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KING OF COOL OR LUCKY BREAK?
That is the question. Whatever the real answer, the positions at the end of Day Two and Race Five of the Rolex TP52 Global Championship 2007 do not lie. Artemis (SWE) sits on top of the heap with a healthy ten-point margin over second placed Patches (IRE). It could have been worse or better for both. Patches caught over the start line in the first two races of the day and Artemis over early in the third. Both completed recoveries that in the case of Artemis suggested true genius at the core - the genius of Russell Coutts - along with a measure of good boat speed and probably some luck.

Master magician onboard or not, Torbjorn Tornqvist's Artemis was comprehensively boat of the day posting a 1, 2, 4. Not far behind in that category was Stuart Robinson's Stay Calm (GBR), which managed to avoid any issues with the line, and scored 2, 4, 3 to move into fourth overall. The two other race winners were Doug DeVos' Windquest (USA)with Terry Hutchinson calling the shots and, of course, Eamon Conneely's Patches which, after her problems with the first two starts of the day, stormed around the final course like a scalded cat to finish someway in front of Alberto Roemmers' Siemens.

The three races were held in a fresh northwesterly. Racing continues tomorrow, Wednesday, with the prospect of the short coastal race, weather and wind permitting.

The programme comprises a maximum of 9 windward-leeward races, one short and one long coastal races. The coastal races have a points factor of 1.25.

Current Provisional Standings

1. Artemis, Torbjorn Tornqvist, SWE, 14.00 points
2. Patches, Eamon Conneely, IRL, 24.00
3. Mean Machine, Peter De Ridder, MON, 26.00
4. Stay Calm, Stuart Robinson, GBR, 28.00
5. Windquest, Doug Devos, USA, 31.00
6. Mutua Madrilena, Bablio Sail Project, CHI, 36.00
7. Siemens, Alberto Roemmers, ESP, 36.00
8. Cam, Leon/Sanchez, ESP, 36.00
9. Glory, John Buchan, USA, 36.00
10. Cristabella, John Cook, GBR, 43.00

www.rolextp52globals2007.com

YNGLING WOMEN EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP
Warnemunde, Germany: Russia comes out as the top nation after race 8 at the Yngling Women European Championship in Warnemunde Germany. The team of Ekaterina Skudina, Diana Krutzkikh and Natalia Ivanonova (RUS) manage to extend their lead and is now 6 points ahead of Anna Basalkina, Vladislava Ukraintseva and Kristina Novyk (RUS).

The best result of the day was made by Mandy Mulder, Brechte Van Der Werft and Marje Kampen (NED) with a 2nd and a 1st. This moves the team from the Netherlands up to third in total.

This morning the sailors were leaving the harbour in light winds, low clouds and rain. Throughout the day the weather cleared and the wind increased and the second race of the was sailed in 10-12 knots.

Dutch sailor Janneke Hin (NED) have unfortunately fallen ill and is resting at the teams base with high fever. After approval of the jury she was substituted with Marjon Kooistra (NED). Replacement of the person who is steering is not permitted in some classes but in the Yngling Class every member of the crew is considered equally important with the natural result that you can, proven necessary, substitute any member of the crew.

The teams coach Maurice Paordfekooper (NED) commented that with a spare day tomorrow he hopes that Hin will be fully recovered. About the substitution Paordfekooper remarked that in the past it was common that the person at the helm was the big boss but with modern professional crews every member is important. The Chairman of the jury Thomas Kresse (NOR) said on the substitution that a team should be considered as one unit and the perception that the helmsman is the boss of every team is somewhat old fashioned. Kresse of course respects that some classes have chosen other solutions for different purposes.

Wednesday is a spare day and since the schedule has been kept with 8 races sailed there will be no racing. On Thursday the final two races will be sailed before the Medal Race which will take place on Friday for the top ten teams. The teams not qualified for the Medal Race will sail an 11th race just before the Medal Race.

www.yngling.org

TOP OF THE TRACK, TOP OF YOUR GAME
It's 6, gusting 7 and building. The brains trust banged the layline, you trimmed a beauty and now you're hiking hard and closing on the mark. You've had 30 seconds to look back down the track, see what's what. 'Pole up, hoisting in five boatlengths!' The guy's sneaking back and you know you've got to hike big before grabbing the sheet and getting up to the windward shrouds. Not easy when you're heeling at 30 degrees. No problem with soles that corner like an F1 car. Dubarry's new Fastnet boots: grip like no other.

www.dubarry.com

MOVING ON...
Team New Zealand tactician Terry Hutchinson has quit the syndicate after failing to agree on terms and conditions.

The American joined Team New Zealand in 2004 and sailed in all the pre-regattas, the Louis Vuitton Challenger series and the America's Cup match. Hutchinson resigned from the team yesterday.

It is unclear if he has signed with another syndicate but with so many teams on the market for sailors it is expected the experienced 39 year-old will be picked up quickly.

Hutchinson said he believed Team New Zealand achieved a great deal during the last campaign.

"It was a good run and a hard-fought regatta," he said.

"While disappointed that I could not come to a satisfactory arrangement with the management, the success of the campaign has created an amazing number of opportunities that I am now free to explore."

While losing Hutchinson is not ideal for Team New Zealand considering there are so few top rate cup tacticians, they do have the option of moving strategist Ray Davies into the role.

Davies was one of the standout performers for the syndicate in the last campaign and his calm nature and sailing nous would make him a prime candidate to replace Hutchinson. -- Julie Ash, full article in the New Zealand Herald: www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=106&objectid=10465904

12 METER WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Not a good day for us on the Kiwi Magic today. We had a 5th and a 4th and are currently 5th over all in the grand prix division out of 6 boats.

The wind was light again this morning and after a 1 hour postponement, the first race finally got underway in 7 knots. We wanted the right and started at the committee boat and protected the right up the first windward leg. The right was good but we had gone too far and over stood. Kookaburra II was first around the first mark and all boats were still close. Then down at the leeward gate we had a bit of trouble with the rounding and got forced to tack toward the left. Wright on White, the Brazilian boat, KZ3, owned by Roger Wright with Torben Grael as tactician and his brother Lars as helmsman, was second at that point and went out to the right, got a massive lift and won the race easily.

Before we could start the second race, the race committee had to relocate the starting line to the west in front of Mandelieu which took an hour or more. Finally the race got underway around 1530 in 10 knots of wind and the left was hugely favored. Torben Grael onboard Wright on White figured it out best and aggressively went after the left end of the starting line. Hissar was next up from W on W and then us. Meanwhile, Kookaburra II started on port and went right. We could not hold our height against Hissar and were forced to go right after a few minutes. The left was hugely favored and the Brazilians had a big lead at the first mark and never looked back. Hissar was comfortably in second, then KA8, South Australia, then us then Kookaburra, and finally French Kiss. At the leeward gate, South Australia had a big problem and dropped way back. We had a good battle with Kookaburra II up the second beat and eventually forced them off to the right and split left. Unfortunately, we got too much of a good thing and over stood the windward mark and that let Kookaburra II in ahead of us. Things got a bit squirrelly down the last run but not enough for us to pass. So the order of finish was Wright on White, Hissar, Kookaburra, Kiwi Magic, South Australia, French Kiss.

Tomorrow two races are planned and the wind should be a bit stronger. -- Paul Cayard

For more results go to www.yachtclubdecannes.com

COMPLETE FREIGHT CONTINUES ITS COMMITMENT TO INTERNATIONAL YACHTING
Earlier in the September Mike Golding's Ecover was shipped from New Zealand by Complete Freight. Working with a tight deadline she arrived in time for the Southampton Boat Show for her naming ceremony. See pictures of her launch in Portsmouth docks on www.completefreight.com/cms_news.html

Complete Freight is now preparing to ship many yacht containers for the forthcoming season in the Caribbean. If you need to send your container or other items to the Caribbean do not hesitate to contact Complete Freight on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

WISDOM FROM THE FISH
Sail-World's America's Cup columnist, Bob Fisher, who is also author of the definitive America's Cup work 'An Absorbing Interest' has written to US Sailing World magazine, with his thoughts on the current America's Cup situation:

Letter of the Month

A Fish-Eye View

I agree with Gary Jobson's proposed remedies for the next America's Cup. For those of us to whom the Cup means much, the situation is appalling. I am depressed that greed should have so completely encompassed the event.

The action of America's Cup Management fills me with even greater hatred of all the ghastly trio - ACM, Alinghi, and Société Nautique de Genève - stand for. Trying to hoodwink people into believing they are right, when everyone knows otherwise, is degrading.

Ernesto Bertarelli appears to live in a world of his own. The Cup has lost Louis Vuitton and Prada and neither will return until he is off the scene. Patrizio Bertelli [Prada] was all set to go again, but one scan of the proposed protocol and he rejected the idea.

I think the three challengers (Team New Zealand, Team Origin, and Team Shosholoza), subsequent to the bogus Spanish one are simply covering their backs. They want to be in the Cup, but I know at least two are fearful of what Bertarelli has done.

Bob Fisher
England

You can subscribe to the online edition of Sailing World which is very reasonably priced. Its pearls of sailing wisdom, from some of the top sailors on the planet, are a must have for any young or aspiring sailor. Click on this link: www.zinio.com/offer?issn=SALW-0001&of=PH21&bd=1&pss=1

See the story to which Bob Fisher refers at:
www.sailingworld.com/racing-views/jobson-report/greed-tarnishes-the-cup-54426.html

ALINGHI'S BAIRD LOOKING TO ADD GOLD CUP
With less than a month remaining to the start of the King Edward VII Gold Cup, Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Commodore Andrew Cox has announced that Ed Baird, the America's Cup-winning helmsman from Alinghi, has entered the $100,000 match race regatta.

Baird is one of 24 skippers entered in the centennial anniversary Gold Cup, scheduled Oct. 9-14 on Hamilton Harbour. Other entrants include last year's finalists, England's Ian Williams of Team Pindar and France's Mathieu Richard of the Saba Sailing Team. Williams defeated Richard, 3-1, last year in the first Gold Cup final for both skippers.

"Winning the Gold Cup last year is my biggest achievement in sailing and will be until Team Pindar can win the match racing worlds," said Williams, 30. "I really enjoy sailing in the conditions and the boats in Bermuda, the combination of which makes for really tricky racing. Although it's easy to blame bad luck for losing, the boats really reward good sailing."

Williams and Richard are ranked No. 1 and 2 in the ISAF Open Match Race Rankings and the World Match Racing Tour standings. -- Sean McNeill, www.bermudagoldcup.com

* When was the last time you walked on a beach with pink sand? When was the last time pastels filled your world? When was the last time you visited Bermuda? The Bermuda Gold Cup is around the corner (Oct. 8-14) and you won't want to miss it. This year's event will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Gold Cup trophy, donated by King Edward VII, and the lineup includes Americas Cup Champion Ed Baird, World Match Race Leader Ian Williams and some of the best match racers in the world. Vacation packages for two, including round trip airfare from Boston and accommodations at the Hamilton Princess hotel, start at $1,400. For more information visit TNT Vacations at: www.tntvacations.com/TNTDestination?link_dest=BDA&agentsite_uid=152724

SAIL FOR GOLD - GOLDEN DAY FOR TEAM GBR
Going into the final day of Skandia Sail for Gold at Weymouth, GBR sailors headed up seven of the nine classes. At the end of the Medal race it was a clean sweep for the British sailors, not all the first pick Olympic choices won but the strength in depth on display was impressive.

The Sail for Gold regatta made a great step forward with the internet TV coverage this year. The live feed from the Gold Medal racing on Sunday proving that sailing can be a spectator sport in the right conditions. The Tornado race was a really spectacular event. The long shots showed an apparently flat sea, but on the close-up shot the wave conditions and their effect on the catamaran handling became apparent, providing good TV, even with the rain and mist.

Some sensible chat from Iain Percy and Ben Ainslie on-shore, if they could all just keep concentrated when not the focus, but still on screen, very disconcerting during the interviews!

Good race commentary throughout, particularly in the Finn race, Percy knowing his business and working well with Richard Simmonds, and the Finn race providing good screen action. Showing the physical effort and technique required to get these boats downwind fast. Ed Wright (GBR) had it all to do in the Medal race, and showed great downwind speed to take the win to overhaul Daniel Bergmark (SWE) and take the Gold.

The 49er result was one of the upset results, John Pink, a multi 29er champion, showed that the new route thro the junior skiff into the Olympic 49er, is really paying dividens. This was a bit of a suprise, beating the reigning world champions, but Pink and Wheeler have been improving all season and will be a major force in the class over the next few years leading to the 2012 Olympics.

The Radial race was very important for the contestants fighting for the GBR Olympic spot, Lizzie Vickers, Charlotte Dobson and Penny Clark. David Jessop won the race but Clark took an important second and the Gold for overall winner. Laura Baldwin finished third and took Silver. Lizzie Vickers started the day in the lead but finished with the bronze.

Read the RYA final report here - www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=4393

GIPSY MOTH IV: STAR OF THE WHYTE & MACKAY EARLS COURT BOAT SHOW
The all-new Whyte & Mackay Earls Court Boat Show isn't just about exciting shows and Christmas shopping, it's shining with stars from sailing past, present and future. See Sir Francis Chichester's world-famous Gipsy Moth IV; watch Dee Caffari live by satellite in her first Transatlantic race; Michael Perham - the Transat Kid - auctions Cheeky Monkey; Gigi, the Cape Horn-rounding Contessa 32 takes a newly restored bow. There's the National Maritime Museum's Hall of Fame, the Steve Curtis Power Boat Display, good food, Guinness and much, much more. The all-new Whyte & Mackay Earls Court Boat Show: you can't beat boating in the heart of London!

www.earlscourtboatshow.com

THE VERY TALENTED SPITHILL FAMILY...
RPAYC's Team Acuity, comprising of Katie Spithill, Nina Curtis, Jessica Eastwell, Angela Farrell, Kristen Short and coach Traks Gordon have won the 2007 Australian Women's Match Racing Nationals.

The irony of the victory for Team Acuity is that the ISAF Rankings points gained from this win will not contribute to their world ranking due to an outstanding Grade 1 International Campaign for 2007.

This years Nationals was held in Melbourne at Sandringham Yacht Club, sailed in their fleet of identical Beneteau 7.5's with 5 crew.

After the completion of 2 Round Robins Katie Spithill's team led on countback to Nicky Souter's team. With Spithill electing to sail Amanda Scrivenor in the semi finals, leaving Souter to race Sam Boyd.

Both Spithill and Souter progressed to the final's 3-0, but not without a fight from the up and coming CYCA Teams.

The finals were drawn out to the full 5 matches with many lead changes with Spithill taking the trophy at 3-2.

Final Placings

1. Katie Spithill
2. Nicky Souter
3. Amanda Scrivenor
4. Sam Boyd
5. Kate Aulich
6. Alex Ward

Regatta Website: www.syc.com.au

GENE SAVOY
American archaeologist and ocean sailor Gene Savoy has died aged 80. He sailed a reed raft, Kuviqu, in 1969 to prove that ancient Peruvian and Mexican civilisations could have traded with one another.

He later sailed round the world on a mahogany raft in a bid to prove how much further South Americans could have gone.

He wrote four books on exploring including Antisuyo: The Search for the Lost Cities of the Amazon and On the Trail of the Feathered Serpent.

www.ybw.com/auto/newsdesk/20070825104824ymnews.html

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
It is a common experience that a problem difficult at night is resolved in the morning after the committee of sleep has worked on it. -- John Steinbeck

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.

www.YachtsandCruisers.com the new place to buy and sell prestige boats, the website has been designed to showcase high-end boats. People looking to buy prestige boats will be able to easily navigate their way around the site quickly. The portfolio of thousands of boats can be viewed by category, make, location and price. Alternatively the 'Advanced Search' facility will benefit those buyers who have a specific boat in mind.

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