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DESJOYEAUX, THE KING OF SOLO
Despite the autumnal cold and rain, the crowds gathered in Les Sables d'Olonne today to celebrate the win not only of Frederic Duthil, winner of the fourth and conclusive leg La Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro but also that of Michel Desjoyeaux, crowned "Solo King" and overall winner of the 38th edition of the race. Gerald Veniard (Scutum) finishes third on the final leg, but the third spot on the overall podium goes to the winner of the third leg, Corentin Douguet (E. Leclerc/Bouygues Telecom).

The 2007 edition of the race will be remembered for the extremely demanding conditions encountered over the course the whole race and in particular very strong winds and rough seas over the last two legs. The level of the competitors is so high on this competition that even in such gruelling conditions as those experienced on the last leg, most of the boats continued to in race mode, with as much sail area up. This was a baptism of fire for many of the newcomers who had never sailed in conditions like these.

Experience counts and looking at the top three to finish Michel Desjoyeaux, competes for the 10th time, Frederic Duthil for the 4th and Corentin Douguet for the 2nd. Each year these solo sailors return and each year new ones are enticed to join this truly exhilarating race. Duthil won the first leg, came second on the third leg, 8th on the fourth and goes on to win the last. Michel has three third places and one first overall.

The fourteen strong rookie fleet may be new to the Figaro circuit, but are certainly not inexperienced sailors. The young and talented Nicolas Lunven (Bostik) held his own to take the overall Rookie Ranking and finished 18th overall on the race followed 33 minutes and 5 seconds later by Vincent Biarnes (Cotes d'Armor) and Frederic Rivet (Novotel Caen) takes third place 42 minutes behind.

Early this morning, just before sunrise, Jacque Carafes, the Race Director, began to worry about Banque Populaire's unusual southern trajectory at just 2 knots. It was impossible to get hold of Jeanne Gregoire over the VHF, but the worry had gone as the boat had once more taken the right course. It was only on the approach to the finish line that we could see that Banque Populaire had dismasted. "I do not know what happened exactly. I was inside and I just went flying." As a result of the huge knock, Jeanne has a large bruise on the forehead and a painful shoulder from the knock, caused in no doubt by a breaking wave. "When I went out I was not surprised to see my mast in the water." More shocked than hurt, Jeanne Gregoire must be truly disappointing as she was hoping to finish among the ten on this particularly tough leg.

At 12h56, the Race Committee announced that closure of the finish line in Les Sables d'Olonne. The competitors have time limit in which they must cross the finish line within, basically the time of the first to finish plus 30%. The last Figaro competitor to cross the finish line is Didier Bouillard (MEDevent), ranked 45th. Behind, Paul Ó Riain (City Jet), Jean-Francois le Meitour (Construction Dorso) and Jimmy Le Baut (Port Olonna - Arrimer) will all be ranked out of time, DNF (did not finish) for being outside the time limit.

Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia): "I came looking for a fight"

"What has made winning this race different and in interesting on each leg is the particularly high level of the competition. There are previous editions where you had the impression that nothing was happening; on this one things were happening all the time. You had to think things through at all times to try and do better. There was never a moment of boredom. There is nothing worse, as says Jean-Paul Mouren, than a one leg reach at a furious pace driving the boat. We did not have any of that this year. This comes from the conditions but also from the high standard and even level of the competition. All the boats perform well and all the competitors are able to take good initiatives, not just follow. That is what I came looking for: the fight, the confrontation.

With our big boats (Open 60's) you do not sail with this level of confrontation. Here you have 50 competitors of which 20 have the level to win.You just have to look at the way they all left the bay in La Coruna the day before yesterday, there were boats all over the place. You can only find this on La Solitaire. This fourth leg." -- Sabina Mollart-Rogerson

www.lasolitaire.com

VALLE ROMANO MEAN MACHINE LEADS AFTER BREEZY OPENING DAY
Peter de Ridder and his razor sharp 2006 Breitling MedCup champion crew on Valle Romano Mean Machine proved the masters of the big breeze today as they opened the Trophy of Portugal regatta off Portimao with a seventh and two wins to round off a thrilling opening day with a lead of one point ahead of Russell Coutts and the crew of Torbjorn Tornqvist's Artemis.

With the NW'ly wind gusting to 24 knots and averaging in the low twenties for most of the second two contests today, racing was as testing as it was exciting.

Although the waters remained relatively flat there was no room for crewing errors, especially on the gennaker hoists and downwind gybes any small mistakes were heavily punished.

Proving that they have speed to burn in the breeze, Stuart Robinson and the crew of Stay Calm replicated exactly what they did in practice on Monday, and lead the 18 finishers home by more than one minute.

But the chances of a repeat performance by Stay Calm in the second race were extinguished when their main halyard failed and they had to retire to effect a repair.

Stay Calm's troubles were not complete, as they were called over the start line in the third race, but still managed to ! battle back to earn a fourth and lie eighth overall.

Valle Romano Mean Machine were smart off the start line, and twice broke to the right, inshore side of the course early.

"I think the venue is excellent. A great breeze makes it really fun to sail these boats and really exploit the planing conditions that they really were made for. And it is nice to be on top of the results again." Remarked de Ridder,

"The new boats are definitely a little bi! t quicker but I think we proved that if you sail smart you can still win... if you look at today's first race it was five new boats, Anonimo and us."

Standings after Day 1:

1. Valle Romano Mean Machine (P de Ridder, MON-Judel Vrolijk 2006) 9 points
2. Artemis (T Tornqvist, SWE-Judel Vrolijk 2007) 10
3. CxG Corporacion Caixa Galicia (V Tirado, ESP-Botin & Carkeek 2007) 17
4. Patches (E Conneely, IRL-Reichel Pugh 2007) 20
5. Bribon (Jose Cusi , SM Juan Carlos, ESP-Judel Vrolijk 2007) 21
6. Siemens (A Roemmers, ARG-Judel Vrolijk 2007) 24
7. Cristabella (J Cook, GBR-Judel Vrolijk 2006) 25
8. Windquest (D de Vos, USA-Botin Carkeek 2006) 25
9. Stay Calm (S Robinson, GBR-Judel Vrolijk 2006) 26
10. Balearia (G Aurajo, ESP-Botin Carkeek 2005) 27

www.medcup.org

* Photos from Thierry Martinez, http://www.thmartinez.com , at scuttlebutteurope.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=214

SOUTHAMPTON BOAT SHOW
The Southampton Boat Show in association with ITV Meridian returns to Mayflower Park this September. Celebrating its 39th year the Show, which has Europe's largest purpose built on-water marina, takes place from 14-23 September 2007. This year, the Show will see an exciting line up of famous boats on the feature berth of the Hydropool Marina. Not only will Sir Robin Knox-Johnston be there with his Open 60 'Lombard Marine Finance', along with Mike Golding and the Open 60 ECOVER but TEAMORIGIN, Official Challenger for the 33rd America's Cup, will bring the newly liveried 'GBR 75' race training America's Cup boat to the Show.

www.southamptonboatshow.com

KUDOS TO RORC (AND JANET GROSVENOR!)
Congratulations to RORC on some excellent decisions and a very well-run Fastnet Race, in particular to Janet Grosvenor, the RORC's quiet and competent racing manager.

Janet is the unsung hero of this race, indeed of British offshore racing. She has been at the RORC since 1969. She left for a bit but returned in 1973 and has worked alongside such great figures as Alan Green and Mary Pera. There's not much that Janet hasn't seen or dealt with.

In the last week, the RORC's decision to delay the race has been subjected to a fair amount of critical scrutiny. Personally, I think they were completely vindicated. Those who decided to retire were all within hours of safe havens. The only casualty was back in the bar the same night.

Meanwhile, the bigger boats went off to set a record. As I write, some canny skippers of smaller boats are still finishing. How can you ask for better? -- Elaine Bunting in her blog, her full commentary at www.ybw.com/yw/blog/elaine_bunting.html

MEDAL RACES TO COME
After another tricky and eventful day on the water, the Medal Races are upon us in Qingdao, with eight gold medals set to be decided tomorrow at the Good Luck Beijing Olympic Test Event.

The sun was bright and there were ripples on Fushan Bay this morning. Trying to get in as many races as possible, everybody except the 49ers mobilized for a 12:00 start. The cumulous clouds built over land. The local forecast predicted 5 knots of breeze from 100 degrees at noon and the current to be slack.

As 13:00 approached, the Lasers and Laser Radials were sent in to shore to wait for the wind to settle down and fill in also. At the same time, out on area E, further to the east, the Stars set off on a two-lap windward-leeward race.

Classes stayed out on the furthest courses to the east. When the breeze filled in at 130 degrees and 6 knots, the Stars, Tornados, Finns and Ynglings were the first to get the ball rolling for the day and try to get as many races in as possible before the start of the Medal Races tomorrow.

The Medal Races are scheduled to get underway at 13:00 tomorrow, with the 470 Men, 470 Women, Finn and Star on race area A and the RS:X Men, RS:X Women, 49er and Tornado on race area B. The Laser and Laser Radial fleets continue their opening series on race area C as do the Ynglings on area D.

Watch out for Robert Scheidt and Bruno Prada (BRA) tomorrow, with the Brazilian Star World Champions hinting, 'We have a special strategy for the medal race, but we can't reveal it at this time!'

CORK WEEK 2008
"Competing at Cork Week is always a pleasure, because of the beautiful location, great sailing waters, varied racing, excellent race management and great competition. Winning in 2006 was especially satisfying as it was our first major victory in Magic Glove after many months of development, building and tuning. I'm already looking forward to 2008".

Colm Barrington - Magic Glove
Winner of IRC Zero and Boat of the Week

12th - 18th July 2008
www.corkweek.ie

SWAN SPARKMAN & STEPHENS RENDEZVOUS
Scarlino, August 20th 2007 - Starting tomorrow some of the most beautiful boats in the world will race against one another in the crystal blue waters of Italian Maremma during the third edition of the Swan Sparkman & Stephens Rendezvous.

Over 20 boats between 37 and 65 feet from four different nations (United States, France, Belgium and Italy) have converged in the harbor of La Marina di Scarlino.

These Classic Swan Yachts, built between 1966 and 1977, will face off in three days of racing from the 21st to the 24th of August. For the first race the boats will sail first to Punt'Ala, then to the Island of Elba's Palmaiola lighthouse, and finally return to La Marina di Scarlino (approximately 30 nm). On Wednesday the course will take participants from Scarlino to the Island of Cerboli and return (about 20 nm) and on the third and final day of racing a windward - leeward course will be set along the breathtaking Tuscan coast until the well known bay of Calaviolina. (about10 nm).

Tarantella, the very 1st boat designed by Sparkman & Stephens for Swan, will take part in this event organized by the Club Nautico Scarlino and La Marina di Scarlino in collaboration with the Classic Swan Association.

www.clubnauticoscarlino.com

THE J'S DESCEND ON PLYMOUTH
On Thursday 23rd of August fifty-four J-Boats will commence three days battle at the J-Cup 2007. The regatta will be held in Plymouth.

The J-Cup is a regatta exclusively for racing yachts of the J-Boats brand and all J-Boats models, from the eight metre J/80 Sportsboat up to the twenty metre J/65, are eligible to compete. This year, the smallest boats taking part in the event will indeed be a fleet J/80 Sportsboats, a number of which race regularly in the Port of Plymouth. The largest boat on the water will be the J/133 which measures in at just over thirteen metres. The J-Cup regatta incorporates the 2007 UK National Championship for the fleet of 35 foot J/109s. They will be racing in class, on a boat on boat, first across the line basis.

The event is being hosted by the Royal Western Yacht Club under the watchful eyes of the Club's Rear 'Commodore for Sailing' Chris Arscott (who will be shore-based) and the 'Principal Race Officer' Mike Pearson, who manages all of the racing on the water. A team of over forty local volunteers and helpers have also been drafted in to help in order to ensure that the event runs smoothly. Three days of racing are planned, with live music and entertainment every night for competitors. The event culminates in a huge gala dinner and prize-giving ceremony for over 400 people on the final Saturday night. Chris Arscott said 'This is one of the biggest and most prestigious regattas ever hosted by the Royal Western Yacht Club.'

Yachts will race in five classes and competitors have traveled from all around the UK to attend the event. There are a number of local Plymouth based boats competing, as well as yacht racing experts who have jetted in from foreign climes in order to take part. All but two of the boats which will be racing in Plymouth will be flying the huge asymmetric spinnakers from retractable carbon 'bowsprits' (for which the J-Boats are famous) on the downwind legs of the race-track.

The main sponsor of the event is surveying firm Knight Frank and there are three supporting sponsors from the marine industry, B&G, Dubarry of Ireland and North Sails. In addition to this there are numerous prize sponsors, without whom the event could simply not take place.

Racing starts in Plymouth Sound on Thursday 23rd of August and runs through to the afternoon of Saturday 25th of August. -- Becci Eplett

LAUNCHINGS
* Italians, French, English, Kiwis, Poles, Argentinians, a cosmopolitan team comprising nearly 30 people is currently building the 60 footer, Groupe Bel, in Tuscany. Designed by the Van Peteghem-Lauriot Prevost team, in association with Guillaume Verdier, Kito de Pavant's boat will be launched at the start of September in Rosignano, South of Livorno (Italy). The race against the clock is on. On 3rd November, the skipper will be taking the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre with Sebastien Col.

"We have six nationalities in the team and everyone is getting on well with each other. Even though the language problem is still there, when people know their job and are professionals, things go well," explains Jean-Pierre Gosswiller, build team manager at Indiana Yachting. "These boats have become extremely sophisticated and call upon some big teams," he summarizes, having worked at JMV boatyard in Cherbourg for eight years, and created nearly ten boats of this kind. "In the nineties, an Open 60 footer took 8,500 hours to build, now you need between 22 and 25,000."

The canting keel is unquestionably one of the specialties of the IMOCA 60 footer. In the event of capsize, it helps the boat to right itself - the impressive, compulsory 180 degree test will be performed on the day of the launch - and plays a key role in the boat's speed. For the manufacture of this essential element of Groupe Bel, Kito and the architects have selected two state-of-the-art Italian enterprises, Re-Fraschini and Cariboni, in Formula 1 and aeronautics methods. The technicians work in a "white room" with gloves, masks and immaculate overalls. "These are implementation processes that you can't find anywhere else and we wanted this standard of quality for Groupe Bel" detailed the skipper. "With Guillaume Verdier's knowledge, combined with that of Vincent Lauriot Prevost's team and Mick Kermarec, who has also intervened despite other work with the America's Cup (for BMW Oracle), I think we have a very high performance association. However, these parts are extremely complicated so we're not counting our chickens just yet..."

Photos of the boat in build at scuttlebutteurope.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=213

* Royal Huisman's latest launch, combining the classic lines of the Gloucester schooner with 21st century sail and rig technology, has already turned heads in Valencia and Palma.

Inspired by his love of the Gloucester schooner a very experienced sailor and marine entrepreneur visited Royal Huisman and quickly agreed a contract for the 51m gaff rigged Schooner Meteor.

A collaborative design team comprises Gerard Dijkstra and partners teamed with John G. Alden design for Naval Architecture.

Her traditional schooner rig will in no way diminish her use of carbon mast construction to enhance her sailing performance whilst she sports a beautiful wood fireplace as centre piece to her classic John Munford designed interior.

Photos of this magnificent yacht:
www.superyachttimes.com/editorial/3/article/id/698

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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* From David Villiers-Child: The answer to the Quindango fiasco might be to follow the example of the Equestriand and move the regatta to Hong Kong?

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
He who controls the past commands the future. He who commands the future conquers the past. -- George Orwell

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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