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STAMM SAILING INTO A GALE
The latest position update shows Bernard Stamm on Cheminees Poujoulat still heading in a northeasterly direction. If the forecast chart is accurate then Bernard should getting the first of the shift to the southeast that will allow him to alter course to the north. At present the Swiss is still heading towards the giant depression to his north. This is forecast to start moving south over tonight and tomorrow morning and while then start heading southwest. Bernard should already be feeling the breeze building and by tomorrow morning the wind will be blowing gale force from the southeast. This morning reckons he was likely to see 45-50 knot winds within the next 24 hours even though it was only blowing 13 and he was sailing under full main and genniker at the time of our conversation.

Stamm's trajectory at this stage is important as his proximity to the centre of the low will dictate the wind strength he experiences. If the forecast is to be believed lady luck looks set to run out for Bernard in around 48 hours time after the gale has passed, when he is likely to be stuck in a patch of no wind left behind the vacated depression.

In second place Kojiro Shiraishi on Spirit of Yukoh is getting close to the 'smelling land' stage. With Cape Horn still 175 miles away he should be around sailing's most fearsome landmark tomorrow afternoon. Unfortunately the weather will not be great - as it was for Bernard - and this afternoon Koji will be tackling the front associated with the depression now centred 215 miles to his southwest, that will cause the wind to back. The next 24 hours will be a lumpy ride for Japan's finest.

Little change at the back of the fleet since this morning save for Sir Robin Knox-Johnston on Saga Insurance who appears to have gybed off to the northeast. This move is contrary to what Sir Robin told us this morning - that he would be sticking to third placed Unai Basurko like glue.

Latest positions
1. Cheminees Poujoulat, Bernard Stamm, 5271 nm to leg finish
2. Spirit of Yukoh, Kojiro Shiraishi, 1683 nm to leader
3. PAKEA, Unai Basurko, 3009 nm to leader
4. SAGA Insurance, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, 3038 nm to leader
5. A Southern Man-AGD, Graham Dalton, 3071 nm to leader

www.velux5oceans.com

DRIFTING IN THE INDIAN OCEAN
Maud Fontenoy has new hefty adversary, a 10.50 metre boom that she has to move to make a jury rig; it's a contest between 60 kilos of flesh and 100 kilos of carbon. The sailor is going to have to resort to all sorts of tricks to erect this substitute mast that will enable her to start heading for Reunion Island again.

After having finished cleaning the deck of all the remnants of carbon from the broken mast and removing the pieces of mainsail still attached to the boom, Maud took advantage of a calm sea to dive to inspect Oreal Paris' hull, keel and rudder. She admitted to hating doing it and being scared of sharks, but saw only fishes and was relieved to find all well under water.

She has to shift the 100 kilo boom to the middle of the boat and, somehow, hoist it into the vertical position. Fortunately, Jean Luc Van Den Heede had worked out a system to do this, before he did his round-the-world voyage and Maud has found the required aluminium part on board. She knows, though, that this is not going to be a quick fix. "It will take a long time," she said "days, not hours. I'll have to do a lot of thinking out and find tricks to make up for my lack of brute strength".

Oreal Paris is currently drifting at about a knot, but not really in the right direction. "All the more reaon to get on with fixing up a jury rig as fast as I can." said Maud "Then I'll be able to head north west again, but I'll need patience, because it's going to take several weeks to get to my destination."

www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=3743

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VASCO'S POINT OF VIEW
While the testing between Ita 90 and Ita 99 continues, Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team skipper Vasco Vascotto answers some questions. An exceptional sailor, innovative yet still tied to his origins, extroverted, and a little outside the lines at times, Vasco represents the spirit of the Rascals.

MLCT: Ita 90 and Ita 99, two boats for the team to choose between...

VV: Yes, we have two boats and this is important. It's much too soon to tell which we will use. Obviously Ita 90 is the boat we have sailed a lot...Ita 99 is the result of a longer design process and brings with her the hope to have produced something even better.

MLCT: What are your first impressions of Ita 99?

VV: Everything's fine. We are very happy...we put her in the water just one week after she arrived from Green Marine. The day after the launch we went out and did the first structural tests. After the third day, we started testing with the two boats...if everything keeps going like this, knock on wood, we are going in the right direction.

MLCT: What surprises do you expect from the Unveiling Day?

VV: The surprises could reveal something fast, or something risky and extremely slow...I don't know...but if I were in the shoes of a team who had very little training on the water, I would definitely try something more revolutionary.

MLCT: What do you think about the regatta course in Valencia?

VV: Nice, difficult and unpredictable.

MLCT: Louis Vuitton Act 13 concludes in April. Do you think the points earned from this will have a real influence on the Louis Vuitton Cup?

VV: A small effect and only for the bottom of the ranking

Full interview at www.mascalzonelatino.com

49ER NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
The 49er North American Championships took place in Biscayne Bay, Miami from 1st to 4th February 2007. Unseasonal rain and the Super Bowl failed to deter 40 boats from entering the Championship, and Miami produced champagne conditions for the racing.

The short start lines in the 12 race series tested the sailors as they fought for front position. The racing was very close and the jury had to work hard sorting out the inevitable incidents which resulted in a high scoring regatta.

Several different teams were scoring race wins- the German team of Marcus Baur and Hannes Baumann had three wins and a second, but could only finish 6th overall, whilst fellow Germans Jan Peter and Hannes Peckolt also won a race but finished 3rd overall. Peter and Soren Hansen from Denmark again had an impressive score line with 1, 2, 2, 3 and 4 but could only finish 4th overall.

The team of Paul Campbell-James and Mark Asquith were the sole British entrant and they finished 7th in what has been a successful trip for the pairing. They continue their progress up the rankings.

Top ten final places
1. Morgan Larsen / Pete Spaulding, USA, 55 points
2. Tim Wadlow / Chris Rast, USA, 81
3. Jan Peter Peckolt / Hannes Peckolt, GER, 84.70
4. Peter Hansen / Soren Hansen, DEN, 95
5. Dalton Bergan / Zack Maxam, USA, 97
6. Marcus Baur / Hannes Baumann, GER, 100
7. Paul Campbell-James / Mark Asquith, GBR, 110
8. Dyen Manu / Rocherieux Yann, FRA, 112
9. Andersen Krager / Dennis Dengso, DEN, 113
10. Nathan Outteridge / Ben Austin, AUS, 114

www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/?article=24848

AN ABSORBING INTEREST
Last chance to guarantee a signed copy of the special limited edition of "An Absorbing Interest," Bob Fisher's complete history of the America's Cup - 1851-2003, in two volumes. Register your interest by February 15th - this Thursday. Full details from: www.wiley.com/go/americas

INDUSTRY NEWS
* The 2007 edition of the Rick Tomlinson Portfolio Calendar has been awarded a Highly Commended Certificate in the National Business Calendar Awards 2007 in the Excellence in Reproduction Category.

The judges commented that this was awarded for the "notable quality of the reproduction of the images", adding "the powerful live action photographs, almost three dimensional in their presentation, place the viewer in the sailing experience depicted".

There are over 5000 entrants in the Calendar Awards, including international companies such as Pirelli, Virgin Atlantic, Kall Kwik and the major UK design companies, Bemrose Promotional Products, Brunel Promotions and Alan and Bertram.

Both the Portfolio and the Desk Calendars were on view at the Awards Ceremony held at the London College of Printing last month and the Portfolio is included in the exhibition travelling throughout the country.

2008 will see the publication of the twentieth edition of the Portfolio Calendar and design and photo selection for this is already underway with the calendar being available from early August.

Marine Publishing Company is the publisher of the Rick Tomlinson Calendar range, Technart Ltd are the printers and CE Marketing the design company. All photographs can be viewed at www.rick-tomlinson.com

* The Swedish market for leisure boats showed a significant growth for 2006, a trend that has developed during the last 13 years.

During 2006 total sales of new boats grew to SEK 4 billion, of which imports accounted for more than 50 per cent with SEK 2.3 billion. The total number of new boats sold on the Swedish market was approximately 20,000, with an average price of SEK 200,000 (21,600 Euros).

Swedish imports, which have also increased dramatically over a number of years, grew 17 per cent during the first 10 months of 2006, reaching SEK 1.44 billion. Under the same period Swedish exports of leisure boats reached SEK 1.45 billion, equalling the exports of 2005.

Imports were dominated by motorboats with a 70 per cent share, while sailboats took a 20 per cent share and the rest included all smaller boats. On the export front, sailboats had the biggest share with 50 per cent, motorboats accounted for 40 per cent, and smaller boats the remaining 10 per cent.

The most important markets for Swedish exports remain Norway, Germany, UK, The Netherlands and Denmark. Imports mainly come from Finland, Norway, Germany and the US. -- IBI, www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20070112110130ibinews.html

* The Gothenborgh Boat Show 2007, which closed on February 11th, drew 94,430 visitors, the highest number since 1989.

The show is traditionally seen as the start of the boating season in Sweden. It is also the first of the Nordic boat shows each year and as such is a good indicator of where the market is heading.

This year's edition was the largest ever show staged in the city on Sweden's west coast, and has been the most successful commercially. Boats were sold at a rate never seen before and the show had a record 350 exhibitors and more than 500 boats. -- IBI, www.ibinews.com

* Volvo Penta was established in 1907 - the year the company produced its first marine engine.

Volvo Penta probably has the richest innovation history in the marine world, with such global innovations as the Aquamatic sterndrive, Duoprop counter-rotating propellers and, most recently, the IPS system with the forward-facing propellers.

Volvo Penta's engines are famous for their quality and long service lives. A common desire among owners of older Volvo Penta engine models is to have access to instruction books and manuals for engines that are no longer in production.

In time for the anniversary, Volvo Penta is now launching an Internet site from which various publications will be available on almost all engines that were launched by Volvo Penta since its start in 1907.

Visit the website at:
www.volvo.com/volvopenta/global/en-gb/marineengines/out_of_production_engines/

* North Sails One Design International has announced that one of Britain's most talented young sailors Ruairidh Scott has joined their Gosport based design office.

Scott, 26, has won three World Championships titles, two European titles, the Scottish Series and the 1720 Nationals. The first and second World titles were won at the 2000 in the Student World Championships and in 2006 won the J80 Worlds against tough International competition. Scott, a former member of the Volvo RYA Keelboat Programme regularly races the 1720 and Mumm 30 one-design classes.

Ruairidh has a 1st Class Honors degree as well as a Masters Degree with distinction in Naval Architecture and Small Craft design from Strathclyde University. Previous roles include spending a year with Yacht Designer Tony Castro and working as part of the design team at Elvstrom and Sobstad Sails.

The new role at North One Design will include working with some of the UK's top Olympic classes' sailors on their sail design, performance and on going development.

* Today sees the launch of the new official website for the 2007 Welsh Boat Show: welshboatshow.co.uk

* The UK's largest Catamaran design and build Company, Broadblue Catamarans, announced today that an agreement has been reached with a private equity company to take a substantial interest in Broadblue Catamarans.

Broadblue has undergone major growth over the last 5 years and with the further investment brought with the new partners, is set to become a leading player in the growing International market for cruising catamarans.

The existing members of the board of directors, Robert Underwood, Mark Elliot and Stuart Davidsen will be joined by two members of the equity partners. Manufacturing will continue at its current facilities in UK and Poland. Broadblue will be exhibiting its 385 Catamaran in USA at the Miami Boat Show commencing February 15th.

www.broadlyboats.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5446

* The Elvstrom Sobstad Group has announced that Peter Westfal, a former sailmaker and key account manager for the company, has rejoined the organisation as head of aftersales.

Based at Elvstrom's main headquarters in Aabenraa, Denmark, Westfal will be responsible for all aspects of the aftersales service, including customer liaison, warranty and service projects. He will also liaise closely with distributors.

Westfal spent the last two years with Danish mast and rigging specialist Nordic Mast. -- www.voilesnews.fr/en/info_23_7624.html

VALERIE TAKES OVER THE HELM
A plymouth yachtswoman has made history by becoming the first female Commodore in the 130-year history of her club. Valerie Bolton takes over the coveted role at the Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club from her husband Mike, who has been Commodore since 2004.

The retired business couple live in Manor Park and enjoy sailing their 27-foot Sabre cruiser 'Erini', although the club takes up a good deal of their time.

The Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club, based below the Royal Citadel on Plymouth Hoe, has 500 members whose 90 yachts are scattered around local moorings and marinas.

One of its boats, 'Rumpleteaser', will be taking part in this year's Fastnet Race, and it can claim several former junior world champions.

It founded a new traditional-style weekend regatta two years ago, with sailing and social events, and a year ago began a major regeneration programme.

www.thisisplymouth.co.uk

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 Michael Brown: So we have yet another announcement of yet another event, the World Sailing League, claiming to attract vast sums of money and led by two of the world's best known professional sailors. Is this not the point that this is another event to keep professional sailors in employment. We continually hear complaints that the numbers coming into sailing are diminishing and about the lack of financial support at grass roots, particularly in developing Countries. Would this money not be better spent in these areas? Arguably sponsors are not interested but surely fleets of yachts in different locations and available to be sailed by large numbers of people from many backgrounds, perhaps organised by the better professionals and all clearly marked with the sponsor's logo, would have a significant appeal and possibly bring the sponsor a better return - they don't do it for nothing.

There are now so many events whose primary function seems to be to provide professional sailors with employment that I am not surprised that the press found it difficult not to yawn because, for the majority of sailors, that is exactly what they are, a big yawn, with the media only sporadically reporting them and then usually when there is a disaster. Can we not get some of the money attracted by these events diverted to where it is needed, rather than lining the pockets of the professionals?

THE LAST WORD
The louder he talked of his honor, the faster we counted our spoons. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

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.

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