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TROPHEE BPE
On Friday the last 10 Figaro Beneteau sailors entered the Bassin du Commerce at Belle Ile. A total of 27 single handers set sail on March 25 for the island of Marie Galante in the French West Indies.

The 4th Trophy BPE left Belle Ile for Marie-Gallant in ideal weather conditions, with spinnakers that should be flying for several days, quickly hoisted.

The forecast weather scenario is ideal and, instead of an anticipated "muscular" Biscay crossing, with wind and sea on the nose, the fleet is likely to have around 15 knots of favourable winds for at least 48 hours and experts are forecasting that the winner will arrive in Marie-Gallant some 3 or 4 days earlier than anticipated.

"It is always nice when you know that the first night at sea will be the sort that allows you to get into a rhythm," said Charles Caudrelier (Bostik), "but there's a choice to be made. Do you get round the Azores High to the north or the south." The northern route is the shortest, but those who opt for that could meet headwinds, whilst those who go the long way round are likely to have favourable winds.

It was a sad start for Servane Escoffier (Brossard), in her first Figaro class race. She was approaching the Galere buoy on a starboard tack when her boat was hit by Yannig Livory's Defi Transat 1. Servane's left shoulder was dislocated, as a result, ending her Trophy BPE hopes. -- Translation via BYM News, www.bymnews.com

* Charles Caudrelier won the Prologue race on Saturday:

Top ten prologue results:
1. Charles Caudrelier, Bostik
2. Gildas Morvan, Cercle Vert
3. Eric Drouglazet, Luisina Desing
4. Ronan Treussart, Groupe Celeos
5. Armel Tripon, Gedimat
6. Bertrand de Broc, Les Mousquetaires
7. Robert Nagy, Theolia
8. Eric Peron, N.C.
9. Franck Le Gal, Lenze
10. Nicolas Troussel, Financo

www.tropheebpe.com

PHARO REGATTA-BARCELONA OLYMPIC SAILING WEEK
Barcelona, Spain: The second day of the Pharo Regatta-Barcelona Olympic Sailing Week was marked by the wind from the southwest between 10 and 12 knots of intensity that allowed all classes to sail their scheduled three races. Once five races have been sailed a discard will be in effect.

Three more races are scheduled for Monday.

Laser Radial (25 boats)
1. Lucia Reyes (ESP) , 10
2. Gintare Volungeviciute (LTU),13
3. Susana Romero (ESP), 13
4. Cecilia Carranza (ARG), 17
5. Fatima Reyes (ESP), 24

Laser (60 boats)
1. Mike Bullot (NZL), 8
2. Gustavo Lima (POR), 9
3. Julio Alsogaray (ARG), 13
4. Javier Hernandez (ESP), 13
5. Marcin Rudawski (POL), 16

470 Men (30 boats)
1. Andreas Kosmatopoulos/Andreas Papadopoulos (GRE), 20
2. Matthias Schmid/Florian Reichstaedter (AUT), 21
3. Panagiotis Kambouridis/Gera Orologas (GRE), 25
4. Javier Conte/Juan de la Fuente (ARG), 32
5. Sime Fantela/Igor Marenic (CRO), 33

470 Women (16 boats)
1. Emmanuele Rol/Anne-Sophie Thile (SUI), 8
2. Ai Kondo/Noko Kamata (JPN), 13
3. Fernanda Sesto/Consuelo Monsegur (ARG), 13
4. Adi Gilboa/Vered Bouskila (ISR), 23
5. Sylvia Vogl/Carolina Flascher (AUT), 28

Europe (19 boats)
1. Marc Paris (ESP), 6
2. Dani Codina (ESP), 10
3. Miquel Llargues (ESP), 10
4. Marc Subira (ESP), 13
5. Ascension Roca (ESP), 23

bosw.org

AN ABSORBING INTEREST
Everything you had always wanted to know about the America's Cup - moments of glory, and despair; the records and the men behind the boats; the truths and the lies - is to be found in Bob Fisher's chronicle of the event. Two lavishly illustrated volumes in a slipcase; "An Absorbing Interest - The America's Cup 1851-2003, a history". Details: www.wiley.com/go/americas
In USA: eu.wiley.com/WileyCDA/Section/id-302846.html

UNAI BASURKO THIRD IN NORFOLK
Unai Basurko, onboard his Open 60 PAKEA, crossed the finish line of leg 2 in the Velux 5 Oceans at 19: 20 local time (23: 20 UTC) on Friday 23 March. After 68 days, 18 hours and 20 minutes at sea and 15,554.57 miles of racing, the young skipper from the Basque Country arrived in Norfolk (Virginia, USA). The podium finish represents an improving performance for the local hero of Bilbao, which will be the final port of call for the all the skippers at the end of April when the fleet returns to where all the action began back in October 2006.

Norfolk will play host to the VELUX 5 OCEANS throughout March and April as the other skippers arrive, with the yachts moored in downtown Norfolk at the waterfront marina in the heart of the city. The yachts will set off on the final leg of the round the world race to Bilbao on April 15, with a spectacular send off in Norfolk and the Chesapeake Bay ahead of the start of the Azalea Festival (NATO festival) and the 400 year celebrations of the Jamestown landings.

* Sir Robin onbard SAGA INSURANCE is feeling the pressure. This leg has been a long one for him and by his own admission he is feeling quite tired. He needs to in Norfolk by Thursday at the latest to tie with the Basque Skipper, Unai Basurko and every second that he is later than Thursday is one that he is going to have make back on the Atlantic sprint in order to retain the overall third place position.

Meanwhile backin Fortaleza, Dalton has plans afoot to get back the track by next week. If he doesn't locate the missing keel bulb he has found a foundry in the Barzilian port and intends to re-cast the bulb, re-attach it and carry on.

velux5oceans.com

MINI PAVOIS: 60 SKIPPERS CROSSING GASCOGNE GULF ROUND TRIP
60 skippers will be running the Mini Pavois 2007 from Wednesday the 25th of April. Qualifying race for the Transat 6.50 Charente-Maritime/Bahia, the fourth edition of Mini Pavois will be the first 2007 single-handed race of French Classe Mini. Some skippers will have already sailed the Gran Premio d'Italia organized by the Italian Classe Mini (Departure from Geneva in the beginning of April), that race is also qualifying for the Transat 6.50 2007.

There will be 16 skippers representing 9 countries on departure: 3 Americans, 4 English, 2 Spanish, 2 Swiss, 1 Australian, 1 Portuguese, 1 Estonian, 1 Dutch, 1 German. Among them we can recognize some Transat 6.50 Charente-Maritime/Bahias' renowned skippers as Juan Carlos Sanchis Mari (403 - Spain) on Spasmos, Jacques Valente (Switzerland) on Telekurs Twing and Herve Favre (Switzerland) who also participated at one Figaro season in 2004.

Among the "new" participants: Australian Tom Braidwood who participated to the last Volvo Ocean Race on Ericcson and navigated on many maxis as Neville Crichtons' Alfa Romeo; the American Clay Burkhalter who has worked for a long time with Rod Johnstone, JBoats' renowned naval architect.

Another worth watching closely is Portuguese Francisco Lobato who participated in 15 Laser European and Worlds' championships and won a European bronze medal. Last year, he won the first race and ended second at General ranking of Les Sables - Les Acores - Les Sables races' on a series boat.

37 series boats will be in La Rochelle on Wednesday the 25th of April 2007.

On the one side of the prototypes we have an interesting fight to come. A favoried skipper for the 4th edition? Yves Le Blevec (France) on his Lombard 2006, winner of the last Mini Barcelona in October 2006. Also be careful of the four prototypes 2007 still in a qualification phase for the Transat 6.50 Charente-Maritime / Bahia 2007. Erwan Le Roux, Gitana Xs' Boat Captain (4th at last Transat Jacques Vabre) sails with a Finot-Conq 2007.

No doubts that the Mini Pavois 2007 will be a "grand-cru": qualification phase for many skippers, first 2007 confrontation between the "seniors" and the "juniors" on the Classe Mini route and most of all the ultimate test between the prototypes reliable before 2006, those from 2006 and the new-born 2007.

SEAHORSE SAILOR OF THE MONTH
Last month's winner:
Lindsay May (AUS)
Wow, that is some supporters" club Mr May (in blue)... and no, Jenny, we did not realise that after 30 Hobarts this was Lindsay"s first as skipper! "Handing his Rolex prize to Peter Kurts" son was a gesture typical of a generous and fine yachtsman" - David Malone; "A most deserving winner" - Gary Appleby; "Modest, self-effacing, and a great team player in sailing, surf-saving and water polo" - Bruce Watson; "Thanks for the opportunity to recognise a quiet achiever" - Ros Lamb; "I just want to tell you that Lindsay is one special person whose generosity and goodness know no bounds" - Gerardine Grace.

This month's nominees:

Maud Fontenoy (FRA)
When you've already rowed the Atlantic and the Pacific then persistence must run pretty deep. However Maud Fontenoy still surprised her shore team after being dismasted towards the end of her wrong-way round the world quest; "I have told the rescue services that I will not abandon..." 36hrs building a jury rig plus six weeks of very slow sailing and Fontenoy had vindicated their faith in their feisty adventuress.

Silja Lehtinen (FIN)
ISAF World No. 1 Claire Leroy (FRA) came to the JP Morgan match race winter challenge as clear favourite, but left having been seen off 3-0 in the final by Yngling racer and former 29er World Champion Silja Lehtinen. The talented young Finn is a busy girl, racing the Yngling and match racing 'for real', racing a 49er (fast) 'for fun and for publicity' and studying medicine the rest of the time (sic) to qualify as a doctor...

Seahorse Sailor of the Month is sponsored by Harken McLube, Dubarry & Henri Lloyd.

Cast your vote at seahorsemagazine.com

"WHO KNOWS IF THAT IN A FEW YEARS CHINA TEAM WON'T BE A BIG TEAM"?
Frank Pong, a well-known sailor in Asia, former commodore of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, owner-skipper of offshore sailboats and Honorary Chairman of China Team has arrived in Valencia where he has installed himself for the duration of the Cup.

You have just arrived in Valencia, what are your impressions?
FP: First of all I was surprised by the weather here. It was pleasant and a very clear sky... but after a day here, I saw there was a price to pay. It is the dust. It is an orange dust, which infiltrates everything. Then I came to the America's Cup village. It is the first time I have seen the site. It is truly a fantastic area, with beautiful infrastructures; the bases perfect in order to work, each one having its small personal touch. The China Team base seemed spectacular to me, simple but fabricated with beautiful materials.

It is the first time you have been on Longtze...
FP: Yes and the first time I have seen a America's Cup Class. What struck me is that it seemed small....

Small?... FP: Yes in a certain way, above all being narrow with respect to Maxis that I am used to helming, but very stable on the other hand.

When you see the big teams around, what is it that inspires you?...
FP: That is a good question because a couple of days ago, a well-known sailor of the Cup, said that there were 5 or 6 small teams present here who should retire "gracefully". When I read that, I was very disappointed and when I arrived, I saw that the comment was perfectly out of place. Because the America's Cup is a business or more exactly show business. And in show business you have the stars but for there truly to be a "show" you need the "supporting cast". If not, it isn't a spectacle. It is the same in the Formula 1. In the world there are three big teams, which are Ferrari, Renault, and Mc Laren. Do you think you can have a Grand Prix with only three big teams? Think about all the small teams, which make up a grand prix and that should retire with grace.... At least they allow the big teams to shine.

I would like to add something more, which seems important to me. For me, a true champion is not only someone who wins; it is also someone who should have a certain "grace". A great sailor who makes these types of comments for me is not the champion he is made out to be.

Any specific words about the China Team?...
FP: Yes I have something important to say about the team. China Team is the only team that trains onboard, the young sailors of the country it represents. On board, there are young upcoming Chinese sailors of the future. And who knows if in one or two America's Cup editions China Team won't be one of the three big teams.

www.china-team.org

PUTTING THE OTHERS ON THE WRONG TACK... Planted stories, rumours and misinformation are part of the America's Cup.

So far this cup has been free of skulduggery; however, a story this week which suggested Emirates Team New Zealand's NZL92 had suffered major structural damage could be the start of things to come.

The story insinuated that NZL92 had suffered major damage while sailing in Valencia last week.

Team New Zealand denied it, and NZL92 has been sailing since.

It would appear the story was planted by another syndicate trying to take Team New Zealand's eye off the ball. And it did. Some teams are experts in this area. In the past, Team New Zealand have been masters at it themselves.

A quick look back at Team New Zealand's history in the America's Cup shows some instances where they have been the victims and others where they have been the instigators. -- Peter Lester

Full article at www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=106&objectid=10429249

CASCAIS INTERNATIONAL REGATTA
Cascais, Portugal: In the build up to the ISAF Sailing World Championships over 50 sailors competed in the Cascais International Regatta last week, with the Worlds venue demonstrating its near-perfect sailing conditions. Wins in Cascais went to the Dutch 470 teams and to Great Britain in the Finn.

The 25 470 crews complete ten races over the four-day regatta, whilst the Finns had two practice races and then a short four-race series. A 12-15 knot northwesterly on the opening day provided an ideal start, and whilst conditions dropped off with a lighter easterly on day two, the northwesterly wind returned for Sunday's racing in 14-16 knots. The final day of the regatta on Monday witnessed the arrival of a renowned Nortada, with northerly winds of 20-25 knots, gusting up to 30, making for a spectacular end to the racing.

The 2007 ISAF Sailing World Championships will take place from 28 June-13 July in Cascais, Portugal.

Top three, 470 class:
1. Sven Coster / Kalle Coster, NED, 21 points
2. Alvaro Marinho / Miguel Nunes, POR, 30
3. Sime Fantela / Igor Marenic, CRO, 39

Top three, Finn
1. Edward Wright, GBR, 3 points
2. Pietez-Yan, NED, 5
3. Frederico Melo, POR, 10

www.cncascais.com

AUDI SYDNEY SOUTHPORT YACHT RACE
Matt Allen's Jones 70 Ichi Ban has taken line honours in the Audi Sydney Southport Yacht Race, finishing under spinnaker at 5.13pm this afternoon in a 15-17 knot south sou'easter off Main Beach on the Queensland Gold Coast. Her elapsed time was 1 day 4 hours 13 minutes 57 seconds.

After Skandia closed the gap to less than half a mile this afternoon, Sydney boat Ichi Ban pulled away to claim line honours unchallenged in her debut Audi Sydney Southport Yacht Race.

While not unscathed, Ichi Ban suffered less misfortune than the larger Skandia, another Jones design, which crossed at 17.53pm tonight.

Today Skandia sustained a second large tear to its mainsail, which is now a write off according to the skipper, and had to be nursed to the finish line.

Wharington was never under any illusions about Ichi Ban and her potential given the pre-race forecast as he was heavily involved in her design, build and development as a Volvo Open 70 racer. Allen made extensive modifications to the boat following the round the world race and in its first Rolex Sydney Hobart last year, the modified Volvo 70 finished an impressive second over the line ahead of Skandia and fourth overall on handicap.

Ray Roberts' Quantum Racing was the third boat to finish, at 18.50pm this evening.

In a the gruelling 384 nautical mile race which started yesterday afternoon from Sydney Harbour, there have been a number of casualties, a result of the strong southerly front which hit the fleet last night and has continued to impact on the fleet today.

This afternoon Lake Macquarie boat High Anxiety had a man overboard which was quickly resolved however the crew decided to withdraw from the race and head to Coffs Harbour. The Goat, a Sydney 38 in its debut ocean racer under new owners, also retired with minor damage and John Cameron's Fincorp More Witchcraft decided after losing too much time attending to repairs they wouldn't continue on.

This brings the total number of retirements to eight from the 45 boats which started at 1pm yesterday afternoon. - Lisa Ratcliff

www.southport.cyca.com.au

ISA YOUTH NATIONALS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE SAILORS UNDER 15 YEARS
The 2007 ISA Youth Nationals & Junior Pathway Championships looks set to be the largest youth sailing event on the domestic calendar with over 130 boats expected. Hosted by the Royal Cork Yacht Club in Crosshaven, Co Cork sailors will compete across seven different classes during this four day event in April (10th - 13th).

The ISA Youth Nationals includes three single handed classes: Laser, Laser Radial and Laser 4.7 while the 420 dinghy provides a double handed option. Although the Youth Nationals normally applies to under 18s, this year the Laser Standard will be opened up to include those under 21 years which will bring the competition in line with the entry requirements for the Laser Youth Europeans.

Another first at this event will see the inclusion of the Junior Pathway Championship which introduces an under 15s category sailing in Optimists, Toppers and Mirrors. The Junior classes will compete in a separate race area under their own race management team.

www.sailing.ie/youthnats

THE LAST WORD
A professional is someone who can do his best work when he doesn't feel like it. -- Alistair Cooke

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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