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

VOLVO OCEAN RACE
Portsmouth, England; Volvo Ocean Race CEO Glenn Bourke outlines some of the ports which are under consideration as stopovers for the next race and gives an update on the number of race entries.

Q: What progress has been made in securing port stopovers?

A: In the new territories our first task has been to focus on education in order for the authorities to appreciate just what the Volvo Ocean Race brings from a commercial and sporting perspective, the infrastructure we require and the interest that can be aroused from our arrival in those stopovers. Beyond that point of introduction and education, we have found a tremendous appetite for the race. We are making headway but, as you might expect, the progress we have been making in places like the Middle East, Singapore, India and China has been a bit slower than I had hoped but the desire is building.

Q: What other ports on the more traditional route are under consideration?

A: Places like Halifax (Nova Scotia) and Boston are very enthusiastic...Then there's Ireland. There is this romantic attachment with Ireland as a tourist destination. If I go into a North American port discussion - be it Baltimore, Boston or Halifax - and I say 'you can be the beginning of the leg to Ireland' lights go on everywhere. Ireland will be a wonderful place for us to go. The enthusiasm there is infectious.

Q: Is a French port likely?

A: We have had several conversations with French ports where there is a proud tradition of ocean racing. Sure it predominantly translates into single-handed racing but I'm sure we can expect to see enormous crowds turn out if the race stopped at a French port... despite the popular perception that the Vendee Globe is the only ocean race on the French sailing aficionado's radar, we generated sizeable French media coverage and public interest in 2005-06.

Q: Where is the race finish likely to be?

A: We have German sponsorship interests so it could be Kiel again with 500,000 people witnessing the finish as they did in 2001-02. Or St Petersburg or Finland. All of them will provide a vibrant, mid-summer atmosphere. But there's still a way to go before we decide.

Q: Where do you stand on entries for 2008-09?

A: We have repeat sponsors for 2008-09 which sends out a very strong message to other potential sponsors who are out there contemplating their involvement. If ,as Ericsson have done, you can come back to this race despite under-performing on the scoreboard last time and still be so enthusiastic about doing well, that sends out a potent signal. And from that statement of intent, we are getting a number of sign-ups. I am confident that we are going to build the number of entries from the last race and that this will be the first time in three/four/five editions of the race that the field will grow. As to when more syndicates announce, we know they are engaged, we know they are preparing their advanced battle plans, but they are not ready to go public as yet.

Q: Do you expect syndicates to follow the examples of TEAM ABN AMRO and launch two-boat campaigns?

A: Yes. There are at least two syndicates looking at two-boat campaigns and I expect there to be more than one two-boat programme in 2008-09. Many of the sponsors and syndicate heads, old and new, have used ABN AMRO as the benchmark for evaluating their participation.

Full interview at www.volvooceanrace.org

AREVA CHALLENGE IS PENALISED BY JURY
The French challenger for the 32nd America's Cup, Areva Challenge, has been penalised by the Jury for a breach of the Protocol. Areva Challenge will see its sail limit for the Louis Vuitton Cup reduced from 45 to 43 sails.

The Jury found that Areva Challenge had breached both Article 11.2(f) of the Protocol which prohibits competitors from 'observing or capturing images of another Competitor's ACC yacht...with the principal intent and purpose to gain design or performance information..." and,

Article 11.2(g), which prohibits Competitors from accepting: "...any information from a third party that, under this Article, would have been improper for the Competitor to obtain directly."

Following a complaint to the Jury from Luna Rossa Challenge, the French team told the Jury that a number of photographs had come into its possession.

The photographs were given to Areva Challenge by a recognised media photographer who had taken pictures of the Luna Rossa boat whilst the Italian team was training.

The photographer was on a boat supplied by the event organisers when he took the images of Luna Rossa. Several photographs were distributed to Areva Challenge team members before they were destroyed.

In its decision the Jury recognised that Areva Challenge had made timely and frank submissions to the Jury when it realised it had breached the Protocol. However the Jury decision notes that a 'serious breach of the Protocol has occurred.' In its submission, Areva Challenge called its possession of the photographs 'a gross error of judgment.'

The original submission by Luna Rossa also included a claim against ACM as the event organisers for supplying the boat used by the photographer. Luna Rossa has since dropped any claim against ACM.

Luna Rossa further submitted to the Jury it has accepted an apology put forward by Areva Challenge, who has also been ordered to pay costs in the case.

Jury website: jury.americascup.com

AMERICA'S CUP STORE… As the Road to Valencia launches today in Geneva, it's time to get ready for the big event - the 32nd America's Cup.

While the stores in Port America's Cup are gearing up for the rush to come, the official 32nd America's Cup webstore is already open to Cup fans worldwide. In addition to the full range of Murphy&Nye official event clothing, you'll find a wide range of accessories, luxury products and information.

For the world's best selection of official event and team gear and accessories keep checking in at the America's Cup Store.

www.americascupstore.com

SEAWIND F18 WORLDS
It was tight at the top as the final day of racing commenced at the Seawind F18 World Championship, being sailed in the waters off Rydges Capricorn Resort, Yeppoon Queensland.

The outcome of the three races being sailed today would decide the new F18 World Champion. Going into the final day, there was just a single point between the triple World Champions Mitch Booth and the double World Champion Darren Bundock. The 2007 Seawind F18 World Championship was down to the wire.

Yet another beautiful day, the sun was bright and the sky blue, the breeze about 14-16 knots.

In the end, Bundock and Ashby won the regatta from Booth and Nieuwenhuis, with Billy Besson and Arnaud Jarlegan in third. -- Rob Kothe

Overall Series Results - Top Ten

1. Darren Bundock / Glenn Ashby, AUS, 22 points
2. Mitch Booth / Pim Nieuwenhuis, NED, 23
3. Billy Besson / Arnaud Jarlegan, FRA, 46
4. Hugh Styles / Tom Peel, GBR, 54
5. Mischa Heemskerk / Cristopher Rasley, NED, 64
6. Jean-Christophe / Mourniac Franck Citeau, FRA, 82
7. Carolijn Brouwer / Jeroen Van leeuwen, BEL, 96
8. Steve Brewin / Andrew Williams, AUS, 107
9. Fernando Echavarri / Anton Paz Blanco, ESP, 123
10. Brad Collett / Taylor Booth, AUS, 130

www.2007f18worlds.com

MYSTERY BACKER OF TEAM NZ NAMED
His name is Matteo de Nora, he's an international man of mystery and if Team New Zealand brings home the America's Cup this year, we'll owe him a $20 million debt of gratitude.

The Sunday Star-Times can reveal that de Nora is one of a small network of wealthy international and New Zealand businessmen underwriting the team's cup challenge.

He appears to live a playboy lifestyle in Monte Carlo, Monaco, and is from one of Italy's richest families. De Nora is the first of the network to come forward after Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton decided to speak about the "team's untold story" last week on their departure for Spain because New Zealand needed to know what role the benefactors had played.

"Without them we would not have a challenge - it's as simple as that.

"When I came on board after we lost the cup in 2003, Team New Zealand had no money, nothing, even before the government came to the party. I didn't think we would get through the first month, so I had to find someone to pay the electricity bill at the base, for example.

"I picked up the phone and rang Matteo (a supporter of Team NZ's 2003 campaign) and this bloke is the reason why we're now going to Valencia."

The de Nora clan owns a business empire that spans the globe. Gruppo de Nora designs and markets sophisticated fuel cells, which it manufactures in about 500 family-owned factories from China and Japan to Russia and Brazil. Its financial holding company Norfin turned over 200 million euros ($373m) last year. It has assets worth about 150m euros ($280m).

Matteo's role in the company appears to be behind the scenes, but his name appears alongside Michele De Nora, the family company's boss and public face, in at least one business deal in Brazil. -- Full story by Greg Ford, Sunday Star Times, as in Stuff.Co.Nz: www.stuff.co.nz/3973678a1823.html

SPORTPOLISH+CLEAN - STRONGEST UV PROTECTION AVAILABLE
HOLMENKOL Sport-Technologies launches a hightech coating for all types of boats: sail/power, racing/cruising, dinghies to mega yachts.

SportPolish reduces maintenance effort, provides protection against weathering, dirt, salt, and UV-rays with one simple application. Can be applied on all gelcoats, varnishes and metal.

Laboratory and field tests prove the tremendous long-term functionality: The highly friction resistant coating protects over one year!

Get the EASY TO CLEAN surface: Easiest application, clean boat hull for at least a year and environmentally friendly cleaning with less cleaning agents or pure water.

More information www.holmenkol.com/bilder/download/Haendler_Aquatic_weltweit.pdf

SLAM-WINNING APPLIANCES JJ GILTINAN INTERNATIONAL 18FT SKIFF CHAMPIONSHIP
Sydney Harbour, Australia: The Fiat team of Michael Coxon, Aaron Links and Nathan Ellis officially retained their title when they won the SLAM-Winning Appliances JJ Giltinan International 18ft Skiff Championship on Sydney Harbour.

While Coxon and his team could do no better than fourth they already had secured the title after yesterday's race 6

Second overall went to the young Gotta Love It 7 crew of Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton and Robert Bell while John Harris, Craig Ferris and Chris Cleary (+ stand in Dave Ewings) finished third in Rag & Famish Hotel.

In today's race, the fleet finally got to use their #2 rigs for the first time since race 1 when an 18-knot southerly wind greeted them at the start. -- Frank Quealey

Final top ten:

1. Fiat, Michael Coxon, AUS, 15 points
2. Gotta Love It 7, Seve Jarvin, AUS, 19
3. Rag & Famish Hotel, John Harris. AUS, 30
4. Asko Appliances, Hugh Stodart, AUS, 33
5. Pegasus Racing, Howie Hamlin, USA, 36
6. appliancesonline.com.au, AUS, 37.2
7. Club Marine, Euan McNicol, AUS, 39
8. CT Sail Battens, Phil Airey, NZL, 40
9. Macquarie Real Estate, Micah Lane, AUS, 55
10. Active Air-2UE, John Sweeny, AUS, 58

www.18footers.com.au

FARR 40 AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP
Lang Walker and the crew on Kokomo were crowned 2007 Hamilton Island Farr 40 Australian Champions today after three very close days of racing. A separation of 10 points gave Walker the title from Matt Allen's Ichi Ban with Ivan Wheen's Sputnik rounding out the three podium places.

Walker was also awarded the winners trophy for the 2006-07 Australian Farr 40 Circuit point score with Wheen finishing second and Allen third after a seven regatta season which has run from October 2006 to February 2007.

For the final day of racing the fleet went out to see what the offshore course looked like and with a 25 knot southerly and three metres seas the race committee brought the course inside the mouth of Sydney Harbour to sail a southerly course from Quarantine station on North Head into the waters off Sow and Pigs inside South Head. The breeze started out at 16 knots and fluctuated between 10 to 20 knots over the three races.

Top five final results:

1. Kokomo, L.Walker, CYCA, 25 points
2. Ichi Ban, M.Allen, CYCA, 35
3. Sputnik, I.Wheen, RSYS, 36
4. Evolution, R.Perini, RSYS, 36
5. Hooligan, M.Blackmore, RPAYC, 38

www.farr40.org

ISAF OFFSHORE PERSONAL SURVIVAL TRAINING COURSE
Following an excellent response to the announcement on 7th February the offer of two very reasonably-priced ISAF-certificated training courses (set up for the HSH NORDBANK blue race) at a top training facility, remains open for a few more days.

ISAF Offshore Special Regulations require a percentage of a crew including the skipper to do the training but as the value of the training becomes better realised more crews are voluntarily taking that to 100%.

Conducted by the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service DGzRS together with the DSV Fachverband Segeln Bremen, the courses are now open to all offshore sailing crews. Places available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The first course, conducted in English runs from 19-21 March
- Location: Wieksbergstr. 16, 2730 Neustadt/Holstein, Germany
- Duration: from Monday 19th March at 0900 to Wednesday 21st at 1100
- Course fee: 300 Euros per person
- Participants will be accommodated at the DGzRS hostel/training centre with all meals provided through DGzRS or the Naval Base operating the training facilities
- As the course will start on19th at 09:00 participants are welcome to arrive Sunday pm.

The second course, conducted in German, runs from Thursday 22- Saturday 24th March.

Contact details/application: Torben Knappe,
Norddeutscher Regatta Verein, Schone Aussicht 37
22085 Hamburg, Germany +49 40 32 03 02 5
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

OLD SAILING BOAT IS HUNG UP
The National Maritime Museum Cornwall has welcomed Zander, a Water Wag, to its hanging flotilla gallery.

Water Wags are reputedly the oldest one-design sailing boats in the world.

Not to be confused with the modern day footballers wives and girlfriends, "The Water Wags" association was formed in 1887 at Kingstown Harbour in Ireland (when Ireland was still part of the UK), and managed by a King, Queen, Queen's Bishop, Knights and Rooks, in response to the invention of the one-design boat.

The Water Wag's designer, Thomas Middleton, a member of the Shankhill Corinthian Sailing Club, decided it would be a wonderful idea to build racing dinghies of the same design in order to test sailors' skills.

Middleton first designed and built thirteen Water Wags in 1887 at a cost of 13 pounds each. The boats are still built and raced today and some of them are over 100 years old.

Zander was built in 1947, by Gammon Brothers at Herne Bay, and is easily recognised in the Museum by her distinctive red sails. -- Stephen Ivall, www.thisisthewestcountry.co.uk/display.var.1213597.0.old_sailing_boat_is_hung_up.php

CELTIC GOODWILL RAID
Final preparations are being put in place for this year's Celtic Goodwill Raid with several new ports signed up and limited places left.

The Goodwill Raid, which starts in Scotland in June and finishes in the Channel Islands in September, will consist of eight different raids running back to back and sailors - both power and sail - can sign up for just one or string a number together to suit their requirements.

The raids are being organised by Will Sutherland, who explained the concept. He said: "The raids are tremendously sociable with events laid on in all the ports for the crews. "For example, Carlingford in Ireland is so pleased we're visiting they're organising a special trip up the lough and a reception in the evening. When we get to Dublin, we'll organise a visit to the Guinness tower and museum. In Dunlerry we'll be joining in the regatta events with around 500 boats expected.

"There's always a great party atmosphere on land and an international flavour with around 30 boats from France joining us on some of the raids."

Each raid lasts nine days and is limited to 35 boats, with the route taking the raiders along the Scottish coast to North Wales with a Northern Ireland feeder. The raid will continue around the Irish Sea to Northern Brittany and onto Devon and Cornwall before crossing the Channel again to head to Southern Brittany before heading to Normandy before finishing in the Channel Islands.

Among the ports visited in the UK will be Inverkip, Largs, Holyhead, Malahide, Brixham and Falmouth, while those in Brittany will include Morlaix and L'Aber Wrac'h.

Skippers will be able to follow the designated route, break up into smaller flotillas with friends or make their own way, meeting up at their chosen ports of call.

More information on the raids can be found at: www.goodwillraid.com

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 Jim Gardiner. Re sinking of Megawatt...
I was talking to a major life raft manufacturer at a boat show who responded to my statement that they must have a high premium cost for product liability insurance.

He said "No, if the life raft works, the customer is happy. If the life raft fails, we never hear about it."

* From Duncan Bates: This might be of interest to the sailors who travel to and from the Isle of Wight during the sailing season.

The price of travel to and from the Isle of Wight continues to rise at well above the price of inflation. This a problem for sailors that sail from the Island as well as for the island's residents and its economy. The cost of ferry travel is not regulated and all ferry users are completely at the mercy of Cross-Solent ferry operators. (As a season ticket holder I am now paying 30% more than I was 4 years ago.) The situation is little improved from 15 years ago when the then Competition Commission investigated the "monopoly" situation among operators. Its recommendation was to monitor the situation - this they have not done.

A group of regular travellers to and from the Isle of Wight have requested that the Competition Commission look into the ferry prices immediately. A website has been set up and there is a petition where you can register your concerns anonymously. We would be grateful if you could flag this with your readers.

The website can be found at competition4iowferries.blogspot.com

THE LAST WORD
Not to be absolutely certain is, I think, one of the essential things in rationality. -- Bertrand Russell

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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