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DESJOYEAUX LEADS THE FIGARO
24 hours at sea and Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) leads the Figaro race. The last position report shows a narrow 0.5 mile advantage over the 2006 title holder, Nicolas Troussel (Financo) and a healthy 49 mile lead over the last competitor, Jimmy le Baut on Port Olona - Arrimer .

The 49 sailors competing in La Solitaire set off from Caen yesterday in ideal sailing conditions. The course taken to cross the Channel has determined the current standings. The skippers who managed to sail a more Easterly course, reached the Fairways mark off the South West coast of the Isle of Wight with the current playing in their favour and propelling them along, whilst those furthest west faced an upwind slog against the current to reach the mark. Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia), Nicolas Troussel (Financo), Gildas Mahe (Le Comptoir Immobilier), Frederic Duthil (Distinxion) and Nicolas Lunven (Bostik) benefited from the more Easterly course that leaves them leading the fleet at the 4 pm position report. "On the Channel crossing I think some got carried off course by the current so they found themselves below the mark, which pretty much set the mark" explained Desjoyeaux on the VHF radio this afternoon.

The second major decision for the competitors upon rounding the Fairways mark at the Needles was whether to head offshore in search of the synoptic wind, as is the case with the current leaders, or aim further inshore to attempt using the thermal breeze and currents to make up ground.

As forecast, the wind has been decreasing since this morning and should continue to do so into the evening. This is reflected on the latest poll that shows the trailing boats enjoying relatively higher boat speed giving them a chance make up some ground, but will this be enough to catch the leaders? The young rookie, Nicolas Lunven (Bostik), currently well placed in 5th position, hopes not "Unfortunately looks like the forecast is going to be true and conditions will lighten; I just hope it does not give my little friends further back the chance to catch up." -- Sabina Mollart-Rogerson

http://www.lasolitaire.com

OPTIMIST WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Chris Steele of the Wakatere B.C. in Auckland, is the 2007 Optimist World Champion, the first time the event has been won by a New Zealand sailor.

This sixth and final day of the championship the race committee manged two races in relatively light 8-12 knots, leaving the series complete at 13 races.

Chris is from the same club as 2004 silver medallist Paul Snow-Hansen who last week took silver in the 29ers at the ISAF World Youth Championship. Combined with Carl Evans who had two top-20 results at Optimist Worlds and became the youngest ever 420 world champion there is clearly a great group of NZL sailors reminiscent of Jim Saltonstall's "ferrets" of the early '90s.

And they are not all male. Alexandra Maloney finished off a fine consistent series to take over-all bronze and the girls' prize well ahead of Lara Vadlau (AUT). Rachel Lee (SIN) had a superb 5/6 to snatch girls' bronze.

Benjamin Grez of Chile started the day with the the handicap of a low second discard and could do nothing once Steele kept his nerve. Silver is however a great result for a relatively small and remote fleet. 2006 champion Julian Autenrieth (GER) showed great character to fight back from his disastrous OCS/34/39 in the earlier light weather races to finish fourth.

Of the 13 races five have been in light winds and the remainder in stronger stuff, including one race where 32 knots were recorded. It has been one of the best test of all-round skills... possibly the best since the last time we visited Sardinia.

Full results at http://www.optiworld.org/ioda-news.html

HARKEN UK REGATTA SUPPORT, COWES 03/08/07 - 11/08/07
Come and make a pit stop at our fully tooled up van for all your Harken Hardware. The Harken Service Van will be on-site at Cowes Yacht Haven, ready and waiting for all your technical tune-ups.

The Technical Service Team are only a phone call away for hardware selection, installation advice or problem solving.

Come and meet the Tech Team in the Harken Service Van, Cowes Yacht Haven.

CONTACT DETAILS
Service Van: 07969 299848
Technical Enquiries: 01590 689122
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Website: http://www.harken.co.uk

CHANGE OF LEADERS IN TP 52, IMS 670 AND IRC
Three changes of leaders and three top boats that maintain the yellow maillot in the third day of competition of the 26 Copa del Rey Camper Audi. A day of racing marked by the continuous changes of wind, both in speed and direction.

The Transpac 52 and GP 42 completed three eight mile windward-leeward courses, with the first race shortened due to the wind drop. Again the south wind was present, changing 5 degrees southeast and up to 15 degrees southwest. The beats to windward were clearly on the land side and most of the fleet was aware of it from the beginning.

In the new GP 42 class the leader seems unbeatable. Today the Desafio Espanol crew members onboard Quebramar-Chrysler had a great performance and won the first two races.

The one design X-35 sailed three six miles windward-leeward courses with south wind changing 10 degrees to each side and around 13 knots. Rafael Lasso's Marina Rubicon saw a new victory in the first race and was fifth and fourth in the following ones. But he is still the leader with five points advantage over X Connexion. At nine points from the Dutch team, third place is for Vela Portals 1, which was the winner of the third race.

The remaining classes (IMS 570, IMS 670 and IRC) sailed a 27miles coastal race in the bay of Palma. In IRC, German team on Swan 45 Earlybird were strong again and won this race with two windward-leeward legs and three reaches, one of which took them to cabo Regana. US maxi Bon Bon obviously led the race in real time but after the first half of the race the compensated time already gave the victory to the German boat. Second was Farr 52 Plis Play and third was French boat Axelle, another Swan 45. With this result, Plis Play takes the lead from Bon Bon, although at only one point difference. Earlybird is still third but is closer to the leading boats in points.

In IMS 570, Icaro holds on to the lead.

In IMS 670, a new change of leader. Olympic champion José Maria Van der Ploeg onboard Turismo Madrid proved again that long races are his strong point, as he did last year.

Tomorrow, fourth day of competition, the TP 52 have a 50miles coastal race scheduled in the bay of Palma, while the rest of classes will sail windward-leeward races in the bay of Palma. With only another race, the X-35 can already discard their worst result, a novelty in this 26 Copa del Rey Camper Audi.

Full results at http://www.regatacopadelrey.com

SEAHORSE SAILOR OF THE MONTH
This month's winner:
Graham Dalton (NZL)
Well, at least one of them won something this month... (sorry big boy). Graham Dalton finally made the finish of the Velux 5 Oceans, outside the time limit but a hero nonetheless. Following a fleet of Open 60s around the world solo on a 50-footer is hard enough on the soul, but a barely-believable litany of misfortune along the way made Dalton's one of the most traumatic solo voyages of modern times. And all the while this plucky New Zealander stayed relentlessly focused upon his goal of completing the course in memory of his late son Tony, for whom one can truly say, 'Dad did you proud'.

Next month's nominees:

Andrew Mcdougall (AUS)
We put this one out to the mighty Sailing Anarchy - great response, thank you! A brief summary: 'Dude mortgaged his life to start Bladerider and "build a better Moth" for the world; designed everything himself; persevered in the face of endless naysayers; especially about the rudder foil; led team BR to 1,2,5,6,9 at the worlds; took 6th spot himself... at 50-something years old!'

Tom Slingsby (AUS)
After losing the 2006 world title on the last day, in Korea, Tom Slingsby topped a 149 -strong Laser fleet in Cascais, counting 4 bullets to slay his demons and ensure that he goes into the Olympic year as the reigning Laser world champion. Success in Cascais means Slingsby has won 3 out of 6 big events in 2007, finishing 2nd in Miami and Hyères and a 'lowly' 5th in Palma. Now, what will Robert Scheidt race in China...

Cast your vote at http://seahorsemagazine.com

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

POSITION 51 DEGREES 23.3'N 9 DEGREES 36.1'W
Fastnet Rock. The Irish call it 'Carraig Aonair' - Lonely Place. We call it the turning mark. After crashing upwind across 190 miles of wet, wild Western Approaches, making calls and changing gears, you're going round with the big boats. Like the performance leathers, durable Cordura and GORE-TEX insulated lining in your Dubarry Fastnet boots, you've kept your shape, stayed supple and matched the conditions. Dubarry Fastnet boots - comfortably ahead.

http://www.dubarry.com

TALL SHIPS RACES
The 1600 GMT race position report shows the fleet very spread out with some having gone to the west of Gotland and some to the east. The southerly head winds have not helped the Class A ships, while the more modern yachts have made good progress during the day. Remaining in first place overall on corrected time is Alexander von Humboldt (Germany) with Shtandart (Russia) now in second and Kruzenshtern (Russia) in third. Christian Radich (Norway) has now moved up to fourth place overall on corrected time.

Deodar (Sweden) remains in the lead in Class B on corrected time, with Gratia (Sweden) moving up to second place and Wyvern von Bremen (Germany) now in third. Dar Szczecina (Poland) now leads Class C on corrected time, clearly in a rush to get back to her home port. Behind her is Farurej (Poland) and Williwaw (Belgium) in third place.

Leading Class D on corrected time is Peter 1 (Russia) with Hansa (Spain) in second and Rona II (UK) in third. Leading on the water is the ever-fast Hansa with the equally fast and competitive Fazisi (USA) close behind and Better Than (USA) in third.

Cuauhtemoc (Mexico) has now also retired, as has Estelle (Finland).

The headwinds are forecast to continue for the next 24 hours. -- Corinne Hitching

http://www.tallshipsraces.com

REGATTA CONTINUES AFTER SAILOR'S DEATH
It is with much regret that the Laser 4000 Class Association and South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club must announce the tragic death of Tim Atkinson, a sailor competing in the Laser 4000 Nationals. The accident happened at approximately 1430 on Monday 30 July whilst sailing in Tremadoc Bay near Abersoch. The deepest sympathy is extended to all his family and friends by the Class Association and the Yacht Club.

The Laser 4000 Class Association held a meeting of all competitors yesterday evening, Monday 30th July, and decided to continue the National Championships, a decision fully supported by the South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club. A minute's silence was observed on the Middle Deck at the Yacht Club this morning, Tuesday 31st July, at 10 am, with a black flag being hoisted on the flagstaff, and racing was postponed until 12 noon.

The Laser 4000 Class Association would like to thank all the safety boat crews, the Abersoch Lifeboat and the paramedics that treated Tim for all their assistance at this difficult time. There will be a collection for the RNLI for those that wish to contribute.

Mr Atkinson, 48, traveled to the event from County Down, Northern Ireland, with friends whom he had sailed with before.

http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/?article=137693

FRENCH DOMINATE FIRST DAY OPEN HOBIE 16 EUROPEANS 2007
On Wednesday August 1 2007, the French dominated the first day of this year's Open Hobie 16 Europeans in Gravenzande. The summer had finally arrived in the Netherlands, but that also caused a light and variable wind. After hours of postponement, the northern breeze was about eight knots in which the gold and silver fleets completed two races. The competition among the 64 teams in the gold fleet, representing ten countries, was strong. Jerome Le Gall and Enrick Obert (France, New Caledonia) are leading after scoring a second and a bullet. Fellow countrymen Bader/Souquet are second, followed by Renoud de Malet/Rossolin. Yesterday's Youth Champions Lauriot-Prevost/Pervier are in fourth position, tied in points with the Germans Delius/Wiese-Dohse.

Provisional top five after 2 races:

1. FRA - Le Gall/Obert, 3 points
2. FRA - Bader/Souquet, 6
3. FRA - Renaud de Malet/Rossolin, 7
4. FRA - Lauriot-Prevost/Pervier, 16
5. GER - Delius/Wiese-Dohse, 16

http://www.hobiecateuropeans.com

LAUNCHINGS
* Based on the super yacht Pilgrim Project and brainchild of Andre Hoek and Luca Bassani, WallyNano by Hoek Design is a new daysailer from Wally Yachts.

Snowwhite, the first unit of WallyNano by Hoek Design, is currently under construction with the launch scheduled for Autumn 2007.

The hull design has been extensively researched and tested with VPP's and CFD analysis, and four CNC models were cut before the moulds were milled.

The sail plan includes a carbon spars package with a retractable bowsprit for the gennaker. The high aspect ratio rig is designed for easy handling and fast sailing. The box wing boom makes the main sail drop easy and neat by the helmsman alone.

The Mediterranean version and the Solent version feature the exchangeable keel fin to make it easy to switch from one version to the other keeping the same bulb.

WallyNano by Hoek Design is built in The Netherlands using the latest advanced composite technology by Victoire Naval Projects.

The first five units of WallyNano by Hoek Design will be launched in spring 2008.

Line drawings in the Eurobutt Gallery:
http://scuttlebutteurope.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=198

* The VG-35XS from Van Gorkum Yacht Design was primarily conceived for the high-end PHRF/IRC market but has strong one-design potential.

The 35XS boasts a length/beam ratio of 4.4 which indicates a relative reduction in wave making drag. Combine this trend with a with a displacement/length ratio of 70, a moderate prismatic of 0.530, a fine entrance angle at the bow with narrow "U" sections forward, and a wide and gentle run aft. The result is a powerful and easily driven hull in heavier airs with the potential for both a strong windward performance and the ability to readily plane.

This design will have and a projected upwind SA/DSPL of 44 and downwind SA/DSPL of 110. The fractional rig is carbon fiber with 23 degree swept-back spreaders and carries a non-overlapping jib.

E-glass and Kevlar over a foam or balsa core, vacuum bagged in an epoxy resin, is the prescribed method of construction for the hull and deck. Carbon fiber uni-directional material is used in areas of high loading such as the keel grid, chainplates, and in critical transverse framing and bulkheads. However, an all E-glass boat could be built to increase the economic one-design potential of this design for a relatively small increase in the overall weight.

Photos at http://scuttlebutteurope.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=197

* Mike Golding's new Owen Clarke designed Open 60 yacht ECOVER 3 completed her first gruelling trip slightly ahead of schedule: a 681 kms passage by road from Wellington to Auckland.

The first competitive race for the new boat will be the Transat Jacques Vabre transatlantic race from Le Havre, France to Brasil in early November, but prior to that Golding must complete a 1000 miles qualifying race.

The ultimate goal, for which the new boat was built, is the 24,000 miles solo round the world race, the Vendee Globe, which starts November 2008.

In the last Vendee Globe race, in 2003-4, Golding finished third in ECOVER 2.

The new boat is the first Open 60 build for Hakes Marine, who were chosen by Golding and lead designer Merf Owen of the Owen Clarke partnership, for their experience building the MedCup winning Transpac 52 yacht Mean Machine, the maxi Konica Minolta, and work on several America's Cup yachts as well as owner Paul Hakes long years of race boat building.

Photos of the new ECOVER by Jim Bolland, http://www.auldmug.com , in the Eurobutt Gallery: http://scuttlebutteurope.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=195

* Jeanneau has unveiled the new Sun Odyssey 49i, the product of a collaborative effort between the renowned naval architect, Philippe Briand, and the Jeanneau Design Office.

Available in two versions, 4 double berths / 4 head compartments or 3 double berths / 2 head compartments.

The hull of the Sun Odyssey 49i is created with injection technology, using Jeanneau's own patented "Prisma Process" procedure.

The Sun Odyssey 49i is also available in a "Performance" version, for sailors who dream of cruising the open waters at top speeds or competing in regattas. This version is offered with high-tech sails, a greater sail surface, an adjustable backstay and many more options to enhance your sailing pleasure.

This new sailboat will be presented in a premier showing at the 2007 fall boat shows in Cannes, Southampton and Genoa. -- BYM News, http://www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=12423

* After nine months of work at ten o'clock local time on Wednesday 18th July 2007, the launch took place of the 60-foot (18.28m) Imoca monohull Brit Air designed by Finot-Conq and built by Multiplast for the Breton skipper Armel Le Cleac'h.

On Thursday 19th July she underwent the 180 degree righting test and her mast stepped immediately afterwards. Then there are the various strain tests to be carried out by the Multiplast yard and finally the 90 degree stability test with the mast up, before she sailed on 25th July.

While Brit Air is a boat from the very latest generation, her skipper wanted her above all to be efficient and easy to handle. Armel le Cleac'h: "I come from the Figaro circuit, where you very quickly reach the full potential of the boat. For Brit Air, I used the same ideas, knowing however that in the Vendée Globe, you don't very often use more than 80% of the boat's ability. We have a year and a half before the start in November 2007 to get to know her. Considering what I have seen of the competition and of Yann Elies's Generali, which came out of the same mould, I remain fairly confident. I can't wait to sail her and head off to Cowes (Isle of Wight) in early August for our first race, the famous Rolex Fastnet Race, which I will be racing with my brother Gael..."

THE LAST WORD
A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice. -- Thomas Paine

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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