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ROUTE DU RHUM: TWIN ROUTES
There is a pack of 4 that, in their respective classes (40-footer and Class 2), took twin trajectories in this race. Two skippers (Phil Sharp and Servane Escoffier) who crossed the tracks of their opponents after the Azores for a northwestery option; 4 front leaders that dug the gap with the rest of their respective classes; four boats that are less that 500 miles from the arrival line. And, two leaders, who are down at least one sail (gennaker for Phil Sharp, Code 5 and Solent for Kip Stone). Now, less than 3 days to sail in, it's time for Phil Sharp (40-footer) and Kip Stone (Class 2 monohull) to keep their followers under control and, as the basic sailing rule says: stay in between the opponent and the mark.

In the 40 footer class, Phil Sharp's lead on Gildas Morvan (Oyster Funds) is melting. Up to 140 miles three days ago, it has now been reduced to 58 miles (12:00 PM). The rest of the fleet is also coming back, but from far away, as Dominic Vittet (Atao Audio System) in 3rd position, shows a deficit of 400 miles behind Phil Sharp.

Phil (philsharpracing.com) is coming down upon Gildas' trajectory. Two interpretations are possible here: as he said yesterday, he wants to stay in the same weather system as Gildas to make sure he can cover his tracks to the finish. Or, he mixes up a bit of control with the necessity to compensate for the loss of his gennaker - It means Phil needs to seek downwind sailing, which is, as a result, favourable to the boat's performance.

As the gennaker will also be missing when he tries to capture the slightest puffs behind the Souffriere Mountain, Gildas Morvan (Oyster Funds) knows he has an edge here, and not only in terms of boat performance !

Ian Munslow (Bolands Mill) has jumped one more place since this morning 8:00 (which makes 2 since 4:00 this morning) and is now in 5th position, 416 miles from Phil Sharp but only 8 miles from Olivier Rabine (IXSEA).

His position on the northwesterly route gave him an advantage on Damien Grimont (Chocolats Monbana) and Ivan Noblet (Appart'city) as he is sailing downwind under big spinaker while the two others, more to the South, are fighting to find more established winds. -- Event media

* Nick Bubb is now safe in the Azores: "After breaking the boom I spent over 12 hours continuing on my south westerly course towards the finish line whilst I ran through all the options available to me. To carry on and finish before my water, food and fuel levels got to critical stages and to finish within any sort of respectable distance of my competitors I was going to need to make seriously good repair to the boom. If anything else major had gone wrong I would have been in big trouble ... there I was mid Atlantic and no real way to fix my boom, the Azores were just over 550 miles away and my only other options were Guadeloupe at roughly 1400 and Bermuda at roughly 1200. I had to decide fast as I was still going downwind at 12-15 knots with just the staysail up but the crucial factor was that strong headwinds were forecast. To head back to the Azores would in effect mean retiring but after talking with my shore team and sponsors it seemed the most sensible and seaman like option.

"In an extreme sport it is important to remember that it is not your right to expect people to rescue you, if things go really wrong, and you have to take responsibility for yourself. Sometimes you have to make these difficult decisions and after the trimaran mast episode in the Round Britain and Ireland race earlier this year, I felt I had already proved that I had the determination to finish whatever the consequences. To do this again was just not affordable, safe or to be frank what I wanted... Despite a disappointing end to this race I am happy to have participated in the great 'Route du Rhum', will be better for the experience and I am sure to be back racing on the ocean soon."

www.routedurhum-labanquepostale.com

BUILD COMMENCES FOR BOAT NO.1
The Offshore Challenges Sailing Team is moving ahead with the build of the first of two planned IMOCA Open 60 ocean racing boats. Sufficient funding, provided by the family of long term Global and Performance Partners that have supported Ellen and the team since 1998, has been put in place to progress the build of the first boat, with the objective very much still in place to build a second in the near future. Negotiations to secure the Principal Title Partner are ongoing and once in place will underpin the build of the second boat and the overall naming of the new team. This will bring to fruition the long-held plan for Ellen MacArthur to head up a two-boat sailing team that will realise the potential of new and exciting talent to compete in the highly competitive 2007-2009 IMOCA World Championship. The decision on which new sailors will join the Offshore Challenges Sailing Team is yet to be taken, although there are four or five potential candidates who have the ability to succeed in the discipline of short-handed ocean racing. The IMOCA circuit covers thousands of ocean racing miles in a mix of solo, two-up and five-up races; a truly international fleet of over 25 competitive boats, racing around Europe, North America and, of course, around the planet.

The build of the first boat, a Farr design, under the expert direction of Technical Director, Neil Graham, and leading boatbuilder, Paul Quinn, will commence imminently in Cowes with launch expected in May 2007 in time for the start of the IMOCA season with the Calais Round Britain Race (June) and then the start of the two-handed, non-stop round the world, Barcelona World Race (November).

Further build and design information will be announced shortly; an announcement regarding principal Title Partner is not expected until January.

www.offshorechallenges.com

AND WHILE WE'RE ON THE SUBJECT OF OPEN 60S...
There's another must-read in The Daily Sail, on the three new Open 60s - the Owen Clarke designed Temenos and the Farr PRB and Delta Dore.

In a nutshell the key word to describe the new boats is 'power'. As Dominique Wavre puts it: "The general thinking is - the more powerful they are, the better they are. We noticed that with ABN AMRO compared to the Bruce Farr designs in the Volvo. Everyone knows that a powerful boat will be fast."

How one derives power from a canting keel Open 60 is more akin to a multihull than it is to a conventioal monohull, due to the movable ballast. All the new generation boats have huge rigs with spars in the 28m range and to offset the power of the rig by generating stability, the boats obviously have canting keels but also massive amounts of internal water ballast.stored throughout the length of the boat. They are also substantially beamier than their predecessors, all three of the new boats featuring chines in their aft sections, (which the previous generation of Lombard boats were the first in the class to feature). All these aspects go to make the boats more stable and therefore able to carry more sail area, in much the same way as increasing the beam on a 60ft trimaran.

Full story at thedailysail.com

SAIL FASTER AND SMARTER
If you want to improve your results on the race course, you should read Speed & Smarts. This bi-monthly newsletter, written by winning America's Cup tactician Dave Dellenbaugh, has been praised by racing sailors worldwide for more than 12 years. Each colorful issue has 16 pages full of race-winning tips on boatspeed, tactics, strategy, rules and more! Whether you are a skipper or crew, on a one-design or big boat, Speed & Smarts will improve your performance.

To see a sample issue or sign up for a subscription, visit our website at www.SpeedandSmarts.com

16TH ARUBA HEINEKEN CATAMARAN REGATTA
On Sunday November 12 2006, the 16th Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta started off with a strong fleet. Former winners, national champions and double Olympic medallist Mitch Booth lined up for the annual Caribbean catamaran classic. The 46 participating teams representing the UK, Netherlands, Aruba, France, Belgium and Austria enjoyed today's trade wind, the sun and the heavy competition. After the practice race in the morning, the first official starting gun was fired at about 2.30 pm local time. Mark Rijks and Brenda Liefhebber (NED) scored two bullets with their Dart 18 and are in the lead of the smaller boats. The British James and Gillian Power, sailing a F18 Capricorn, were unbeatable for the bigger catamarans.

It is Gillian Power's third participation in the Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta and she is defending her title. Last year she took the victory with Stuart Gummer, who sails with Hannah Burke this week. The new combination Gummer/Burke (GRB, F18 Capricorn) finished fourth and second. Wouter Samama and Paul Buyse (NED, F18 Nacra Infusion) were consistent with two third positions.

Zwisterleven Sailing Team Booth/Nieuwenhuis just started its Olympic campaign for the Olympic Games of Beijing in 2008. After ten years of intensive sailing and competing on the highest level, Booth split up with Herbert Dercksen in July 2006 and teamed up with Nieuwenhuis. The Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta is their first trial of strength in their busy schedule of the coming months. At the beginning of December, they will line up for the Tornado Worlds in Buenos Aires.

Although Richard Allen and Simon Farren from the UK are familiar with the area, they needed a longer warming up with their Tornado. Allen: "We were a bit rusty, as it was our first time on a cat since last year's Aruba Regatta. But the conditions were perfect. Not too windy, which was good for us." They took the line honours in the last race, which was an 11th position on handicap.

Ten races are scheduled in total. The last one will be sailed on Friday morning and the sailors will take a rest on Wednesday. Daily video and press reports, results and images will be published on the event's website www.arubaregatta.com -- Edwin Lodder

Top 5 bigger cats after two races:
1. GBR - Power/Power, 2 points
2. GBR - Gummer/Burke, 6 points
3. NED - Booth/Nieuwenhuis, 6 points
4. NED - Samama/Buyse, 6 points
5. NED - Moret/Smissaert, 12 points

Top 3 smaller cats after two races:
1. NED - Rijks/Liefhebber, 2 points
2. AUT - Thomasch/Hankart, 4 points
3. NED - Van Gorp/Gisbergen, 6 points

FLORIDA SUNSHINE - FEEL THE HEAT
Key West in January and Miami Beach in March - escape the winter chill and join racing sailors from around the world heading to South Florida for warm weather, sizzling nightlife, and the hottest racing North America has to offer. Acura Key West 2007 (January 15-19) and the 2007 Acura Miami Grand Prix (March 8-11) should be on your winter racing calendar. Important reminder: the Key West entry deadline is December 8. Miami Grand Prix classes include Farr 40, Melges 32, Mumm 30, TP52 and big boat IRC. For event details and entry information visit: www.Premiere-Racing.com

SIR ROBIN'S BAD DAY
Heading for the equator in the Velux 5 Oceans race:

"You would not want to be around this boat at the moment. She is like a seagull with a broken wing and I am in a murderous mood. Every batten in the mainsail is broken and having got across the Inter Tropical Convergence zone, when we ought to be making about 12 knots into the SE Trades, we are limping along at 4 knots with at least 2 days of repairs to do. There goes my chances of seeing the test match and, of course, the longer this takes the more pressure there is on my fuel supplies.

"The problem came about as I was trying to get through for an interview at 4.pm. The system did not work. It was as I was trying to sort that out that the squall hit. I had seen it earlier, a dark cloud to the east, but had become engrossed in trying to sort out the connection. Anyway, the next moment the boat is on its side, I climbed on deck, the auto pilot had given up as it could not control 32 knots of wind. I grabbed the helm but I could not control it either. I eventually had to give up the helm to let go the reacher sheet. Saga Insurance swung round downwind. I started to roll up the reacher but the furler twisted on itself and jammed.

"I now had half a reacher out of control, and bashing itself to pieces, and a main that needed to be reduced. I reactivated the auto pilot and went forward to try and roll up the rest of the reacher and that was when the Chinese gybe occurred. I have to say I expected to look aloft and see the worst and there it was. The mainsail had swung back and hit the runners and broken every single batten, some in 3 places. It took another 40 minutes to get the reacher under control and below decks. I had to do it in little stages as if I let too much halyard go the sail just dropped into the water or pulled out ahead out of reach. It took a further hour to sort out the mess on deck and then I started on the mainsail. Its now down to 2 reefs, but that involved having to cut away the lazy jacks which were caught round an extended batten. I have two bits of the lowest batten below now, but need to get the other bit out which won't be easy, and then work my way up the sail.

"This is going to take at least 2 days, possibly 3. So I lose even more time. -- Sir Robin Knox-Johnston

www.velux5oceans.com

JPMORGAN ASSET MANAGEMENT WINTER CHALLENGE SERIES
The JPMorgan Asset Management Winter Challenge Match racing Series kicked off this weekend (11-12 November) at Queen Mary Sailing Club, Staines. Some of Britain's top match racers were showing off their match racing skills, including +39 Americas Cup helmsman and Olympic gold medallist Iain Percy.

The series run by the Royal Yachting Association also tempted veteran match racer and commentator Andy Green back to the match racing circuit, alongside British National Match Racing Champions both past and present in the form of Mark Campbell-James and Nick Cherry. Also competing from overseas was Orkun Soyer from Turkey and Jelle Roos from Holland.

The semis and finals were best of three, first to two. Campbell-James won his first match against Cherry but the second one was a virtual dead heat with Cherry given the victory by Race Officer Alistair Shaw. However, Campbell-James proved too strong and won the third match to gain his place in the final.

In the battle of the Americas Cup sailors Percy and Green brought a new dimension to the scene. Their semi final matches were close; Percy won two straight matches to reach the final.

The final was a real dog fight. Campbell-James was sailing with Dave Mason, Andy Clark and Andy Yates. Percy's +39 Americas Cup team comprised of Britain's Andrew (Bart) Simpson, Ganga Bruni (ITA) and Michele Bella (ITA). Both teams were determined to win.

After an active pre-start, the teams reached the windward mark neck and neck. Smart match racing was taking place, they sailed above the mark and past it the wrong side, with both were given penalties during the action. Percy just took the advantage round the first windward mark and managed to hold off Campbell-James, to take the first race.

Percy again took the lead in the second match, but a problem with the last spinnaker hoist saw Campbell-James take full advantage to force the final into a third and deciding match. Percy was not to be beaten and he went on to win the final battle to take the overall victory for the weekend and a place in the grand final on 9-11 March 2007.

The next stage of the Challenge is in two weeks time on 25 and 26 November.

Overall results
1. Iain Percy (GBR), Gabrielle Bruni, Andrew Simpson, Michelle Bella
2. Mark Campbell-James (GBR), Dave Mason, Andrew Yates, Andy Clark
3. Andy Green (GBR), Graham Sunderland, Tris Nelson, Andy Oliver
4. Nick Cherry (GBR), Connor Myant, Nick Houchin, Oscar Helmstrom
5. Christian Hamilton (GBR), Sam Carter, Steph Dawson, Mark Capps, Ed Hill
6. Jelle Roos (NED), Frans Hin, Maarte Innemee, Kelly Clarjs, Maricke Poulis
7. Dave Tabb (GBR), Ben, Scroggie, Jason Foster, Stewart Bowen
8. Orkun Soyer (TUR), Gagatay Soyer, Onursal Soyer, Ismail Inan
9. Rob Grieg-Gran (GBR), Rob Grieg-Gran, Ed Walker, Tudor Owen, Gareth

INDUSTRY NEWS
* Tuesday morning 14 November METS starts with the traditional Breakfast Briefing organised by ICOMIA and METS. Keynote speaker is Mr. Paolo Vitelli, CEO and president of Azimut - Benetti. His speech is titled: "The international evolution of our business". The Breakfast Briefing is followed by the announcement of the winner of the DAME - Design Award METS.

Azimut, the company Mr Vitelli is president and CEO of, has grown to become the largest European Motor Yacht production Group and is also world leader for the production of Motor Yachts over 24 metres.

On a more personal level, in 1997 Mr Vitelli was granted the title of Cavaliere del Lavoro (Knight of Industry) by the Italian President, in recognition of his outstanding efforts in the nautical field. In 2004 he was awarded an Honorary Degree in Mechanical Engineering by the Turin Polytechnic.

A full list of this year's DAME nominees: www.metstrade.com/dame2006

* North Sails UK has recruited 30 year old David Lenz to work in its growing Design and Sales team based at the Wingate Road site in Gosport. Lenz, who has spent the last 6 years working within the sail-making industry, is one of the most exciting and talented up and coming designers.

Lenz has won numerous European and National Championship since 1994, in Optimists, B14s and 49ers as well as being part of the winning teams at Cork Week and Skandia Cowes Week.

* Contender UK has announced its move to new premises following continued expansion. From its previous role as a sailcloth and accessories distributor, Contender UK has diversified into distributing a range of high tech sailing products.

Contender UK will be moving from its current premises in Segensworth East, Fareham to Segensworth South, Fareham into a much bigger workplace. The company will have larger office facilities and substantially greater and more efficient storage facilities. The move to the improved site is aimed at helping the company to provide greater customer service.

* The 2006 Pinmar Yachtsman's Golf Tournament, co-sponsored by Awlgrip, was held at the Mallorca Marriott Son Antem Golf Course, last month (19th - 20th October). In its 18th year, the 2006 tournament attracted a record 270 players and raised a record amount for charity.

This year's fundraising efforts were centred on Pete Williams and Robin Thomas of Freedom Maritime, Declan Philpot of Square Foot and Daniel Grensinger of Virtual Media who cycled over 800 kilometres from Antibes to Palma for this year's tournament, accompanied by Rob Goody and Sonia Salmon of the Freedom Maritime support team. Thanks to their heroic deeds, and the generous support of all the players, sponsors, dinner guests and volunteers, a total of Euros 50,000 was raised for this year's charities which include Cancer Research UK, nominated by last year's winners MY Blue Attraction.

The Pinmar Yachtsman's Golf Tournament was organised by Pinmar Yacht Painting Systems, helped by over 60 volunteers and more than 90 sponsoring companies.

* Aquapac has signed an exclusive deal with Helly Hansen. The two brands will combine style and technology to integrate Aquapac's 100 percent waterproof case into key pieces of Helly Hansen sailing gear. The Fjord Jacket is the first to feature the Aquapac pocket and will be launched at the London Boat Show 5 - 14 January 2007.

Visitors to the London Boat Show will be able to see the new Fjord Jacket and other items from Helly Hansen's 2007 collection on the Purple Marine stand N259, and demonstrations of Aquapac's innovative waterproof cases on the Aquapac stand N252

* Gordon Pope has been appointed as the Director of Engineering at Raymarine plc. He joins the company on November 22nd moving from his current position as Director of Operations at Motorola Mobile Devices in Birmingham.

Pope, 41, will be heading up the research and development activities at Raymarine in his role as Director of Engineering. A graduate of Queen's College, Cambridge, Pope was with Motorola for two years; prior to that he was Director of Supply Operations at Sendo.

THE LAST WORD
Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. -- Albert Camus

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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