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TOUR VOILE: TAHITI ET SES ILES WINS RACE TO ROYANc After leaving Talmont Saint Hilaire - Port Bourgenay in Vendee yesterday morning the boats arrived last night in Royan. It was a day full of new developments. Tahiti et ses Iles (Teva Plichart) finished the race in first position for the first time in the Tour de France a la Voile.

After 64 nautical miles of difficult sailing conditions, the Tahitian crew led by Teva Plichart finished first in front of the harbour of Royan. Behind him, Elcimai - Ville de Marseille (Dimitri Deruelle) got the second place in extremis before Bred (Sylvain Chtounder), even though the three leaders didn't seem likely to finish in the front during the polls. And the reason for this development? A complex wind, which made the crews try different options throughout the day.

It was predicted the day before yesterday, the Mumm 30s had been sailing in very changing conditions. They left yesterday morning with a south-east wind between 15 and 18 knots and a big swell. The boats first sailed upwind to the open sea in order to avoid the current. Two hours after the departure, Toulon Provence Mediterranee - COYCHyeres (Fabien Henry) was in front of Ile de France (Nicolas Pauchet) and the student crew Caisse d'Epargne - HEC - Ecole Navale (Herve Gautier). Nouvelle Caledonie (Vincent Portugal) followed in fourth position.

At 3.30pm there were new developments: Saint Malo Purflo Team SNBSM (Pierre Hingant, Francois Lebourdais) was before Toulon Provence Mediterranee - COYCHyeres (Fabien Henry) and Ile de France (Nicolas Pauchet). The boats sailed in 6 and 7 knots in front of the Island of Oleron. Only one hour after, the fleet was 13 miles from the channel buoy and the weather changed completely: the sea calmed down and so did the wind, down to 2 knots. It set in North-west at 5.10pm. The fleet divided into two groups: those ashore and those offshore. The red Tetra Pak spinnaker (Toulon Provence Mediterranee - COYCHyeres) sailed offshore with Saint Malo Purflo Team SN BSM, hoping to stay in front of the other boats which remained ashore. Unlucky choice for them, as they were only ninth and tenth at the poll near the entry of the Gironde estuary. Those in the lead at the beginning of the day did not find themselves in a better situation: Ile de France was thirteenth while Herve Gautier's crew was twenty-fourth. -- Anatole Lucet

www.tourvoile.fr

GOLDING TO RACE TJV WITH DUBOIS
Mike Golding has chosen ECOVER's longstanding sail programme co-ordinator Bruno Dubois of North Sails France to sail with him in the new boat's first major race, the Transat Jacques Vabre.

It is a logical choice of co-skipper as Mike seeks to bring the new ECOVER up to optimum speed as quickly and efficiently as possible.

While Belgian-Canadian Dubois has not raced the famous biennial 4300 mile Transatlantic race from Le Havre to Salvador, Brazil, which starts November 3rd, he has a long and accomplished CV in offshore and inshore racing, and has made the sails for the last two winners of the race. He sailed with Mike on the 1000 Miles of Calais and the Calais Round Britain Race.

Bruno's ocean racing experience stretches back to building and campaigning a MiniTransat entry back in 1983 and includes skippering Rucanor in the 1989-1990 Whitbread Round the World Race.

He sailed with Ellen MacArthur's crew on Kingfisher II's attempt at the Jules Verne record, has competed on several Quebec to St Malo races and won the Corel 45 World Championships. Dubois joined North Sails directly from the Whitbread campaign and has worked with them in North Sails Denmark and prior to that in North Sails USA.

The sail inventory for the new boat has been designed by Spaniard Juan Meseguer, who was sail designer with BMW Oracle, the Volvo Movistar projects and Ericsson.

Bruno will sail on the boat regularly in the early tune up period before completing the 1000 miles TJV Qualifier on the boat with Mike.

www.mikegolding.com

LOADED DICE
Alinghi has effectively loaded the dice in their favour but to such an extent that a rebellion is inevitable. While challenging teams can do nothing but lay off staff in the absence of any confirmed details, Alinghi will know all the details well in advance, and will be able to begin designing their new yacht before any of the other teams even know the most basic information on the new rule.

When Alinghi announced the new Protocol which would govern the 33rd America's Cup, but withheld all the important information, they also gave themselves the right to sail in the Challenger series, in addition to their own Defender series, and assumed control of all aspects of both series. This gives them unprecedented power and eliminates the Challengers' control over their own elimination series.

In addition, ACM, the company given control by Alinghi of all aspects of the America's Cup match now has the sole rights of appointment and dismissal of all officials, including the Jury and Umpires.

By having a 'dummy' club present a Challenge Alinghi has attempted to sideline the Challengers. Now, one of three things may happen - Alinghi could back down and work with the Challengers to create a fair event for the 33rd edition; the matter could end up in courts with the inevitable delays that will entail; or the Challengers could boycott the America's Cup and form an alternative event or perhaps adopt the event already under development by Russell Coutts and Paul Cayard.

If Louis Vuitton, the luxury good company which has sponsored the Challengers Series for many years but which has now withdrawn from the America's Cup and is locked in a legal battle with America's Cup Management, decides to support a new event along with the bulk of the Challengers, Alinghi and Ernesto Bertarelli may find themselves regretting the day they tried to hijack the America's Cup. -- from Cowes Online, www.cowes.co.uk/cb/zone?p=story;story_id=2976

MARION-BERMUDA USED REGATTA MANAGER FOR ONLINE EVENT MANAGEMENT
When Marion-Bermuda race organizers needed a low cost comprehensive solution for regatta management to perform online registration/payment and scoring, they didn't reinvent the wheel, they simply chose the leader -- Regatta Manager by Compete-At. Whether you are a small club or running a big race week, Regatta Manager has you covered with a cost effective complete solution. Contact Compete-At for a demo www.compete-at-sailing.com

RC44: TEAM AQUA CONQUERS THE MALCESINE CUP AHEAD OF TEAM OMEGA
Malcesine, Italy: Winner of the match-racing event on Friday and leader of the fleet ranking with a two points margin over Team Aqua, Russell Coutts' Team Omega was the favourite to conquer the Malcesine Cup (combination of the fleet and match racing ranking). However, Chris Bake and his team members had another idea; they dominated this last day, winning the fleet racing and conquering the Malcesine Cup.

For the first time this week, the start of the first race got postponed because of the light and fluky winds. But the famous thermal breeze finally kicked in, allowing a couple of fleet races to be completed in light airs.

It all got down to the last race, Team Aqua leading the new ranking with one less point than Team Omega. Once again, Chris Bake managed to take a good start and sail in fresh wind whilst Team Omega struggled to find clear air. But it is Miroslav Reljanovic's Cro-A-Sail who had the best race, winning with a comfortable margin over Team Aqua and Team Omega. Chris Bakes team conquers both the fleet racing title and the Malcesine Cup, on a tier with Team Omega (but the fleet race ranking is the final judge in case of equality).

The races of the Malcesine Cup took part alongside the shore, a few meters away from the beautiful new yacht club of Fraglia Vela di Malcesine. -- Bernard Schopfer

Malcesine Cup overall ranking (fleet race points, match-race points, overall points):
1. Team Aqua (1 /2) 3 points
2. Team Omega (2/1) 3 points
3. Cro-A-Sail (3/3) 6 points
4. Magia Carbon Affairs (4/5) 9 points
5. Antigua Ekipa 44 (5/4) 9 points

www.rc44.com

THE RETURN OF GIOVANNI SOLDINI
Excerpts from TheDailySail's interview with the former Around Alone winner and trimaran sailor about his move into the Class 40

Giovanni Soldini is something of a unique entity - an offshore sailor who, at one point at least, was a household name in his native Italy. This came about during and subsequent to the 1998-1999 Around Alone race (now the Velux 5 Oceans), an event that he won, but during which he also carried out a valiant mid-Southern Ocean rescue of French yachtswoman Isabelle

After Around Alone Soldini moved into the ORMA 60 class, but was never able and never seemed interested in keeping up with the Breton arms race in the class. His boat eventually capsized and was abandoned during the last Transat Jacques Vabre in 2005, the destroyed hulk of the upturned tri washing up on a beach in Brazil.

Since then Soldini has been lying low. Last year he bought a Swan 40 in the US, sailed it back to Italy, did it up and sold it, but otherwise spent most of his time at home with his family and numerous bambinos.

However, now for the first time since Around Alone, Soldini is making his monohull comeback, this time in the Class 40 with a new boat currently in build in Lorient to a design by the talented up and coming French architect Guillaume Verdier.

For Soldini, moving into the Class 40 is a case of getting back to his roots. "It is nice because the boat is really similar to the technology of Kodak. It is exactly the same construction [GRP - carbon is banned under Class 40 rules] and the same simple idea - there is water ballast, the keel is fixed, etc. It is great."

Full article for subscribers at www.thedailysail.com

BRITISH OLYMPIC TEAM NEWS
* Ben Ainslie, returning from America's Cup duties with Emirates Team New Zealand, has been chosen as Britain's representative in the Finn single-handed-dinghy class for the Olympic Test Regatta at Qingdao in China next month.

The rest of the team will be made up of the top-placed sailors in the 11 Olympic classes at the World Championships in Cascais, Portugal, which finished on Friday. Ed Wright, the European champion who finished fifth in Portugal, will be the tune-up partner for Ainslie, who won in Qingdao last year. The selection ends speculation that Ainslie, the Olympic champion, might miss the Games to concentrate on the America's Cup. -- Bob Fisher in the Guardian, sport.guardian.co.uk/sailing/story/0,,2128122,00.html

* Shirley Robertson, a member of the last four British Olympic teams and gold medallist in Sydney and Athens, has declined the Royal Yachting Association's invitation to go to next month's test event in Qingdao as reserve to Sarah Ayton.

"There wasn't really much of a decision to take," Robertson said. "It was a question of spending 10,000 pounds to air-freight the boat to China and then not race. It just isn't a very good use of time."

Robertson does not know if a strong performance by Ayton's crew in the pre-Olympic regatta will be enough to win selection for 2008, or if the RYA will continue the trials into next year. She hopes they do.

Last week Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson won the Yngling World Championships in Cascais and with it the chance to go to Qingdao. Robertson entered the final race in second place, a point behind, but finished third overall.

"I'd be very disappointed to think that the selection process was over," Robertson said. "To us, it felt like the beginning. We were fast in all conditions and can only get better."

The RYA has long had a policy of selecting the Olympic team early, so resources can be directed to the crew sailing in the Games.

"This made sense in 1996 and 2000," Robertson added, "but now there are two well-funded and competitive Yngling teams to choose from. My gut feeling is that if Sarah wins in Qingdao the selectors may not re-open the selection trial." -- Tim Jeffery in the Telegraph, www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/07/17/sosail117.xml

"AN EXCELLENT BIT OF KIT." - SAILING WORLD
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Take advantage of the weak U.S. dollar! www.OceanRacing.com

CHAMPAGNE G.H MUMM LADIES DAY @ SKANDIA COWES WEEK
The organisers and sponsors of Skandia Cowes Week are providing a superb range of activities and celebrations to highlight the achievements of women in sailing during Champagne G.H. Mumm Ladies Day on Thursday 9th August. Now we need YOUR nominations. Log onto www.skandiacowesweek

With more women than ever competing at this fabulous eight day sailingfest in August - over a third of the 8,500 sailors racing - Champagne G.H. Mumm Ladies Day embraces female sailors ranging from corinthians and those overcoming difficulties in order to sail, to those who have perhaps more publicly undertaken remarkable challenges and achieved extraordinary results.

CCC is delighted to announce that the Double Olympic Gold medallist Shirley Robertson and Elaine Bunting, the Features Editor of Yachting World will join them in selecting this year's recipient of the G.H. Mumm Ladies Day Trophy. The panel will shortlist five nominees, all of whom will be invited to join the exclusive early evening Champagne G.H. Mumm Ladies Day Reception and Award ceremony, at which the winner will be announced and the exquisite Isle of Wight Glass Trophy will be presented by Dame Ellen MacArthur in front of an invited audience, including the media. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston will present the champagne prizes and each of the five nominees will receive a Champagne G.H. Mumm Voyager Kit (a champagne chiller, perfect for using on a boat) and the winner will also receive a Magnum of G.H. Mumm.

Each nominee will also receive a fabulous Goody Bag containing a selection of Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare products, a bottle of Cockburn's LBV Port (LATE BOTTLED VINTAGE) a Henri Lloyd Washbag, an invitation to a Volkswagen Touareg Unlimited Day and and National Boat Shows are supplying two tickets to the Southampton and London Boat Shows. And if that's not enough, the overall winner will also be presented with a highly prized Corum watch.

Nominations close at midday on Friday 3rd August. -- Peta Stuart-Hunt

Full details and nomination form at : www.skandiacowesweek.co.uk

DEXIA FARR 40 SKAGEN RACE
Skagen Harbour, Denmark: Drenched in persistent and heavy rain, which was driven by 20-25 knot winds, Opus One deservedly won the Dexia Farr 40 Skagen 2007 Regatta.

As we entered the final day's racing, yesterday's 3 bullets had left Opus One in as strong as a position as they could wish for. However, with Hooligan, Kokomo and Barking Mad on their heels one could hardly describe the situation as comfortable. Taking 8th place in the first race of the day (race 7) must have increased the tension on board, (particularly as Australia's Hooligan came 1st) but they nailed the regatta with a fine 2nd in the 8th and final race. Four 1st places and two 2nd places in an eight race regatta of this quality is an excellent achievement.

After the first six (of eight races) Denmark's Monick had worked her way up to 5th place and given a performance along with Denmark's Nanoq (skippered by HRH Crown Prince Frederik) that must give them more confidence going in to the Rolex Pre-Worlds and World Championships to be held at the end of August, Tuborg Harbour Copenhagen, Denmark.

Germany's Struntje Light must surely rue the results in Races 3 & 4 (15th and 12th places respectively) without which they would have been able to seriously challenge Opus One and the other leaders. Finishing with a win perhaps underlined how one or two poor races can derail an otherwise satisfying campaign.

Top ten:
1 Opus One / Wolfgang Stolz, 21 points
2 Hooligan / Marcus C. Blackmore, 31
3 Kokomo / Lang Walker, 34
4 Barking Mad / Jim Richardson, 38
5 Struntje Light / Wolfgang Schaefer, 50
6 Nanoq / HRH Crown Prince Frederik, 68
7 Monick / David Holm, 69
8 Norwegian Steam / Eivind Astrup, 75
9 Calvi / Carlo Alberini, 84
10 Groovederci / Deneen Demourkas, 90

www.farr40.org

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 Luca Birindelli: So, two decades of association between AC and LV have come to an end.

In its press release last Friday, LV attempts to draw a parallel between its own history and the history of the AC: it goes even further, by saying that the house became... the "guardian" of the Cup. Well, indeed this mentality is quite typical of LV and of some of its representatives.

Having had the privilege of working in close association with world class professionals, such as Bruno Trouble and Christine Belanger and their teams during AC 31, I can confirm their attitude of looking at the Event as their own business.

The Cup belongs to no one and it is merely held in trust by the Defender, in the best interest of the Event itself.

I believe that - regrettably - LV will have more to lose by severing its association with the AC, than vice versa. Provided, however, that the Event itself will not forego the values of elegance, friendship, loyalty and exclusivity which LV greatly contributed in fostering and preserving.

THE LAST WORD
Anyone who conducts an argument by appealing to authority is not using his intelligence; he is just using his memory. -- Leonardo DaVinci

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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