Brought to you by YachtsandCruisers.com with the support of OC Events, Scuttlebutt Europe is a digest of sailing news and opinions, regatta results, new boat and gear information and letters from sailors -- with a European emphasis. Contributions welcome, send to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

CALL FOR AMERICA'S CUP TO GO AHEAD IN VALENCIA IN 2009
The Golden Gate Yacht Club will agree to comprehensive new compromises to get the America's Cup back on track for Valencia in 2009 if the defender will disclose its rule for the boats' design.

"We are looking forward to putting this dispute about the rules behind us and racing for the America's Cup in 2009 in Valencia as planned. That's what we want, and that's what all the challengers want," Larry Ellison, syndicate head of the club's America's Cup team, BMW ORACLE Racing, said today.

"But it is impossible to accept a design rule that we have never seen."

The American team has told challengers it is ready to agree to wide ranging new proposals discussed over the last 24 hours if it can confirm for itself that the design rule developed by Alinghi is fair for all competitors.

It has been normal practice over recent Cups for the design rule to be seen by all potential competitors well in advance of the event.

www.ggyc.com

THE TRANSAT 2008: A NEW TITLE PARTNER
It began as the 'OSTAR' in 1960, based on a half crown wager - a group of five pioneers preparing to race solo across the Atlantic to the USA, nine years before Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon. Today the oldest solo race across the North Atlantic, known as The Transat, welcomes a new title partner and a new class for the 13th edition of the race that will start on 11th May, 2008 from Sutton Harbour, Plymouth (UK) to Boston (USA).

Blondie Hasler uttered the legendary words "One man, one boat, the ocean" to describe the race and in 1960 Francis Chichester led the fleet home to become one of Britain's most famous sea-faring adventurers. Four years later it was Frenchman Eric Tabarly who arrived first, and went on to become France's greatest ever sailing legend, awarded the Legion d'Honneur by President de Gaulle, that gave rise to the great French solo racing scene of today. A new and important partnership has also been formed with Artemis, one of the UK's leading investment companies, for the 2008 event, and the legend is set to continue in The Artemis Transat.

Artemis Investment Management is committed to promoting offshore sailing in British waters. Artemis manage an IMOCA Open 60 campaign, Artemis Ocean Racing, skippered by Jonny Malbon, and recently organised the Artemis Challenge at Skandia Cowes Week and the Artemis Trophy during the Rolex Fastnet Race. Having joined IMOCA as a Business Club Partner, the Transat sponsorship is another important step in the vision to further develop professional ocean racing in Britain.

In 2008, the 4 yearly event, will have just two classes of boat, the IMOCA Open 60 and Class 40. This will be the first time since the introduction of multihulls in 1964 that the race will be dedicated to just monohulls.

Sailing Director of OC Events, Christine Salen, explains: "We wanted a strong and simple race this time, something the public could understand and without too many different types of boat, and therefore we chose just two strong classes in the professional and high profile IMOCA 60 and its young relation, the rapidly growing Class 40. The Royal Western Yacht Club still run a purely amateur event in 2009, an event that we hope will also benefit from this decision. Although it is in some ways sad to have no multihulls in this edition, we look forward to the rebirth of the ORMA class in the future, which might open up other options for 2012 and beyond."

www.theartemistransat.com

THE STORY SO FAR...
When it comes to creating a brand new one design keelboat class from scratch there are very few people with the knowledge, skills or credibility to pull it off. Three times America's Cup winner Russell Coutts however has all three of these attributes and in October 2005 he announced the RC 44 Class to a mostly unsuspecting market. This was no run of the mill product endorsement from the world's most famous sailor. An engineering graduate of the University of Auckland Coutts was fully involved at every stage of the design process. For his design partner he chose naval architect Andrej Justin. Justin was a relatively unknown name in yachting despite having been responsible for several racing designs including a small match racer and an 80 foot carbon maxi.

The new class was created with a strict one design and ethos and was targeted at racing owners who wished to sail an exciting, high performance, technically advanced boat. Coutts's concept for the RC44 was to produce a boat that would be challenging and exciting to sail and also be powerful enough to race in the lighter conditions often found in the European lakes and harbours.

Not satisfied with creating a new class Coutts also planned to introduce a new regatta format. Racing at RC 44 regattas would be split between fleet racing - where the owners would helm - and a day of match racing where pro sailors would be allowed to steer. This strategy was smart in a number of ways. The attraction of owner driver classes like the Mumm 30 and Farr 40 are a testament that many of today's yacht owners are no longer happy to simply pay the bills and make do with a menial job on their own boats. The opportunity to compete on the race track against their peers whilst being coached and supported by professional sailors is an attractive win-win scenario. Add to this the opportunity to be on board during a full on match race against the world number one sailor Russell Coutts and you have a compelling proposition.

The full article in OffshoreRules.com: www.offshorerules.com/OR/Offshore_Rules/Entries/2007/10/18_Feature_Article_-_The_RC_44_Class.html

RACE FASTER AND SMARTER
If you want to improve your results on the race course, you should be reading Speed & Smarts. This bi-monthly newsletter, written by winning America's Cup tactician Dave Dellenbaugh, has been praised by racing sailors worldwide for more than 12 years. Each colorful issue has 16 pages full of race-winning tips on boatspeed, tactics, strategy, rules and more! Whether you are a skipper or crew, on a one-design or big boat, Speed & Smarts will help improve your performance.

To see a sample issue or sign up for a subscription, visit our website at www.SpeedandSmarts.com

RAYMARINE / YJA YACHTSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
The winner of the Raymarine / YJA (Yachting Journalists' Association) Yachtsman of the Year Award for 2007 will be announced at a gala luncheon on Tuesday January 15, 2008. The event will take place in the magnificent surroundings of The Painted Hall, part of The Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich.

The Raymarine / YJA Yachtsman of the Year and the Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year are elected by a ballot of members of the Yachting Journalists' Association following nominations received from members of the boating public. These can range from a single suggestion of a commendable member of a boating club, through to multiple proposals for high profile figures in the yachting or power boating world. Nominations for the Raymarine / YJA Yachtsman of the Year and the Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year can be made online at www.raymarine.com and www.yja.co.uk, or using the nomination forms which can be found at RYA affiliated clubs nationwide. Nominations must be received before November 16, 2007.

YJA Chairman, Bob Fisher says: "This is the 52nd time this prestigious award has been made and this event is one of the highest profile awards ceremonies in the sailing world. The gala luncheon takes place in the impressive Painted Hall, which was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and decorated by Sir James Thornhill, and is steeped in maritime history. We are extending the invitation to others involved in the sport, whether as sponsor, participant, friend or relative of the nominees to come and enjoy what will be a fantastic and memorable event."

This high profile event provides a superb opportunity for corporate entertaining in the maritime world, and group bookings from supporting yacht clubs, non-members, private parties and corporate bookings can be made through the YJA.

The presentation of the Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year Award, which recognises endeavour and achievement by sailors under the age of 19, will take place at the Collins Stewart London Boat Show on Saturday January 12 at 3pm.

Nominations for both awards are received from all corners of the UK, and any member of the public can nominate a potential winner with the criterion being set as "the British person who most justifies the award." The short-listed nominees are voted on by the entire membership of the YJA, with the winner's details kept a closely guarded secret until the announcement is made at the luncheon on January 15.

The Yachtsman of the Year Award was first presented in 1955 and is currently held by Dee Caffari. The Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year Award was initiated in 1993 and the current holder is Katie Miller.

ROYAL BERMUDA DONATES IRC TROPHY FOR BERMUDA RACE
The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club has unveiled plans for a new major trophy for the 2008 Newport Bermuda Race. The North Rock Trophy is a scale replica of the original North Rock Light Tower that once warned mariners by marking the rocky approach to Bermuda from the North. It will be awarded to the first IRC boat on corrected time in the St. David's Lighthouse and Gibbs Hill Lighthouse Divisions.

"With IRC a popular rule particularly on the East Coast of the U.S. we wanted to give something worthy to race for," said Andy Cox, Commodore of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. "The yacht club is donating the new trophy modeled after the original North Rock Light Tower."

"The same silversmiths in the UK who make the coveted Lighthouse Trophies have been commissioned to design and craft the silver tower and bronze 'rock' base" Cox noted. "All boats sailing in the St. David's Lighthouse and Gibbs Hill Lighthouse Divisions with endorsed IRC certificates will be eligible to race for it."

The Newport Bermuda Race starts June 20, 2008 and is jointly organized by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and the Cruising Club of America. The 2006 centennial fleet had a record 264 starters. Hopes are high for a fleet that approaches that record.

"We don't expect to break the record numbers we had for the Centennial" Commodore Cox concluded. "However we do expect that this new trophy will attract high interest with East Coast sailors who like the IRC rule".

In the 2008 race, all boats must have a "fully measured" ORR (Offshore Rating Rule) certificate and meet the requirements for the race based on the ORR rule which will be used to determine the winners of the prestigious St David's and Gibb's Hill Lighthouses. The Preliminary Notice of Race will be available shortly at the Official Race Website http://www.bermudarace.com

FARR YACHT DESIGN AND FINNGULF YACHTS
TO CREATE A NEW IRC PERFORMANCE YACHT
Farr Yacht Design has been contracted to create a new Performance Yacht for Finngulf Yachts Ltd. This new yacht offers uncompromising performance, luxury and usability at sea. With the design and building process well under way, the yacht is expected to rate well under IRC. Online users can have a unique "behind the scenes" opportunity to follow the build process at FG43's website that is open until Yachts numbers 1&2 launch on May 1st, 2008.

Only 187 days to launch, follow the progress!

www.fg43.com

ISAF ROLEX WORLD SAILOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Gary Jobson (USA), world renowned sailor, author and commentator, will host the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards in Estoril, Portugal on 6 November 2007.

The ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards is dedicated to the outstanding achievements over the past year of the four female and five male nominees who will all be hoping to take home the sailing world's most prestigious annual award of recognition.

Gary is one of sailing's most recognizable voices and has hosted the World Sailor of the Year Awards three times before, in 1994, 1995 and 2006. Gary is one of only three Rolex Ambassadors in the sport of sailing and his association with Rolex stretches back to the 1970s.

Gary Jobson has enjoyed a distinguished career on the water. At college he was an All-American sailor three times and was twice named College Sailor of the Year in 1972 and 1973. Gary has won many championships in one design classes, the Fastnet Race, various ocean races and, in 1977 as tactician with Ted Turner, claimed the America's Cup.

Gary is also an active cruising sailor and has led ambitious expeditions to the Arctic, Antarctic and Cape Horn. He currently races his Etchells and owns a Sabre 402.

In 1999 he won the Nathanael G. Herreshoff Trophy, presented to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the sport of sailing in the USA. Four years later he was inducted into the America's Cup Hall of Fame by the Herreshoff Marine Museum.

www.sailing.org/worldsailor

HOBART VETERAN TRYING TO HITCH A HOBART RIDE
Forty Sydney Hobart race veteran and America's Cup sailor Bernie Case is looking for a ride in the 2007 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

The Victorian dentist who is a gun helmsman and tactician has had little time for sailing this past year, keeping busy with his practice and family commitments, but he is keen to keep the ocean race momentum going.

Still fit and healthy, Case would be an asset to any boat, having represented Australia seven times as principle helm at both the Admiral's and Clipper/Kenwood Cups on boats such as Alan Bond's Apollo IV and V, Denis O'Neil's Bondi Tram, Lou Abrahams' various Challenge boats and Bimblegumbie.

Apart from contesting 40 Hobart races, he was also part of Bond's Australia II America's Cup team from 1979 to 1982, withdrawing due to work and family commitments, and in 1986 joined Syd Fischer's America's Cup entry Sydney, as tactician, but once again had to return to Victoria to work.

Sydney-Hobart highlights include a line honours win aboard Condor in 1986, a second overall on Once More Dear Friends in 1983, sailing with the Late Ben Lexcen on Apollo V and competing in 'at least ten races with my son Robert."

Case, who last contested the Hobart aboard Roger Hickman's Wild Rose in 2005, is contemplating being left on the dock come Boxing Day, but says: "I'm not giving up hope, but it's not as simple as it sounds. I'm not known to a lot of boat owners outside of Melbourne these days, but you never know."

Interested in having Bernie join your team? Send an email to Di Pearson This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

AN INVESTMENT IN PERFORMANCE FOR 2008
It is not too early to plan 2008 sail inventory upgrades. The expert world class Ullman Sailmakers are standing by to assist you. Why are they the best? Simple, Ullman couples latest design advancements and technology with the best sail cloth our industry provides. For racing at the local or international level of competition, offshore cruising, or simply daysailing, Ullman delivers outstanding Performance, Durability, and Service. Are you and your crew are ready for the "Fastest Sails on the Planet"? Let Ullman Sails bring top performance to your program.

Call your nearest Ullman Sails loft and visit www.ullmansails.com

RYA ANNOUNCES CONTINUED TRIALS FOR THE PARALYMPIC CLASSES
Following the first phase of the trials process for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, the Royal Yachting Association has today confirmed that the trials in the three Paralympic classes will be extended to include regatta results from early 2008.

The trials in the 2.4mR (one-person keelboat), the SKUD-18 (two-person keelboat) and the Sonar (three-person keelboat) will continue with events to include the Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta from 27 January-2 February 2008 and, if required, the Disabled/Open Midwinters at the St Petersburg Yacht Club, Florida (USA) from 28 February-2 March 2008.

The RYA's Paralympic Selection Committee has determined that the trials will continue for a shortlist of sailors, namely:

2.4mR
Helena Lucas
Megan Pascoe

Sonar
John Robertson-Hannah Stodel-Stephen Thomas

SKUD-18
Niki Birrell-Alexandra Rickham
Allan Smith-Jackie Gay

Chris Atkins, Chairman of the RYA's Paralympic Selection Committee, commented: "Skandia Team GBR's sailors showed good potential during the IFDS World Disabled Sailing Championships - the first stage of the trials - earlier this year, but after coming away from the event empty-handed, we wanted to give our leading sailors more time to show the selectors that they're capable of winning medals for Team GB at the Paralympic Games next year.

"By extending the trials process, the sailors will have another chance to prove their mettle against some tough international competition."

SHORT TACKS
* Want to be a top match racer? Check out the master match racers and America's Cup sailors at work from the spectacular Portugal and St Moritz stages of the World Match Racing Tour. Two 30 minute shows are now available to view free of charge on line at Sail.TV. Just click either of the links below, sit back and watch how its done! (best played via broadband)

Portugal Match Cup
www.sail.tv/player?cid=525&scid=5&source=wmrt

St Moritz Match Race
www.sail.tv/player?cid=529&scid=5&source=wmrt

* In March 2007, PUMA became the third confirmed entry of the next edition of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009.

At this moment there is no official PUMA Ocean Racing website. Therefore this supporters website has been launched.

Here you can find all the information from official press releases of PUMA Sailing Division | USA and news from the Volvo Ocean Race organisation.

The purpose of this website is to support the complete team of PUMA Ocean Racing. -- www.pumaracingteam.com

* Sailing is said to be the third largest recipient of sports sponsorship expenditure in Europe, according to a recent study from the UK's International Marketing Reports.

The company, which analysed the top 2,000 sponsorship deals in Europe, published its findings in a report entitled Driving Business Through Sport 2007. The report found that although sailing receives an estimated 267 million Euros per year, the sport accounts for just 4 per cent of total European sports sponsorship expenditure.

"We found that football and motorsport took 70 per cent of sponsorship spend, which left just 30 per cent for all other European sports," says Simon Rines, author of the report. "This is because of the enormous popularity of football and the ability of Formula One to deliver a global business platform.

"Sailing, however, has clearly followed the business model created by Formula One and has attracted technology companies keen to showcase their wares on a global platform," he adds. "As a result, the telecommunications sector now accounts for 12 per cent of all sailing sponsorship by value. These companies are using sailing to demonstrate their systems through web and mobile services which make following international sailing events much more exciting." -- IBI, www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20070925162005ibinews.html

* Record-breaking British yachtswoman Dee Caffari made a special trip to London to receive her MBE from Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

Caffari, accompanied by her mother Barbara and sister Jane, is taking a break from her preparations for her forthcoming transatlantic race to attend the ceremony. Caffari was named in the Queen's Birthday Honour's list earlier this year in recognition of her services to sailing after her record-breaking round the world voyage last year. In May 2006, after 178 days at sea, Caffari became the first woman to sail solo, non-stop, around the world, against the prevailing winds and currents, and in doing so joined an elite group of just five sailors to ever achieve this feat.

Caffari is currently preparing for her next sailing race, the Transat Jacques Vabre, which begins in France on 3 November. The race, from Le Havre to Bahia in Brazil, is part of Caffari's Aviva Ocean Racing campaign. Since completing her 2006 record making non-stop solo sail against the prevailing winds and currents, Caffari has had her sights set on a new world record. Her goal is to become the first woman to sail non-stop solo around the world in both directions, by competing in the 2008/09 Vendee Globe. -- www.avivaoceanracing.com

THE LAST WORD
We can live without religion and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection. -- Dalai Lama

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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