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TIME FOR VIGILANCE, ROUGH CONDITIONS AHEAD
Rescued from his capsized Class 3 Multihull, Charlie Cappelle is safe aboard the Class 40 Cotes d'Armor (Philippe Legros). The first ORMA 60-footers are arriving at the Azores after 3.5 days of racing, now sailing and awaiting rough and demanding sailing conditions overnight. This is the fastest descent ever towards the archipelago in the Route du Rhum-La Banque Postale, the 60-footer multis now showing averages of 500 miles per 24 hours. At 12:00 (french time), the fastest 60-footer monohulls are off Cape Finistere and 600 miles away from the Azores that they should reach by tomorrow. Conditions are getting serious out there and a few multihulls experienced big nosedives.

One of those got hold of Charlie Capelle's Switch.fr who signaled his capsize at around 1:00 PM but is now safe aboard Cotes d'Armor. The skippers are tired but need to stay vigilant as the weather conditions and sea state are supposed to deteriorate overnight. They're not all equal because of food and sleep deprivations as well as stress caused by the navigation. They have more time to rest on the smaller boats (and we are talking here of quick 20-minutes nap - sometimes one hour) where as at the front of the fleet (mainly on the multihulls - 60-footers) things are a bit more touchy. But all of them know they need to find a balance between taking human and material risks.

ORMA 60 multihulls
Lionel Lemonchois (Gitana XI) is still in the lead only 14,7 miles ahead of Pascal Bidegorry (Banque Populaire). Lionel, who found himself in a tricky situation in the night with his boat about to capsize,. But 'I did not have the time to realise what happened, and I do not plan to slow down" he says. At 4:00 he deepened the gap between his boat and the second, showing 27 knots of average speed on 4 hours.

Yvan Bourgnon (Brossard), Michel Desjoyaux (Geant) and Thomas Coville (Sodeb'O) - ranking accordingly at 4:00 PM - stayed within less than 100 miles of the leader.

IMOCA 60 mohonulls
Brian Thompson (Artemis) is ranked in 4th place at 4:00 PM, about 100 miles from Roland Jourdain (Sill & Veolia), leader of the fleet. Jean Pierre Dick (Virbac Paprec) was slowed down early this morning by an unidentified soft object that got stuck into the keel and dramatically reduced the speed of the boat. He had to stop the boat, nose in the wind, not releasing the mainsail though, and dive at dark in the Atlantic to check the keel. The skipper dealt pretty coolly with the event only regretting the efforts he had to make to sort out the problem and put the boat back in motion.

40-footer monohulls
At 4:00 PM Gildas Morvan (Oysters Funds) is still leading the fleet with 19 miles over Dominique Vittet (Atao Audio System). (The latter sailing now straight towards the North of the Azores). Phil Sharp (philsharpracing.com), 3rd, has been in the leading pack since today. He is the only non-sponsored English entry in the Class 40, but surely did a good job rejoining the front of the fleet after an average start.

TMI technologies went back up to 4th bypassing Ian Munslow (Boland Mills) and Nick Bubb (Kenmore Homes), the three of them showing a deficit of around 40 miles over the leader.

In the afternoon, the fleet was reaching into a fairly strong Eastern breeze (20 to 25 knots) that should build overnight.

Class 2 and 3 multihulls
In class 2, Jean Yves Escoffier (Crepe Whaou !) put the foot on the accelerator and now leaves his first rival Trilogic over 150 miles behind, sailing some 400 miles over the last 24 hours (against 300 for Trilogic). The other competitors accumulated a deficit of over 200 miles on the leader.

Ross Hobson had to play safe and reduce his sail area (changing from genaker to headsail) as he experienced a big nosedive. He is now in 2nd, 36 miles behind his competitor Imagine.

Class 1,2,3 monohulls
Kip Stone (Artforms , Class 2) is now back in the lead after sliding to 3rd place yesterday. He has built a 61 mile lead over Servane Escoffier (Vedettes de Brehat Cap Marine). -- Event media

www.routedurhum-labanquepostale.com

THE RACE TO REACH BERNARD STAMM
Each of the six competitors placed between second and seventh in the VELUX 5 OCEANS has their sights firmly set on Bernard Stamm the current race leader. Stamm is now 225 nautical miles ahead of Kojiro Shiraishi in second place, his closest contender, with Brits Mike Golding and Alex Thomson close behind. Spanish skipper Unai Basurko last night left Vigo, Spain where he was forced to make a second pit stop to fix his autopilot.

Overnight, Bernard Stamm aboard Cheminees Poujoulat continued to see his impressive lead being slowly eaten into, as he maintains a significantly slower average boatspeed (since the last poll) in comparison to the fleet behind him. Sailing at almost double Stamm's average speed of 5.91 knots is sixth placed Graham Dalton, aboard A Southern Man-AGD. Stamm, who edges closer to the uncertain conditions of the Equator and will be carefully planning his tactics for rounding the South Atlantic high (an area of little or no wind) en route to Fremantle, Western Australia.

Mike Golding explained the tactics this morning: "The general position of the South Atlantic high is what we are all studying carefully at the moment. The high oscillates to the east and to the west. When it is to the east, you can cut the corner round it and sail a shorter route. When it is to the west, you have to bite the bullet and sail all the way round the outside. At the moment I am critically concerned with watching Bernard, as I am sure Alex [Thomson] is too. There will be a good opportunity for me to close in on Bernard if he passes to the west of the high and it then shifts and I am able to pass to the east."

The eventful beginning to the race has taken its toll on Sir Robin: "Have been sleeping as much as the body wants. I was pretty run down by the start day in Bilbao. The storm and the big hit on morale due to having to put in for repairs meant I was not at usual velocity in La Coruna, so re-charging the batteries is important. I could easily have stayed an extra day in La Coruna dealing with the to-do list, but am working through it here."

Lastet position report:

1. Cheminees Poujoulat, Bernard Stamm, 9311(DTF)
2. Spirit of Yukoh, Kojiro Shiraishi, 246(DTL)
3. Ecover, Mike Golding, 463(DTL)
4. Hugo Boss, Alex Thomson, 580(DTL)
5. SAGA Insurance, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, 1191(DTL)
6. A Southern Man-AGD, Graham Dalton, 1286(DTL)
7. Pakea, Unai Basurko, 1623(DTL)

www.velux5oceans.com

THE ARC COMES OF AGE
World Cruising Club, the organisers of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (the ARC), are currently gearing up for the departure of the ARC2006 fleet from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on Sunday 26 November.

Now in its 21st year, the ARC has attracted another large entry list that currently stands at 234 yachts representing a staggering 27 nations . Many more nationalities are represented across the crews, making the ARC not only the World's largest transocean sailing event, but also the most diverse.

The destination is Rodney Bay Marina in St Lucia , a distance of 2,700 nautical miles from Las Palmas and it's a passage that will take most of the yachts between 18 and 21 days.

Conceived and often described as 'a friendly race' for cruising yachts to make the Atlantic crossing both safer and more enjoyable, those participating must carry a range of safety equipment including a liferaft, EPIRB and VHF radio. Daily radio nets contribute further to the safety of participants, whilst the presence of experienced sailors is another incentive, and a comfort, for those with little offshore experience.

Throughout the ARC, please visit the official ARC website at www.worldcruising.com/arc2006 for breaking news, daily news summaries, features, daily logs, images etc.

NEW PRODUCTS AND COLORS
Camet clothing line keeps growing, they have now added T-shirts for kids, with sailing graphics for all ages, perfect gifts for young and future sailors, a variety of colors and designs.

Now the Cargo shorts are available in Navy Blue, same style, fast drying breathable fabric, reinforced seat to inser. foam pads, two Cargo pockets, phone pocket, adjustable waist, and belt loops.

Code Zero shirts, Mylar bags, Coolmax, shirts, Rash guards, Neoprene shirts and Hiking pants, Padded vests. Visit our web page at www.camet.com

SPEED SAILING AT WALVIS BAY
Three world records were broken Tuesday, subject to WSSRC ratification.

Hennie Bredenkamp from South Africa was leading the competition with his production Fanatic speedboard most of the time, until Bjorn Dunkerbeck switched from production back to his prototypes, smashing the old record by more than one knot to 41.14 knots.

Hennie is now holding the production record on the mile with 40.33 knots, which gives some satisfaction back to him but there is still a big bullet on Bjorns back now and those two are together with Dave White the hottest candidates for new records on the 500m course, which is prepared now for the next days.

Zara Davis also bettered the old women's nautical mile world record by more than one knot to 34.74 knots and Rob Munro (Cape Doctor, Naish) set a new Kitespeed world record over the mile with 35.65 knots.

On Monday Bjorn Dunkerbeck missed the overall world record by only 0.5 knots, but set a production record on the mile with 39.52 knots. Hennie Bredenkamp (RSA), Alain de Gendt (BEL), Dave White (GBR), Franz Grabner (AUT), Frank Stein (NAM), Nick Vardalachos (GRE), Thomas Doeblin (GER), Morten Knutsen (NOR), Maaike Kallenborn (NED) on the windsurfers and Juergen Geiger (NAM) as well as Rob Munro (GBR) on the Kiteboard all set new national records on the mile (records subject to WSSRC ratification).

Complete results at www.50-knots.com

FULL ON FOR WATSKI SKAGERRAK TWOSTAR
The fourth edition of the double handed regatta Watski Skagerrak TwoStar opened for registration November 1st. Only three hours later the 150 spots for Norwegian sailors where filled up. There is still room for foreign entries.

Watski Skagerrak TwoStar is a challenging test of stamina, endurance, tactical skills and sleep management - just to name a few winning factors. The course stretches for nearly 300 nautical miles both along the coast and across open waters.

This concept has drawn sailors out of bed to get a much sought after entry every year for all three recent editions. This year was no exception.

One of the keenest sailors even phoned in his entry from a storm ridden North Sea.

"The waves are topping out at 20 metres and the wind is rather fresh. It's blowing 70 knots right now. It's not exactly ideal sailing weather," said Eilert Kamfjord from the bridge of an oil tanker in the North Sea Wednesday morning.

He is sailing an X-332 together with Sverre Tangedal in the Watski Skagerrak TwoStar.

But even if all the 150 spots for the Norwegian sailors are taken, there is still room for foreign entries. 50 spots are reserved for non-Norwegians sailors that want to sail the double handed classic.

This fourth edition of Watski Skagerrak TwoStar starts in Hanko, Norway and takes the sailors to Arendal, Norway for a three hour pitstop before crossing Skagerrak to Marstrand, Sweden. After another three hours pitstop it's of again back to Hanko and a completion of the nearly 300 nautical mile long marathon.

You can read more about the regatta on http://www.seilmagasinet.no/sm_arkiv/visElement.php?ID=10478 and read the entry list here:

www.seilmagasinet.no/sm_arkiv/s2sSamletliste07.php

ACCURATE, RELIABLE & DEPENDABLE PERFORMANCE
Words you wish described your sailing instrument system. Ockam is the leader in providing the most accurate real-time data available. The high-speed Tryad processor combined with an available 3-axis rate stabilized compass utilizes the full motion of the boat to deliver a stable wind solution that you can depend on. With performance and weight in mind, all sensors interface close to their location allowing the information to stream unimpeded throughout the system's reliable and robust single cable network. View more lines of information than the competition with the new Matryx II, a transflective graphical display that also strip-charts data. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

www.ockam.com

OPTIMIST TEAM CUP BERLIN
Sixteen teams from 14 countries participated in the Optimist Team Cup on the Wannsee in Berlin on 28-29 October.

The German national team, ranked top on aggregate team results at last year's Worlds, lost out in the 2005 Team-Racing Worlds to Trinidad and Brasil. They have clearly been training for a better placing at the 2006 Worlds next month in Uruguay. -- Robert Wilkes

Final results:
1. Germany
2. Italy 1
3. Denmark
4. Sweden
5. Italy 2
6. U.S.A.
7. Poland
8. Netherlands
9. Norway
10. Slovenia
11. Ukraine
12. Belgium
13. Turkey
14. S.C. Gothia
15. Russia
16. Great Britain

ROYAL CHANNEL ISLANDS YACHT CLUB (JERSEY)
With the clocks having reverted to GMT and the temperature dropping ten degrees in the space of a few days, it must be time for some winter sailing in Jersey!

To this end, the Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club's Winter Dinghy Series gets under way at 9.30 a.m. on Saturday, 11th November, with two back-to-back races around Olympic courses set in St Aubin's Bay.

The fleet will race as two classes, with boats whose PY number is 1170 or less racing as Class A, all others racing in Class B. This is a change from previous years where the fleet was split into senior and junior classes, a change that should provide more competitive racing whilst making the race committee's job a little easier.

Twelve races are scheduled for the series, running from November to March.

The first race in the RCIYC's ever-popular and tremendously competitive Freeport Marine Frostbite Series, for sportboat and cruiser/racer classes, takes place the following day, Sunday 12th November, starting at 9.00 a.m. on the St Helier YC line in the Small Roads to St Helier Harbour.

The series comprises five races, running from November to the end of January and is sponsored, for the second year running, by Freeport Marine, the Channel Islands dealer for Jeanneau and Princess Yachts

The notice of race and entry form for both events are available from the RCIYC and www.rciyc.org

VAN UDEN RECO STELLENDAM REGATTA 2007 GOES IRC
Mrs. Martine Vos, newly appointed organiser of the Van Uden Reco Stellendam Regatta baffled racers in the Netherlands by announcing that the VUR Regatta to be held on April 21st and 22nd 2007 will be sailed under IRC. At this time most of the officials in Holland are still discussing if and when and how IRC can be implemented.

"If we make the announcement now every sailor has time enough to apply for an IRC certificate" Martine says after consulting Mr Mike Urwin of the RORC office.

The VUR series will be sailed on the Haringvliet Estuary out of the newly built Delta Sailing Center in Marina Stellendam.

Racing for IRC, IMS and ORC measured classes is organised by WSV Stellendam. The course for one-design keelboat classes is laid by WSV Helius from Hellevoetsluis. To make sure the prize giving ceremony can be held on time on Sunday arbitration is used for protests.

Website (in dutch) www.vanudenreco.nl

INDUSTRY NEWS
* Altor Fund II (Altor) is to acquire Helly Hansen from Investcorp.

Altor has announced that it has entered into an agreement with Investcorp to purchase 100 per cent of the shares in Helly Hansen.

Headquartered in Moss, Norway, the company generates annual sales of approximately NOK 1,400 million and employs approximately 600 employees across Europe, North America and Asia. Helly Hansen's products are sold through general sports retailers, specialty retailers and dedicated Helly Hansen stores.

Altor is in its third year of operation and specialises in acquiring majority shareholdings in mid-sized companies in the Nordic region.

Details of the transaction were not disclosed, and the acquisition of Helly Hansen is conditional upon the approval of the transaction by the relevant competition authorities. -- International Biat Industry News: www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20061001122551ibinews.html

* Active Interest Media, Inc. has acquired Yachts magazine, a luxury yachting publication, adding another consumer enthusiast magazine title to its growing portfolio of magazines, consumer shows, books and internet sites.

In March, the company purchased boat show producer Show Management, which produces the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, among others.

Yachts is a 10 year-old bi-monthly publication with BPA audited circulation of 49,000. Readers are typically owners of yachts 60 feet in length or more ranging upward in price from $2 million to well over $100 million dollars. The magazine has sister editions in France, Croatia, Italy, and Russia.

The entire Yachts team including founder Michel Karsenti and Karlene Pack will remain on board in the magazine's Fort Lauderdale, Florida USA headquarters.

www.boating-industry.com/output.cfm?id=1162891

* The International Boat Show of Barcelona is set to occupy all five pavilions of Fira de Barcelona's Gran VIa exhibition centre for the first time during its 2006 edition, from November 4-12.

Simultaneously the Port Vell On-Water Show will feature 231 large boats, and the 45th Barcelona Boat Show will host the first ever BCN Dive, dedicated to the underwater world, during November 4-7.

This year's boat show is the biggest ever with 110,000 sq m (1,184,000 sq ft) between the two venues, a 10 per cent increase on last year, and 624 exhibitors from 32 countries. Compared to 2005 there is also a 17 per cent increase in booked space in the Gran VIa exhibition centre.

In this year's show, the organisers will also increase the space dedicated to young boat designers and feature more projects related to innovation to boost sports and recreational boating. In total 20 exhibitors will participate in the Young Designers Island, which represents design schools and companies dedicated to this field.

Making its debut this year is the Traditional Marine Space which will house historic boats, institutions and companies that oversee the recovery of maritime and river heritage. The area will be set up in the outdoor spaces of the Gran Via exhibition centre and visitors will be able to see Mediterranean boats fitted with lateen sails, rowing boats, Galician dornas (dories) and also larger boats such as the "barques de mitjana", pailebotes (schooners) and even steam boats. -- IBI, www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20060931173028ibinews.html

* Marlow Ropes has announced the appointment of Steven Foy as Sales Manager to oversee the UK leisure marine market. Steven joins the Marlow team following a sailing sabbatical, but previously spent 7 years as Manager of Kelvin Hughes Leisure.

Steven will be helped on the road by Richard Branson, who has joined Marlow as Sales Executive and will initially be servicing customers in the south east, the east coast and the Midlands.

THE LAST WORD
Laws alone can not secure freedom of expression; in order that every man present his views without penalty there must be spirit of tolerance in the entire population. -- Albert Einstein

OC Events, organisers of two major IMOCA 60 oceanic events, the new double-handed Barcelona World Race 2007, and the original solo transocean race, The Transat 2008 (ex-OSTAR) www.ocevents.org

Over 80,000 boats for sale on www.boats.com

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