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TROPHEE BPE
Positions in the Figaro's singlehanded Trophee BPE transatlantic race have turned inside out over the weekend. So far in the race those to the north, sticking like glue to the great circle, have been winning out, however on Friday the writing was on the wall with a large area of high pressure developing to their west. As a result race leader Armel Tripon dived heavily south, while second placed Eric Defert remained on course. This morning Defert has plummeted to 17th and as the chart above indicates he has now been eaten up by the high and has made an impressively small 33 miles in the last 24 hours!

Tripon has done well to hang on to fifth place but he and Robert Nagy are now to the south of the high sailing dead downwind in little pressure - hence they have only made 133 miles in the last 24 hours.

Those winning out at present are the 'Southerners' in particular the talented Charles Caudrelier on Bostik who overnight has finally taken the lead of the Trophee BPE, now 55 miles ahead of Tripon despite being 560 miles to the south. Hanging on to former Solitaire winner's coat tails is Figaro first timer Thomas Rouxel, 24, on board Defi Mousquetaires, who is only four miles astern, having apparently lost contact while tackling a cloud yesterday. Rouxel has a background in small keel boats such as the Mumm 30 in which he has sailed two Tour Voiles and is clearly taking to solo oceanic Figaro racing like a duck to water. Compared to the boats to their north Rouxel and Caudrelier have both covered more than 230 miles in the last 24 hours and the forecast indicates no reason why this should diminish in the days to come. -- Translation by TheDailySail.com, www.thedailysail.com (the only site with regular English language coverage, official site in French only....)

Top ten as of 1800 GMT 9 April
1. Defi Mousquetaires, Thomas Rouxel, 1069.3 nm to finish
2. Bostik, Charles Caudrelier, 2.0 nm to leader
3. Financo, Nicolas Troussel, 47.6
4. Sojasun, Liz Wardley, 50.7
5. Theolia, Robert Nagy, 67.3
6. Gedimat, Armel Tripon, 74.9
7. A.ST Groupe, Marc Emig, 88.6
8. Luisina, Eric Drouglazet, 111.5
9. Aquarelle.com, Yannick Bestaven, 114.2
10. Groupe Celeos, Ronan Treussart, 118.5

www.tropheebpe.com

EMERGENCY STEERING - EXPERIENCES WANTED
Theories abound on the best systems for emergency steering but practical experience "for real" is less common. Have you been in a real situation when you rigged up an emergency steering system which worked well? A brief description would be welcome. Tell us boat size and type, sea conditions, boat speeds, distance covered, and so on. I will make a summary of all reports received and send it to the editor of Scuttlebutt, Scuttlebutt Europe and the ISAF Offshore Special Regulations sub Committee. -- Alan Green, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

ROUTE DE L'EQUATEUR
This Sunday sees the Class 40 fleet depart from Marseille on the second edition of the Matondo Congo - Route de L'Equateur. This year's edition is reserved exclusively for the Class 40, which made such an impressive showing in last fall's Route du Rhum.

The course is 4500 miles long; the time of reference from the first edition is 22 days 16 hours, set by Sebastien Josse on the Volvo 60' ABN AMRO.

Seven skippers are taking part in this year's edition:

Florence Arthaud
Frederique Brule
Philippe Monnet
Patrice Carpentier
Philippe Fiston
Franck Ferey
Michel Mirabel

The race village Course de la Matongo Congo at the Hotel de Ville in Marseille is open to the public from Monday 9 April through Sunday 15 April. The prologue race, named Grand Prix de la Ville de Marseille is on Friday at 1400 hours, weather permitting.

Departure is on Sunday 15 April at 1500 hours, weather permitting.

www.matondo-congo.com

AN ABSORBING INTEREST
Order now while pre-publication stock is available for Bob Fisher's outstanding book, "An Absorbing Interest - the America's Cup 1851-2003, a history". All the races, including challenger and defender trials, lavishly illustrated, in two volumes with a slip case. A copy would help answer the Scuttlebutt Europe America's Cup quiz questions! Publication date April 30th.

Go to: www.wiley.com/go/americas

SPEAKING OF THE QUIZ
We have our first correct answer to last Friday's America's Cup quiz... but haven't reached our 32nd correct answer yet. Here's the question again, for those of you who missed the Good Friday issue...

Which America's Cup yacht had a sail of Ramie fibre - the wonder fibre of its time?

Go to scuttlebutteurope.com to submit your answer (it's multiple choice for this one..)

We'll announce the answer this Friday, when we'll have question #2 for you. The first correct answer wins a 32nd America's Cup DVD, the 32nd correct answer wins the official 32nd America's Cup book from the America's Cup Store. All entries get a chance to win a rare Louis Vuitton Cup poster.

I CONCUR
An excerpt from Richard Gladwell's editorial intro in the latest Sail-World NZ newsletter. Spot on, as they say:

Low point of the event was undoubtedly the loss of a new mast by +39 and the subsequent events. In rugby terms, the Challengers were handed an easy pass by the International Jury, with an open tryline, and as a group the Challengers butchered a certain try.

The Jury created a way for the Challengers to allow +39 to use a new mast from either Alinghi or the German team. However a shortsighted attitude in the Challenger Commission blocked this move and the Louis Vuitton Cup will be poorer for it.

The situation also raises the issue of reparation when there is a rules incident in which the innocent party suffers catastrophic damage as +39 has done, through no fault of her own. Again the International Jury's enlightened decision and recommendations opened a way for this situation to be rectified, however others sought to take advantage of +39's plight and opted to keep the door jammed firmly shut.

This team had fought incredible odds to stay in the regatta, they deserved better treatment than this. -- www.sail-world.com

RED FUNNEL EASTER CHALLENGE
The big issue at the 16th Red Funnel Easter Challenge was about how to cope in light airs - a scenario that is always going to be a possibility in yacht racing. The general conditions were super light with gradient breeze being affected by weak sea breezes. Knowing when the breeze would shift and gauging the strong tide were the major conundrums for the competitors. However, despite the lack of breeze, the 72 competing yachts at the regatta enjoyed the event immensely. The general consensus of opinion was that the Red Funnel Easter Challenge is an ideal way to start the season and a real test of what needs to be done to improve performance.

Throughout the weekend, the competitors have enjoyed some well organised racing and thanks go to all members of the Race Committee. A special mention should also go to the committee boats: Atlantis (Andy & Fiona Bristow); Condor (Jim Hughes/Bill Oakley); 3C's (Alec Cokes and Mike Scott) and the team of on-the-water coaches.

Provisional Overall Results:
Series Place, Sail No, Boat, Type of Boat, Owner, (Handicap, Series Points, Race 1, Race 2, Race 3, Race 4, Race 5)

Class IRC SZ & Zero
1. GBR1997L, Panthera, TP 52, Benny Kelly, (1.343, 16, 5, 1, 1, 2, 7)
2. GBR945R, Fever, Swan 45, Klaus Diederichs & Grant Gordon, (1.192, 27, 6, 3, 8, 5, 5)
3. IRL12345, Tiamat, Mills 40, Tim Costello, (1.142, 29, 2, 2, 16, 7, 2)

Class IRM
1. GBR1997L, Panthera, TP 52, Benny Kelly, (1.232, 8, 1, 1, 1, 2, 3)
2. GBR745R, Werewolf, Farr 45, Jerry Otter, (1.108, 10, 3, 3, 2, 1, 1)
3. GBR4545R, Fraxious, Farr 45, Andy Greenwood, (1.112, 22, 2, 4, 6, 3, 7)

Class IRC1
1. GBR9735T, Vortex, X-35, Tim & Sophie Harrington, (1.052, 17, 3, 1, 2, 9, 2)
2. GBR9859T, Addiction, First 40.7, Activ Power + Sail, (1.072, 17, 2, 2, 8, 2, 3)
3. GBR7207T, Playing Around, First 40.7, Peter Robson, (1.061, 21, 1, 3, 11, 1, 5)

Class IRC2
1. GBR993R, Astarte, First 34.7, Nick Jones, (1.012, 14, 5, 1, 1, 5, 2)
2. IRL11109, No Naked Flames, J 109, Andrew Allen/Colm Monahan, (1.033, 15, 3, 4, 6, 1, 1)
3. GBR7712R, Zarafa, HOD 35, Peter Scholfield, (1.035, 23, 1, 7, 8, 3, 4)

Class IRC3
1. GBR9887, Electra, X-99, Mike Tattersall, (0.963, 7, 1, 2, 2, 1, 1)
2. USA5454, Santana, Capo 30, Myles A.D Perrin, (0.936, 10, 4, 1, 1, 2, 2)
3. GBR9395R, Elusive, Elan 333, Jackie Welch, (0.977, 18.5, 2, 6.5, 3, 3, 4)

The Red Funnel Prix d'Elegance Trophy was awarded to Bolidt, R. W. Bol's Swan 45 and the trophy will be presented at the RORC's Annual Dinner in the Autumn.

Mark Richmond, helmsman on the Farr 45 Werewolf, won the traditional annual award presented by coach Jim Saltonstall - "The Golden Egg", awarded for outstanding sailing in the regatta.

Full RORC Report by Louay Habib and complete results on the RORC website: www.rorc.org

FREE CYCLING NEWS TO YOUR INBOX
Cycling fans among you may enjoy subscribing to Cycle-Wire, a free weekly email service like Scuttlebutt Europe that sources the world's essential road racing, mountain bike and recreational cycling news, views and gossip and delivering it to your inbox. To subscribe, go to www.cycle-wire.com

MAGIC MARINE EASTER OPTIMIST REGATTA
Roelofarendsveen, Netherlands: During the Easter weekend of 2007 (6-9 April) the Yacht club Braassemermeer and the OCN (Optimist Club Nederland) organised the 22nd International Easter Optimist Regatta. This year about 250 young sailors from 10 countries competed fiercely to win this prestigious event. Even competitors from the United States of America were there to race!

Friday the fleet was split up in six groups competing amongst each other. Two races were scheduled, the first one to start at 14:00hrs. In the first windward leg of the first fleet, the wind shifted and then died so racing was abandoned. After a while the wind picked up again, now from NNE and increasing to about 10 knots so just after four o'clock the race started again. It was a 1 round race and the race committee decided not to start a second race anymore.

Saturday, the second day of the Magic Marine International Easter Optimist Regatta, had 3 races scheduled, but the race committee intended to start Friday's second race as well. But winds were light (2-9 knots - Northerly directions) so only 3 races in total could be completed. After two days Philip Sparks (GBR) was on top of the leader board, followed by Graham Landy (USA) and Dutchman Pieter Goedhart.

After the fog disappeared on Sunday morning, the sun came and with light winds from the West everybody prepared for another day of racing. It became a long day at the office with four races, while shifty winds made it difficult for both the sailors and the race committee.

Final results (1 discard):

1. Philip Sparks, GBR, 16
2. Morgan Kiss, USA, 33
3. Miikka Nikkilla, FIN, 51
4. Hampus Appelgren, SWE, 51
5. Stijn Van Hoye, BEL, 79
6. Felix Mossberg, SWE, 89
7. Guus Neeleman, NED, 94
8. Christian Townrow, GBR, 96
9. Simon Kjellstrand, NOR, 100
10. Florian Haufe, GER, 105

www.braassemermeer.nl

INDUSTRY NEWS
* Stagg Yachts, Inc and the Farr 40 Class Association are pleased to announce the appointment of Bunny Wayt as the Farr 40 class secretary. Bunny joins Stagg Yachts and the Farr 40 Class after an extremely successful six-year run as International Etchells Class Secretary. She was intimately involved in all things Etchells and her experience should serve as a valuable asset to the Farr 40s.

Bunny steps in for Renee Mehl who moved on to a new position at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis after 10 very successful years at Stagg. "Renee did a fantastic job for F40 class and Stagg Yachts over the past decade and we are very fortunate to have found Bunny as her replacement," states Geoff Stagg, president of Stagg Yachts and member of the Farr 40 management group.

* Dockwise Yacht Transport (DYT) has released the schedule for its newly launched super ship, the 686-foot (209 meters)Yacht Express, and has plans to make a special visit in September to the Monaco Yacht Show. The ship is the largest vessel of its kind in the world with a semi-submersible dock bay that allows yachts of any size to be safely floated on and off as cargo. It was added to the DYT fleet to provide yacht owners with faster and more frequent delivery of their luxury power and sailing yachts across the oceans.

Built in Yantai, China, Yacht Express has an official delivery date of May, 2007. In June, it will travel within China to Shanghai, then to Kaohsiung, Taiwan before making its way to Brisbane, Australia, and Auckland, New Zealand. August will mark its first transpacific voyage, from Auckland to Ensenada, Mexico. After a run to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, the ship will cross the Atlantic, reaching Toulon on September 13 and leaving Toulon for Monaco on the 16th, arriving in Monaco on the 17th. It will remain moored offshore during the Monaco Yacht Show's run from Tuesday, September 17 through Saturday, September 22, and depart the next day for Genoa.

* On Wednesday 18th April at Real Club Nautico, Puerto de Pollensa, Mallorca, Fairline appointed dealer Fairline North Mallorca, is hosting the world's first comparison demonstration of 100% renewable BioFuel-powered and Fossil diesel-powered boats on behalf of fuel technology company, Revego Ltd.

Two identical Fairline Phantom 46s, each powered by a different fuel, will be trialled alongside each other. Invited industry guests, VIPs and customers will be able to assess the potential opportunities offered by this alternative energy source and examine the technology system installations.

Members of the press interested in attending the demonstration at Puerto de Pollensa on Wednesday 18th April should contact Margot Lynch-Cummins at Fairline North Mallorca on +34-971-868-282 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

* Germany's HanseYachts has revealed that it has purchased the Moody brand from the UK's Premier Marinas for an undisclosed sum.

Founded in 1993, HanseYachts is said to be one of Germany's largest production sailing cruiser operations. The company, which is based in Greifswald on Germany's Baltic coast, has a moulding facility in Szczecin, Poland and boasts more than 100 dealers worldwide.

With the acquisition of Moody, Hanse will expand its own range of models from 9.5m-19.2m (31ft-63ft) with deck-saloon and middle cockpit yachts. Hanse says that it intends to continue developing the Moody brand with its long-time designer Bill Dixon, although production will now take place in Greifswald. -- International Boat Industry (IBI), www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20070230173701ibinews.html

* Groupe Beneteau has posted a sales increase of 18.4 per cent to 377.8 Euros million in the first six months of the year, compared to the same period last year.

The French group says this growth was driven by all its activities. For its Beneteau, Jeanneau, CNB-Lagoon and Wauquiez boats, it noted a 6.1 per cent increase over last year in sales, which reached 290.7 million Euros. This growth came mostly during the second quarter, which nearly doubled the 4.4 per cent growth rate of Q1.

Beneteau says current order book levels for its boat business represent more than 90 per cent of sales expected for the entire current financial year. As a result of the increases achieved in both Europe and the US in relation to last year, it stands by its annual forecast of an 8.1 per cent growth in boat sales. -- IBI, www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20070230122702ibinews.html

* Clipper Ventures Plc, the international marine events company, is delighted to announce the appointment of Jonathan Bailey as Clipper Race Director.

Jonathan, 40, will take up the position of Race Director in May ahead of the start of the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race on 16 September. He will direct the biennial Clipper Race which has taken more than 1,400 non-professional sailors around the world since its inception in 1995.

Jonathan was the Skipper of New York Clipper in the Clipper 05-06 Round the World Yacht Race finishing in third place overall. After the race finish, he was lead skipper at the VELUX 5 OCEANS race start in Bilbao with responsibility for scrutineering the Open 60 and Open 50 entries and the corporate hospitality programme in La Rochelle and Bilbao.

Jonathan takes over from outgoing Race Director, Tim Hedges. Tim joined Clipper in 1998, skippering Chrysolite Clipper into third place in the Clipper 98-99 Round the World Yacht Race. He went on to become Assistant Race Director in 2000 and then Race Director in 2003 and is leaving the company to pursue new challenges.

* UK marine electronics manufacturer Raymarine has acquired SDM Electronique, the sole distributor of Raymarine products in France, Monaco and French overseas territories, from Azerraf Finance for an initial cash consideration of 7.5 million Euros and a deferred payment of up to 5 million Euros.

SDM, which was founded by John Azerraf in 1982, operates from a single facility in Paris and employs around 20 people. In addition to Raymarine products, the company also distributes a small number of products manufactured by third party suppliers, which SDM expects to continue distributing.

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 Rich Roberts: re: a report in last night's Eurobutt that stated that the Newport-Bermuda Race is "The world's oldest regularly scheduled long-distance ocean sailing race, the biennial 635-mile Bermuda Race . . ."

It's actually a tie with the 2,225-nautical mile Transpac, which also started in 1906 and celebrated its centennial in 2005 at the end of its first century (and will start its second century this summer).

THE LAST WORD
It is a very sad thing that nowadays there is so little useless information. -- Oscar Wilde

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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