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DEAN BARKER WINS AUCKLAND MATCH RACING CUP
Dean Barker won his second Auckland Match Racing Cup title today amid fierce competition from some of the world's top skippers.

His back-to-back successes in the Auckland Match Racing Cup framed a win in the New Zealand Match Racing nationals late last year.

He won the inaugural Auckland Match Racing Cup this time last year.

It was a tough final day of racing with Barker and his Emirates Team New Zealand crew of Terry Hutchinson, Don Cowie, James Dagg and Jeremy Lomas first having to dispatch Adam Minoprio and his crew of young guns in the best-of-five semi-final.

Minoprio proved a worthy contender, taking the first match from start to finish and then shutting Barker out of the start in their third encounter. But small mistakes proved costly and Barker clinched his place in the final with a 3-1 win over Minoprio.

In the other semi-final, the world's second and third ranked match race skippers went head to head as Williams and Frenchman Mathieu Richard slugged it out in a series that went all the way to five matches before it was decided.

In the final, Williams took first blood. The British skipper led around the top mark and then Barker attacked from behind on the downwind run, establishing an overlap and looking set to overtake. However, as the yachts charged into the leeward mark, Williams luffed hard, forcing Barker away. Barker was unable to mount another attack and Williams took the win.

However, Barker and his crew were not to be denied. They came back with guns blazing to win the next two encounters, both of which featured spirited tacking duels, and take the title.

In the petite final, Richard secured 3rd place with a 2-0 win over Minoprio, who finished 4th.

Final four competing teams:
Dean Barker (NZL), Don Cowie, Terry Hutchinson, James Dagg, Jeremy Lomas
Ian Williams (GBR), Laurie Jury, Graeme Sutherland, Stu Molloy, Sam Tucker
Mathieu Richard (FRA), Greg Evrard, Thierry Briand, Olivier Herledant, Yannick Simon
Adam Minoprio (NZL), Dave Swete, Josh Puckey, Tom Powrie, Nick Blackman

www.aucklandmatchracingcup.co.nz

MIAMI OCR
It was a tooth-and-nail day as sailors competing in the finals of US SAILING's 2007 Rolex Miami OCR fought it out on Biscayne Bay for medals in 11 Olympic classes. The sun shone brilliantly and the winds blew 8-10 knots, providing a perfect wrap-up for the competition, which hosted more sailors -- 855 from 49 countries -- than it ever has in its 18 annual runnings. After five days of fleet racing, which concluded yesterday, medalists were determined in three Paralympic classes. The top ten overall finishers in the Olympic classes advanced to today's single medal race, replicating the new Olympic format that will debut in Qingdao, China in 2008.

Final Series Results (Top-Three), Final Medal Race Counts Double

Finn (49 boats) -- 13 races
1. Peer Moberg, NOR, 51
2. Jonas Hoegh-Christensen, DEN, 55
3. Daniel Birgmark, SWE, 67

49er (47 boats) -- 15 races
1. Morgan Larson/ Pete Spaulding, USA, 81
2. Stevie Morrison/Ben Rhodes, GBR, 87
3. Morgan Lagraviere/Stephane Christidis, FRA, 88

470 Men's (31 boats) -- 13 races
1. Nick Rogers/Joe Glanfield, GBR, 47
2. Mathew Belcher/Nick Behrens, AUS, 68
3. Gustavo Martinez/ Dimas Wood, ESP, 75

470 Women's (18 boats) -- 13 races
1. Marcelien de Koning/Lobke Berkhout, NED, 40
2. Ingrid Petitjean/Nadege Douroux, FRA, 59
3. Amanda Clark/Sarah Mergenthaler, USA, 73

Laser (69 boats) - 13 races
1. Gustavo Lima, POR, 80
2. Tom Slingsby, AUS, 81
2. Michael Blackburn, AUS, 86

Laser Radial (69 boats) -- 13 races
1. Sari Multala, FIN, 46
2. Gintare Volungeviciute, LTU, 59
3. Evi Van Acker, BEL, 82

RS:X Men (44 boats) -- 12 races
1. Przeymslaw Miarczynski, POL, 48
2. Joao Rodriques, POR, 63
3. Samual Launay, FRA, 77

RS:X Women (28 boats) -- 12 races
1. Marina Alabau, ESP, 45
2. Flavia Tartaglini, ITA, 51
2. Bryony Shaw, GBR, 55

SKUD-18 (10 boats) - 13 races
1. Scott Whitman/Julia Dorsett, USA, 30
2. David Cook/Brenda Hopkin, CAN, 37
3. Karen Mitchell/JP Creignou, USA, 45

Sonar (14 boats) -- 13 races
1. Dan Parsons/Tom Pygall/Guy Draper, GBR, 52
2. Rick Doerr/Tim Angle/Bill Donohue, USA, 53
3. John Robertson/Hannah Stodel/Stephen Thomas, GBR, 53

Star (67 boats) - 9 races
1. Fredrik Loof/Anders Ekstrom, SWE, 32
2. Hamish Pepper/Dave Giles, NZL, 50
3. Afonso Domingos/ Bernardo Santos, POR, 52

Tornado (43 boats) - 11 races
1. Darren Bundock/Glenn Ashby, AUS, 43
1. Leigh McMillan/William Howden, GBR, 52
3. Fernando Echavarri/Anton Paz, ESP, 64

2.4 mR (25 boats) -- 13 races
1. Stellan Berlin, SWE, 39
2. Megan Pascoe, GBR, 51
3. Helena Lucas, GBR, 61

Yngling (18 boats) -- 13 races
1. Sally Barkow/Carrie Howe/Debbie Capozzi, USA, 32
2. Sarah Ayton/Sarah Webb/Pippa Wilson, GBR, 34
3. Silja Lehtinen/ Maria Klemetz/Livia Varesmaa, FIN, 44

www.RolexMiamiOCR.org

Photos by Ingrid Abery at scuttlebutteurope.com/photos/

HIGH MODULUS ENGINEERED BOATS SCOOP TOP SIX PLACES
Boats structurally engineered by High Modulus showed their form when they took the top six positions in IRC Division A of the 25th Bay of Islands Regatta in New Zealand last week. First on the podium was Wingz, a canting keel Cookson 50, which has posted fantastic results since its launch last year; in second and third places were new canting keel raceboats Outsider, an Elliot 52, and Privateer, another Cookson 50. Congratulations to the crews!

If you also have a passion for performance, get in touch via our website www.high-modulus.com

SAP 505 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Another gloomy day in Adelaide. Winds still from the south and low clouds. Days like these generally mean big pressure and direction changes in the wind at Brighton and that's what we saw. Generally it was 13-18kn, but occasionally it was above and occasionally it was below.

It was only one race today and it really was a great days sailing, particularly for South Australian's Sandy Higgins and Paul Marsh. They won their second heat of the Worlds after some brilliant sailing.

It was an easy day to get hurt today with big shifts and plenty of boats that were at the front early ended up a long way back after going the wrong way. That being said, the fleet is tightly packed, one mistake can cost you 5-10 boats instantly.

Regardless of the shifts though, two boats have been very consistent. Nick Adamson and Steve Bourdow from the US and Mike Holt and Carl Smit also of the US are tied for the lead. Both boats have posted a second, third and fourth and don't look like making any mistakes.

Race 4 and 5 looks like it will be more of the same for the competitors wind wise, though if the cloud burns off early, there could be a greater thermal effect and therefore, a little more stable directionally. Monday night also sees the return of the games night at the Worlds, with our visitors sure to be treated to some 'unique' local games. -- Jordan Spencer

Top ten after 3 races:

1. Nick Adamson / Steve Bourdow, USA, 9 points
2. Mike Holt / Carl Smit, USA, 9
3. Sandy Higgins / Paul Marsh, AUS, 10
4. Mike Martin / Jeff Nelson, USA, 21
5. Chris Nicholson / Darren Nicholson, AUS, 24
6. Ian Pinnell / Steve Hunt, GBR, 27
7. Kevin Taugher / Jon Bell, USA, 29
8. Howie Hamlin / Fritz Lanzinger, USA, 31
9. Jan Saugmann / Morten Ramsbaek, DEN, 33
10. Jens Findel / Johannes Tellen, GER, 35

www.505worlds2007.com

EPIC FISHER: AN ABSORBING INTEREST
It's on its way - the epic that Bob Fisher has slaved over for the past five years - the history of the America's Cup 1851-2003, entitled An Absorbing Interest. Seems it was for him, although he gleaned the phrase from Charles Burgess, the designer of the J-class masts for the defenders, who used it in a lecture in 1935. The racing and the by-play is all there, along with profiles of some of the more notable players. Two volumes, each of 256 pages, in a slipcase - 200 pounds plus carriage. Early birds for the books to be published on April 20th will have signed copies of a special edition at no extra price.

Orders and details from: www.wiley.com/go/americas

DALTON MAKES PIT STOP IN NEW ZEALAND
Graham Dalton, the New Zealand solo skipper racing his Open 50 A Southern Man AGD in the Velux 5 Oceans has pulled into the port of Bluff, New Zealand, at the southern-most point of the South Island. The experienced sailor suspended sailing at 16:30 GMT on Saturday January 27 as he arrived back on home soil. Dalton was forced to make the unwanted pit stop after he discovered that one of his diesel tanks had leaked after leaving Fremantle and contaminated around one third of his food stores, making the food inedible.

Arriving in the early hours of the morning in New Zealand, Dalton was tired and concerned about the rocky approach to port, but successfully navigated the boat to land where he will await the delivery of food to replace the ruined stores. Dalton will have to respect the 48 hour time penalty in the race rules for receiving outside assistance, meaning he can re-commence racing at 16:30 GMT on Monday January 29. Graham Dalton is still ahead of Unai Basurko (ESP) and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR) in third position in the second leg of the round the world race, but the 48 hour pit stop will most likely push the Kiwi skipper to the back of the pack.

Bernard Stamm (SUI) continues to lead the fleet on Cheminees Poujoulat, with Kojiro Shiraishi (JPN) on Spirit Of Yukoh 768 miles back in second. Following Dalton's pit stop, the three back markers will be bunched together, although they will trail the leader by over 1,700 miles. This second leg is one of the most challenging in solo ocean racing, covering over 14,000 miles from Western Australia to Norfolk, Virginia (USA). The fleet are already battling the freezing expanses of the Southern Ocean before rounding Cape Horn and heading north through the Atlantic. -- Tim Kelly

www.velux5oceans.com

29ER WORLDS
For the first time in 29er class World Championships an Argentine team has won the competition. The British women team was the best in their category.

Matías Gainza Eurnekian / Federico Villambrosa with 30 points are the new world champions of the 29ers International Class. There were 11 countries present on this 29er Class World Championship organized in Buenos Aires, San Isidro, at the Club Náutico San Isidro.

On the final day only 3 regattas were completed. The fourth one was suspended after a long delay to start the first one. At 3:30pm wind at 5knots coming from East and Northeast pushed the boats. The River Plate was calm with short and small waves.

Top ten, Gold Fleet:

1. Matías Gainza Eurnekian / Federico Villambrosa, ARG, 30
2. Pepe Bettini / Matías Keller, ARG, 51
3. Ignacio Fernández Besada / Tigris Martirosjan, ARG, 54
4. Gonzalo Pollitzer / Jose María Diez, ARG, 65
5. Francisco Piccini / Santiago Daneri, ARG, 67
6. Adela Deschamps / Juan De la Fuente, ARG, 68
7. German Billoch / Martín Billoch, ARG, 76
8. Sophie Weguelin / Sophie Ainsworth, GBR, 92
9. Micael Sielecki / Tomas Wagmaister, ARG, 96
10. Fernanda Sesto / Fernando Sotelino, ARG, 97

29er2007.cnsi.org.ar

LAUNCHINGS
* Van Gorkom Yacht Design has a new 30 footer, the VG-30, being built by Moondance Yachts in Cape Town, South Africa with the first hull due to splash this June. Renderings in the Scuttlebutt Europe photo gallery, look for the VG-30 under the Launchings section. More on the boat at www.vgyd.com/vg_open30.html

* Building got underway in May 2006 on the IMOCA 60' monohull for the French skipper Yann Elies. Multiplast is building the yacht for Elies' entry in the Vendee Globe 2008. Deck and hull have just been assembled in the yard in Vannes, in southern Brittany.

The major components of Generali's oven-cured Nomex / carbon epoxy sandwich construction are complete. All of the hull's interior structures have been fitted, including the bulwark rails and floor plates which are also made of prepreg.

Although the major components have been finished, a lot of work still remains to be done. Composite parts still to be made include the rudders, the cap, the keel fin, the daggerboard housing, chain plates and the bowsprit. Afterwards, the hardware and engine will be fitted as Yann Elies' team will take charge of the accommodation and the onboard systems. Multiplast will have to assemble the keel bulb and fin before proceeding with the traction tests ashore on all of the fixture points. The boat will then be delivered to Lorient, west of Vannes, where her mast will be stepped.

Multiplast is to take charge of sea trials for one month after the launch and before the boat is handed over to her owner. -- www.yannelies.com

* Fano, Italy - The advanced composite construction of the hull of the super high performance Wally 130, is completed at WallyEurope shipyard.

The slim and light hull of the new super yacht was successfully turned and re-positioned inside the shed, to start the next phases of the building process: the outfitting and the installation of the deck.

The construction is on schedule and the launching is due in spring 2008 www.wally.com/jumpch.asp?idChannel=26&idUser=0&attivo=9

Editor: Some examples of pages in the new Wally Book in the Eurobutt photo gallery: scuttlebutteurope.com/photos/ in the new Books section.

* An updated version of the RS800 asymmetric, two man trapeze dinghy has been doing the rounds to find out the reaction of the present owners.

Originally presented as a 49er for the ordinary club sailor, the RS800 has reached a crisis point in its life. The owners have presented a number of points of contention to the builders, LDC, and the builders have responded with a revamped hull.

To protect the existing class base, no changes have been made that effect the boats performance, except perhaps from a general handling basis.

The main construction changes refer to the deck layout. Originally it was assumed that some crews would opt for a single trapeze mode and the side decks were constructed with a traditional tank/sidedeck for ease of the non-trapezing helm.

With this option not really being taken up, LDC have redesigned the deck, 49er style, to remove the sidetanks and position the kick-off strakes further out to make it more user friendly for the two trapeze mode. Reshaped outer racks will also improve the foot comfort when trapezing.

Another noticable change is in the bow section with the removal of the tank that the spinaker pole went through. The pole now lies on the new shaped foredeck below the spinnaker chute and exits directly through the bow. -- from Sail-World.com, full story and pictures at www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=30771

FEATURED BROKERAGE
Farr 60 RIMA, price reduced to $585,000. Located in Newport, Rhode Island, USA

Rima, is a Farr CM 60, custom built by Carroll Marine of Bristol, Rhode Island, and sold through Farr International. A sister ship to Numbers and Hissar, Rima is an exciting and easily handled yacht with many recent IRC optimizations; this is a competitive racer.

Brokerage through Farr Yacht Sales: farryachtsales.com

THE LAST WORD
The penalty for success is to be bored by the people who used to snub you. -- Nancy Astor

OC Events, www.ocevents.org , 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) plus the Extreme 40 Sailing Series for The iShares Cup.

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

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