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MAXI YACHT ROLEX CUP
Porto Cervo, Sardinia, Italy: They're off. The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2007 got underway today in the most glorious conditions. Blue sky, warm sun and building breeze - classic Porto Cervo. The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda sent the fleet on a 30-mile blast up and down the main channel between the Maddalena Islands and mainland Sardinia. For many of the crews it was a perfect shakedown race; for some others the increasing wind strength served to highlight any weaknesses in the crew-work or equipment.

All four divisions started on time in 10-12 knots of westerly and a gentle sea-state. The course took the crews straight into 'Bomb Alley' at Capo Ferro and gave them a long beat up to the turning mark - the Island of Spargi, which the yachts rounded to starboard. From there it was a long run back to the finish off Porto Cervo. Gybe reaching all the way home in 20 - 22 knots, the fleet set a spectacular scene for the onlookers on the water and shore. There can be few better sights than following a maxi at full pelt downwind - if you can keep up.

In Racing Division, the expected head to head between Neville Crichton's Alfa Romeo (NZL) and Bob Oatley's Wild Oats (AUS) let no one down. Stuck together for much of the race in a primeval match-race with their carbon black sails glinting in the sunshine, first blood on the water went to the slightly lower rated Alfa, which finished 30 seconds ahead of her rival. The key moment came one minute before the start when Oats apparently suffered an engine failure and was unable to power up the hydraulics. Whilst the Oats' crew was occupied sorting out the problem, Alfa was free to choose their favoured end of the line and take the opportunity to grab a lead that she would not relinquish despite the best efforts of Oatley's crew.

Overall victor on handicap in the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup Racing Division was Hasso Plattner's Morning Glory (GER). She too put on a display of downwind prowess, completing the course in 2 hours 28 minutes only 6 minutes behind her larger competitors.

Titan XII thoroughly enjoyed her first ever day at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup. Finishing fourth on handicap, Tom and Dotti Hill's red flyer proved her maxi credentials with an all but immaculate race.

In the Cruising Division the J-Class scrap went the way of Ranger, ahead of Velsheda, on the water and on handicap. Vittorio Moretti's Viriella split the two elegant look-alikes on the water and lies third in the standings overnight. Elsewhere in this division, Gitana found herself over the line earlier and subsequently retired from the racing, whilst Arne Glimcher's Ghost was also forced to retire.

In the Wally Division, Claus Peter Offen's Y3K (GER) beat Lindsay Owen-Jones' Magic Carpet Squared by just over a minute on the water. Jean Charles Decaux's J One, the smallest yacht in the class, won the day on handicap. Andrea Recordati's Indio came out top in the battle of the four 80s, after finishing just behind Highland Fling X on elapsed time.

In the clash of the Mini Maxis, Massimo Violati's OPS 5 came out top today, whilst Carlo Puri Negri's Atalanta II, with America's Cup star Francesco De Angelis on board, lies in second in the standings.

Major Filippo Petruzzi's forecast for tomorrow is for the northwesterly Mistral to settle in overnight and for there to be 20-25 knots in the morning, with higher gusts in the Straits of Bonifacio and around the islands. In the early afternoon, there will be a gradual decrease to 15-18 knots with higher gusts possible before the wind rotates in the late afternoon to north/northeast and there will be possibility of very light winds during the rotation. The outlook is cloudier than today with possibility of isolated showers in the evening.

The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup runs from September 2nd to September 8th. Racing continues tomorrow, Tuesday, with the first start at 1140 CET.

Event site at www.yccsmaxi.it
See also www.regattanews.com

CONTRACT BETWEEN VALENCIA AND ACM TO BE SIGNED ON TUESDAY
According to Las Provincias, Valencia's main newspaper, the official contract between America's Cup Management and the three Spanish public administrations (central government, region of Valencia and city of Valencia) will be signed in Valencia on Tuesday, September 4th.

Although Valencia was announced as the host the city of the 33rd America's Cup in 2009 last July, no formal contract had been signed to this date because of the disagreement among the three public entities regarding the powers each one will have in this edition of the event. For that reason, always according to the same article, the President of the Valencia region and the mayor of Valencia met on Monday with high-level representatives of the central government in Madrid in order to agree on the person that will preside the public entity that represents Spain in the America's Cup organization.

In the 32nd edition the president was the mayor of Valencia but this time, according to the article, the central government will try to impose its own president. For that reason, hard bargaining is expected to take place till the last moment before the minister of Public Affairs arrives in Valencia on Tuesday morning in order to put her signature on the contract. As a result, if this information is correct, starting 4 September 2007, Valencia will officially be the host city of the 33rd America's Cup, unless of course the New York Supreme Court decides to the contrary.

At the same time, across the Atlantic, Societe Nautique de Geneve (SNG) will have till 3pm NY Time, Wednesday, September 5th, to file their documents for the upcoming hearing at the New York Supreme Court. The hearing will take place on September 10th (next Monday) and will concern two motions, first the demand by Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) to expedite the case and second GGYC's request to have SNG reveal the rules and location of the next America's Cup match. It obviously regards the "Deed of Gift" match between BMW Oracle and Alinghi, in the hypothetical case GGYC won the litigation in New York, not the match under the current protocol that governs the 33rd America's Cup.

Justice Kahn might or might not take a decision on Monday. If he takes a decision on expediting the case, the trial will then take place in October and a decision could come out in November. -- Piere Orphanidis, valenciasailing.blogspot.com

NEXUS MARINE AT THE SOUTHAMPTON SHOW
Visit the Nexus Marine stand (H014) at this year's Southampton Boat Show to view all their latest products. On display will the complete Nexus instrument family - the NX for sportsboats and small cruisers, the NX2 for mid-sized racing boats, and the Grand Prix / superyacht NXR system. Also on show will be the all new Nexus VHF range - featuring the latest electronics for crisp, distortion-free transmission and low power draw. See the NX1000 and NX1500 handhelds and the NX2000 fixed DSC radio for the best in leisure communications. For more information, visit http://www.nexusmarine.se

QUEBRAMAR-CHRYSLER WINS 2007 GP42 INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT
Despite missing the first of the four events that constituted the 2007 GP42 International Circuit, Quebramar-Chrysler, the Portuguese boat owned by Gonçalo Estebes and entirely crewed by members of Desafio Espanol, encountered no diffficulty in being crowned champion of the up and coming GP42 class. Quebramar-Chrysler dominated the Trofeo de la Reina in Valencia and Copa del Rey in Palma and finished second in the Trofeu Quebramar-Chrysler that came to an end today in Cascais.

The Quebramar-Chrysler GP42 yacht was designed by Botin & Carkeek and built at King Marine's facilities in Buenos Aires. She was shipped to Valencia in early July and was entirely fitted out at the Desafio Espanol base in Port America's Cup, a mere week before the start of the Trofeo de la Reina. The Spanish shore crew worked around the clock to get her ready for the maiden race and the first test sails took place on the eve of the event. Despite this seemingly difficult start, the boat, helmed by Laureano Wizman, had an amazing scoreline with 6 victories and a second place.

Two weeks later, at the Copa del Rey in Palma, the Portuguese boat once again set the benchmark for the GP42 fleet. Out of the event's 11 races, Quebramar-Chrysler crossed the finish line ahead of the other boats 8 times. The advantage of having a professional crew that had been sailing together for 3 years at an America's Cup team was evident.

Still, the rest of the fleet was continuously improving and getting closer to Quebramar-Chrysler. The boats and crews were converging and this became evident in the last event of the circuit in Cascais. Out of the 6 races that took place, they scored just one victory and it was increasingly difficult to win. Still, they had a very good performance, finishing second and if racing had taken place on the final day they might have upset Roma. -- Paolo Massarini

Final Official Standings of the 2007 GP42 International Racing Circuit (Place, Boat Name, Designer, Skipper, Nation, Series points)

1. Quebramar-Chrysler, Botin & Carkeek, Gonzalo Esteves, ESP, 73 points
2. Seawonder 007, Reichel Pugh, Flavio Favini, ITA, 98
3. Roma, Farr, Paolo Semeraro and Paolo Cian, ITA, 110
4. Zurich, Botin & Carkeek, Jodi Calafat, ESP, 122
5. Canarias Puerto Calero, Botin & Carkeek, Jose Maria Ponce, ESP, 126
6. Fermax, Botin & Carkeek, Eloy Herrero, ESP, 175
7. Movistar, Botin & Carkeek, Pedro Campos, ESP, 176
8. Quum, Botin & Carkeek, Sergio Llorca, ESP, 187
9. AA-HPB, Botin & Carkeek, Darko Prizmic, CRO, 219
10. Totalboats, Cognit Design, Oscar Ibanez, ESP, 264
11. AlCapOne, NOR, 266
11. Valencia Terra i Mar, ESP, 266

www.gp42.it

JERSEY TELECOM REGATTA
With less than a week to go, everything is set for the ninth combined Jersey yacht clubs' Jersey Telecom Regatta, the biggest and most varied event in the Channel Islands' annual racing programme.

With entries currently topping the eighty mark, it is anticipated that about one hundred boats will be racing in St Aubin's Bay this coming weekend. Most of the Regatta 'faithfuls' have entered, including the ILC30, Toybox, last year's star performer in the top IRC cruiser/racer class, now under new ownership and eager to repeat last year's near clean sweep. That will be a real challenge in a class that includes many highly competitive crews on fast boats.

Last year's best boat in IRC class 2, John Le Maistre's Farr 727 Genie will find herself racing in a slightly different environment, this year, being entered in the new Quarter Ton Class in which there are presently nineteen entries.

Racing starts at nine a.m. on Friday with a race for the sportsboat and cruiser/racer classes over a 35-mile course that takes boats to the Northwest Minquiers buoy and back. The Quarter Ton class will make it's first appearance at midday for the start of the first of three back-to-back races in St Aubin's Bay whilst the dayboat, dinghy and sport-catamaran classes have to wait until the early evening for their first outing. Saturday and Sunday will see all classes out for some fairly intensive racing tempered by the regatta party on Saturday and prize-giving on Sunday.

Whilst strong southerly winds prevailed last year, providing some very boisterous conditions under leaden skies, this weekend's forecast promises a real contrast, plenty of sunshine and light to moderate northerly winds to ensure few breakages and some fair weather sailing to round off a very mixed summer season.

Full details are available in the Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions, available on www.rciyc.org and www.shyc.je .

SPIDERTECH: THE LEGAL POSITION
FMG and Spidertech wins against Genesis International AS and Elvstrom Sobstad: Spidertech is an original Italian patent... For more:
www.fiorenzi-marine-group.biz/category/fmg/

ICE BLOCKS BRITISH SOLO SAILOR
A British yachtsman attempting the first solo Arctic sea passage across northern Russia was examining his options after heavier than expected ice blocked his route, his manager said.

Adrian Flanagan is discussing with Russian authorities the possibility of using a nuclear-powered icebreaker to lift his boat out of the water and carry it round the most icebound stretch of Russia's Northern Sea Route.

"Basically it just means we're putting plan B into operation so if the worst comes to the worst and there isn't a break in the weather, we've got a plan," Louise Flanagan, his manager and ex-wife said from Britain.

The 46-year-old entered the eastern end of the treacherous sea route that stretches from Asia to Europe across northern Russia in late July.

He had hoped that his 11m reinforced yacht would be able to get all the way to Europe due to lighter ice conditions observed in recent years, thought to be a result of global warming.

But after making his way through the Chukchi, East Siberian and Laptev Seas, Flanagan has been forced to a halt by heavy ice at the most difficult point in the route, the Vilkitsky Strait.

The voyage, part of a circumnavigation of the globe that he is undertaking, comes amid a dash by world powers to claim economic rights in the Arctic.

Flanagan is now anchored by an island just east of the Vilkitsky Strait, still hoping for the ice to clear but working on the backup plan, his manager said.

She described the yachtsman's mood as "pretty fed-up". -- News.com.au, www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22359472-38200,00.html

505 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
With four bullets in nine races, Danish sailmakers Jacob and Jorgen Bojsen-Moller secured the title in the 505 European Championships in Sopot, Poland. In puffy and shifty conditions, this came as a surpise in the physically demanding dinghy class. The brothers, born in 54 and 56, had been deemed too old to be so succesful by some. The Danish Olympic gold medalists and multiple Flying Dutchman World Champions had been European Champs in the 505 once before - that was 1979.

The current World Champions, Jan Saugmann and Morten Ramsbæk came in second, securing the Danish double win. In the All-German fight for the bronze medal, triple World Champions Wolfgang Hunger/Holger Jess and current German Champions Boris Herrmann/Julien Kleiner went to the left in the first beat of race nine. Maike Schomaker (with Reiner Gorge on the wire) made the better move, going for the far right side. Scoring second in the ninth race won the bronze medal for her, making the young ex-29er sailor the most successful helmswoman ever in the 505 class.

Fifteen times Kiel-Week winner Wolfgang Hunger had to be content with place four. He took comfort in staying in front of the 20 years younger Herrmann/Kleiner "The generation change has been postponed for another year - at least."

Final top five:

1. Jorgen Bojsen-Moller / Jackob Bojsen-Moller, DEN, 12 points
2. Jan Saugman / Morten Ramsbarle, DEN, 18
3. Meike Schomaker / Rainer Gorge, GER, 26
4. Wolfgang Hunber / Holger Jess, GER, 28
5. Borys Herrmann / Julien Kleiner, GER, 31

www.skz.sopot.pl/?module=eventy&action=get&event%5Bid%5D=135

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

FIRST DISABLED PERSON TO SAIL ROUND GREAT BRITAIN
Quadriplegic sailor, Geoff Holt is about to set the record as the first disabled person to successfully sail around Great Britain, a 1400 mile voyage he describes as his 'Personal Everest'.

Geoff left Southampton on 20th May this year, sailing every day that weather has allowed. Geoff had hoped to complete the voyage in around 60 days, but this summer¹s inclement weather has hampered his progress and he has been weatherbound in several ports, causing his passage to take longer than anticipated.

Geoff is now working his way along the South Coast and will be sailing in to the Solent on Wednesday morning, 5th September, where he will be greeted by a flotilla of support boats which will follow him to Hamble and a welcome from family and friends.

Hampshire based Geoff, aged 41, was one of the youngest charter shippers working in the Caribbean when he was paralysed as the result of a swimming accident at only 18 years of age. Since his accident, despite being paralysed from the breast line down and wheelchair bound, Geoff has taken every opportunity to go to sea in his Challenger trimaran dinghy.

In 1992 Geoff was the first disabled person to sail solo around the Isle of Wight and he bettered his own record in 1997. Ten years later, the record he set, 7 hours 55 minutes, still stands.

Sponsorship from law firm, Blake Lapthorn Tarlo Lyons, allowed Geoff to achieve his dream of putting together a round Great Britain project this year.

Rotary International members around Great Britain have helped the team in ports of call and Geoff has been raising funds for Sailability, the Royal Yachting Association charity which helps to give disabled people the opportunity to go sailing.

www.personaleverest.com

STAVROS S NIARCHOS CLAIMS TROPHY IN TALL SHIPS BRIG MATCH RACES
Stavros S Niarchos claimed the Tall Ships Challenge Cup in the spectacular Tall Ships match race series in Tor Bay over the weekend (18/19 August). Helping sail the boat to victory were a crew of South Hams youngsters from local schools, colleges, youth service and Duke of Edinburgh Award Schemes.

The 60m (195 foot) steel hulled, two-masted, square-rigged brigs, Prince William and Stavros S Niarchos are the only two identical Tall Ships in the world and compete in the races against each other once a year. The crews competed in four races across Tor Bay despite atrocious conditions and strong winds gusting force 9.

With gusts of up to Force Nine, heavy rain and constant squalls the conditions were a challenge for even the most experienced sailors. The local crew, some with little or no sailing experience, had just one day to learn the ropes on board the 60-metre tall ships. This included manning the sails up to 36-metres above the sea as the ships sped along at 10 knots and sailed around buoys set in the Bay.

The crew of Stavros S Niarchos also claimed the Harbour Entrance Award for an impressive Mexican Wave and Prince William was awarded the Tactical Award after being boxed in by Stavros and crossing the start line of the second race backwards.

www.tallships.org/documentNews.asp?cat=520&doc=7243

FEATURED BROKERAGE
Farr 38 Cruiser Racer, 55,000 GBP. Lying Hamble, UK.

Farr 38 sail boat for sale on UK South Coast. Only two owners from new. The original owner commissioned her in Sweden and her build quality is excellent. Lying Hamble, viewing recommended if you want a fast cruiser racer.

Interior currently being refurbished, great boat for comfortable cruising and club racing.

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

Complete listing details and seller contact information at www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/BMC033

THE LAST WORD
History is the version of past events that people have decided to agree upon. -- Napoleon Bonaparte

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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