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ROBERTO TROMBINI CHALLENGE TROPHY
Luna Rossa helm James Spithill (AUS) won the 13th edition of the ISAF Grade 1 Roberto Trombini Challenge Trophy, defeating Paolo CIAN (ITA) of Shosholoza 3-0 in the final. It is a memorable victory for Spithill, who becomes the first skipper to win for a third time and, according to the rules, he is awarded the Roberto Trombini Challenge Trophy.

After the round robin series earlier in the week, some really thrilling matches concluded the racing in Ravenna on Sunday, especially in the semi-finals completed during the morning. The quality of the semi-final line up was demonstrated by the fact that world #1 Ian Williams (GBR) did not even make the last four.

Spithill, who started at 0-2 down against Philippe Presti (FRA) did some master moves, first forcing his team mate from Luna Rossa to take a penalty in the first match, overtaking in the second, when he won even with a penalty paid right of the lay line and with only a 1-second advantage. After levelling the match at 2-2, Spithill continued his splendid display going through to the final with 3-2 win. The other semi-final was won by Cian 3-1 against Damien Iehl (FRA).

The two finals were more hard won than the points suggest. Iehl won third place overall by beating Presti in the petit-final. In the battle for the trophy, Spithill won the first race with a penalty for Cian at the start, a trick he repeated in the second race. At 2-0 the third race was hard fought; Cian went into attack from the first to the last metre of the match. There were some magnificent duels with Spithill, the boats catching up very close, overtaking and numerous signals from the umpires. The last one was decisive, a penalty for Cian who was no longer able to gain advantage over Spithill. The Australian won the finals of the XIII Roberto Trombini Challenge Trophy 3-0 and the Trophy itself which goes to the skipper who wins the event three times. -- ISAF, sailing.org/default.asp?ID=j6fFnijAC&format=popup

Event site: www.matchracetrombini.com

* Photos by Juerg Kaufmann, www.go4image.com , in the Eurobutt Gallery, http://scuttlebutteurope.com/photos/

VOLVO YOUTH SAILING ISAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Kingston, Ontario, Canada: As racing at the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship reaches the halfway stage, the competition intensifies. All fleets have now sailed at least six races which means each competitor can discard his or her worse score so far.

The order at the top of the leaderboard for the boys 29ers has been unaffected by the discards, although by throwing away a tenth place in race 3 on the first day, New Zealand's Paul Snow-Hansen and Blair Tuke have closed the gap between themselves and the Danish team of Henrik Sagaard and Soren Kristensen who lead the pack with 18 points. The Dutch crew of Mark Walraven and Sibren Schiltkamp is now 38 points adrift in third.

In the girls two-handed fleet, the Dutch team of Anniemiek Bekkering and Jeske Kisters now lead the fleet four points ahead of Emily Dellenbaugh and Briana Provancha (USA). The Dutch girls have won three races out of the eight held so far, but this hasn't phased the American duo, who themselves have already had two first places.

Not every nation can afford to send their athletes to the other side of the world to compete in an event like this, but to make sure they still have the opportunity to gain experience by competing internationally, ISAF makes funds available to help developing sailing nations attend. This year grants have been awarded to 11 boys and five girls from Argentina, Barbados, the British Virgin Islands, Colombia, Guatemala, Paraguay, Uruguay, St Lucia and South Africa.

Very often, the athletes from these countries come to this event alone, without a team leader or coach, so Britain's Jim Saltonstall, one of the world's most respected coaches, does both jobs under his title of ISAF Youth Trust Coach.

The ISAF Youth World Championship is ISAF's longest running event, having taken place every year since the first Youth Worlds hosted by Sweden in 1971. The 37th Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship takes place from 12-21 July, sailed out of the Portsmouth Olympic Harbour in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

2007 will be the eighth ISAF Youth Worlds to be sponsored by Volvo. Italy are the current holders of the Volvo Trophy, awarded annually to the top performing nation at the Youth Worlds.

youthworlds2007.org/home.shtml

JOYON TO GO FOR ROUND THE ISLAND RECORD ATTEMPT
Less than one month after the launching of the giant trimaran IDEC, Francis Joyon has expressed satisfaction with the trial runs. The Challenge Penn Ar Bed, in Douarnenez last weekend, was an opportunity to test the boat in competition, with a four man crew, and put it through various manœuvres under pressure.

Friday was windy and, in multiple gybes and tacks, IDEC proved to be a well bred trimaran, with the balance of weight/power that its skipper had hoped for and, despite the fact that some things still need to be adjusted, Francis Joyon says he already feels almost ready for a trans-Atlantic record attempt.

It's a little early to talk about performance, but all those on board in Douarnenez were impressed by the ease with which the giant accelerated and got up to speed. They had also been impressed on the delivery voyage when, in 7 to 8 knots of wind, it proved very easy to double the wind speed.

IDEC is going to Charlie Capelle for the installation of two small rudders on the floaters. Francis hopes this will further delay the lifting of the central hull, at high speed, but says that the small ones could be just a starting point for further experiments, before the final profile and size is decided.

Once these rudders are fitted, Francis plans to head for the Solent and an attempt on the solo Round the Isle of Wight record, which he took - some 20 years ago – in his trimaran Paragon. This could be followed up by a possible attempt on the record for the English Channel crossing. -- Marian Martin in BYM News, www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=12239

Joyon's site: www.trimaran-idec.com

THE FASTNET QUIZ...
Last week's question:
What is the official distance of the race in nautical miles?
Answer: 608

This week's question:
Which yacht won the first Fastnet Race?

Two correct answer winners this week and for the following weeks of our contest: one will win a copy of the new Fastnet book "Beyond Endurance" ( see www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780771057557 )Another lucky sailor wins the famous Dubes T-shirt. This soft texture 100 per cent cotton T-shirt reveals the secret of the famous Knot Ur Dubes deck shoe knot.

At the end of the competition, one entrant will win a pair of Dubarry Fastnet boots - with GORE-TEX breathable inner lining and Non-Slip Non-Marking sole.

Cast your vote at www.scuttlebutteurope.com/index.php?option=com_philaform&form_id=5&Itemid=1

8 METRE WORLDS: SCOTTISH YACHT TAKES THE LEAD AFTER FIRST DAY
Lafayette, owned by Murdoch McKillop and skippered by Allan Manuel took the lead on the first day of the 8 Metre Centennial World Championship 2007, run by the Royal Northern Yacht Club at Rhu, sponsored by Chopard.

The Scottish yacht has yet to sail in a championship and not be on the podium. She has always been pretty much unbeatable in heavy air and since her keel was changed she has become a superb all-round performer for the conditions in Scotland.

In spite of poor visibility the first race started on time at 11.00 in 12 to 14 knots of wind. Wyvern was disqualified for being over the start line early.

Soon after the start the wind backed, resulting in a rather one-sided course.

The leading boats at the first mark were Lafayette, Aluette and Hollandia. These three were in the lead throughout the race which lasted just over an hour. Lafayette extended her lead throughout the race and the crewing was conspicuously superior to other boats.

First of the classic boats was Saskia from Australia which finished 6th overall having sailed a very good race.

Carron from Norway retired with damage to her mainsail, but managed to return to the race area in time for the second start.

A second race was started in about 6 to 8 knots of wind but was abandoned soon after the leading yachts had passed the windward mark as the wind there died to virtually zero. At time of abandonment Hollandia was leading followed by Lafayette, then Alluette, which had just passed Peter Wilson's Ganymede, the newest boat in the fleet, which had its first sail only two days ago.

Lafayette, better in heavier conditions, struggled off the start line in the second race, but recovered impressively to be closely in touch with Hollandia at the top mark, with the remainder of the fleet well behind.

After a long wait for new breeze the race officer abandoned racing for the day.

www.8metre-rncyc.com

* Photos by Marc Turner, www.pfmpictures.co.uk , in the Eurobutt Gallery, scuttlebutteurope.com/photos/

SEAHORSE SAILOR OF THE MONTH
We have a tie (at press time)... Voting will remain open for another 2 days...

This month's nominees:

Marcelino Botin (ESP)
Whether or not there is any real linkage between Botin's skill at drawing competitive boxy old IMS designs and equally competitive (though prettier) boxy ACC designs is less significant than that Emirates' lead designer jointly -created a Louis Vuitton Cup winner at his first attempt. Among several shrewd new hirings by Grant Dalton, this was surely one of the shrewdest

Graham Dalton (NZL)
Some people can turn a success out of defeat and on his second solo round the world race Graham Dalton assuaged the myriad failures of his first Around Alone, persevering on through the harshest circumstances, this time largely not self-inflicted, while honouring the memory of his late son after whom his boat is named. That eventually time ran out for this brave Kiwi was almost irrelevant. A fine achievement.

Cast your vote at seahorsemagazine.com

Seahorse Sailor of the Month is sponsored by Harken McLube, Dubarry & Henri Lloyd

PARTNERS IN BOAT FINANCE
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OPTIMIST EUROPEANS
Etienne Le Pen of France and Patricia Coro of Spain are the new European Optimist Champions.

Only one race was possible on the final day and with three days lost to unsuitable weather the series concluded with eight races and two discards.

Etienne, who had travelled all the way from New Caledonia to qualify and compete for his country, registered a 2nd in the final race, leaving Leonardo Dubbini (ITA), 8th in last year's Worlds, needing a win to clinch the boys' championship but he could manage only a 3rd. Juraj Divjakinja (CRO) likewise managed to do enough in a tight finish to take bronze ahead of Carl Strombeck (SWE). FRANCE will be delighted with their over-all performance with all four sailors in the top ten. Perhaps surprisingly this is the first time they have won gold in over 20 years.

Patricia Goro (ESP) won the final girl's race to edge out her rivals Julia Gross (SWE) and Daniella Zimmermann (PER) to take the gold for Spain for the second successive year. Sonia Arana, also of Spain, took European bronze.

Greece in summer is hot and this year was hotter than most. It is a tribute to the resilience of the young sailors and the care taken by the coaches that only one of the 229 participants (a Cypriot!) failed to finish the series. Consolation may be derived from the fact that the alternative venue when Athens was chosen was Pwlleli in Wales where winds have also been high and conditions probably more miserable.

229 participants (143 boys and 86 girls) from 38 countries participated.

Action now moves to the IODA World Championship in Sardinia where 256 sailors from 56 countries will participate. Racing starts 25 July.

www.optinam2007-mexico.org/Optinam2007/

MOVING ON
It's official, Francesco de Angelis and Luna Rossa Challenge have now jointly decided to divorce.

"It's a normal alternance", explained the Italian syndicate in a very laconic statement. "Sport is cycles. Some are opened up when others are finished".

Born in Naples in 1960, Francesco de Angelis is the only Italian skipper to have ever won the Louis Vuitton Cup (in 2000 in Auckland) and was the skipper and leader of the Luna Rossa Challenge in Valencia.

He is known as a perfect gentleman in the cut-throat world of America's Cup racing, one of the nicest people around the event and now a truly sympathetic figure.

A new cycle is now open and the main question is who is going to succeed him aboard a fourth Luna Lossa incarnation. -- Cup in Europe, www.cupineurope.com/NewsEN/2007/LunaRossa.htm citing Ansa: www.ansa.it

GUEST EDITORIAL: MIKE SHARPE
I'm not often speechless, but the going's on in the new 'Swiss Cup' have kept me in stunned silence for weeks, since the events of the last race of the last 'America's Cup'.

Finally it is clear, from Michel Hodras' comments in Scuttlebutt Europe #1271, that the America's Cup sailing event is dead, taken over by the commercialism of the persons leading the Swiss team for the past several years.

His statement - "And we want to continue to grow this sport so that it does not fall just under a roof that is limited to sailing" says it all. What is not "limited to sailing" supposed to mean?! It IS a sailing event - period! Obviously the Swiss leadership and their team have missed that point, somewhere along the way to their 'winners' press conference.

L.V. was correct to withdraw from an event that no longer is going to support 'the Cup', for what it was, and for what it might now become.

Just as countless interested sailors have turned their back on the Cup year after year because of its expanding commercialism, now we will see challengers and potential challengers leave. Who knows what the 'Swiss Cup' will become, but many of us just don't care.

Hodra's comments regarding what Emirates Team New Zealand can do with the L.V. Cup probably typifies the Swiss Groups lack of regard for the America's Cup; The Louis Vuitton Cup; the past winners and losers and the history of the event itself and its participants. It seems to be solely about the future of the 'Swiss Cup' and their interests in its ownership.

In throwing out precedent, tradition is also discarded. The high drama of past press conferences have become an exercise in self promotion, based on the final events of a few weeks ago. Guys, it's about winners and losers.

Obviously concerns over the competitiveness of the challengers and the Kiwi's was enough for them to change the rules, and their control of the 'protocol' is obviously their attempt to gain a design advantage early, while the new rules that will allow them to race with the challengers will further their attempt to gain an advantage. "Level playing field"!? The defenders boat design; the defenders rules; the defenders regulations; the defenders right to hire and fire the race officials! You gotta be joking. I hope some of this stuff proves to be wrong, but really, who cares.

After finally getting boats from different designers and builders racing neck and neck, with spectators enthralled, now the Swiss are going to screw it all up and go back to a design race and war. The crew are once again the passengers while the design process goes back to zero and the spectacle stops.

There is no way the Swiss would have won the next 'Cup' if it stayed in current A.C. boats. They were lucky to scrape through this time.

I am a fan of F1, and that seems to be the 'gold standard' for the movers and shakers in AC Management. Boy, have THEY got a long way to go. They're not even close.

EIGHT BELLS: CARLETON MITCHELL
The members of the Cruising Club of America, the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and the entire Bermuda Race Organizing Committee wish to express their sympathy to the Mitchell family at the passing of Carleton Mitchell, one of the great offshore sailors of our time.

Cruising Club member John Rousmaniere has written, "The winner of a record three straight Bermuda Races in Finisterre, a cruising sailor and powerboater of great accomplishment, and one of boating's best and most influential writers and photographers, Carleton Mitchell died of heart failure on July 16, 2007, at his home in Key Biscayne, Florida. He was 96."

"Carleton Mitchell's many and great accomplishments," Rousmaniere continued, "are summarized in the inscription on the plaque that was presented to him when he was elected to the Bermuda Race Roll of Honour."

The inscription reads, "When he won the 1956, 1958, and 1960 Bermuda Races in his 38-foot yawl Finisterre, Carleton Mitchell tied John Alden's record for most Bermuda Race overall victories while setting two new ones for consecutive wins and wins by one boat. All those records still stand. In addition to his astonishing on-the-water achievements, Mitch has made innumerable contributions to the race as a writer, photographer, donor of trophies, and friend and inspiration to all who sail offshore."

John's tribute to the life of Carleton Mitchell is published at "Race News" on www.bermudarace.com

A memorial service will be held in Key Biscayne at a date to be announced. Mrs. Mitchell has asked that donations in Carleton Mitchell's memory be made to Mystic Seaport or the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. -- Talbot Wilson

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 Anthony Richards: It is interesting to read Mr Birindellis's spin on the LV withdrawal. My view is that they will lose nothing at all - indeed they may find their sponsorship budget better spent on something different. With the AC threatening to fall apart, LV's move could be well timed, avoiding the splatter coming from the fan! Ultimately however, I suspect we are seeing the start of a new cycle, comparable to the San Diego circus.

* From Jim Houston, re: ECOVER Half Ton Classics Cup:
It is a shame to have it reported that 'Misjif' had a 'poor last race result', she was in fact 3rd equal in the last race. Not that poor for a production SJ 30 amongst a predominantly one-off fleet. I believe it was also the race where ' HL Harmony' had her narrowest win. One second from 'Hakuna Matata', a brilliantly sailed 1974 Super Arlequin, which finished 6th overall.

* From Daniel Charles: The unwanted GGYC challenge for the America's Cup of course reminds me of the 1987/88 US/Kiwi dispute. I was then in charge of the all historical research of the defender, when we were looking for what the Donor of the Trophy really wanted, and in which context. I believe that if ever the current case goes to court -and it can only be the Supreme Court of the State of New York-, the court will not bother with previous mutual agreement, but will only refer to the Deed of Gift and the intention of the donors.

In this perspective, it will not only question the dubious legitimacy of the Spanish challenger of record, but also of the actual holder of the Trophy. The Donor's insistence upon a challenging club on an arm of the sea was very clear. While Societe Nautique de Geneve was a bona fide club in a mutual agreement situation, outside such a mutual agreement the inland nature of the SNG clearly contradicts the expressed desires of the Dornor. Therefore, if this matter comes to court, it might be possible that SNG would be stripped of the trophy. The Swiss wouldn't like that and would possibly go to the Supreme Court of the US, which would delay a settlement for many years. This is potentially a much more damaging situation for the Cup than the 1987/88 one.

THE LAST WORD
Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It's not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything. -- Muhammad Ali

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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