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LOUIS VUITTON CUP
Feeble winds permitted racing on only one course as the second round-robin for the America's Cup challengers started Sunday.

This meant that Chris Dickson's BMW Oracle Racing and James Spithill's Luna Rossa were the only big guns able to add more points to their total in their quest for a semi-final spot, leaving Emirates Team New Zealand another 24 hours to stew over Saturday's loss to BMW.

It was not just the fact that TNZ skipper Dean Barker was meek in the pre-start against Dickson, for Dickson made a bad error too, or that tactician Terry Hutchinson gave up a strong position to let BMW back into the race, but how the Kiwi team dealt with the loss that says the pre-series favourites know their momentum has been knocked backwards.

Barker did only post-race TV interviews. Of Hutchinson there was no sign, nor of TNZ head Grant Dalton.

It was left to Tony Rae to defend the decisions of others, which he did with honesty.

BMW crew member Jamie Gale said: "We had an incredibly strong position at the start but got a little bit greedy."

Honest about his skipper's error, Gale was withering about the tactics of the rival TNZ team: "It was a monumental error to give up the favoured side of the course and let us back in." -- Tim Jeffery in the Telegraph, www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/04/30/sosail30.xml

* 'There is no Second' the Seahorse guide to the America's Cup is written by: Paul Cayard, Russell Coutts, Dennis Conner, Chris Dickson, Tim Jeffery, Tom Schnackenberg, Paul Bieker, Hamish Ross, Jon Bilger and Mirko Groeschner.

Scuttlebutt and her sister title Scuttlebutt Europe have been given exclusive access to 20,000 free digital preview copies of this title - download it fast, when the meter hits 20K the shutters will come down! -- www.seahorse.co.uk/americas/eu/

* A large spectator fleet on the north race course saw the first Flight of action in Round Robin Two of the Louis Vuitton Cup. A close battle between Shosholoza and Victory Challenge was the highlight of the day, although China Team had some surprises for Luna Rossa early in that match as well.

On the south race course, racing was postponed less than a minute before the start, when a large wind shift rolled over the race course. Unfortunately, the shift signalled a dying breeze, and racing had to be postponed for the day.

The top two teams at the conclusion of Round Robin One picked up where they left off as both BMW ORACLE Racing and Luna Rossa Challenge earned relatively straightforward wins on the day.

Ranking after Sunday's racing:
1. BMW ORACLE Racing, 23 points
2. Luna Rossa Challenge, 21
3. Emirates Team New Zealand, 18
4. Desafio Espanol, 17
5. Victory Challenge, 16
6. Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team, 14
7. Team Shosholoza, 12
8. Areva Challenge, 9
9. +39 Challenge, 6
10. United Internet Team Germany, 3
11. China Team, 1

Monday's Schedule:

1. Team Shosholoza vs. United Internet Team Germany
2. BMW Oracle Racing vs. China Team
3. Luna Rossa Challenge vs. Victory Challenge
4. +39 Challenge vs. Desafio Espanol 2007
5. Areva Challenge vs. Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team

www.americascup.com

LESS THAN 24 HOURS LEFT FOR BERNARD STAMM
Bernard Stamm has less than 24 hours left to go in the Velux 5 Oceans. The Defending Champion and runaway leader in The Ultimate Solo Challenge is currently expected to arrive in the finish port of Bilbao between 12:00 and 14:00 local time (10:00 - 12:00 GMT). The Swiss skipper, who has sailed an exceptional race and looks guaranteed to retain his title in this classic event, continues to lead the fleet towards the end of their dramatic circumnavigation of the planet following the start of Leg Three in Norfolk, Virginia (USA) on April 18.

Bernard will be met by hundreds of friends, family, sponsors and media, and will be cheered on by the expectant people of Bilbao, celebrating a public holiday on Monday. Quotes, photographs and TV images will be available following the arrival.

Second place Kojiro Shiraishi is only 81 miles behind Stamm and is expected to follow the skipper into Bilbao on Monday evening.

Boat Positions at 10:20 UTC April 29

1. Cheminees Poujoulat, Bernard Stamm, 285 nm to finish
2. Spirit of Yukoh, Kojiro Shiraishi, 81 nm to leader
3. SAGA Insurance, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, 671
4. PAKEA, Unai Basurko, 954
5. A Southern Man-AGD, Graham Dalton, 2970

www.velux5oceans.com

SWAN 601 ARTEMIS IS AVAILABLE FOR CHARTER FOR THE 2007 SEASON
This is a rare opportunity to charter this 2005 stunning high performance German Frers-designed Swan. Sporting full carbon composite construction and renowned Nautor Styling, Artemis will provide you with the ultimate racing experience. She is fully race-prepared to the highest standard and raring to go.

Racing with a maximum crew of 16, Artemis is available for Caribbean and UK based race charters and corporate entertainment. She will also be available in the Mediterranean for America's Cup 2007 series viewing.

Please contact Peter Bresnan on +44799097081 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

ISABELLE JOSCHKE MINI PAVOIS WINNER
La Rochelle, France: Isabelle on Joschke Synergie Degremont crossed the finishing line of this 4th edition of the Mini Pavois at 11 a.m. 47 minutes and 25 seconds on Sunday April 29, 2007. Isabelle spent 3 days, 23 hours and 19 minutes to traverse the 550 miles (5.77 nodes mean velocity) "It is my first true victory! I was really astonished to be the first in the Island of Yeu. I really did not sleep much, not more than 5 to 10 minutes of at a stretch. It was really necessary to be on deck. "

A qualifying race for the Transat 6,50 Charente-Maritime/Bahia, the fourth edition of Mini Pavois is 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.

The first five to cross the finish line at La Rochelle:

1. Isabelle Joschke on Degremont Synergie (proto) / 11h47 Sunday the 29th of April
2. Peter Laureyssens on Ecover (proto) / 16h33
3. Francois Salabert on Areas Assurances (proto) / 16h38
4. Samuel Manuard on Sitting Bull (proto) / 16h58
5. Erwan Le Roux on Dephemerid Trois (proto) / 17h09

11 skippers have retired:

- Fabrice Lucas on Hakuna Matata
- Sebastien Stephan on Desphemerides
- Marie Christine de Brugiere on Lady Jim
- Yann Riou on Cameleon
- Arezki Boudaoud on Domaine des Thomeaux
- Oliver Bond on Base Camp
- Erwan Dubois on Guyader Esprit de la mer
- Sebastien Marsset on Maree Haute
- Thomas Valentin on Samba
- Yves Le Blevec on Actual Interim
- Lucas Schroder on T-Mobile One

www.grand-pavois.com/gdpavnew/gpo_evenements.htm

SEMAINE OLYMPIQUE FRANCAIS: IDEAL CONDITIONS FOR MEDAL RACES
The conditions for the Medal race on the last day of the regatta couldn't have been better: stable wind averaging 15 knots, sun and waves. Racing was set close to the shore bringing the thrill of the last race to the spectators in Hyeres.

In these conditions and with a short course, it was important to take a good start today and be fast to the top mark. Generally the event leaders have conserved their position.

Top three by class:

RS:X Men (108 entries)
1. Tom Ashley, NZL, 29 points
2. Shahar Zubari, IRS, 41
3. Julien Bontemps, FRA, 45

RS:X Women (71 entries)
1. Bryony Shaw, GBR, 20
2. Blanca Manchon, ESP, 30
3. Jannickce Staalstrom, NOR, 41

49er (74 entries)
1. Chris Draper / Simon Hiscocks, GBR, 58
2. Nico Luca Delle Karth / Nickolaus Resch, AUT, 62
3. Marcus Baur / Hannes Baumann, GER, 65

470 Women (60 entries)
1. Giulia Conti / Giovanna Micol, ITA, 37
2. Stefanie Rothweiler / Vivien Kussatz, GER, 51
3. Lenka Smidova / Veronika Fenclova, CZE, 73

470 Men (113 entries)
1. Pierre Leboucher / Vincent Garos, FRA, 42
2. Nicolas Charbonnier / Olivier Bausset, FRA, 50
3. Mantis Panagiotis / Theodoros Polichronid, GRE, 53

Tornado (43 entries)
1. Oskar Johansson / Kevin Stittle, CAN, 40
2. Francesco Marcolini / Edoardo Bianchi, ITA, 56
3. Yann Guichard / Alexandre Guyader, FRA, 58

Yngling (29 entries)
1. Ekaterina Skudina, RUS, 46
2. Sally Barkow, USA, 50
3. Sarah Ayton, GBR, 50

Sonar (8 entries)
1. Vasilis Christoforo, GRE, 12
2. John Robertson, GBR, 15
3. Jostein Stordahl, NOR, 28

2.4
1. Thierry Schmitter, NED, 12
2. Jens Als Andersen, DEN, 23
3. Jostein Stordahl, NOR, 28

Laser (188 entries)
1. Michael Blackburn, AUS, 54
2. Tom Slingsby, AUS, 66
3. Andrew Murdoch, NZL, 67

Laser Radial (105 entries)
1. Evi Van Acker, BEL, 46
2. Jo Aleh, NZL, 52
3. Gintare Volungevici, LTU, 54

Finn
1. Emilios Papathanasiou, GRE, 45
2. Jonas Hoegh Christensen, DEN, 45
3. Dan Slater, NZL, 68

hyeres.ffvoile.net

'PUMA' SHIPPED TO NEWPORT R.I.
Puma Racing Team is the latest entry for the Volvo Ocean Race 2008/9. Having purchased the successful "ABN AMRO TWO" which competed in the last race, the yacht was repainted and renamed "PUMA" in Breskens, Holland. The hull, now sporting dramatic new graphics, plus all her support equipment - two containers, keel, bulb and rigs, were then shipped from Zebrugge to New York. A barge was arranged to move the consignment to its final destination at Newport.RI. The shipment was managed by Peters & May who supported all the teams during the last Volvo Ocean Race with essential shipping logistics.

www.petersandmay.com

DISCOVERY ROUTE RECORD: GROUPAMA 3 SET TO BEAT PLAYSTATION RECORD
Half way through their fifth day, on the Cadiz to San Salvador record attempt, Franck Cammas and crew were about 750 theoretical miles ahead of PlayStation. That would mean that they will break Steve Fossett's record, provided they can keep up the speed, by almost two days.

The maxi-trimaran is still sailing, at between 27 and 30 knots, towards the West Indies and should start seeing coastlines tomorrow, maybe Saint Martin, maybe Puerto Rico depending on the wind angle.

Watch keeper Steve Ravussin mused today on a Round-the-World record attempt and the merits of Groupama 3 and Orange II:

"I think Groupama 3 is a well thought out, state-of-the-art boat. We had a bit of a problem with the foil lifting mechanism, but that's the only thing, so I don't think much needs to be changed before leaving to go round the world. Maybe some things about the interior layout, but that's about all."

We have tried to draw parallels with Orange II. Where it comes to manoeuvres, we are a lot quicker, because Groupama 3 is a lot lighter and that's a big plus. We can take a reef in ten minutes and I believe that takes 45 minutes on Orange II? Our average speeds are satisfying enough for us, though I know Orange II has gone faster, in different conditions." -- BYM News, www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=7444

Groupama site: www.cammas-groupama.com

TONY BULLIMORE SET FOR TUESDAY START
British round the world yachtsman Tony Bullimore is set to start the Blue Ocean Wireless Round the World Challenge from Hobart on Tuesday May 1.

Lee Bruce, Bullimore's weather guru has highlighted a low pressure system currently sweeping across the Australian Bight that will give Tony's 102ft catamaran 'Doha' a slingshot start across the Tasman and round New Zealand towards Cape Horn.

"It looks the best weather window we have seen so far and will give me good reaching winds all the way down into the Southern Ocean." said the 68 year old yachtsman enthusiastically. The only fly in the ointment could be a problem with the catamaran's hydraulic steering which began to play up during a final test sail in the Derwent River yesterday (Saturday). "We have an engineer coming down to the boat first thing on Monday morning to assess the problem. If it can be fixed easily, I will be on my way." said Bullimore. "Whatever, I am glad we found the problem before I set out. If the ram broke during the voyage, it would sink my chances of breaking the record."

Bullimore's aim is to break the 70 day barrier for sailing solo, non-stop around the world. The current record stands at 71days 14hours 18mins 33seconds, set by Dame Ellen Macarthur in 2005.

The course has been sanctioned by the World Sailing Speed Record Council which will time Bullimore's start and finish from Tasmania and monitor his progress around the world. The distance is exactly the same as if he started from Ushant on the north west tip of France where Dame Ellen Macarthur, the current record holder began her record run.

www.teambullimore.com

IN SEARCH OF THE DEER ISLE CONNECTION
The ring that Alison Turner carried from Deer Isle, Maine in the far northeast USA, to Valencia, Spain does not look like much to fuss over. It is a simple, dull grey metal hoop, bent around in a circle. It carries no jewels or embellishments, save the scratches and scars of long use.

Yet, it is a precious heirloom and a powerful America's Cup link between the past and the present.

Its legacy spans more than 100 years, reaching down from 1895 when a yacht called Defender lived up to its name and defended the America's Cup against a British challenger called Valkyrie III - the ninth successful defence since 1851 in what was to become a 132-year winning streak by the New York Yacht Club.

The ring belonged to Charles Scott, Alison's great, great, great grandfather who was a crewman on Defender in 1895 and on the next defence campaigner, Columbia, in 1899. When Defender was scrapped, its aluminium hull was melted down and each of the crew received a simple ring as a memento. As far as is known, only two or three of these rings survives today, and Alison's has been handed down in her mother's family through the generations.

Alison visited BMW ORACLE Racing - the sole team campaigning to return to the America's Cup to the USA -as part of a group of teachers and students from the remote fishing community of Deer Isle-Stonington. Their mission: to research an extraordinary connection with the America's Cup and, for several of them, to discover personal ties to the event they never knew about.

Back in the late 19th Century, the early America's Cup defenders relied heavily on professional seamen, many of them from Scandinavia, Norway in particular. In 1895, the New York Yacht Club entrusted the management of its defence campaign to C. Oliver Iselin and urged him to fill the crew positions, not with foreigners, but with 'proper Yankees' in the words of Tom Duym, one of the teachers accompanying the group.

'As far as we can make out, Iselin used to summer in Maine,' said Duym. 'He would see these lobstermen out in their small Friendship sloops racing each other back to harbour. They had a reputation for being great seamen and so he sent Captain Henry Haff up to Deer Isle to recruit them for the America's Cup.'

Haff met with Captain Fred Weed - another of the group, teacher Torri Weed Robbins, believes she is a descendant. Weed obliged by handpicking the entire working crew of Defender from his fellow islanders. Charles Scott, Alison's ancestor, was one of them. 'It is pretty exciting to make the connection from over 100 years to the present,' said Alison, 'and to compare how they used to race then and how they do it now. It is completely different.' Alison said she only sails 'infrequently', but added this America's Cup project might change that.

So successful was the Deer Isle crew in 1895 that the defenders turned to them again for the next campaign in 1899. 'There were more than 200 applications,' said Duym, who is a marine trades teacher in the Deer Isle-Stonington school system. -- Jane Eagleson, BMW Oracle Racing Media

DEER ISLE TO THE RESCUE
If we are to believe the sometimes frenzied charges shouted out from Valencia, the America's Cup is a hostage to greed, the race schedule is a wicked conspiracy, the town is a sewer, and the Cup's managers are profiting from the first, are behind the second, and deserve to be swimming in the third.

Maybe there's something to all that; I'll be in a better position to know when I'm in Valencia for the Cup races. But I am certain that, over the past 156 years, the America's Cup has survived far worse than light winds and aggressive protection of intellectual property. When someone seriously suggested the other day that the New York Yacht Club step in and clean up the mess that he and others believe was created by iniquitous Swiss landlubbers, I replied, "This is rich! For 132 years the world screamed that Morgans and other non-sailor Wall Streeters were soiling the holy grail in countless ways."

It was a relief, therefore, to read about a high school junior from Deer Isle, Maine, named Alison Turner, who showed up in Valencia with an aluminum ring passed down by her ancestor, Charles Scott. This ring was fashioned from remains of the two America's Cup winners, Defender and Columbia, in which Scott crewed with other Deer Isle lobster fishermen in 1895 and 1899.

Those lobstermen were part of a fascinating story that carried on for seven decades, safely outside the roar of outraged purity that surrounds the typical America's Cup match. During the Cup's first professional period, which ran from the 1870s through the 1930s, most boats were handled by fishermen who, come Spring, put aside their traps and nets for summer yachting. Some were from Maine, others from Long Island, N.Y. Still more came from fishing towns in England and Norway. This heritage is such an important part of the Cup's gene pool that I and the other members of the America's Cup Hall of Fame selection committee have elected one of the Norwegians from the J-Boat era, Willie Carstens, to the hall.

Non-American crews dominated, even on Cup defenders. Many yachtsmen were sure that Americans were too independent to follow orders and be well-drilled "forward fighters," as foredeckmen in these immense vessels were called. Hank Haff, Defender's thick-bearded skipper, knew better. He had fished off Long Island, his tactician had been the captain of a coasting schooner, and his first mate had served his apprenticeship as a boy on a square rigger in the West Indies trade.

Haff did not dodge the question when he stood up before Charles Scott and his friends. "I have been told that some of you have been mates and even masters of vessels," he opened. "But you will not be either during the service for which I have come to Deer Island to ship you. You will be in the forecastle, and the work on the yacht will be hard, and there will be plenty of it, night as well as day sometimes."

He continued: "There has been a great deal said about an American crew . . . not wanting to obey orders, of jealousies arising, and that all hands in a short time would want to be the captain. If there are any of you here who have the faintest suspicion that they will feel so in the future, I don't care to go any further with such. But if you come with me and help me, as you know how, to keep the old Cup, you'll never regret it. You will be treated like men, and next fall, if we are successful, we'll have some fun."

They were successful, and they did have some fun.

Let's hope that the old Cup is providing at least some fun in Valencia. -- John Rousmaniere

Haff's speech and more on the Deer Isle crews can be found at www.aafla.org/SportsLibrary/Outing/Volume_26/outXXVI06/outXXVI06o.pdf

THE LAST WORD
Only dull people are brilliant at breakfast. -- 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.

Over 80,000 boats for sale on www.boats.com

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