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OBJECTIVE SAINT KILDA
On this the fifth day of racing, the head of the IMOCA fleet should round the remote Scottish island of Saint Kilda, West of the Outer Hebrides in the early hours of Friday. Roland Jourdain's course record from 2005 of 6 days, 16 hours, 43 minutes and 21 seconds at an average speed of 11.29 knots is most definitely unbeatable this year. Probably waiting till the nightly position black out before they make their respective turns, the leaders are zigzagging past the Hebrides, making much less headway towards the goal. The chasing pack lead by Artemis Ocean Racing tonight, has made up nearly ten miles on the frontrunners over the past four hours, now with just a 40 mile deficit.

The leaders of the Calais Round Britain Race are set to leave the remotest part of the British Isles to starboard in the early hours of Friday morning. 41 miles West of Benbecula in Scotland's Outer Hebrides, lies the stunning archipelago of Saint Kilda with its exceptional cliffs and sea stacks, which form the most important seabird breeding station in NW Europe.

The islands which make up the archipelago are Soay, Dun, Hirta and Boreray. Referred to as the St Kildan, those last permanently inhabiting the area lived in Village Bay on Hirta until they were forced to leave in 1930, no longer able to be self-sufficient and bringing to a close an extraordinary story of survival.

St Kilda was bequeathed to The National Trust for Scotland by the 5th Marquess of Bute in 1957. In the same year, it was designated a National Nature Reserve by the Nature Conservancy (now Scottish Natural Heritage). Just before his death, the Marquess of Bute agreed to lease a small area of land on Hirta to MoD as a radar tracking station for its missile range on Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides. (The lease was renewed in 1976 for a further 25 years.)

Today, these three organisations, The National Trust for Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage and MoD, work in partnership to further a continuing programme of conservation and research on the islands and to ensure the care and protection of this World Heritage Site. St Kilda has received many national and international designations in recognition of its outstanding natural and cultural heritage.

Position report as of 19h50 Thursday 7 June:

1. PRB, Vincent Riou, 995.70 nm to finish
2. VM Materiaux, Jean Le Cam, 4.70 nm to leader
3. Temenos, Dominique Wavre, 6.80
4. Artemis Ocean Racing, Jonny Malbon, 41.20
5. Delta Dore, Jeremie Beyou, 43.50
6. Cheminees Poujoulat, Bernard Stamm, 54.10
7. Generali, Yann Elies, 55.60
8. Roxy, Samantha Davies, 60.00
9. Aviva, Dee Caffari, 60.80
10. Akena Verandas, Arnaud Boissieres, 64.90
11. Maisonneuve, Alexandre Toulorge, 73.10

www.calaisroundbritainrace.com

ROLEX FARR 40 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP
Porto Cervo, Sardinia, Italy: Three more races, three more winners and all change at the top of the leaderboard after another tough day at the office for the 21 crews competing for the Rolex Farr 40 Europeans. Once again it was all about minimizing risk and loss, trying to get a clean start and playing the shifts - far from easy in the 8 knots of breeze that atypically for a south-easterly in this region was far from warm. Only two boats in the fleet kept all three finishes in the top ten today, while Lang & Sue Walker's Kokomo from Australia stole into the overall lead posting scores of 5, 12 and 1.

Some crews must have wondered whether they were having a good or bad day, as the leaders in one race would find themselves the wrong side of a shift in the next and out the back door. Not only was picking the course side and the wind shifts a problem, in Race 2 Team Revolution struggled to get off the start line at all, when a crush near the pin left them hooked up to the buoy. Yesterday's leaders Norwegian Steam were caught up in the same melee and finished the race in 20th place, which served to open up the regatta once more after Eivind Astrup and crew looked to be nailing the door shut with a second in the first race of the day.

In second place overall lies Dario Ferrari's Cannonball which posted a 13, 3 & 5 today. Cannonball has yet to post a win in the series, but overall victory at Farr 40 regattas rarely rests on a stellar performance. Ferrari is enjoying the racing and the tight competition, despite a poor finish in the second race on day one.

In third place overall, on 50 points, lies Nerone and despite a score line today of 11, 15 & 7, owner Massimo Mezzaroma and tactician Vasco Vascotto are only eight points off the lead and with no discards allowed, the series remains open to anyone with the skill and luck to put together a series of good scores.

Top 5 Provisional Standings

1. Kokomo, Lang & Sue Walker, AUS, 42.00
2. Cannonball, Dario Ferrari, ITA, 44.00
3. Nerone, Massimo Mezzaroma, ITA, 50.00
4. Mascalzone Latino, Vincenzo Onorato, ITA, 52.00
5. Ichi Ban, Matt & Lisa Allen, AUS, 53.00

www.rolexsettimanadellebocche.com

ULLMAN SAILS AUSTRALIAN SAIL LOFTS
Ullman Sails International is pleased to announce the addition of Ullman Sails - Melbourne. Sam Haines, owner/operator, has been a very active sailmaker from North Queensland down to Melbourne. He was involved with the Austalian entry in the Volvo Round the World race. Robert Cordingley, is the new owner/operator of Ullman Sails - Whitsunday. He holds a number of State and National titles. Both sailmakers have a vast amount of experience in both dinghy and keelboat sails. Their full service lofts offer new sails and expert maintenance of existing inventories. For their contact information and biographies, please visit www.ullmansails.com

THE BATTLE FOR EUROPE
The Kiwis must be beginning to wonder if they've got any fans in the world outside of the North and South Islands. A couple of days ago Desafio Espanol went out training with Alinghi. Let's not forget that the Spanish have given the Kiwis their toughest challenge to date, holding them to 5-2 in the Semi Finals, with a boat - ESP 97 - that some pundits believe is the fastest design of any challenger team.

Today the vanquished Luna Rossa team put out this announcement: "Being the only semi-finalist still working here in Valencia to not have raced against Alinghi, after they raced Emirates Team New Zealand two days before the Louis Vuitton Cup Finals and also against the Spanish Team during the Finals, Luna Rossa will race the America's Cup defender Alinghi tomorrow."

It is not in Patrizio Bertelli's commercial interest to see the America's Cup head south, nor is it in Desafio Espanol's. There is a fear that if Emirates Team New Zealand win the Cup, that they will take the event back to the dark ages, to a corner of the world that offers nothing like the same commercial opportunities that Europe has opened up, and to re-establish strict nationality rules that would benefit the Kiwis more than anyone.

The Kiwis have as yet been tight-lipped on what plans they have for the Cup should they manage to wrest it away from the Swiss, so it might be unfair to suggest this is where they would take the event. But that is certainly the fear, and is the reason why the likes of Spain and Italy are breaking one of the unwritten rules of the America's Cup in agreeing to tune up against the Defender. -- Andy Rice, www.sailjuice.blogspot.com

MISSING IN ACTION
A significant absentee in Valencia is the dominating presence of Dennis Conner. He's in the Med this summer alright, but not in Spain.

DC has taken a villa in Villefranche for the summer and is competing in the classic yacht circuit in the Med, wrapping up the first series in Antibes in 3rd place.

Conner is now part of Cup's past and, yes, he raised hackles in his time; wearing Donald Trump's fur coat during a New York ticker-tape welcome after winning the Cup back in 1987 might not have been his finest hour of sartorial elegance.

He probably gave people plenty of reasons over the years to take shots at his manner.

But you've got admire a man who not only changed the face of the America's Cup by turning it into a truly professional sport. It was Ireland's Harold Cudmore who converted the days sailed into miles coverage and calculated that Conner could have sailed to the Moon and back in his Freedom/Enterprise campaign of 1980.

Talk about 'No excuse to lose', which was Conner's competitive mantra. -- Tim Jeffery's blog in the Telegraph: blogs.telegraph.co.uk/sport/timjeffery/june07/dennisconner.htm

QUITE POSSIBLY THE BEST WAY TO SEE THE CUP RACES IN VALENCIA.
Our Shosholoza team spectator boat has a reserved place in the front row of the VIP zone closest to the start box and laylines. And, our rooftop terrace overlooks Alinghi, so you'll be up close both on land and sea. We have live TV and expert commentators on board. Shaded upper deck. Full buffet lunch with drinks. All the fun you would expect from "The Soul of Sailing".

Many hotels available, we can help book rooms. GROUPS WELCOME.

Reserve tickets online at www.cupexperience.com or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

AMERICA'S CUP QUIZ
Last week's question:
How much time did Australia II gain on the penultimate leg of the seventh race in 1983?

Answer: One minute and 18 seconds - for a lead change that ended a 132-year tenure of the Cup by the New York Yacht Club.

This weeks question -- the final one for this contest series:

What did Michael Fay invoke to shake the San Diego Yacht Club to its foundations on 1987?

Post your answer at scuttlebutteurope.com

First correct answer wins an official 32nd America's Cup Book, the 32nd correct answer wins an official America's Cup DVD. All entries get a shot at winning a rare, not sold to the public, 2007 Louis Vuitton Cup poster. Prizes courtesy the America's Cup Store and Louis Vuitton

8TH INTERNATIONAL SAILING SUMMIT
At the invitation of ISS Patron Bruno Trouble and ISS Chairman Alistair Murray of Ronstan, thirty three luminaries of the sailing industry gathered to brainstorm the future of sailing.

With the America's Cup action as a backdrop, the group held a day of insightful and creative discussion, followed by a grand dinner as guests of Bruno Trouble and Louis Vuitton. Special speakers during the day were Bob Fisher who re-capped the year in sailing, Andy Hindley who wowed the group with the Volvo Ocean Race and Bruno Trouble with his America's Cup stories.

Topics discussed during the ISS included:
- The State of the US market, from the Sailing Company study.
- The Future of Sailing Events
- The Development of Sailboats, Equipment and Technology.
- Sailing in India. A New Frontier
- Sailings Future - Economic and Demographic.
- "Discover Sailing", a U.S. promotional program from Sail America.
- The Marketing of Sailing and the Challenges Ahead.

A more comprehensive report is available, titled 8th ISS, Press Release #2.
Email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

* Editor: I've put it online at scuttlebutteurope.com/content/view/202/14

The 9th International Sailing Summit will be hosted by ECNI/FIN at the Paris International Boat Show in December 2008, with the theme of sailing learning from a variety of other countries, industries and sports about how to best increase participation.

With thanks to the following sponsors, who support the sailing industry:

Henri-Lloyd, Fast Track, The Sailing Company, Ronstan, ECNI/FIN, ICOMIA, West Marine, Boats.com, Sail Magazine, Sail America.

For more information on the ISS, email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

NEW SPONSOR SOLON AG WELCOMED TO BALTIC SPRINT CUP
"We're delighted to welcome SOLON AG to the Baltic Sprint Cup" said Event Director Henning Rocholl today. SOLON is one of the largest manufacturers of solar modules in Europe. Company personnel will sail Solair in the Baltic Sprint Cup and will help host the first stopover at Sassnitz, an unspoilt resort town on the island of Ruegen, Germany. The event is open to offshore cruiser-racers, starting on July 20th at Copenhagen staging in five legs and 624 miles to Parnu Estonia finishing 3rd August.

Entries open until 30th June. www.balticsprintcup.com

The Baltic Sprint Cup is sponsored by Bank DnB NORD.

RIOCARD O TIARNAIGH CHALLENGE
The Riocard O Tiarnaigh Challenge 2007 sponsored by SGS (Providers of the NCT throughout Ireland) was held in Swords Sailing & Boating Club on the Broadmeadows, Malahide Co Dublin on the 2/3 June 2007.

This event has been running in Broadmeadows since 1998 and is organised by the GP14 International Class Association with this year's event attracting over twenty boats from nine clubs from across the country.

There was a brisk start to Saturdays racing with strong and gusty winds making for very exciting racing.

The semi-finals and finals on Sunday were sailed in light winds and heavy rain, which made for very tactical racing.

Final Results:

Gold
1. Paddy O'Connor / Tania MacHale, Sligo YC
2. Niall Henry / Ossian Geraghty, Sligo YC

Silver
1. Gerard O'Sullivan / Ronan Cull, Sutton DC

Bronze
1. Donal Brennan / John Dowling, Swords SBC
2. Robert Murphy / Pat Savage, Swords SBC

www.swordssailing.com

* Photos at scuttlebutteurope.com/photos/ in the Other Events category

INDUSTRY NEWS
* Jongert and S&A Project Development of The Netherlands have signed an agreement for the development of a new 300-berth marina on IJsselmeer Lake in the Netherlands.

Marina Suydersee, which is expected to be operational by the beginning of 2009, will be located between Medemblik and Den Oever in the Wieringermeer district - a location that was strategically chosen for its close proximity to the Jongert shipyard.

When completed, it will offer 300 berths from 12m-26m (39ft-85ft) and 40 boathouses with a total water surface of more than 150m2. Some 240 heated storerooms will also be created in a covered hall exclusively for berth owners. -- IBI news, www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20070506101605ibinews.html

* The British Marine Federation has rejected an offer of support from the new Earls Court Boat Show. 'Thanks but no thanks' was the message that came from the BMF, organisers of the ExCel and Southampton Boat Shows.

In an open letter from BMF head, Rob Stevens, to James Brooke, MD of Earls Court Boat Show, the offer was firmly but politely declined. Stevens said that BMF members believed that there was 'simply not room for two London shows'.

He emphasised the fact that earnings from the ExCel and Southampton shows were reinvested in the industry in the form of training, promotion and governmental lobbying. The 'support' could have taken different forms, including a percentage of ticket sales or free space within the show.

In making the offer of support, Brooke had stated: 'It has always been our intention to ensure we make a positive and direct contribution to the welfare of the British Marine Industry.'

The Earls Court Show runs from 1-9 December 2007.
The ExCel show takes place 11-20 January 2008.
Yachting Monthly: www.ybw.com/auto/newsdesk/20070505093957ymnews.html

* On May 30, Raymarine plc announced a new and exclusive multi-year agreement with Groupe Beneteau for the supply of its marine electronic systems.

The new global agreement, which starts in September this year, ensures that all Beneteau, Jeanneau, Wauquiez and Lagoon boats manufactured by Groupe Beneteau will continue to be fully fitted with Raymarine products.

The agreement with Groupe Beneteau was made through SDM Electronique, based in Paris and now a wholly owned subsidiary of Raymarine plc.

* Ovington Boats starts Byte CII production.

The first Ovington Bytes are coming out from the Tanners Bank yard, Ian Bruce - the designer came over especially to help kick off production.

With a good order book the team at Ovington Boats are ready to spend the summer supplying Bytes to the UK and Northern Europe.

Dave Hall - sales director says he is looking forward to seeing the first boats on the water and getting in one himself since he is the right size! Dave also said ' It looks like a good autumn programme should bring a few boats out as well as our new ones, a late Nationals this year combined with the worlds next year in Weymouth should give the class the kick start it needed in the UK and keep the momentum going internationally.

* Dubarry of Ireland has announced that it has appointed James Pound as UK Sales Manager of its Marine division.

In his role as UK Sales Manager for Dubarry, James will be responsible for all marine accounts in the UK and the sales team that Dubarry is looking to expand. James will also be looking to develop the corporate business side of Dubarry with its new clothing and luggage ranges.

James joins Dubarry with extensive experience within the marine industry and a passion for sailing. His previous roles include working for Musto as Project Manager for the Volvo Ocean Race Collection, and Southern Area Sales Manager at Douglas Gill. -- www.dubarry.com

* Melges Performance Sailboats is pleased to announce the official launch of Melges Europe in Milan Italy. Directed by Melges 24 World Champion crewmember and double European Champion Federico Michetti, Melges Europe will act as a distribution center for the Melges 32 and provide added support for other Melges products.

Melges Europe is a continuum of Melges Performance Sailboats' goal to further support and encourage the sport of sailing on a global scale. In late 2006, Melges appointed Northshore Yachting trading as Melges Asia Pacific based in Sydney, Australia to distribute the Melges 32 and Melges 24.

* John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., announced the purchase from UK-based Nautical Data Limited of the highly regarded Cruising Companion series.

The Cruising Companion series currently includes nine titles offering a blend of practical pilotage, local port information and weather, and an introduction to the history, culture, cuisine and sights for British Isles and European waters from Belgium to Spain.

Wiley Nautical and Nautical Data will continue to work together to expand the series to cover most cruising waters around the world. A rolling programme of new editions is already underway. New titles that will publish under the Wiley Nautical imprint later this year will cover the popular charter areas of Croatia, the Ionian, and West Aegean with two Caribbean guides following in 2008.

The new imprint will also encompass Wiley's Fernhurst Books series of over 100 practical dinghy, cruising, powerboat, motorboat, and watersports books.

* The merger of Southern Spars and Marten Spars in September last year, saw the enlarged Southern Spars company consolidate its reputation as a world leader in carbon fibre spars for racing and cruising super-yachts.

During the transition period, Marten Spars has continued to operate under the Marten Spars brand. However when the New Zealand Millennium Cup starts in Palma de Mallorca on June 19, it will also be the launch of the new-dimensional Southern Spars company, where both businesses will start working under one name - Southern Spars.

The New Zealand Millennium Cup will not only mark the transition to one company name, but the event itself is a proud moment in Southern's history as over half the fleet will be powered by spars built by this new-dimensional company.

Southern Spars is a major sponsor of the Millennium Cup in Palma on June 19 and will also have its service business 'Rig Pro' providing rig servicing and tuning at the Palma regatta.

THE LAST WORD
The most overlooked advantage to owning a computer is that if they foul up, there's no law against whacking them around a little. -- Porterfield

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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