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FRONT TO BACK AND FRONT AGAIN
The Rolex TP52 Global Championship 2007 served up another day of intriguing competition on the water, just as the Costa Smeralda served up one of the worst days of weather in recent memory of those that regularly compete in this sailing mecca. A window of opportunity in the prevailing strong winds enabled the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda race officials, led by Peter Craig, to run one of the two coastal courses included in the programme.

At the end of a winter like day, the Swedish boat Artemis popped out in front to secure another priceless victory in a race that turned into a lottery at the mid-point. Artemis was followed home by Windquest (USA), Doug DeVos' s boat having set the pace for much of the race. Mutua Madrilena (CHI) did a back to front recovery and took third, just ahead of Glory (USA). Patches (IRE) had a day to forget; full of snakes and ladders, and with her last roll of the dice landing her firmly on a snake to finish in twelfth. Going into the last two days, five boats are separated by 6-points, but ominously for the fleet one boat lies 17 points clear ahead of them all - Artemis.

Racing continues tomorrow, Friday, 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, 15.25
2. Windquest Doug Devos, USA, 33.50
3. Mean Machine Peter De Ridder, MON, 33.50
4. Stay Calm Stuart Robinson, GBR, 36.75
5. Patches Eamon Conneely IRL, 39.00
6. Mutua Madrilena Bablio Sail Project, CHI, 39.75
7. Glory John Buchan, USA, 41.00
8. Siemens Alberto Roemmers, ESP, 42.25
9. Cam Leon/Sanchez, ESP, 48.00
10. Cristabella John Cook, GBR, 56.75

www.rolextp52globals2007.com

ALINGHI'S SIMON DAUBNEY BREACHED AMERICA'S CUP ANTI DOPING RULES
Statement from Simon Daubney: "Yesterday I went before the five-man 32nd America's Cup Jury in London regarding a positive doping test taken on 23 June 2007. While Anti Doping Norway did find traces of a recreational drug in the urine sample, the Jury found that there was no fault or negligence on my behalf. This comes as a relief to me as I have never knowingly taken a banned substance however, until this matter is completely resolved, I have resigned from Alinghi, so that they can go about their business without distraction. I hope to return to the team once my name is cleared.

I was found in breach of the America's Cup Anti Doping Rules after a routine urine test taken by Anti Doping Norway on 23 June 2007. The urine sample returned a positive test for a recreational drug on 13 July 2007. Then the B sample returned a positive result on the 8 August.

I have been bound by confidentiality rules up until now and want to take this opportunity to thank Alinghi and my family and friends for their enormous support during this extremely difficult time. I have done everything in my power to prove that I have never knowingly taken a banned substance of any type and to this end underwent and passed a polygraph test conducted by the UK and European Polygraph Association. I am heartened and relieved that the Jury agrees with my contention that I was a victim of contamination and or drink spiking."

valenciasailing.blogspot.com

* Editor: it's been widely reported that the 'recreational drug' in question is cannabis.

A TEMPEST STRIKES THE REGATES ROYALES - TROPHEE PANERAI
Although there were clouds in the sky on Thursday morning, there was enough bright sunshine in evidence, along with a nice breeze, to lure the sailors and Race Committee on to Cannes Bay for the scheduled racing.

But unfortunately, the benign conditions didn't last long. Soon after racing started for the Dragons, Classic, Tradition and 12 Metre Classes, an intense squall came through, bringing heavy rain showers, hail, thunder and lightning.

The tempest attacked the fleet with a fury. Visibility was reduced to metres at times, and the gusting conditions caused several boats to broach, colliding one into the other. France was dismasted, and Nagaina suffered significant damage to its hull.

The Dragon fleet also suffered, as sadly, two boats sank in the storm, after taking on immense amounts of water. One appeared to be pinned on its side in gusts that exceeded 30 knots, filling it with water. The other was sailing downwind when it broached on its side with the spinnaker flailing from the top of the mast. The boat never recovered. In both cases, the crew were quickly plucked from the water, shaken up, but uninjured.

There were reports of lightning striking near several boats, and indeed, crew on board some boats told of instances of being 'shocked'. Initially, it appears the more than one thousand sailors taking part in the regatta have escaped serious injury, although a handful were taken to the hospital for observation and minor treatment.

Despite the conditions, one race was completed on Thursday at the centennial world championships of the 12 Metre Class and in the Grand Prix division, James Spithill steered Kookabura II to victory, moving his team up to second place with three races completed. Roger Wright's Wright on White earned a third place in today's difficult race to remain at the head of the table.

Unfortunately the forecast is poor for Friday, with strong winds again forecast for the Cannes area. Meteo France is predicting west winds in the morning of 20 knots, increasing over the course of the afternoon when gusts could reach 40 knots from the Southwest. -- Sabina Mollart- Rogerson

www.regatesroyales.com

* Photos of the storm by Guillaume Plisson in the Eurobutt Gallery, www.scuttlebutteurope.com/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,30/

MELGES 24 US NATIONALS SHOWCASE FOR TOP COMPETITORS
Ullman Sails customers had outstanding finishes at last weekend's highly competitive 2007 Audi U.S. Melges 24 National Championship in Detroit, Michigan. Scott Holmgren's 'Rosebud,' helmed by Dave Ullman, finished second, followed closely by Alan Field's 'WTF' in third place. The regatta, hosted by Bayview Yacht Club, was marked by shifty conditions on Lake St. Clair and tough competition from local Melges 24 competitors. Both Holmgren and Field competed with full inventories of Ullman Sails. When there is no room for error, top competitors keep relying on the 'Fastest Sails on the Planet.'

Contact a local loft and visit www.ullmansails.com

THE FRENCH PREPARE FOR 2009
French syndicate K-Challenge is preparing its 2009 America's Cup campaign and hopes to have found a major sponsor by the end of next month to help finance a minimum budget of 30 million euros.

French syndicate K-Challenge is preparing its 2009 America's Cup campaign and hopes to have found a major sponsor by the end of next month to help finance a minimum budget of 30 million euros.

Stephane Kandler, who heads the syndicate, said he was in talks with potential sponsors in France and abroad, as well as private investors, to try and quickly find a main sponsor who will provide half of the budget.

"The team is ready," Kandler told AFP. "Now we need sponsors."

K-Challenge competed in the 2007 edition of the event under the name Areva Challenge, finishing in a disappointing eighth place out of 11 boats.

French industrial group Areva, who contributed 12 million euros, said they were willing to jointly sponsor a new French challenge but told AFP on Monday that, at that point, they had not been asked to do so. -- au.news.yahoo.com/070925/19/14ioz.html

RECORD ENTRIES
The Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) is on course for a record entry, with 240 yachts confirmed to take part in this year's transocean cruising rally from Gran Canaria to St.Lucia in November, topping the previous maximum of 234 entrants in ARC 99. With more yachts currently on the waiting list, the final entry figure may be higher still.

Now in its 22nd year, the ARC has always had an international audience, and 2007 is no exception, with 24 different nations represented within the fleet, and many more nationalities are represented across the crews, making the ARC not only the World's largest transocean sailing event, but also its most diverse.

Entries this year span from the Ed Dubois-designed Mariposa at 29m (95ft), down to the small but tough 7.60m (26ft) Folkboat - Ariel sailed by the youngest skipper in ARC 2007, 22-year old Henry Adams from Sherborne, Dorset, UK. Most yachts (53% of the fleet) lie in the 40ft to 50ft band (12m - 15.24m), with a median size of 47ft 2" (14.40m).

Dominating the entry list with 43 yachts are French builders Beneteau, well ahead of the next most popular make, Jeanneau with 20 yachts and Oyster with 15 yachts participating. Cruising catamarans continue to grow in popularity in the ARC fleet, with 21 taking part; the French yards Lagoon and Fountaine Pajot being most widely represented with 11 and 5 yachts entered respectively.

Whilst the majority of ARC yachts are there to enjoy the cruising fun, some skippers choose to race across the Atlantic, under the auspices of the Royal Ocean Racing Club in one of the ARC's two IRC Racing Divisions. This year 28 yachts will be racing, including, seven yachts over 60ft (18.28m). The Australian maxi Loki (Stephen Ainsworth) will be hoping to beat the ARC course record set last year of 11 days, 5 hours, 32 minutes and 30 seconds, but will face some serious competition from two Volvo 60's - AAG Big One and Pindar, both with Russian crews racing as a warm up for their Volvo Ocean Race campaigns. -- Peta Stuart-Hunt

www.worldcruising.com/arc/

JOG ANNOUNCE NEW 400NM OFFSHORE RACE
A new offshore race, the Illingworth Challenge, has been announced by JOG (Junior Offshore Group). Starting from the JOG start line in Cowes on 19th July 2008, the race will take competitors west out of the Solent, around Ushant to the finish off La Trinite, a distance of approximately 400 miles.

Open to all monohull yachts with an IRC handicap rating of 1.200 and below, the race is in the typical Corinthian style of JOG. With three classes and double handed racers also catered for, the race will finish in the beautiful port of La Trinite, one of the most popular yachting centres in the Bay of Biscay.

The Race is ISAF/ORC Special Regulations Category 2 and will be run under JOG General Conditions with all entrants complying with ISAF (RRS) Regulation 20 Category A.

JOG was founded in 1950 and has run a successful series of races from their start line in Cowes for over twenty years. Each year JOG runs an Offshore Category 3 Championship and an Inshore Category 4 Championship. Nearly all of the races in both Championships are "destination" races, designed so that competitors can enjoy time at the finish socialising and exploring the location.

The Illingworth Challenge Race celebrates the origins of JOG, true Corinthian offshore racing in small, seaworthy boats to pleasant destinations. The race will run every two years.

See www.jog.org.uk

CAMET TEAM GEAR
All over the world, you will find that the leading teams are using a combination of the Camet Code Zero shirts, Camet vests, and the Sailing Shorts or Pants. The vests are made of waterproof, breathable fabric with a Coolmax mesh liner and have the ability to add an optional foam pad insert for protection against the lifelines when hiking out. Code Zero shirts are made out of a fast drying technical, breathable fabric with UV protection. The Sailing shorts come in a variety of different styles and colors.

Camet products are made in the USA and are in stock to order today at www.camet.com

YNGLING WOMEN EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP
With 10 races completed the stage is set for the Medal Race. Russian crew of Ekaterina Skudina, Diana Krutzkikh and Natalia Ivanova managed to keep the lead and will start the Medal Race 4 points in front of second placed the team of Mandy Mulder, Brechte Van Der Werft and Marje Kampen (NED). Also fighting for the gold medal is third placed team Sofia Bekatoru, Sofia Papadopoulou and Christina Charamountani.

They will have a tough challenge because as many as the top six teams have chances to end up on the podium with a Medal pending the outcome of the Medal Race.

The fleet is incredibly even and in today's tight racing as many as four boats missed the Medal Race by only two points.

Top five:
1. Ekaterina Skudina / Diana Krutzkikh / Natalia Ivanova, RUS, 31.0 points
2. Mandy Mulder / Brechtje van der Werf / Marje Kampen, NED, 35.0
3. Sofia Bekatorou / Sofia Papadopoulou / Christina Charamountani, GRE, 44.0
4. Janneke Hin / Annemieke Bes / Floortje Hendriksen, NED, 49.0
5. Renee Groeneveld / Marye Faber / Petronella De Jong, NED, 51.0

www.yngling.org

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

LAUNCHINGS
* It'll be an astounding 518 feet long -- the equivalent of nearly two football fields. And so big it'll take 37 sails (spread among five masts) to move. So big, in fact, that it'll have room for three pools -- count 'em -- along the top deck.

Star Clippers have announced plans to build by far the largest and most expensive sailing vessel ever. At 7,400 tons, the as-yet-unnamed barque will be 48% larger than the line's Royal Clipper, currently the world's biggest full-rigged sailing ship. It'll boast room for 296 passengers and 140 crewmembers. More gee-whiz measurements: The ship's rigs will soar 217 feet over the waterline; the ship's beam will be a dazzling 61 feet, resulting in an open sun deck of more than 8,000 square feet.

The ship will be so big, in fact, that the line plans a two-level dining room that can hold all 296 passengers in one seating. There also will be a private dining room for smaller groups, a piano lounge, a two-level "tropical bar," a dive/sports bar, a forward observation lounge, library, spa and gym. Did we mention the retractable marina on the stern for access to watersports, snorkeling and diving? -- Gene Sloan, USA Today, blogs.usatoday.com/cruiselog/2007/09/star-clippers-t.html

* Mills Design has been selected by the newly formed Summit Yachts partnership of George Carabetta and Barry Carroll to draw their new IRC 40 Cruiser/Racer to be built by King Marine in Argentina. This is an exciting production yacht that targets one of the most popular segments of the performance yachting market under one of the most successful rating rules ever. The sleek design combines the race-winning performance of our custom designs like Tiamat and Mariners Cove with a truly dual-purpose interior and cockpit layout.

Carroll and Carabetta felt there was a niche in the racing market for a new 40-footer, which led them to create Summit Yachts and to choose King Marine as the builder after an extensive search. "They're known for building high quality racing yachts and had a desire to get into production built boats. They're ideal for what we're looking for." said Carabetta. King Marine has built the latest America's Cup Class yachts for Spanish challenger Desafío Español, as well as the IRC 66 Blue Yankee and a series of the latest carbon-fiber TP 52's and GP42's.

* Banque SYZ & CO SA has announced that it would be joining forces with Alex Schneiter, Patrick Firmenich and Jean Psarofaghis - three of Lake Geneva's most successful sailors - in a cutting-edge project on the lake: the construction of a revolutionary hydrofoil catamaran.

The three initiators of the project - Alex Schneiter, Patrick Firmenich and Jean Psarofaghis - have started work on building what should become the fastest multihull yacht on Lake Geneva with a view to both beating Lake Geneva speed records and winning its main races (most notably the Bol d'Or). Although the hydrofoil is a shorter boat, the main aim is to compete with the Decision 35s - currently the fastest yachts on the lake.

The boat will be built entirely of carbon, thus keeping weight to a minimum while maintaining high levels of rigidity. It will have a tipping mast and the boat length will be between an M2 and a D35 (between 28 and 35 feet). It will have a complex system of orientable foils, allowing it to perform well at all speeds. The goal is to reach twice the true wind speed, with a maximum speed of 35-38 knots. Construction will commence in October, with the launch scheduled for the end of the first quarter of 2008, leaving time for refinements before the regatta season gets underway.

* Farr Yacht Sales is pleased to announce the debut of the Farr 11s at the United States Sailboat Show in Annapolis, MD. The Farr 11s is a 36' high-performance keel boat that incorporates canting keel technology along with twin asymmetric canards and twin retractable rudders

Farr Yacht Sales will also be offering the Farr IRC 42 built by Austral Yachts of Australia. Michael Keough of Austral Yachts will be available to discuss this latest IRC Racer/Cruiser and present build information, specifications, pricing and photos.

Come see us on the outside corner of Dock G and Dock N. Contact: Bill O'Malley for additional information - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it - +1 410-267-6550

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Letters are limited to 350 words. No personal attacks are permitted. We do require your name but your email address will not be published without your permission.

* From Nick Hutton (the Australian one!): Both the event website, and now your august publication (GBR and USA Start Well At Team Racing Worlds-27 Sep), have confused Murray Jones, Team Racing Coach from Hobart, Tasmania, with Murray Jones, hero of America's Cup fame, at the World Team Racing Championship in Gandia, Spain.

The Murray Jones's of Hobart, Tasmania, probably deserve star status as they often do more for sailing's grassroots, and therefore the future of the sport, than the Murray Jones's of the America's Cup, but it would be good if we were talking about the right Murray Jones.

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
Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. -- Douglas Adams

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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