composite technology by Nedship Group, Turkey.
Biancaneve will be premiered at MonacoYacht Show (September 24-27) and at the Festival International de la Plaisance in Cannes, France (September 10-15).
Featured Brokerage
1989 Sigma 38, 54,500 GBP, Located in Hamble Point, United Kingdom.
The Sigma 38 proved herself as an excellent fast cruiser, winning club races and some long distance passage making. It's an excellent family fast cruiser. In her day, probably way ahead of her time.
Built in 1989 by Marine Projects (Plymouth) Limited, and sold by Nick Stratton Yachts Ltd, Dunbartonshire, Scotland to the first owner.
Brokerage through Michael Schmidt & Partner Ltd.: www.yachtworld.com/michaelschmidt/
Complete listing details and seller contact information at
uk.yachtworld.com/core/listing/boatFullDetails.jsp?boat_id=1958405
The Last Word
One main factor in the upward trend of animal life has been the power of wandering. -- Alfred North Whitehead
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