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A RECORD... THEN RETIREMENT
At 1245 UTC with 619.3 miles or 1115 kilometres covered at an average of 25.8 knots, Thomas Coville on Sodeb'O beat the 24 hour record distance sailing single-handed. In this way he beats the record held by Francis Joyon (616.03 miles) by 3 miles. The record is currently awaiting approval from the WSSRC.

Of note is the fact that Thomas beat the record during his 20th day at sea, as did Francis Joyon, and in the same zone of the Indian Ocean between the Cape of Good Hope and the Kerguelen Islands; added to that he was in a fairly similar weather pattern, ahead of a depression.

At 1250 UTC, Thomas climbed up on deck to reduce the sail when he noticed, with the boat's change of behaviour, that the crash box on the starboard float had been pulled out. The extreme section of the float bow, the crash box serves as a fuse in the event of impact and it is designed to come apart in the event of impact in order to prevent the float itself from exploding. Thomas realised in a fraction of a second that his solo record attempt around the world was over. It should be noted that his average speed had but increased over the past few hours and that, without this damage, he would have established a 24 hour record at an even greater level.

"I had just received the news that I had established a new 24 hour record when I felt the boat slow. I immediately went up on deck and I saw a plume of water, which was 3 metres above the starboard float. I eased the headsails. In a matter of seconds, you understand what's happening without knowing how. Given the urgency I dropped the sails to control the situation. I don't know what happened. A few moments later, I saw a piece of ice, but I think the impact would have been more severe, more violent if I'd hit ice. In this instance I remained on the netting, arms dangling, concentrated on the action even though part of me is very disappointed. The whole adventure races through your mind: what you have done and what you won't do. 20 days of racing! It's like a scene from a tragedy! As I virtually haven't slept for 3 days, I tried, in vain to do so initially. I ended up sinking into sleep eventually though. When I awoke, it was broad daylight and I wondered whether it wasn't simply a nightmare.

I'm midway between the Kerguelen Islands and South Africa in the middle of nowhere. I'm heading for Cape Town and then we'll return to Les Sables d'Olonne."

Reactions from Francis Joyon, following Thomas Coville's retirement "Firstly, as tradition dictates, I'd like to congratulate Thomas on having taken the 24 hour record from me, which goes to show the potential of his boat and his desire to express himself in these difficult latitudes... as for the damage aboard Sodeb'O, damage which forces a skipper to retire from such a long, difficult voyage is something which haunts all round the world sailors. I imagine that Thomas must feel frustrated, and personally I am disappointed to have lost a competitor and the sporting motivation that this represents."

www.sodebo-voile.com

STAR LEVIN CUP
The Star Levin Memorial Cup regatta raced on Miami's Biscayne Bay this weekend in shifty 5-12 mph winds revealing international rivalries which will continue to build toward April's Star Worlds 2008 in Miami. With 38 boats entered from eleven nations, Germany had 3 teams and Switzerland, Canada and New Zealand had two each in this oldest of the Olympic sailing classes.

Norway's Eivind Melleby and Peeter Pedersen won Race 1 while US Olympic representatives John Dane and his crew Austin Sperry took the 2nd race.

The third race was won by Switzerland's Flavio Marazzi and Enrico Demaria. The overall winners of the regatta were New Zealand's Hammish Pepper and Carl Williams who previously won the 2007 Bacardi Cup, followed by Marazzi/Demaria and Melleby/Pederson in third. There were six nations in the top ten. The regatta, hosted by Coral Reef Yacht Club, featured two nominees for the 2008 Rolex U.S Sailing Yachtsmen of the Year, John Dane and Tomas Hornos.

For complete results, visit www.coralreefyachtclub.org/index.cfm?menu=7564

ROGERS YACHT DESIGN REQUIRES FULL TIME DESIGNER
An immediate vacancy has arisen for a full time Designer based at Rogers Yacht Design, Lymington, UK. The successful candidate must have at least 5 years experience in design offices and boat yards and be familiar with standard marine software packages and preferably with Catia.

Rogers Yacht Design projects include grand prix race boats, power and commercial projects, ultimately offering our design team varied briefs and exciting challenges.

To apply, please e.mail CV and any relevant references to Rebeca Rogers: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Website: www.rogersyachtdesign.com

THE VIEW FROM VALENCIA
Gerardo Camps, the Economy Conseller of the Region of Valencia, gave a press conference on Friday about the America's Cup.

He began by outlining the financial results of the 32nd America's Cup in a 27-page report from the Valencian Finance Institute.

The fact that the 32nd edition of the Cup took place in Valencia has generated almost 74,000 jobs, and the overall economic impact of the Cup races has been responsible for a 3.29% hike in employment and an increase of 2.67% in the Gross Domestic Product of the Valencian Community. Overall, the impact of the Cup was ten times that of the previous time it was staged in New Zealand.

After presenting the results of the 32nd edition of the Americas Cup, Mr Camps revealed that he had requested a meeting with Americas Cup Management to officially learn the status of the 33rd edition of the Americas Cup, and added that the contract should be respected in all areas - dates included - and that ACM faces the possibility of all three parties concerned demanding their money back if the event does not take place as scheduled.

Gerardo Camps stated that there does exist the possibility of withdrawing from the contract, but not altering it, but that any changes that take place should be agreed between the Valencian Government, Valencia Town Hall and the Madrid Government.

In this way, if Americas Cup Management decides to break the contract, then it must refund the Spanish side all the money paid thus far.

However, Mr Camps added that the contract for the moment remains in force, and even if Alinghi decides not to stage the 33rd edition in Valencia and wait for the 34th, then this would also mean a fuller competition and a better competitive system. -- CupinEurope.com, www.cupineurope.com/NewsEN/2008/Organews.htm citing Valencia Life Network, www.valencialife.net

INTERNATIONAL CANOE WORLDS ON HOLD
With the minimum five heats completed the International Canoe Worlds are official. Perhaps just as well as strong winds have kept the fleets ashore again at MacCrae YC.

With 22-27 knots blowing, which is over the 10m/s class rule, the three fleets were all kept on the shore under the AP until 17:00 for the last signal.

Three races remain of the World series.

The Australians have officially issued a challenge for the 'International Challenge Cup' (the second oldest trophy is sailing, to the America's Cup) and the defending nation Great Britain has accepted the challenge.

Three Australian boats will go head to head in a best of three series with three British boats, with only the first nation's boat across the finish line counting, to see who will hold the Cup until Germany in 2011.

Racing will take place on the 7 January 2008 off the waters of McCrae on Port Phillip Bay.

Top three:

International Canoe
1. Hayden Virtue, AUS, 6 points
2. Bill Beaver, USA, 12
3. Seth Dunbar, AUS, 17

Assymetric Canoe
1. John Robson, GBR, 5 points
2. Tobias Kunz, GER, 11
3. Peter McLaren, GBR, 13

Development Canoe
1. Chris Maas, USA, 6 points
2. Steve Clark, USA, 13
3. Oliver Moore, USA, 15

www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=40605

COLLINS STEWART LONDON BOAT SHOW
London's largest annual event, the Collins Stewart London Boat Show, will take place at ExCeL - the heart of London's entertainment district - from 11-20 January 2008. Now in its 54th year the Show promises to offer something for all, and will welcome some 140,000 people, encouraging visitors to take to the waters.

Visitors to the Show have a plethora of exciting features to explore and enjoy such as Start Boating, Deck Games, an interactive Watersports Zone, Anchor Watch, Classic Boats and the Guinness Bar. There will also be a chance to climb aboard the HMS Exeter, the very first Royal Naval Destroyer to the Show.

www.londonboatshow.com

MAKE OR BREAK DAY AT 49ER WORLDS
Melbourne, Australia: Qualification races finished at the 49er Worlds in Sorrento today with the top 25 crews going into the gold fleet to race of for the World Championship title over the next three days.

Many prayed for heavier winds at this regatta, getting their wish today, although a lot more than they bargained for in gusty and shifty 20-25 knot southerlies. It made the going tough and resulted in lots of upside-down skiffs, protests and minor injuries that kept the medical officers busy most the afternoon.

Australia's Nathan Outteridge and Ben Austin thrived in the heavy winds and wavy and choppy seas off Sorrento and they retain their lead of the Championship. Fending of challenges from other teams, the Aussies finished the day with 5-1-3 results.

Rodion Luka and George Leonchuk (UKR) moved into second place today following 2,3,2 results. In third place are defending World Champs Stevie Morrison and Ben Rhodes (GBR).

Of those nations trying to qualify for the Games, Brazil's Andre Fonseca and Rodrigo Duarte are the only crew to make it into the gold fleet, currently in a pleasing 19th place. Others seeking selection are in the silver fleet.

The Sail Melbourne ISAF Grade W event continues tomorrow. -- Di Pearson

www.sailmelbourne.com.au

LASER 4.7 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Hermanus, South Africa: The Laser 4.7 World Championship reached a nail biting climax on the final day at Hermanus, near Cape Town, South Africa. The south easterly wind from the previous day increased in strength overnight and was blowing 20 with gusts of 25 knots as the 115 sailors, all under 19 years old prepared to go afloat. For the lighter weight sailors they were concerned whether they could hold good overall placings in the strong winds and for the heavier sailors they were looking forward to the chance of improving their position. Their fate was temporarily decided when the Race Committee postponed the start and held the fleet ashore after measuring sustained gusts of 27 to 32 knots. 40 minutes later the wind had subsided back to it's earlier range and the fleet were called afloat for some exhilarating and tough sailing.

It was double celebration for the host country of the 2008 Laser 4.7 Worlds as Tajana Ganic's scores of 29 and 25 in the mixed fleet was just enough to give her a two advantage over Ewa Makowska from Poland and the youth women's world title.

Overall results Youth Men after 11 races and 2 discards:
1. Filip Matika, CRO, 54 points
2. Baepi Pinna, BRA, 59
3. Alexander Zimmermann, PER, 64
4. Boris Bignoli, ITA, 65
5. Jacob Bozic, SLO, 69
6. Lazaros Theodosiados, GRE, 82
7. Utku Gonener, TUR, 85
8. Andraz Gulic, SLO, 89
9. Matej Valic, SLO, 93
10. Matthew Shaw, RSA, 99

Overall results Youth Women after 11 races and 2 discards (points extracted from overall mixed gold fleet)
1. Tajana Gani, CRO, 195 points
2. Ewa Makowska, POL, 197
3. Lina Stock, CRO, 226
4. Tiffany Brien, IRL, 244
5. Matea Senkic, CRO, 245

laser4.7worlds07.sailing.org.za

NEW SPARKMAN & STEPHENS 6-METER FOR SALE
The Museum of Yachting of Newport, Rhode Island, is pleased to announce that as part of an exhibit on the history of S&S, the building of a new replica six-meter racing yacht CHEROKEE. The yacht is being built from plans provided by S&S and will be launched in time to compete in the 6-meter World Cup-also being held in Newport in 2009. Price is $160,000US.

The full listing can be seen by following the link:
www.yachtworld.com/boats/1823739/0

Please make inquiries to: Sparkman & Stephens, Inc.
Tel: +1-212-661-1240
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

BUNDOCK AND ASHBY PRIMED FOR TORNADO TITLE
Darren Bundock and Glenn Ashby (AUS) posted another win and a third place to increase their lead by an incredible nine point margin on only the second day of the Tornado Asia Pacific Regatta being hosted by Somers Yacht Club on Westernport Bay.

Only Mitch Booth/PimNieuwenhuis (NED) can claim beating the Australia pair, which they did in Race three of the series today, to be currently placed second overall in the series.

The British crew of Leigh McMillan/Will Howden (GBR) moved into third place overall, obviously in their element in the stronger southerly winds which peaked at around 23 knots this afternoon.

In an unusual situation, the top three placed top three in both races today, just in a different order!

Bad luck for the lone female skipper Carolijn Brouwer and her crew Seb Godefroid (BEL) today. The two enjoy the heavier conditions and were looking forward to both races.

"We were going really well in the first race, we rolled the Aussies and were up with Mitch Booth who was in second place, when our jib track broke, so we had to pull out and go back to the beach and fix it, which we did.

"We got back out for the second race, had great speed, but we overlaid a couple of marks, which cost us dearly. We finished seventh, so we will try harder tomorrow," Brouwer said.

Racing at the Sail Melbourne event resumes tomorrow with two further races starting from 2.30pm. -- Di Pearson

www.sailmelbourne.com.au

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Letters are limited to 350 words. No personal attacks are permitted. We do require your name but your email address will not be published without your permission.

* From Richard Matthews, Chairman - Oyster Marine: Bolt cutters in their various forms, you get what you pay for, are OK for smaller yachts, but when you get into larger sizes, especially rod rigging they are "No way Jose". Trying to cut large size standing rigging in a seaway by hacksaw is a joke.

Over the 30+ yachts I have owned and the 1,200 odd we have built for other people we have tried all sorts of options. On my 12m Crusader, in which we did 5 Fastnets with her original AC rig, we carried a petrol driven angle grinder. Thankfully we never had to use it in anger as you would have needed to be Rambo to do so.

We carried a 220v angle grinder on my 72ft Oystercatcher 25 which we used when dismasted during the ARC Transatlantic in 2005. We powered it from the ships 220v generator and ended up with an extension cable on deck whose plug we wrapped in a bin liner to keep water out. Thank god it was relitievly dry on deck since rolling around at 3 a.m, with a deck by this time soaked in hydraulic fluid, getting electrocuted was certainly on the agenda. Time was of the essence and at least it cut through rods easily and that time we thankfully got away with it.

Since then I have discovered that Dewalt make a 18v battery operated cordless angle grinder which retails for less than a crew meal and comes in a neat plastic box with a charger and spare battery. Dewalt, with whom I have no connection, can easily be found on the internet. For me one of these gizmo's is now standard equipment and apart from being the final solution to cutting away rigging of almost any size, unlike bolt cutters etc, its also a useful tool to have on board.

* From Othmar Karschulin, www.multihull.de , www.multihull-report.de : To the article "Cut Away The Rig" read in the weekend edition of scuttlebutteurope.

... Of course, angle grinders need electrical power, but many even moderately sized cruising boats have inverters or generators aboard these days ....

I use on board a Bosch Cordless Angle Grinder with accumulator 14,4 V. With this tool, it is no problem to cut several wires or rods untill 15 mm diameter without any power (electrical or human). Maybe this is relevant to your readers. BTW, I am not affiliated with Bosch ;-)

Website: ukptocs.bosch-pt.com

THE LAST WORD
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