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BRITS TAKE FIVE GOLDS IN QINGDAO
Great Britain swept to another two gold medals as the last of the Medal Races brought the competition at the Qingdao International Regatta to a close.

It was another great sailing day in Qingdao, with an easterly breeze of 9-10 knots for the final three Medal Races. Britain picked up their fourth and fifth gold medals of the regatta, in the Laser and Yngling, to finish way ahead in the medal table. World #1 Anna Tunnicliffe (USA) secured the USA's only medal, a gold in the Laser Radial.

Next up were the Lasers in what proved to be another incredibly close finish as Paul Goodison (GBR) just held on to win gold by 3 seconds. The British skipper, also a winner at last year's test event, held a five-point lead going into the race but almost saw that overturned as Rasmus Myrgren (SWE) made a charge for gold. The Swedish skipper had to put at least two boats between him and Goodisonn to win gold and crossed the line in fifth.

The Yngling Medal Race brought this year's competition to a close in Qingdao and was all set to be another fascinating contest between Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson (GBR) and their archrivals Sally Barkow, Carrie Howe and Debbie Capozzi (USA). As it turned up the British World Champions ended up confortably winning their fifth gold medal as the Americans fell foul of the tide and went over the line early.

With the Americans scoring 22 points for their mistake, they fell out of the medal places as Renee Groeneveld, Bes Annemieke and Marije Kampen (NED) moved up to silver, whilst Medal Race winners Ekaterina Skudina, Diana Krutskikh and Natalia Ivanova (RUS) claimed bronze. Ayton, Webb and Wilson never looked in danger as the played the course perfectly to finish second in the race and overall winners by nine points.

With five gold medals and a silver, the Brits leave the 2007 test event as the masters of Qingdao again. The big question now is can they repeat the feat in 2008? -- ISAF, sailing.org

Medal places from the final day of competition:

Laser
1. Paul Goodison, GBR, 62 points
2. Rasmus Myrgren, SWE, 63
3. Maciej Grabowski, POL, 74

Laser Radial
1. Anna Tunnicliffe, USA, 48
2. Jo Aleh, NZL, 53
3. Evi Van Acker, BEL, 65

Yngling
1. Sarah Ayton / Sarah Webb/ Pippa Wilson, GBR, 25
2. Renee Groeneveld / Annemieke Bes / Marije Kampen, NED, 34
3. Ekaterina Skudina / Diana Krutskikh / Natalia Ivanova, RUS, 41

www.2007qdregatta.com

AMERICA'S CUP MANAGEMENT RESPONDS...
The Societe Nautique de Geneve, Alinghi and America's Cup Management are very disappointed that BMW Oracle Racing, through the Golden Gate Yacht Club, has followed through with its threat and officially filed legal proceedings in the New York Courts.

"ACM in good faith has proposed a protocol intended to advance the sport of America's Cup sailing. Far from being an attempt to control everything, the new protocol has been written to make the 33rd America's Cup even better: a new class of boat which brings the technology to state-of-the-art, exciting racing and an even higher profile and more professional event which befits the premier competition in sailing, " said Michel Bonnefous, President ACM. "Our vision is to make the America's Cup in 2009 comparable with the best sporting events in the World. This vision is shared by many Challengers from around the world, four of whom have now formally entered the competition, with others about to do so.

"Larry Ellison is holding the Cup to ransom for competitive gain by attempting to disrupt the preparations of the teams from Switzerland, Spain, South Africa, Great Britain and New Zealand, as well as many others who have notified of their intention to enter the competition shortly."

"Ellison lost on the water in 2003 and in 2007, failing to secure a match for the America's Cup," said Brad Butterworth, Skipper, Alinghi, "He is now pretending to be the good guy, representing the interests of all stakeholders, whereas in reality they have gone to court to force an earlier private match on their terms without the involvement of other competitors."

"While their legal teams are busy destabilising the 33rd Cup and the preparations of the existing challengers, they are simultaneously snapping up sailors left, right and centre. These underhand tactics make it particularly hard for the smaller teams who rely on sponsorship, which is very hard to secure under these circumstances, and shows disregard for all the legitimate competitors." -- Michel Hodara, Chief Operating Officer, ACM

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 America¹s Cup boat to the Show.

www.southamptonboatshow.com

MMMOJO RISING
Portimao, Portugal: The Mean Machine mojo is back. Peter de Ridder and the crew of Valle Romano Mean Machine this season may have tasted the depths of frustration when they were disqualified after the coastal race at the Breitling Regatta in Portals last month, but they made no mistakes today when they comprehensively won both legs of the coastal race at the Portugal Trophy off Portimao to extend their lead to 15 points over Russell Coutts and the crew of Artemis at this fourth event of the 2007 Breitling MedCup Circuit.

With three conflicting breezes battling for supremacy over the Bay of Lagos the 25.18 mile race was never straightforward, but De Ridder and crew once again took early ownership of the committee boat end of the start line and peeled away to the favoured right side of the first windward leg.

By the time they took the finish gun Valle Romano Mean Machine were still three minutes and 12 seconds clear of Patches.

Russia's Rusal Synergy narrowly failed to hold off the superior firepower of Coutts and the 2007 design Artemis on the 3.5 mile final fetch to the finish but were still pleased to post a third and fourth for the day, while Artemis scored fourth and third.

Standings after Day 3

1. Valle Romano Mean Machine (P de Ridder, MON-Judel Vrolijk 2006) 17 points
2. Artemis (T Tornqvist, SWE-Judel Vrolijk 2007) 32
3. Patches (E Conneely, IRL-Reichel Pugh 2007) 42
4. CxG Corporacion Caixa Galicia (V Tirado, ESP-Botin & Carkeek 2007) 44
5. Windquest (D de Vos, USA-Botin Carkeek 2006) 49
6. Bribon (Jose Cusi, SM Juan Carlos, ESP-Judel Vrolijk 2007) 55
7. Stay Calm (S Robinson, GBR-Judel Vrolijk 2006) 58
8. Siemens (A Roemmers, ARG-Judel Vrolijk 2007) 62
9. Cristabella (J Cook, GBR-Judel Vrolijk 2006) 70
10. ONO ( Inaki Castaner-Botin Carkeek) 71

www.medcup.org

* Photos by Thierry Martinez, www.thmartinez.com at scuttlebutteurope.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=216

DARJAH DATO' PADUKA MAHKOTA TERENGGANU (AKA PETER GILMOUR)
Peter Gilmour, Monsoon Cup Race Advisor and four time Match Racing World Champion, has been conferred the title of Darjah Dato' Paduka Mahkota Terengganu (DPMT) which carries the title Dato'.

The title of Dato' conferred only by a state ruler in Malaysia, was awarded by His Majesty Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, the 16th Sultan of the state of Terengganu and the 13th King of Malaysia in conjunction with his 45th birthday. The investiture was presented on behalf of His Majesty by his son Tengku Muhammad Ismail, the Regent of Terengganu, at the Istana Maziah (Royal Palace) Terengganu, on 18 August 2007.

Dato' Peter Gilmour receives this honour in line with the key role he played in developing the Monsoon Cup in Terengganu, Malaysia and for inspiring international relations in the sport of sailing. His continuous efforts to promote and boost tourism to the eastern state during a traditionally quiet period were also recognized.

The Monsoon Cup has successfully created a significant platform to showcase tourism investment opportunities. Last year alone, the event achieved a brand valuation of RM295million and drew new tourism spend of RM 2.97 million over the five-day period.

West Australian-born, Dato' Peter Gilmour, is one of the most respected and feared competitors on the World Match Racing circuit and the most knowledgeable skippers on the Tour. Dato' Gilmour started sailing at the age of seven on Perth's Swan River, and competed in his first world championship at the age of 16. At the recent 32nd America's Cup, Dato' Gilmour was the team coach, for Team Alinghi who emerged as winners in a thrilling final race.

The Monsoon Cup first made its debut in Malaysia, the Tour's first Asian venue, in 2005. The match race, which attracts sailing enthusiasts and visitors from around the globe, offers a prize purse of RM1 million making it the richest sailing event in the world

Monsoon Cup 2007, the final event of the 2006-07 World Match Racing Tour, which decides the 2007 World Champion will be held from 28 November to 2 December 2007 at Pulau Duyong, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia. -- Yvonne Reid

From BYM news: www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=14344

SWISS MELGES 24 REIGNS AS NEW EUROPEAN CHAMP
Congratulations to Melges 24 'Blu Moon' for winning the 2007 European Championship at Rolex Baltic Week, August 17-23, in Neustadt-Holstein, Germany. Swiss owner Franco Rossini and Italian crew including helmsman Flavio Favini, tactician Tiziano Nava, Stafano Rizzi and Lavinia Stiz finished the seven-race regatta four points ahead of the second place boat. 'Blu Moon' competed with an Ullman Sails mainsail as part of its sail inventory, claiming the Giorgio Zuccoli trophy in a fleet of 74 boats from 14 countries. Clearly Ullman Sails continues to be used by champions.

Contact a local Ullman Sails loft and visit www.ullmansails.com

SEAHORSE SAILOR OF THE MONTH
Last month's winner:
Tom Slingsby (AUS)
One of Australia's leading gold medal hopes for Beijing got off to an early start in the Seahorse voting, which for once the Mothies failed to overturn, Slingsby outscoring Andrew 'Bladerider' McDougall by 69 to 31%. Slingsby can now head to the Qingdao test event safe in the knowledge that one big prize, at least, is in the bag!

This month's nominees:

Chris Steele (NZL)
How popular would you be, back home in New Zealand, if you just became the first Kiwi ever to win the Optimist World Title... and you did it in an extraordinarily competitive 254-strong fleet? Given the current interest in future prospects of the youngest competitors in the more technical sports, we reckon this young man will soon find himself the focus of considerable attention

Alberto Roemmers (ARG)
While... at the official age of '80 plus' we think it is a good time to also applaud the enduring and loyal support shown to offshore racing over many years, particularly in the Mediterranean, of the Argentinean owner of the TP52 Siemens Matador, who is himself already celebrating, having just won the 2007 Copa Del Rey in Palma... with tactical assistance from Seahorse columnist Paul Cayard.

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

Cast your vote for Sailor of the Month at seahorsemagazine.com

FASTNET 2007: 'OUTSTANDING - JUST OUTSTANDING!'
Hats off from Dubes - what a superlative race! 300 boats, the biggest entry since 1979, waited an extra 25 hours after the Fastnet's first ever postponement to battle F8 winds and 5m seas. 197 boats retired before line honours went to Mike Slade's 100ft ICAP Leopard in a new race record time of 44h 18m - 8h 50m (or 17 percent) faster than Ross Field's Grand Mistral 80 in 1999 - with Ger O'Rourke's Cookson 50 Chieftain taking overall honours.

Performance, endurance and incredible grip. Dubarry's new Fastnet boots - wear the name with pride.

www.dubarry.com

Still a few days to answer this week's Fastnet Quiz and get a chance to win Dubarry shirts and a pair of Fastnet Boots...

Which boat set a new course record in 1985 of 60 hours, 41 mins, 15 secs.?

Give us your answer at
www.scuttlebutteurope.com/index.php?option=com_philaform&form_id=5&Itemid=1

FLAVIO FAVINI IS THE NEW MELGES 24 EUROPEAN CHAMPION
After crossing the line in the final race of the Rolex Baltic Week the crew of four put their hands high up in the air to celebrate the victory. With a third place in the decisive race on Thursday afternoon (23 August) the "Blu Moon" became the new European Champion of the international Melges 24 class off Neustadt. Owner Franco Rossini from Pedrinate (Switzerland) and his Italian team with America's Cup helmsman Flavio Favini won ahead of "Airis" by Sandro Montefusco and Lorenzo Bressani's "Uka Uka" (both Italy). Best German was the former Dragon sailor Marcus Brennecke from Munich racing "Alethea" and finishing 19th.

The 74 participants from 14 nations waited patiently for four hours on the final day for the fog to disappear and a constant sea breeze to fill in. Race officer Walter Mielke shortened the course after the second beat to ensure a fair race.

Top five final places after 7 races:

1. "Blu Moon" (Flavio Favini, Switzerland) 17 points
2. "Airis" (Sandro Montefusco, Italy) 21.8
3. "Uka Uka" (Lorenzo Bressani, Italy) 27
4. "Alina - Helly Hansen" (Luca Valerio, Italy) 42
5. "Euro-Voiles" (Denis Infante, France) 53
6. "Marseille big ship Quantum" (Maxime Paul, France) 60

www.regattanews.com

* Photos by ROLEX/Daniel Forster, www.yachtphoto.com at scuttlebutteurope.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=218

SPARKLING JS AT THE J-CUP
Fifty one boats enjoyed near perfect conditions in Plymouth for the first day of racing at the J-Cup 2007 which is being hosted by the Royal Western Yacht Club. Split in to five classes on two courses outside the breakwater, competition commenced in a fleet that included some of the UK's hottest sailing names. Temperatures soared and blessed with a northerly breeze that peaked at around twenty knots, this three day regatta which incorporates the 2007 J/109 UK National Championship, has started on the best possible footing.

Mike Ewart-Smith and Ben Richards (the 2006 J/109 National Champions) lead the 2007 Championship after scoring two blistering bullets in Zelda.

The J/80 Sportsboat Class, Daryl Conyers leads with a three, one scoreline in Oceans Eleven.

Class One, which is the IRC 'big boat' class was dominated by Stewart Hawthorn's J/133 Jump. Having recruited local experts Nigel Gray and John 'the boy' Willerton, Jump won both races.

In the J/105 Class it was indeed a 'J-Dream' day for David and Kirsty Apthorp in their boat of the same name. Having won both races they are happy and confident heading into the second day of racing but Paul Griffith's Fay-J is only three points behind.

In Class 3, the smaller IRC Js feet enjoyed fierce competition. Pip and Pete Tyler's Neilson Redeye lies in first place and Andrew Roberts and Steve Etheridge's Just in Time is in second. Childhood friends, racing rock-stars and sailing adversaries, Duncan MacDonald and Kevin Sproul have old scores to settle elsewhere in this fleet, both are tacticians on other J/92s. Sproul is sailing with Colin Wall on True Love and MacDonald is teamed with Charlie Wise and crew on J'Ronimo.

* Photos by Lee Whitehead, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it at scuttlebutteurope.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=217

FORMULA SPARS 18FT SKIFF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
The second August Bank Holiday sees the touring circus that is the UK 18ft skiff fleet head to Torquay for their National Championships, with support from Formula Spars, sailing out of the of the Royal Torbay YC.

Having spent the past months touring some of Europe's top sailing venues plundering the silverware from the European 18ft Skiff circuit the top teams are all back in the UK ready for a full weekend of racing action. The event will be held in conjunction with the 12ft skiff fleets national championships and launches the Royal Torbay Regatta Week.

This year's championships is a wide open affair with at least four teams all capable of winning races: Pindar/Radii, helmed by Andy Richards, reigning UK champion and current leaders of the 2007 European Grand Prix circuit; Mason Woodworth's GE Commercial Finance, current European Champions; Gill/Wet& Wild, Ed Browne recently returning to form by winning the Danish Grand Prix; and Base 1 helmed by Ian Turnbull, winner of the 1st round of the UK circuit.

The championship also sees the inauguration of a new speed competition to be sponsored by B&G with a prize for the highest SOG.

Racing begins at 1300 on Saturday afternoon, with fine weather forecast the teams are looking forward to three days of sun, sea and excitement.

www.uk18footer.org

AUCTION OFFERS CHANCE TO SAIL WITH SAILING STARS
Ocean racing superstars Conrad Humphrey and Alex Bennet have each offered the chance of a lifetime for someone to sail on their competition yachts in the near future.

The opportunities on offer from the Westcountry based ocean racers comprise two of the major lots in a charity auction to be held at the end of the Michelmores Challenge Cup, a corporate invitation race which has been organized by the Exeter law practice for the last 17 years.

33 year-old Humphreys, who is a veteran Round the World sailor having been part of the winning team in the BT Global challenge in 2000/1 and finishing seventh in the solo Vendée Globe in 2004/5, is offering the winning bidder the chance to sail with him as non-participant crew in a Grand Prix event in Amsterdam later this year or Cowes next year.

Former winner of the France to Brazil Jacques Vabre Transat, 30 year-old Bennett is to provide a half day's sailing on his newly launched Open 40 yacht Fujifilm which will also bee entering the Jacques Vabre as well as next years Transat race out of Plymouth.

Other auction items include a weekend's sailing instruction from NONSTOP Sail, a trip for two on the Torbay Lifeboat, a champagne hot air balloon flight, dinner for two at Michael Caines' restaurant at the Royal Clarence Hotel and an overnight stay at Exeter Hotel Barcelona.

The 17th Michelmores Challenge Cup is hosted by Brixham Yacht Club and takes place in Torbay on Saturday 8th September commencing at 12 noon. The after-race party and prize giving will also feature an auction of donated prizes on behalf of local good causes including the Brixham based Grenville House Outdoor Education Centre and the RNLI Dartmouth Appeal for a new lifeboat station.

FEATURED BROKERAGE
X - Yacht X 102, 16,950 GBP. Located in the UK.

Wintered ashore and very lightly used recently, a much sought after racer/fast cruiser at a very attractive price.

GRP Hull, deck and superstructure Cast iron fin keel with lead bulb. Recent (Sep 06) survey available New engine exhaust elbow, new Vetus stern gland, new gas and fuel lines all Winter 2006/7 A profiled storage cradle is included with this boat.

Brokerage through BoatsandOutboards.co.uk: www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk

Complete listing details and seller contact information at www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/PYB134

THE LAST WORD
If a man be gracious and courteous to strangers, it shows he is a citizen of the world, and that his heart is no island cut off from other lands, but a continent that joins to them. -- Francis Bacon

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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