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WORLD TITLES TO BRAZIL AND SPAIN
The first of the 11 Worlds titles have been decided at the 2007 ISAF Sailing World Championships. Robert Scheidt and Bruno Prada (BRA) are crowned Star World Champions and gain a Gold Star, whilst Fernando Echavarri and Anton Paz (ESP) win the 2007 Tornado World Championship.

Fierce winds caused the abandonment of every scheduled race. The forecast did predict strong winds, but not the 35 knot blasts that swept across Cascais bay, climbing well over 40 knots on the outer race courses. Just after 19:00 the breeze did drop slightly to just under 20 knots and the Stars went out to sail their Medal Race, but the conditions worsened again and the fleet was sent back to shore.

With the Medal Races abandoned, Scheidt and Prada win their first World title in the Star, with the silver going to Xavier Rohart and Pascal Rambeau (FRA). British duo Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson (GBR) won the bronze.

Echavarri and PAZ repeat their 2005 Tornado World Championship title. After a terrific week in Cascais, Carolijn Brouwer and Sebastien Godefroid (BEL) picked up the silver medal, with bronze going to Mitch Booth and Pim Nieuwenhuis (NED).

The lack of any racing today means there is a fantastic Medal Race in prospect for the Laser Radials tomorrow. Petra Niemann (GER) holds the overall lead, but just eight points cover the top six. Tom Slingsby (AUS) goes into the Laser Medal Race with a 12-point lead over Mate Arapov (CRO).

The 470 fleets will have an extra race tomorrow to complete their qualifying series, whilst their will also be additional racing in the 49ers. The Finn gold fleet have two scheduled races to decide their Medal Race line up as do the Ynglings. The Men's and Women's RS:X fleets are scheduled to complete their first two races in their gold fleets.

www.cascaisworlds2007.com

* Seventy-five percent of all national places at the 2008 Olympic Sailing Competition will be decided at the ISAF Sailing World Championships in Cascais, Portugal. Find out which nations are on their way to Qingdao on the ISAF site: sailing.org/default.asp?ID=j1fFnij7r&format=popup

iSHARES CUP MARSEILLE
In 15-18 knots of wind Basilica, skippered by Robert Greenhalgh dazzled her competitors winning five out of the six races held and firmly winning the iShares Cup, Marseille, taking her tally to two events out of the four event Extreme 40 Sailing Series. While the entire fleet chose to reef their mains for the first race, Basilica struck out on her own, hoisted a full sail and carved a trail to victory stepping onto the podium ahead of Groupama and Holmatro.

The British boat crewed by Peter Greenhalgh, Justin Slattery and James Grant started nearly every race in front and never looked back, leading around the windward mark and extending until the finish, racking up 153 points.

After leading on day one, Franck Cammas' Groupama, who put in a one-off appearance in Marseille, were suppressed into second overall and finished the event with 131 points and pleased with their performance. Cammas is enthused by the Extreme 40 class. "The passion put behind these boats is what drove us to take part in the iShares Cup, Marseille. We wanted to take a close look at the Extreme 40 and the stopover in Marseille was a great opportunity for us to do this. The entire Groupama team are delighted with our experience. It was a great test and adventure to race on these demanding, high-performing boats with no experience, against teams from other nations, with a constant breeze. These three days have given us a lingering taste of what the iShares Cup is all about, without a doubt we will be back to have another go in 2008!"

BT, the former Offshore Challenges Sailing Team, may have finished in fourth but had memorable day sailing. Skipper Nick Moloney relived the moment their boat performed a handstand for the crowd. "We came round the windward mark and Groupama came down on us so we had to swerve up out of the way and then quickly bear away again. On the bear away the bow got caught in a wave, we got the bow stuck in and started into a nosedive with the back of the boat kicking up out of the water."

Tommy Hilfiger, heavy-hitters at the iShares Cup, Munich, suffered from a disappointing series in Marseille finishing the event in fifth overall.

Team SLAM/ ABN AMRO held their own in the professional fleet. Crewed by amateur sailors with a shore crew of wives and babies this team loved every second of the event including their second place finish in race 14.

Finished in last place was the Swedish team, Volvo Ocean Race who struggled through the regatta with little Extreme 40 experience and endless sail troubles. The team were on hand to experience the power of the class for which skipper Goran Marstrom's company supplies the masts and booms.

The iShares Cup circuit continues in three weeks time stopping in Cowes from the 3-5 August at the start of Skandia Cowes Week with the added attraction of exhibition sailing from 7-9 August. -- Myrrh Walker

www.isharescup.com

KIEL WEEK 2007: SAILORS TRIUMPH WITH HOLMENKOL
Many professional sailors (eg. Marcus Baur, Roland Gabler) placed their trust in HOLMENKOL coatings and achieved outstanding results.

Heiko Kroger, HOLMENKOL KeyAccountManager and RaceDirector, sailed into 2nd place in the 2.4mR class. The weather conditions showed that sails coated with SEALnGLIDE clearly had an advantage.

According to Kroger: "The extremely difficult weather conditions showed that the sails coated with HOLMENKOL clearly stayed drier in rain and light wind. My hull was cleaner, as the oil from the outboard motors of the training boats was barely able to stick to my hull."

www.holmenkol.com/bilder/download/Haendler_Aquatic_weltweit.pdf

FIRST FLEETS START THE TRANSPAC
Long Beach, California, USA: OK so far, the first 23 starters in the 44th Transpacific Yacht Race must have been thinking as they sailed off into uncertainty, escorted by dolphins in a balmy 7-knot westerly breeze under sunny skies Monday, but what lay ahead for the next 2,225 nautical miles to Hawaii was anyone's guess.

The forerunning fleets included nine Division 6 racers and 14 Aloha A and B division boats. Divisions 4 and 5 and nine vintage Santa Cruz 50 and 52s start Thursday, followed by Divisions 1, 2 and 3 Sunday, all starting off Point Fermin in nearby San Pedro after sendoff ceremonies at Rainbow Harbor, Transpac's mainland home port in Long Beach.

Weather experts have been talking about unsettled conditions a day or two out. At Sunday's skippers meeting Kurt Holland of the Marine Weather Institute at Orange Coast College briefed the sailors about "a popcorn array of little baby highs" south of the dreaded zone of dead air known as the Pacific High where all fear to go, plus a worrisome weather cell off Mexico to the south.

Summing up prospects for this race, Holland said, "I've heard the word 'drifter' from a couple of people. But it's looking a lot better---for next week."

Before the start, a dozen boats circled for a flowery tribute to Wendy Siegal, the former Aloha class winner and Cal 40 class "den mother" who was found drowned near her boat in Long Beach four days earlier.

The start was orderly but unusually close and competitive for these classes. With the wind coming from the west at 260 degrees, giving them a starboard tack heading of 220, it appeared they would clear the west end of Santa Catalina Island---the only mark of the course---22 miles out without having to tack.

For a few the weather outlook may not make much difference. Frank Easterbrook's Ariadne in Aloha A, a Ladd 73 from Newport Beach and the fastest-rated boat starting Monday, will enjoy its six-day head start on Roy E. Disney's powerhouse Pyewacket as long as it can, as well as the comforts of a luxurious cushioned cockpit and cabin.

Brothers Bill and Ted Davis of Las Vegas are taking what may be the oldest boat ever to sail the race, their beloved 73-year-old Sparkman & Stephens 70-foot yawl, Alsumar, offshore for the first time, with veteran Craig Davis as skipper and navigator. -- Rich Roberts

www.transpacificyc.org

ECOVER HALF TON CLASSICS CUP STARTS IN DUBLIN BAY
The Ecover Half Ton Classics Cup started on Dublin Bay on Monday with a practice race, with 26 entries from five countries confirmed for the 10-race series that ends on Saturday 14th. The Cup is being run in association with Ireland's biggest sailing event, the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta.

The Half Ton Cup was an annual event until 1993 when interest in IOR style boats was declining. By revising the event as an IRC handicap event, it was revived in 2003 in Belgium, and was then raced in France two years ago with 30 boats competing. The inaugural regatta was won by Phillippe Pilate of Belgium with the timber-built 'General Tapioca' and he is competing in Dun Laoghaire, hoping for the heavy airs that suit his boat so well. The boat produced good results in the Azores and Back Race and is considered one of the front runners.

Irish boats 'Blue Berret Pi' (Connellan/Madigan), and 'Superhero' are both carbon boats. The former has finished third in the two previous editions of the event and performs well in light airs that often feature in Dublin Bay in July.

Howth's Dave Cullen & Eddie Bourke, who acquired Paul Elvstrom's 1981 Cup winner 'King One' and have worked hard in the pre-event period to be competitive, were the best placed Half Tonner at the recent Sovereign's Cup in Kinsale.

They are just two of a very strong local contingent. 'Dick Dastardly' (Kinnear/Cusack/O'Neill) generally perform well on Dublin Bay and won last year's Cork Week. Jimmy Houston's Hustler SJ30 'Misjif' recorded a good 3rd place in a tough Scottish Series last month while Tino Hyland's 'Harmony' is Rob Humphreys' most successful Half Ton design and raced well in the Royal Alfred Yacht Club's 150th Anniversary Regatta recently.

Local boats should have some advantage in the long inshore race which will head in the direction of Lambay and Howth where difficult tides are a critical factor.

The race schedule is a practice race on Monday 9th followed by up to three races on each of the next two days, two races on day three, a long inshore race on the Friday (13th) and the final race on Saturday 14th. Racing will be under the direction of ISAF International Race Officer David Lovegrove of Howth. -- Graham Smith

www.dlregatta.org

* Photos of Monday's practice race courtesy Gareth Craig, www.fotosail.com/07halftonners , in the Eurobutt Gallery scuttlebutteurope.com/photos/c Look in the Other Events category...

AREA SALES MANAGER - CONTINENTAL EUROPE
Gori propeller A/S manufactures and markets the patented Gori folding propeller. The propeller is designed for sailboats up to 150 foot and sold through a network of distributors worldwide.

We seek an Area Sales Manager with responsibility for Continental Europe. The role includes support of the existing distributors as well as calling on boat builders, boat dealers and other potential customers. The role also involves participation in trade shows and approximately 100 travel days annually.

We expect that you have marine industry sales experience and an interest in sailing. You are fluent in English as well as either French, Spanish or Italian. It is our preference that you work from our office in Denmark, but a location in one of the major markets could be an option.

For further information please contact Jens Guldborg, Director of Business Development This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.gori-propeller.dk

SWAN EUROPEAN REGATTA
For the second year in a row the Swan 45 Gold Cup will be going back to the USA, with newly crowned world champion Alexander Roepers and his crew on Plenty. Going into the final race, Plenty held the slenderest possible advantage over fellow American William Douglass' Goombay Smash. Both Swan 45s were tied on 31 points and had two victories each, so Plenty led by virtue of their three second place finishes. With the world championship resting on the final race, Roeper and his crew etched out a fifth place finish to take the honours by two points.

Sir Peter Ogden's Swan 601 Spirit of Jethou (GBR) and Richard Balding's Swan 41 Philippides 2 (GBR) wrapped up the European titles in their respective fleets with one day to go.

Top three by class:

Class A
1. Spirit Of Jethou, Swan 601, Sir Peter Ogden, GBR, 11 Points
2. Akarana, Swan 46, Graham & Libby Deegan, GBR, 19
3. Desperado, Swan 65, Richard Loftus, GBR, 28

Class B
1. Philippides 2, Richard Balding, GBR, 9
2. Selene, Mark Jephcott, GBR, 19
3. Christina, Ben Mobley, GBR, 29

Swan 45
1. Plenty, Alex Roepers, USA, 36
2. Goombay Smash, William Douglass, USA, 38
3. Fever, Grant Gordon & Klaus Diedrichs, GBR, 53

www.rys.org.uk/da/42630 and www.nautorswan.com

* Photos from Ingrid Abery, www.hotcapers.com , in the Eurobutt Gallery (Other Events section): scuttlebutteurope.com/photos/

TEAM BRANCHE BUREAU WINS EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS J22 IN HOORN
Hoorn, Netherlands: Team Branche Bureau (NED) of Den Boer/Botterweg/Punt/Van Mierlo won the European Championship J22 by sailing consistently. That is quite a performance in this competitive fleet with 39 J22's. The great variety of sailing conditions did not bother the champions either; whether it was up to boat handling or tactics, every race they managed to obtain a top ten position. Because the teams match up to each other, the event remained thrilling until the last race. Team Jabulani of Edgar Westerhuys (NED) ended second overall, with a short lead over Team Meijers (NED), the number three.

After three racing days and nine races, the team that performed excellently under all conditions deservedly won the event. Nevertheless, the last race determined who would obtain the title European Champion 2007; before the start Team Branche Bureau was leading with only one point over team Roark with Tjarco Timmermans on the helm. Team Roark's boat speed was not up to scratch during this last race, and Team Branche Bureau scored a convincing triumph.

Apart from many Dutch teams, there were six French teams and two German teams. Unfortunately, they did not manage to reach the top twenty. Team European Homes was the best non-Dutch team, with a 22nd place.

Top five final results:
1. Team Branche Bureau, Jeroen den Boer, NED, 29 points
2. Jabulani, Edgar Westerhuys, NED, 50
3. Meijers, Eelco Blok, NED, 53
4. Hans Duetz, NED, 61
5. Team Roark, Tjarco Timmermans, NED, 63

www.j22.nl

CORK HAS A DEAL FOR SAILORS FROM AFAR...
CORK, Sail Kingston, home of the largest freshwater regatta in the World and, incidentally, the 1976 site of the only Olympics ever sailed in freshwater, is making a move to attract even more international entries to its event. In what must be an unprecedented move by a regatta organizer, CORK has obtained the use of the 29ers that are being used in the ISAF World Youth Championships in Kingston and is offering these boats to overseas competitors and NA teams travelling more than 2000 miles. The boats are being chartered, with sails, for the princely sum of $1.00, and that's not a misprint! Couple this with the low room rates of CDN $26.75 per night at Queens University's Royce Hall, which is within walking distance, and you have the makings of an extraordinary chance to sail in the 29er, and the 29erXX, in their North American Championships without the hassle of boat transportation or the normal cost of a charter. Overseas competitors need to get their act together as 2/3rds of the boats are already chartered.

It should be noted that the hulls will be charter free for the 29erXX North American's but the rig and new sails will have to be chartered from the manufacturer. Inquiries should be made to Peter at the email address below.

One of the first organizations to take advantage of this offer was US Sailing who are availing themselves of 10 boats for their US Advanced Junior Women's Clinic. The clinic will be run during Series 2 when the 29erXX and 49er are sailing. These are young women, picked by resume, who will be introduced to skiff sailing, most for the first time, in what will be a very exciting environment. It is a clinic format and not part of the Series 2 racing schedule.

The manufacturer of the boats, PS2000 Inc, is looking after the charter details for CORK and all inquiries should go to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and not to CORK.

RSYC MCGUIGAN WINES 'ROUND THE ISLAND' DOUBLE
It was the crack of dawn as over 100 yachts gathered for the start of the RSYC McGuigan Wines Island Double from the Barge just off Cowes. The SW wind was better than forecast with 14 knots powering the fleet away under the blue sunny skies. The first of the five classes started at 0640 with the others following at 10-minute intervals. The first three starts got away cleanly but with 40 boats vying for the line in class 1, the down tide start caught 3 boats OCS.

Class 1 saw Neil Martin and Robert Blackwell on their J133 'Jammy Dodger' take line honours but it was three First 34.7's on the podium, Peter Morton and Richard Allen in 'Salvo' first, Chris and Hannah Neve in 'No Doubt' second, Clemency Williams and Nick Bubb third.

Class 2 had Philip Meakins on 'Festina Lente' a Sigma 38 coming in first across the line but the class win went to 'Sundowner' the Contessa 26 sailed by Jolyon Hutchinson and Rebecca Broomfield, Magnus Wheatley and Charlie Cruise took second in 'Hesperus' the H-Boat and 'Google-Eye' the Trapper 300 raced by Pat Stables and Nigel Hunt took third.

Class 3 line honours went to Mary Falk and Warwick Samuel in the one off 'QII' but they had to settle for third on handicap as first went to 'Squander' the Westerly Typhoon 37 of Bruce and James Ramsay and second to 'Jugular Vein' the J80 raced by John Fowler and Warwick Samuel.

Class 4 was also close at the finish with 'Tigerfeet' the Hunter 707 raced by Stephen Meyer and Ed Rogers taking line honours. The class win went to 'Fusion III' William Bridge's Gibsea 284, 'Green Kestrel' the Westerly GK29 sailed by Jon Woolgar and Richard Davison took second and Nick Hodshon's First 325 'Aberlady'.

The Multihulls traded places as they went round but 'Carbon Tiger' the Farrier 33 raced by Brian Haynes and Martin Harvey came through to take line honours and the class win. Ben Goodland's Raider 30 'Team Eberspacher' was second and George Burn and Mark Griffiths brought the D920 Extreme 'Force X' home third. -- Andrew Campbell

Royal Southampton Yacht Club: rsyc.org.uk

YACHTING LEGEND CRUSHED IN ACCIDENT
A New Zealand yachting legend is recovering in the United States after being crushed by his own boat. Chris Bouzaid was sailing off the coast of Maine last Friday when he was sandwiched between his vessel, Waianiwa III, the sloop's dinghy and rocks.

Bouzaid was in the water trying to set the anchor and keep the 18m sloop from drifting further into rocks when he was crushed, breaking several ribs. The US Coastguard rescued Bouzaid, 64, and his companion, Lydia Langston. Bouzaid was taken to hospital but has since been discharged.

Bouzaid won the One Ton Cup in 1969 - a victory which put New Zealand on the international yachting map. The event was conceived as an "everyman's America's Cup". Bouzaid won it again in 1972 and finished second twice. He also captained the New Zealand Admirals Cup challenge in 1975. Bouzaid has been based in the United States for many years, and the current Waianiwa III is the second yacht of that name he has sailed.

Bouzaid sailed the Waianiwa II on two laps of the Pacific, to South America and the Galapagos Islands, and New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia and South Africa.

On his website Bouzaid describes the stranded vessel, Waianiwa III, as "a dream come true".

The website says the sloop has "an exceptionally strong one-piece hull that could withstand whatever the good lord chose to throw at her". However, a Coast Guard spokeswoman said the Waianiwa III sustained significant damage in the incident, including holes in the hull.

The Times Record newspaper in Maine said attempts were still being made to salvage the sloop.

www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=106&objectid=10450605

THE LAST WORD
He hoped and prayed that there wasn't an afterlife. Then he realized there was a contradiction involved here and merely hoped that there wasn't an afterlife. -- Douglas Adams

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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