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MICHEL DESJOYEAUX WINS FIGARO 2ND LEG
Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) crossed the finish line of the second leg of La Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro at 05:19:05 this morning to win the 344-mile race between Crosshaven and Brest sailing at an average 8.41 knots; crossing just 50 seconds ahead of Frederic Duthil (Distinxion), who holds on to the overall time ranked leadership at the close of this leg. Gildas Mahe (Le Comptoir Immobilier) comes in third, 2 minutes and 30 seconds behind the winner, which gives Duthil a 13 minute overall advantage over Desjoyeaux on the time rankings.

"This is a good one, a good one!" Exclaims a smiling Desjoyeaux with hand clenched upon crossing the finish line this morning. This is Michel's 6th leg win on a Solitaire (in Ireland twice and in Gijon 3 times), a race that he has been title-holder of twice before: in 1992 and again in 1998. This win will hold a special place for Michel as it marks the first win in France for the ultimate sailor that has won all the major solo races including the Vendee Globe, the Route du Rhum and the Transat.

Just 50 seconds later, in a battle right up to the finish line in the Rade de Brest, Frederic Duthil (Distionxion) crossed the line to take second place. Duthil continues to lie ahead in the overall time rankings after the second leg with a 13 minute advantage over Michel Desjoyeaux.

Gildas Mahe (Le Comptoir Immobilier) completes the podium with a third place on the leg finishing just 2 minutes and 30 seconds behind the winner of the day in his hometown of Brest. The first seven boats had less than half a mile between them over the final miles to the exiting finish.

The first ten boats finished within 30 minutes of each other.

On the international front, Liz Wardley (Sojasun) from Papa New Guinea comes in less than 40 minutes behind the leader to in 17th with Pietro D‚'Ali (Kappa) from Italy behind in 21st. The British sailors, both James Bird (GFI Group) and Nigel King (Nigel King Yachting) finished just over 2 minutes apart after 344 miles sailng within sight of each other for parts. -- Sabina Mollart-Rogerson

www.lasolitaire.com

ARTEMIS CHALLENGE AT SKANDIA COWES WEEK
On Wednesday, Artemis Investment Management played host to The Artemis Challenge at Skandia Cowes Week, a race around the Isle of Wight between some of the fastest ocean racing IMOCA Open 60's on the planet. On each boat a celebrity was given the chance to experience these amazing boats, names included Lady Gabriella Windsor, Will Greenwood of Rugby World Cup fame, Sky Sports presenter Georgie Thompson and TV presenter Johnny Ball.

At 10:00 this morning Dame Ellen MacArthur fired the starting cannon, setting the boats on their way heading west towards the needles in perfect sailing conditions with clear skies and a north-westerly breeze. After six hours of racing the Estrella Damm crew, with the added muscle power of Rugby World Cup winner Will Greenwood, crossed the finish line in first place with Roxy not far behind and Lady Gabriella Windsor, sailing for the second time ever, on the Artemis boat finishing in fourth place behind Akena Verandas.

The initial reach along the North-West coast of the Isle of Wight made for some spectacular viewing as these hugely impressive boats sped off into the distance with their colorful spinnakers up at speeds of 15 - 20 knots. Estrella Damm and Pindar, the two new boats in the fleet, quickly took advantage of their superior machines and were battling it out for first place as the boats rounded the Needles. On the other side of the island Mike Sanderson, the skipper onboard Pindar, decided to head offshore to find more wind, but unfortunately in doing so fell victim to a broken mast that snapped two metres above the deck; no one was hurt and the boat returned home after salvaging the remains of the rig.

The final sprint to the finish line saw Estrella Damm hold off a strong challenge from the girls on Roxy, with Artemis and Akena Verandas finding themselves in a tight scrap for third that Akena Vaernadas finally claimed. Despite some challenging conditions all the teams spoke of great morale on board all of their respective boats and a thoroughly enjoyable race that sees 10,000 pounds going to Africa Viva, the charity chosen by Estrella Damm that seeks to improve healthcare conditions in the poorest parts of Africa.

* Pindar, the brand new Open 60, was dismasted whilst leading her debut race today, sailing round the Isle of Wight. The rotating wing mast snapped approximately half way along its length, at 11.30 this morning, one and a half hours into the inaugural Artemis Challenge at Skandia Cowes Week race. Due to the point of sail Pindar was on at the time, sailing across the wind, the mast fell backwards, onto the boat, however the crew were uninjured. Pindar was leading the fleet when the incident occurred. The mast was recovered and secured, whilst the boat was towed back to her base in Gosport, Hampshire. The cause of the breakage is not yet known. The dismasting will force Pindar to pull out of the historic Rolex Fastnet Race this Sunday.

Mike Sanderson commented: "Today was a very disappointing day. We don't currently know how it happened, it's a really clean break to the mast, nothing else is damaged. Once we are back at base we will try to get to the bottom of it, but it's a real disappointment. I think the mast is repairable, but we won't be able to make the Fastnet this weekend. Prior to the break, Pindar was going really well, we hit 18 knots at one point round by the Needles, which in the light winds we were experiencing was great stuff."

Andrew Pindar, Chairman of the Pindar Group commented: "To break the mast on Pindar's first outing was terribly frustrating for everyone involved. I was onboard the boat today when the incident occurred, and was utterly impressed by the way that Mike and the crew handled the situation with incredible calm professionalism. Due to the fact that we were unable to finish the race, and compete for the donation from Artemis to our chosen charity, Earthwatch, I will be making a personal donation towards their fantastic work." -- www.pindar.com/teampindar

* Photos from Lloyd Images at scuttlebutteurope.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=205

B&G RELEASES NEW DECKMAN V8.2 WITH INTEGRATED GRIB.US WEATHER DATA
Following the teaming up of B&G and GRIB.US, B&G has launched a new version of its highly regarded Deckman tactical navigation software, offering sophisticated new functionality, including integrated weather data delivery.

Deckman v8.2 includes as standard integrated GRIB file functionality in the form of UGRIB from leading weather data specialist GRIB.US. This gives Deckman users instant access to high quality and reliable weather information, enabling enhanced routing decisions and increased tactical prowess for navigators.

UGRIB weather data that can be viewed within Deckman as a weather overlay, integrated into Deckman routes for optimal tactical decision making. Free upgrades available within v8.

www.bandg.com

300 STRONG ARMADA
With the start of the Rolex Fastnet Race this Sunday, August 12, a fleet of Rolex Fastnet hopefuls has begun assembling in and around The Solent area. Many of the entrants are racing in Skandia Cowes Week, used as a tune-up by some for the 608-nautical mile Rolex Fastnet Race. With the largest fleet since 1979, 300 boats will take to the start line off the Royal Yacht Squadron at Cowes on Sunday, with the first signal due at 0950 BST.

In the 23-boat Double-Handed Class, Simon Cowen (Hindhead, UK) has competed in the race once before, in 2005. But racing this year on the J/105 Voador, he comes to the Rolex Fastnet with some impressive successes including 1st in the 2-handed class in the 2002 Round Britain and Ireland Race, J/105 National Champion in 2005, and 2nd in the 2001 Mini Transat and highest placed Briton in the event. Cowen is up against some tough competition. Alex Whitworth, competing this year on Audacious, is notable for racing in the 2004 & 2005 editions of the Rolex Sydney Hobart and the 2005 Rolex Fastnet whilst undertaking a double-handed world-circumnavigating delivery trip in between with his friend Peter Crozier.

On Iromiguy, a Nicholson 33, Jean Yves Chateau (Boulogne sur Mer, FRA) returns for his 5th race and can boast a successful history to date, with top five finishes in class each time, capped by winning the Fastnet Challenge Cup for 1st overall in 2005 - ahead of the super maxis ICAP Maximus and Skandia Wild Thing both three times the length of Iromiguy.

For Piet Vroon and Ken Newman once was definitely not enough. Vroon, from The Netherlands, is competing this year on his Lutra 56, Formidable, in what will be his 23rd race. After over 40 years of competing in the Fastnet, Vroon struck gold in 2001, winning both the IRC and IRM classes overall and taking home both the Fastnet Challenge Cup and Fastnet Rock Trophy and a Rolex Yacht-master chronometer.

Topping Vroon is Ken Newman, on the Swan 51 Grandee, as this will be his 24th race - he has only missed one since his first Fastnet, forty years ago in 1967.

Meanwhile, the highly competitive IMOCA 60s, which are racing under class rules, have gathered some top sailing talent, none less than on Hugo Boss, where Alex Thompson has enlisted the help of veteran Whitbread/Volvo Round the World Race and America's Cup navigator, Andrew Cape. Dee Caffari, on Aviva, has weather expert Mike Broughton to help with the tactical decision-making and, whilst her crew list includes an Olympic Rowing Gold Medallist, Sir Matthew Pinsent is onboard as a non-participative journalist so will not be grinding the winch handles.

Most sailing pundits are eagerly anticipating the match-up between the stunning 30 metre canting keelers, Mike Slade's brand-new Farr-designed ICAP LEOPARD and Neville Crichton's latest Reichel Pugh-designed ALFA ROMEO, which has had a string of wins since her launch two years ago. The boats are scheduled to square off for the first time this week in some inshore racing.

The resurgent interest in ocean racing led race organizers, the Royal Ocean Racing Club, to cap the number of entries this year at 300. Entries came in quickly and at two months out the list was mostly filled. The process of checking certifications and compliance with the race regulations continues and the final ratings will be issued just prior to the start.

The Rolex Fastnet Race website is now online at fastnet.rorc.org and, during the race, spectators will be able to track the positions of the 300-boat fleet, courtesy of the OC Tracker units that the event has provided to each yacht.

MINIS ROUND THE ROCK
The Royal Western Yacht Club are delighted to announce that Chris Parsonage of Chris Parsonage Racing is to be the title sponsor for this first running of the UK Fastnet 6.50. This race is the first Mini Class event in the UK that has been approved by the governing body, Classe Mini.

The race started from Plymouth on Sunday 5th August 2007/ The event is a double-handed race from Plymouth around the Fastnet Rock and back.

The boats leave Plymouth Sound and sail west 90 miles to the Isles of Scilly. After rounding Bishop Rock the course runs north west for 160 miles to the Fastnet Rock off the southwest coast of Ireland.

The return course is via the same route.

The course will take the competitors about 4 days to complete in the prevailing winds.

The leading yacht, Fidelia Assistance has now rounded the Bishop Rock on the return leg and at 1208 was reported as being on a heading of 138 degrees and making around 5 knots.

Top five at press time (0300GMT):
1. Fidelia Assistance, Xavier Haizem 86.13 nm to finish
2. Alkaluf, Gael Deheneffe, 94.9
3. Ubaye, Matthew Keele, 96.75
4. Vecteurplus, Aloys Claquin, 97.67
5. Boero Yacht Paints, Vincent Gaudin, 138.09

Race position chart at www.marinetrack.com/system/racetrack/race/rwyc/division.asp
Google Earth file: www.rwyc.org/MiniFastnet/mf2007.kml

www.rwyc.org

LEADING THE CLASS FROM START TO FINISH
You're a mile southwest of Rame Head and broad-reaching towards a gun and a few well-earned beers. Winning your class in the Fastnet isn't about luck, it's about never putting a foot wrong. That's why you chose Dubarry Fastnet boots. Performance dry-fast dry soft leathers that stay supple, durable Cordura, breathable GORE-TEX linings, elasticated legs to keep the water out and non-slip non-marking soles derived from F1 tyre technology. Dubarry Fastnet boots: class leading performance.

www.dubarry.com

VOLVO DRAGON EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
As promised, the wind kicked in with a vengeange on Wednesday, for the third day of the Dragon Eurochamps. A strong easterly wind pulled in a wave train straight from the home waters of the St. Petersburg dragon sailors. The 48 Dragons were trashing their snouts wildly in the heavy chop. Would this be the day of the ocean sailors? No way.

Both daily firsts went to a Dragon from the charming inland lake of Starnberger See in hilly Bavaria. - Good speed and a good crew, what more do you need, said a happy Wolfgang Rappel when coming ashore. His boat "Little Wolfi" is named after his son and crew Wolfgang junior, who passed away some fifteen years ago. May the double victory of his namesake serve as a fitting epitaph to him.

The strong winds were also to the liking of some Scandinavian vikings. Valdemar Bandolowski, Soling gold medalist for Denmark in Kingston 1976, took a second and a fifth place. Hans Liljeblad, Olympic 470 sailor for Sweden in Pusan 1988, pulled off a third and a fourth place. Round-the-world sailor Harry "Hjallis" Harkimo and Melges class aces Kenneth and Henrik Thelen grabbed a sixth place for Finland.

There is much new talent in the Dragons, and it takes a while to master the heavy, long-keeled sloop in blustery conditions. The Russian dragon Yegoza found this out to its cost when approaching on port tack the Swedish dragon Ming on starboard. - I suppose they noticed us too late and only pulled the tiller right over. You really must also release the mainsheet fully, otherwise the boat just keeps going straight, reminded Vincent Hoesch, sailing master on Ming. The masts clashed, and Ming was dismasted above the spreaders. The Swedish boat hailed a rescue boat and was towed into port under its new, instant Radial rig.

The regatta has now run for five of the seven scheduled races. At the top, there is solid German concrete, with Markus Wieser a remarkable 16 points ahead of Wolfgang Rappel. They are chased by a troika of strong Russian sailors, by the names of Ezhkov, Vokmintzev och Semerkanov. Certainly names to be recognized in the future, evidently I need to schedule an interview session over vodka and pickled cucumbers. The Nordic aces are taking up the slack, with Bandolowski in sixth, Dahlman in seventh and Liljeblad in eight place. -- Henry Ericsson

Total results (top 10) after 5 races, one discard:
1. Bunker Queen, Markus Wieser - Sergei Pujachev - Thomas Auracher, Germany, 16.7 p.
2. Little Wolfi, Wolfgang Rappel - Hans Jurgen Benze - Michael Lipp, Germany, 33 p.
3. Alisa, Alexander Ezhkov - Vladimir Krutskih - Alexey Grigorjev, Russia, 49 p.
4. Valery, Dmitry Vokhmitzev - Vyacheslav Katyukhin - Viktor Fogelson, Russia, 49 p.
5. Diamond, Maksim Semerkanov - Dimitri Teroshkin - Alex Adrianov, Russia, 51 p.
6. Flawless, Valdemar Bandolowski - Soren Hvalso - Tim Tavinor, Denmark, 51 p.
7. Rat Pack, Henrik Dahlman - Lars Henriksen - Oscar Dannstrom, Alandia, Finland, 57 p.
8. Munegu, Christian Boillot - Jean Sebastian Ponce - Lionel Pean, Monaco, 59 p.
9. Eclipse, Jean-Claude Danet - Luce Pillot - Nicolas Abiven, France, 62.4 p.
10. Sweet Alice, Hans Liljeblad - Fredrik Heine - Robert Carenfelt, Sweden, 62.7 p.

www.hsf.fi/emdragons2007/index.htm

BE QUICK! THE SCORPION "SPORTS V" DEMO BOAT IS UP FOR GRABS
She's the fastest RIB on the Solent right now. The Scorpion "Sports V" was first shown at RIBEX 2007 and features many of the latest Scorpion innovations and designs. Built to Graham Jelley's exacting requirements, the 8.75m LOA "Sports V" undertook her maiden voyage to Cherbourg in under two hours and has proved to be fast and economical.

Full details and all the latest news at www.scorpionribs.com or contact Scorpion RIBs on +44 (0) 1590 677080.

LASER SB3 FLEET AT SKANDIA COWES WEEK
It was a cool start to the day at Shepherds Wharf for the Laser SB3s, thunderstorms overnight left a northerly breeze, that was forecasted to drop off at midday. Setting off towards the east on a reach, three boats were called OCS in an otherwise clean start. The race committee set a challenging course, with short legs crossing the Eastern Solent three times.

Midway through the race Glenn Bourke (Musto) was once again out in front, followed by Jeff Carveth (EarlsCourtBoatshow.com) and Jono Shelley (PricewaterhouseCoopers). With a moderate and oscillating breeze, reading the shifts was key. Craig Burlton (Team Touareg) chased Shelley down the long spinnaker leg to the finish but the order remained unchanged. Colin Simmons (Doollali) and Nick Jackson (Millgate Homes) had a bitterly disappointing day. They would have finished in 5th and 6th but discovered they were OCS after completing the course.

With 2 days to go, Carveth, the current Laser SB3 European Champion, is still looking favourite to win the regatta.

Full results at: www.skandiacowesweek.co.uk

DEAN BARKER TO MOVE TO BMW ORACLE?
Valencia Sailing has a strict policy of not reproducing rumors in its three years of existence. The only time we didn't follow the rules was a couple of months ago when we wrote about the imminent contract signature between Russell Coutts and BMW Oracle. It turned out it was true and the news was officially announced a month after we mentioned it. Still, it seems the contacts between the kiwi sailor and the American team were Valencia's worst kept secret.

We will deviate from our policy for a second time and report the information we have received concerning the transfer of Dean Barker, the helmsman of Emirates Team NZ in the 32nd America's Cup, to BMW Oracle. It seems, again officially unconfirmed, that the young New Zealander has signed or is about to sign an agreement with Russell Coutts, the brand new CEO of BMW Oracle, in order to become the helmsman on the American team.

It is a plausible rumor given the fact Dean Barker was in Palma last Saturday and was seen at the yacht club. Palma was of course where the Copa del Rey took place last week and Russell Coutts was calling tactics aboard the Swedish TP52 boat Artemis. It is believed Barker was not in the Spanish city for holidays but in order to have talks with Coutts. Unlike 2006, Barker hasn't taken take part in any of the Breitling Medcup races so far this year.

Full article at valenciasailing.blogspot.com

FEATURED BROKERAGE
ZANA (also known as KONICA MINOLTA), the Brett Bakewell-White designed 98' Supermaxi is for sale by tender. Closing date is the 12th of October. She was designed to be a no compromise record breaker, with an eye towards being converted to a canting keel yacht; she has all the potential that is needed to be a future record breaker, and available now!

Please contact Berthon International Yacht Brokers for tender instructions and more details. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or +44 1590 679222

THE LAST WORD
In view of the fact that God limited the intelligence of man, it seems unfair that he did not also limit his stupidity. -- Konrad Adenauer

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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