Scuttlebutt Europe #1135 -8 January 2007

Brought to you by boats.com Europe with the support of OC Events, 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 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

BRITAIN'S DREAM TEAM
The news that Ben Ainslie wanted to hear came early on Thursday morning in a tight little room at the Design Museum on the south bank of the Thames. Ainslie, the leader of a brilliant generation of British Olympic sailors, has never made any secret of his ambition to win the America's Cup for Great Britain, but not until the announcement of Origin, a syndicate led by Sir Keith Mills, the deputy chairman of the London Olympics and a multi-millionaire businessman, last week did his dream take on a more definitive outline.

Ainslie cannot, as yet, commit himself to the cause. He is contracted to Emirates Team New Zealand for the current campaign, which reaches an exhausting climax in Valencia in July. But it is unthinkable that the double gold medallist will not be the key figure in the plans to bring the oldest trophy in world sport to these shores for the first time in more than 150 years.

"It's fantastic that somebody like Sir Keith has announced his intentions," Ainslie said cautiously the following day. "He's the perfect person to get a Great Britain team going. He is a very successful businessman, seems a decent person and has an obvious passion for sailing, but right now I've got to get over this America's Cup with the Kiwis."

He will do that as reserve helmsman to Dean Barker, a position that has rewarded him and frustrated him in equal measure. Ainslie is the sailing equivalent of the reserve goalkeeper, pushing hard for a place but knowing deep down that, on the big days, he will merely be a spectator. It is a significant improvement on his first experience of the America's Cup, with the OneWorld team in America, where he was sent up the mast to spot the wind shifts. Wasting talent and money has become an art form in the high-technology world of America's Cup racing.

The problem is that nobody, not even Mills, is sure where and when the next America's Cup will be held, which could prove a hindrance to recruitment and investment. If, as Mills presumes, the America's Cup management committee decide that 2009 will be the date for the next defence, Origin will need to be ready to race by the end of this year.

At present, the team has a small rented office in London's Long Acre and a staff of about four. To put this in perspective, Team NZ employs 110 people.

"Realistically, you're talking about buying boats to get going and then designing a boat for the next challenge," says {the RYA's Rod Carr, whose support has already proved vital to the project.

"This is a very complex exercise. We've got the right sailors here, but we need excellent management, too, and top-class design skills. That might well involve recruiting non-Brits. But I'd be pretty confident that when you look down the course you'll be able to say this is a British boat coming."

Andrew Longmore in The London Times online, full article at www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,4041-2534554,00.html

GOVERNOR'S CUP
After 1,675 nautical miles, a ding dong battle developed in the race for line honours in this year's Governor's Cup. Shortly after midnight, the 34-footer Our Dianne, skippered by Billy Leisegang, triumphantly crossed the line to claim line honours. Only time will tell whether her 9-day crossing was enough to also her third consecutive handicap victory in the epic biannual race between Cape Town and St Helena.

In a satellite conversation with fellow crew member Martyn Trainor before the finish, they were cautiously optimistic, but hesitant to celebrate too early. "We're keeping a watch out for Swimlion as she might just pip us to the post. We're not exactly sure where she currently is and we suspect she might actually be in front of us at the moment. It has been a magnificent race and was really the race of a lifetime. We had a spectacular time," mentioned Trainor with 100 miles to go to the finish. In the end, they finished four hours in front of Derek Frey and his crew on board Swimlion, who crossed the line early this morning at 04h14 GMT.

Mel Hawtrey on the yacht Aurora was spot on with his pre-race prediction that they would finish the race in ten days and is expected in later this morning with Vortex currently 17 miles behind also due to finish sometime today. The remainder of the fleet is barrelling along in fresh southeasterly conditions with moderate swells. Allegro reported 20-25 knots southeasterly winds, while Summer Love was surfing in gusting winds of up to 28 knots after having had a rough night.

Ielool also described a bumpy night with choppy seas and swells of up to 4 metres. In the Miura Challenge, it seems as if Andrew Tozer on Diddakoi is setting his sights on the R10 000 prize money as Patches' woes continue. Diddakoi is also still a strong contender for handicap honours and it is literally a race against the clock to see if they can still snatch the handicap win from Our Dianne. Patches skipper Andrew McKenzie reported that their spinnaker pole has finally given up completely. "We can no longer run directly downwind, which is slowing down our progress significantly. But we'll get there eventually," reported McKenzie. -- Ronelda Visser

www.thegovernorscup.co.za

OPTIMIST WORLDS
Subject to confirmation the Optimist World Championship is now mathematically a three horse race.

With the second and final discard taken Griselda Khng of Singapore has a two point lead over Julian Autenrieth (GER). Edgar Diminich of Ecuador is still theoretically in contention. Stephanie Zimmermann (PER) and Rufina Tan (MAS) are the only sailors who can dislodge these three from the podium and we could have a record six girls in the top 20.

Three races were sailed today in 10-12 knots with gusts. Current was quite strong towards the end of racing but this did not seem to disturb the leaders, even Julian who is a lake sailor from Bavaria. Fortunately the weather was somewhat cooler than the 30 degrees plus experienced earlier in the week. One race remains to be sailed tomorrow.

Singapore seem set to walk away with the Miami Herald Trophy for the best aggregate score of their top four sailors, all of whom are in the top 20, to add to their team racing gold. The big question is whether they can take all three gold medals. -- Robert Wilkes

Top ten:
1. Griselda Khng , SIN, 64 points
2. Julian Autenrieth, GER, 66
3. Edgar Diminich, ECU, 72
4. Stephanie Zimmermann, PER, 91
5. Rufina Tan Hong Mui, MAS, 92
6. Jonathan Martinetti, ECU, 105
7. Marcus Hansen, NZL, 106
8. Benjamin Grez, CHI, 138
9. Russell Kan, SIN, 140
10. Sean Lee, SIN, 141

www.optimistworlds.org.uy

NEW OPTIMIST PARTS FROM SEASURE
Seasure are launching their new 'Optimist Shop' during the London Boat Show period, providing an extensive parts range for Optimist sailors. Seasure will produce all the quality stainless steel fittings and have developed a range of quality covers and other products to complete the package. The range will be available from chandlers during the spring 2007. Seasure can be contacted on Tel: +44 (0)1489 885401 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Full details of the Press Release is available on the Press Reports page of www.strawberrymarketing.com

HENRI LLOYD TO SPONSOR BEN AINSLIE UNTIL 2013
Specialist marine clothing brand Henri Lloyd has announced its sponsorship of Ben Ainslie OBE, the Olympic and America's Cup Sailor until 2013.

Henri Lloyd and Ben have a long history together; he has been supported by Henri Lloyd since 1996 which has included both his Sydney and Athens gold medal winning successes and other big boat campaigns. During the association Ben has worked with the Henri Lloyd design team on the development of the Sportsboat and Dinghy range that was launched at the London Boat Show this weekend.

Ben will be wearing Henri Lloyd at the forthcoming ISAF World Championships which are taking place in Cascais, Portugal in July, where he will be competing for selection in the Skandia Team GBR for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Henri Lloyd is looking forward to working with Ben after his America Cup's commitments finish and to continue his role in the development of the marine technical range, both in inshore and sportsboat/dinghy racing. -- Amy Bradley-Watson

470 INTERNATIONALE LAUNCHES NEW SAILORS SUPPORT PROGRAMME
Milan, Italy: 470 Internationale announces the continuation of its Sailors' Support Programmes with the "2008 Olympic Pathway Solidarity Grant". The new Programme aims at the support of talented 470 sailors with sailing ambitions and abilities on Olympic levels who find financial or infrastructural obstacles on their way to Olympic Qualification.

The Programme will apply to the 470 World Championships 2007 in Cascais (Portugal) and 2008 in Melbourne (Australia) and aims at sailors, which have not participated in the 470 World Championships neither in 2005, nor in 2006.

As a first step in this Programme, six boats from licensed builder Nautivela will be made available for participation at the 470 World Championships 2007 on payment of the "symbolic" fees of Euro 250.00 (inclusive of all taxes), which covers the charter and transportation (of the boats) fee. This may give targeted sailors a chance to compete at the highest level of sailing with best available equipment to qualify their country for the Olympic Games in Beijing 2008.

Coordinator of the Programme is Marta Weores, First Vice President of 470 Internationale and former 470 Class Olympic sailor representing Hungary.

470 Internationale started its Sailors' Support Programmes in 2005. Since then, following Programmes have been delivered:

- the Solidarity Programme
- Andre Cornu Grant
- Juniors (Male and Female) Support Programme
and the 2008 Olympic Pathway Solidarity Grant is just the last arrived. -- Rick van Wijngaarden

Further information can be found on www.470.org

AUSTRALIAN 18FT SKIFF CHAMPIONSHIP
Sydney Harbour, Australia: Rookie skipper Seve Jarvin and his young crewmen Sam Newton and Robert Bell outsailed the 24-boat fleet to bring Gotta Love It 7 home a clear winner of the Winning Appliances Australian 18ft Skiff Championship on Sydney Harbour today.

The young trio led for almost the entire westerly course before crossing the finish line 3mins 17secs ahead of second placed Ssangyong Yandoo, skippered by John Winning, with Club Marine (Euan Mc Nicol) just 4secs further back in third place.

A very testing westerly wind which varied in strength from 8-20 knots at times caught the fleet out with almost every team electing to use their big #1 rigs.

Only 13 skiffs managed to complete the course with numerous breakages taking a heavy toll. The race started sensationally with several near collisions and a few capsizes occurring within a few hundred metres of the start line.

Jarvin and his team won the start and soon held a handy lead over the defending champion Asko Appliances team, led by Hugh Stodart.

The six race championship, which also acts as the selection series for next month's Giltinan Championship, will continued on Sydney Harbour next Sunday. -- Frank Quealey

TREND MARINE SUPPLY GLASS FOR BENETEAU MONTE CARLO 37
The Beneteau Monte Carlo 37 powerboat has been acclaimed by the international marine press and international dealers following a sensational unveiling at the Paris Show. This powerboat now features windscreens built by Trend Marine, the Norfolk based specialist marine glass producers. Both Beneteau Group and Trend Marine Products have worked on this project over the last 12 months to ensure a successful launch of the boat for the 2007 season.

More information is available on the Press Reports page of the website:
www.strawberrymarketing.com
Information about Trend Marine Products:www.trendmarine.com

GOLDING, MACARTHUR AND THOMSON OPEN THE LONDON BOAT SHOW
Mike Golding flanked by Ellen MacArthur and Alex Thomson shared the pleasure of opening the Collins Stewart London International Boat Show at the Excel Arena.

"It was real honour to open the show, and it was really good to catch up with Ellen who I have not seen for quite a while. Of course Alex and I now have quite a refined double act."

Mike, Alex and Ellen took to the water on an Extreme 40 catamaran on the murky grey waters off the show, an experience Mike admitted he really enjoyed, and something he clearly would like to do more of.

"It was great fun. Obviously flying a hull in such confined stretch of water in really not very much wind is great, and it is nice to get back to something which is so simple but fast and exciting. It was a lot of fun. I would loved to have a go for longer. I think it is good for your sharpness and for your skills. On the Open 60 it is sometimes easy to get lost in the detail and this can be much more direct and simple." Mike, whose multihull experience dates back many years to the Round Britain race which really was the foundation for his professional sailing career.

Mike has been updated regularly with the progress of the new Ecover which started building at Hake's Marine in New Zealand in October. Mike heads out first for the first of two visits towards the end of February when he will go out for a couple of weeks, and then he is planning to be out for a couple of months prior to the boat going on a ship.

Now returned from Cape Town, Ecover is in Swanwick where an engineer is still trying to get to the bottom of the engine problem which initially was intermittent but which latterly added another unwelcome challenge when he was taking Alex off Hugo Boss.

Meanwhile the spare rig is being assembled in Gosport. The section itself is the same as the last mast, and it will be fitted to the same spec using the virtually identical hardware, with the exception of a much sexier radar unit.

The boat is expected to go back on the water early February.

Golding confirms there has been a fair bit of interest in the boat with four potential buyers having been in the frame for some time. It will be down to which of them meets the price that is sought for the boat who it goes to. -- Coralie Rassinoux

www.mikegolding.com

MAYDAYS
* Only a few weeks after the famous Koomooloo sank in the 2006 Rolex Sydney Hobart, two other Hobart entrants are in trouble. Alex Whitworth's 1977 built Brolga 33; Berrimilla issued a MAYDAY south of Eden around 3am this morning. The vessel had rolled and has probably been dismasted. Eden Water Police have gone to her aid.

Around 10pm last night, Wedgetail, Bill Wild's Welbourne 42 contacted St Helen's Coastguard seeking assistance.

Neil Smail, AUSAR spokeman advises Berrimilla set off her 406 beacon around 3am.

The Falcon, Eden based Water Police vessel Falcon was dispatched to provide assistance. In contact with the four crew by radio. Berrimilla is now motoring towards Eden under her own power. She has apparently rolled, don't know for sure but we think she has been dismasted.

Wedgetail, 10pm last night, made radio calls for assistance, when 35 miles east of St. Helens, on the Tasmanian east coast. St Helen Volunteer Marine Rescue vessel should be arriving alongside Wedgetail any minute.

It was a wild night in Bass Strait, with winds in the 50-80 knot range, -- Rob Kothe, www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=30155

* re: Wedgetail: "There's no indication there's any danger to the vessel and no indication of any major weather problems," a police spokesman said.

Two crew aboard the yacht were safe, he said.

Wedgetail finished sixth overall on handicap in the Sydney-to-Hobart yacht race. www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21026183-1244,00.html

* Punta Arenas, Chile: An American whose round-the-world journey was frustrated by a yacht-destroying storm reached land on Sunday, saying he did not regret attempting to sail solo non-stop around the globe.

Looking relaxed and calm in a cloth jacket and jeans, Ken Barnes said he spent little time thinking about his situation when a storm left him adrift for three days more than 800 kilometres west of the southern tip of the Chilean coast.

"I was kind of busy," he said.

Barnes, who told reporters he was "doing very well," was brought to Punta Arenas by aircraft after he was rescued Friday by the fishing trawler Pesca Polar 1, backed by Chilean navy aircraft.

Barnes said things happened very fast when the storm struck on Tuesday, making the ketch "roll 360 degrees."

He said he quickly lost his steering wheel and power generators. The boat's two masts were broken. Water entered the yacht through two holes he could not close.

Barnes reported his emergency Tuesday to his fiance Cathy Chambers in California with his still-working satellite phone and sent a distress signal that was picked by the U.S. Coast Guard, which contacted the Chilean navy.

Toronto Star: www.thestar.com/News/article/168720

THE LAST WORD
Try not to let school interfere with your education. -- Mark Twain

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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