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ACURA MIAMI GRAND PRIX
Miami Beach, Florida, USA: Principal Race Officer Dave Brennan and his crackerjack committee got in three races on the opening day of the grand prix regatta, leaving sailors with sore muscles and satisfied smiles. Racing was held in a 12-15 knot northeasterly and all the boats were back at the dock at the Miami Beach Marina by 4 p.m.

Early forecasts called for lighter winds, but a sea breeze came on faster and stronger than predicted, increasing the velocity to double digits just in time for the first race.

Magic Glove captured IRC 2 class at Acura Key West and remains hot in Miami. Barrington, from Dublin, Ireland, posted an impressive line of 1-3-2 on Thursday to take a one-point lead in IRC class.

A pair of TP52s are hot on the trail of Magic Glove, which is clinging to a one point lead. Windquest, owned by Doug Devos of Holland, Mich., was first across the line and first on corrected time in Race 3 to win a tiebreaker with Samba Pa Ti (John Kilroy, Los Angeles, Cal).

Frenchman Erik Maris and his crew aboard Twins were all smiles as they stood along the dock drinking beer following a strong performance in the 16-boat Farr 40 class. Tactician Gildas Philippe did a good job calling the shifts aboard Twins, which notched a first and a second in the afternoon races.

As expected, the Mumm 30 class has quickly evolved into a two-horse race between Mean Machine and Groovederci. Monaco resident Peter De Ridder got the upper hand on Thursday by steering Mean Machine to a pair of bullets and a runner-up result. Deneen Demourkas (Santa Barbara, Cal.) won the other race and has Groovederci just two points off the pace.

Provisional Standings after 3 Races

IRC
1. Magic Glove, Ker 50, Colm Barrington, Dublin, IRL, 1-3-2, 6
2. Windquest, TP52, Doug DeVos, Holland, MI, USA, 4-2-1, 7
3. Samba Pa Ti, TP52, John Kilroy, San Francisco, CA, USA, 3-1-3, 7

Farr 40 (Rolex National Championship)
1. Twins, Erik Maris, Newport, RI, USA, 6-1-2, 9
2. Nerone, Massimo Mezzaroma, Rome, Italy, 9-3-1,13
3. Norweigian Steam, Eivind Astrup, Oslo, Norway, 7-2-4, 13

Melges 32 - protest pending
1. Fresh Guidance, Simon Williams, Newport, RI, 2-3-1, 6
2. Star, Jeff Ecklund, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 4-1-2, 7
3. Let's Roll, Claudio Recchi, YC Italiano, ITA, 3-2-3, 7

Mumm 30
1. Mean Machine, Peter De Ridder, Monaco, 1-2-1, 4
2. Groovederci, Deneen Demourkas, Santa Barbara, CA, 3-1-2, 6
3. Kaizen, Baker / Solomon, Noank, CT, 2-4-4, 10

www.Premiere-Racing.com

J/24 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Vallarta, Nayarit, Mexico: Mid-way through the 2007 World Championship Brazil's Mauricio Santacruz (3-3-8-1-7) and his Bruschetta team are still firmly in first place, with Chris Snow's Bogus (8-4-5-2-36-6) from the USA right at his heels.

USA continues to hold 3 of the top 5 spots, with Mark Hillman (18-1-25-4-2-3) on WIP and Mike Ingham's Brain Cramp (7-2-16-11-8-2) claiming third and fourth place. Argentina's Tag Heuer, driven by the team of Grimaldi and Contessi (16-5-3-12-25-5) dropped are in fifth position.

Day Three's first race started with light air and flat seas. Great Britain's Imarsat Hedgehog (50-12 -15-9-1-18) helmed by Ian Southworth and Chris McLaughlin took a strong early lead and held it to the finish, followed by Chris Snow on Bogus, and Argentina's Tag Heuer in third place.

The big wind shifts of yesterday repeated themselves today as the wind clocked south just before the start of the second race. The Race Committee reset the course quickly, and the fleet had one of the best starts of the regatta so far, with only 3 over the line early. 18 knot winds forced the quickest boats on the first windward leg to change to small jib, but by the turn, the big sails were up again. In oscillating winds Mauricio Santacruz on Bruschetta and Chris Snow battled for position, while Canadian John Polglase (71-11-57-16-41-1) on Fragata sailed to a first place finish.

2006 and 2007 Mexican National Champion Kenneth Porter on S finished the day in 13th place.

www.j24mex.com/worlds2007.asp

1:100 ACC BOAT MODEL
One of the big hits of the off-season in Valencia has been the official display boat model now available at the 32nd America's Cup webstore.

When the organisers of the 32nd America's Cup purchased GBR-44 from GBR Challenge to use as a promotional boat, they also received full CAD drawings for the boat.

These plans have been plugged directly into the production of a 1:100 scale display model, possibly making it the most accurate and detailed ACC boat model ever made. Standing 37cm, the model is a great talking piece and carries an attractive price tag.

www.americascupstore.com/cart/add_to_cart.asp?id=23ORBOAT.1

CHAMPAGNE SAILING AT THE PRESIDENT'S CUP
Power reaching, a 10nm bash to windward and a surging downwind run was the order of the day on the 30nm Race One at this years President's Cup. The decision to race in windy Boracay is paying dividends already with the skippers and crews enjoying 15-20 knots of breeze and the wild surfing conditions that they generate. PRO Gerry Rollins chose a passage race to neighboring Cabahan Island for the Racing Class and Cababao Island for the IRC 1 and PY Classes. The finish line off Boracay Beach provided the spectators and sunbathers alike with a fantastic sight as the yachts power reached with speed along the leeward side of the island.

The long race and strong winds gave Frank Pong's 75ft Jelik an opportunity to stretch their legs and claim the daily double of Line and Handicap honours by close to six minutes. Defending champion Ernesto Echauz's Sydney 46 Centennial had Jamie Wilmot's foot flat on the pedal to score second place in front of the bigger rivals. Sam Chan's TP 52 Ffreefire narrowly claimed third spot only five seconds in front of Ray Roberts Quantum Racing in forth place.

A series of 2nm windward/leeward races are scheduled for day two which should suit the smaller rating boats that prefer this style of racing.

Full President's Cup and Boracay Race Results are at:
www.manilayachtclub.org/prescup/results2007.htm

AsianYachting Race Reports with photos available at:
asianyachting.com/news/PresCup07.htm

BACARDI CUP DAY FIVE
Poland's Mateusz Kusznierewicz, the 1996 Olympic gold medalist in the Finn Class, and crew Dominik Zycki won day five at the 2007 Bacardi Cup Star Class Regatta on the waters of Biscayne Bay Thursday. They finished only two boat lengths ahead of new Zealand's Hamish Pepper, the reigning World and North American Star Class champion, who finished second today with crew and coach David Giles of Australia.

The two teams had been tied for the overall lead heading into Thursday's race. However, because sailors drop their worst of five finishes today, the victory assures Kusznierewicz and Zycki second in the overall standings, six points behind Pepper and Giles. Today was Pepper's only finish out of the top three this week.

Sweden's Fredrik Loof and crew Anders Ekstrom, the 2007 Rolex Miami Olympic Class Regatta champions, finished third today and climb to third overall, only one point behind Kusznierewicz and Zycki.

Top ten after five races:

1. Hamish Pepper / David Giles, NZL, 8 points
2. Mateusz Kusznierewicz / Dominik Zycki, POL, 14
3. Fredrik Loof / Anders Ekstrom, SWE, 15
4. Ian Murray / Andrew Palfrey, AUS, 25
5. Peter Bromby / Bill McNiven, BER, 31
6. Marc Pickel / Ingo Borkowski, GER, 34
7. Matthias Miller / Manuel Voight, GER, 36
8. Eivind Melleby / Petter Morland Pedersen, NOR, 40
9. Henrik Dannesboe / Eki Heinonen, SUI, 44
10. John Dane / Austin Sperry, USA, 49

www.bacardicup.com and
starclass.org

BARCELONA WORLD RACE SIGNS ESTRELLA DAMM AS A PRINCIPAL PARTNER
Today in Barcelona, the Fundacio per la Navegacio Oceanica (FNO), announced a major partnership with Estrella Damm for the Barcelona World Race, the new two-up, non-stop around the planet race starting 11th November 2007 and part of the IMOCA Ocean Racing World Championship circuit. This is the first official sponsor of the race to be announced.

The agreement with Estrella Damm fits the framework of the social commitment that the beer company has always had with the city of Barcelona, making it one of the city's most recognisable symbols for drink production and distribution. In 1992 Estrella Damm became the first beer company to sponsor the Olympic Games hosted by Barcelona city. Estrella Damm's 131-year history is full of commitment to social and cultural life of the city of Barcelona and Catalonia and already supports a wide range of sporting and recreational activities each year, from the 'casteller' world (a traditiondisplay of building the most impressive 'human castle') to the Merce Bank Holiday celebrations.

The Barcelona World Race already has five high class entries so far, with an international skipper list that between them already have over 26 round the world's under their belt - from both the crewed Volvo Ocean Race and Vendee Globe solo disciplines. Up to ten top teams are expected on the start line on 11th November 2007 in Barcelona.

Entries so far:
Jean-Pierre Dick (FRA) & Damian Foxall (IRE) / Paprec Virbac
Vincent Riou (FRA) & Sebastien Josse (FRA) / PRB
Dominique Wavre (SUI) & Michèle Paret (FRA) / Temenos
Alex Thomson (GBR) & Andrew Cape (AUS) / Hugo Boss
Jeremie Beyou (FRA) & N.C / Delta Dore

www.barcelonaworldrace.com

ULLMAN SAILS WIN AT DANA POINT
Congratulations to Ullman Sails customers competing in the Dana Point Series at Dana Point YC. Class winners include "Horizon"-SC50, "Legacy"-J/105, "Beaver"-Lindberg 26, "Power Point"-Henderson 30, "Sloop Du Jour"-Catalina 30, "Fair Havens"-Newport 28, "Rattle & Hum"-Antrim 27, "Orski"-Capo 26. In a variety of conditions and classes of boats, Ullman is the sailmaker of choice to deliver the speed and reliability to win. If you and your crew are ready for the "Fastest Sails on the Planet", contact your nearest Ullman Sails loft and visit www.ullmansails.com

TUTU TO JOIN TEAM SHOSHOLOZA
To celebrate the third birthday of Team Shosholoza, the South African entry in the America's Cup yachting event, Archbishop Desmond Tutu announced on Wednesday he would be joining the team in the Spanish city of Valencia in June.

Team Shosholoza celebrates its third anniversary on Thursday and in a birthday message sent to the team, who are based in the Spanish port city of Valencia, Tutu said: "Are you only three years old? Well, you have been punching well above your weight and your age. Well done and heartiest congratulations on this momentous anniversary in the year when we expect even greater things from you."

Tutu said he would be a guest of honour at a proposed gala charity dinner on 9 June during his stay in the 2007 America's Cup host city. Tutu's visit will take place during the Louis Vuitton Cup finals.

Tutu said he might consider being 18th man aboard RSA 83 in Valencia later this year.

"Sure, I will sit there and say: Remember guys, I am not as young as I look," he said.

The 18th man spot is a coveted non-participant position reserved for VIP guests of the teams. Spain's King Juan Carlos, Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher and tennis star Roger Federer were among the line-up of royalty, sports stars and other celebrities who sailed with America's Cup teams during the racing in 2006.

South Africa is making her maiden bid for the America's Cup. It is the first African challenge in the 156 year history of the event.

www.team-shosholoza.com

NATIONAL EVENTS COUNTING TOWARDS THE ISA SPEED WORLD RANKING
The International Speedsurfing Association has announced the integration of national speed-windsurfing competitions into the ISA Speed World Ranking.

The national championships of Belgium, Germany, Great Britain as well as the NSWO Speed Series in Holland will count towards the world ranking as Grade A events.

Several other nations national events are to be confirmed in the near future as Grade A or Grade B events, enabling windsurfers all over the world to become part of the International Speed Windsurfing Community.

For the ISA Speed World Ranking, every competitors best three results are added for the final result.

More details can be found in the Events section at www.speedsurfing.org and in the lately published ISA Championship Rulebook 2007.

PETERS & MAY FLY 3 AC YACHTS!
Peters & May have again shown why they are world leaders in yacht transportation and logistics. Working closely with Emirates Team New Zealand and BMW Oracle Racing, Peters & May had 2 vast Antonov aircraft at Auckland airport in February to load a total of 162 tons of cargo including 3 AC yachts, chase boats, 34m rigs, keels, bulbs and 40ft containers. With coordination between Peters & May's offices in Auckland, Valencia and the UK, the two aircraft arrived in Valencia within hours of each other and their precious cargo was subsequently delivered safely to the syndicate bases.

www.petersandmay.com

BRITISH MOTH 75TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON
As 2007 sees the 75th Anniversary of the class the committee has put together a large and varied open meeting program.

A new innovation for this year will be the Western Area Series. This will comprises of three open meetings (Evesham, Whitefriars and Frampton on Severn) with the best two results to count, as these are all Somerville Trophy (The National Travellers Trophy) events as well. It is hoped that it will encourage those less experienced travellers to spread their wings.

As well as the three meetings mentioned above the Somerville Trophy will be visiting the traditional Moth clubs at Medley (twice) and Desborough as well as West Oxfordshire for what has become a regular pre National Championship warm-up weekend.

A another new departure for this year will be a weekend meeting at St Edmundsbury SC in Suffolk and a great opportunity for the East Anglians to flex their sailing skills.

After many years the class will be returning to the tight confines of the River Avon at Chippenham for a non Somerville Trophy event.

With the season opening at Tamesis Club on Easter Sunday and a return to Northampton for what is hoped to be a very memorable Championship this should be a season to remember. -- Mark Collyer

2007 Events:
April 8th, Tamesis Club Open (Somerville)
April 28th, Evesham SC Open (Somerville WA)
May 12th, Frampton O-S SC Open Meeting (Somerville WA)
May 13th, Whitefriars SC Open Meeting (Somerville WA)
June 3rd, Medley SC Open Meeting (Somerville)
June 16th & 17th, St Edmundsbury SC Open Meetings ( 2x Somervilles)
July 7th & 8th, West Oxfordshire SC Open Meetings (2 x Somervilles)
July 28th, Chippenham SCC Open Meeting (not Somerville)
August 15th-18th, The Nationals at Northampton SC
Sept 8th, Desborough SC Open Meeting (Somerville)
Sept 22nd, Medley SC Open Meeting and Presentation Supper (Somerville)

Somerville Series best 5 out of 11 to count
Western Area (WA)Series best 2 out of 3 to count

www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/?article=24974

YachtsandYachting.com British Moth Page:
www.yachtsandyachting.com/classes/?s=42&c=142

LAUNCHINGS
* Recognising the absence of a fast 36 foot conventional IRC racer on the market, The Netherlands' Luctor Yachts has introduced the Luctor 36. Based on the successful Lutra design of our Luctor GP42, the Luctor 36 is configured for round the cans and offshore racing.

The sail plan provides a generous sail area and a carbon mast. The deck layout is simple and efficient and features tiller steering for excellent response to the helm. The keel and rudder are both highly advanced deep foils, with minimal tip deflection. The stiff carbon hull has a displacement of just 3.000 kilograms, a ballast weight of 1.500 kg and a 250 kg fin.

Lutra Design and Luctor Yachts believe that a light displacement vessel will make up for her rating, because of her much higher speeds. The carbon structure is necessary to gain enough stiffness in order to be more effective against longer boats when sailing upwind.

Photo and renderings in the Scuttlebutt Europe photo album (look in the Lauchings section):

scuttlebutteurope.com/photos/

* The brief for the Dibley 33R was for an exciting high performance racing yacht that combined dinghy like performance with strength and seakindliness for semi-offshore and coastal races. She also had to fit within a 40-foot container and be shipped anywhere in the world.

The hull form utilizes a narrow beam waterline with slightly hollow waterlines forward, with our usual u-shaped sections fairing into a flat run aft. A large sail area is made possible by the countered keel/bulb configuration and will ensure exciting rides on the wind and off. The keel is fixed but can be removed from the yacht easily for shipping purposes. A lift keel version is being considered.

The Chris Mitchell designed rig is a fractional carbon spar with swept spreaders. The mast is designed to spit into two pieces so that they can also be shipped within the 40-foot container. A 2-meter protruding prod is incorporated into the bow so that when not in use, it is pulled back into the yacht from the confines of the cockpit. The prod caters for a large masthead and fractional asymmetrical spinnaker.

Structural Engineering is being done by High Modulus (NZ) and will incorporate Carbon, E-glass and a cored hull and deck.

* The new X-Treme 25 is the ideal combination between a flatout racer and a easy to sail and very fast daysailer.

Designed by the renowned Lutra studio in close co-operation with G-Force Yachts the base of this sportsboat is simplicity and top performance. Simplicity in transporting / launching and in short-crewed sailing.

With symmetrical spinnaker, furling jib, a code 0 on a fixed bowsprit and spectacular specification this boat will be an easy and fun daysailer and a high performing racer in many regatta's.

Due to a weight excl. sails of 850 kg this sportsboat will be able to transport without needing a 4x4 car. The X-Treme 25 is built entirely in a high quality vacuum bagged Epoxy Sandwich construction.

BORGE BORRESEN (DEN)
It is with great sadness ISAF reports that world renowned builder Borge Borresen (DEN) has died at the age of 87.

The world famous boat builder and sailor, Borge Borresen has silently passed away in his home at the age of 87 years.

Borge Borresen built his first Dragon together with his brother, Albert at the age of 16 in the winter 1935-36. Since then many of the famous Borresen Dragons have been sold all over the world through more than 60 years. Borresen Boatyard in Vejle, Denmark became world famous for the beautiful wooden boats and later the glassfibre boats they built. The boatyard built 325 Dragon in wood, before it was recognized to build the boat in glassfibre.

Borge was at the same time a fantastic sailor, he competed in 51 consecutive Dragon Gold Cups and won in his long sailing career numerous regattas and titles, the last World Championship at an age of 74 years together with Jesper Bank and his son Ole Borresen.

ISAF offers sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Mr Borresen.

THE LAST WORD
Hide not your talents, they for use were made. What's a sun-dial in the shade? -- Benjamin Franklin

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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