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TRANSAT JACQUES VABRE
Safran (Guillemot /Caudrelier) separated from the rest of the 60-footer fleet overnight after deciding to go through the Chenal du Four (closer to the shore) where he not only avoided contrary currents but also benefited from more wind -- up to 17 knots, a bonus as it was not forecasted to be so strong.

Ecover, Gitana Eighty, Foncia and Groupe Bel who were sailing along with him before the option, are now up to 20 miles further north. Those direct pursuers have pushed hard south and west during the day so as not to be glued in a transition zone of light winds before they can reach fresher wind. This situation will give Safran a nice advantage before she reaches the Canary Island (up to 4 days from now).

* Mike Golding and Bruno Dubois have strengthened their position over the course of the day, rising to fourth place after two days of racing on the Transat Jacques Vabre race fro! m France to Brasil.

While they expect the leaders on Safran to lose some of their gains over the next 12 hours as they are forced to gybe out from the easternmost position, Golding reported this afternoon that they are racing closely with Foncia (Michel Desjoyeaux and Manu Le Borgne) and Gitana (Loick Peyron and Jean Baptiste Levaillant)

Ecover was tracking directly behind Gitana this afternoon having overtaken Groupe Bel (Kito de Pavant and Sebastien Col), and was 1.6 miles behind Foncia. ECOVER 3 was showing the second highest average speed over the last four hours, behind that of Safran who are 35.4 miles

* In class 40 Telecom Italia (designed by Guillaume Verdier who also designed Safran) still holds the lead, without concession. The fleet split in two after Ushant, a consequence of the course they set to pass the lane. Sail changes were not an option to keep up with the changes in the wind-shifts.

The skippers that positioned their boats on the most easterly route are now reaching some fresher wind with speeds of up to 6-7 knots, whereas the boats more to the west and at the tail end of the Class 40 are stuck in wind holes (1 to 2 knots only)

* Banque Populaire took the lead of the Orma Class overnight. The first 3 trimarans, Groupama and Sopra Group, were staying within 12 miles of each other (as of 4 p.m.). Gitana 11's and Brossard's option further to the north was not successful as they were showing respectively a 35.1 and 62.1 miles behind the leader that might be difficult to fill in the sails of the leading pack (up to 25 knots). The latter should reach Cape Finistere in the next 24 hours. More choices to make there.

* Crepes Whaou ! is starting to accelerate, increasing dramatically her lead over her competitors in the Class 50s. The gap between the duo Escoffier / Fauconnier and Croisieres Anne Caseneuve doubled up and the difference between the frontrunner and the last boat is now 76 miles (after only 24 hours of racing).

Rankings at 20:00 5 November

Top five, IMOCA Fleet (17 registered)
1. Safran, Marc Guillemot / Charles Caudrelier, 3908.3 nm to finish
2. Ecover III Mike Golding / Bruno Dubois, 38.7 nm to leader
3. Gitana Eighty, Loick Peyron Loick/ Jean Baptiste Levaillant, 41.5
4. Groupe Bel, Kito de Pavant / Sebastien Col , 44.3
5. VM Materiaux, Jean le Cam / Gildas Morvan, 44.4

Top five, ORMA Fleet
1. Gitana 11, Lionel Lemonchois / Yann Guichard, 4013.0 nm to finish
2. Banque Populaire, Pascal Bidegorry / Yvan Ravussin, 4.8 nm to leader
3. Groupama, Franck Cammas/ Steve Ravussin, 6.3
4. Sopra, Antoine Koch / Gregory Gendron , 11.9
5. Brossard, Yvan Bourgnon / Jacques Vincent, 40.4

Top Five, Open 50
1. Crepes Whaou !, Franck YvesEscoffier / Karine Fauconnier. 4095.1
2. Croisieres Anne Caseneuve, Anne Caseneuve / Djamina Houdet, 33.1 nm to leader
3. Victorinox, Dany Monnier / Pierre Dupuy , 40.0
4. Laiterie De Saint Malo, Victorien Erussard / Frederic Dahirel , 42.6
5. NIM Interim Management, Lalou Roucayrol / Pierre Van Den Broek, 46.5

Top Five, Class 40
1. Telecom Italia, Giovanni Soldini / Pietro D'ali, 4009.5
2. Grassi Bateaux, Eric Galmard / Olivier Grassi, 7.1 nm to leader
3. Jardin Bio - Prevoir, Benoit Parnaudeau / Jean-Christophe Caso, 12.8
4. Sidaction, Arnaud Aubry / Carpentier Antoine, 13.2
5. Clarke Offshore Racing, Simon Clarke / David Lindsay, 13.9

www.jacques-vabre.com/fr/s01_home/s01p01_home.php

A LIGHTER, SLEEKER INTEGRAL BACKSTAY ADJUSTER
Redesigned for the racer and the cruiser alike, Navtec's latest evolution of the Integral Backstay Adjuster weighs 10% less than previous models. To achieve this, the external feed tube has been eliminated, while the edges of both the jaw and body have been rounded. Additionally, the cotter pins - which often catch on sheets, lines and sails - have been removed. The result is a better overall sailing experience, without affecting stroke or compromising reliability. The new model will be available in silver or black hardcoat finish. To find out more, visit Booth #01.361 at METS.

ROLEX INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S KEELBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP
La Porte, Texas, USA: With the November 1 entry deadline closed for US SAILING's upcoming Rolex International Women's Keelboat Championship (Rolex IWKC), 41 international teams representing four countries and 12 U.S. states have entered including two-time defending champion Sally Barkow with her Team 7. The biennial regatta, celebrating its 12th anniversary of offering women of all abilities the opportunity for top-level competition, is scheduled for November 14-17 and hosted by the Houston Yacht Club in LaPorte, Texas. The 11-race series features evening social activities and culminates with the traditional Rolex gala and awards presentation where a Rolex timepiece will be awarded to the winning boat's skipper.

Adding to the list of high-profile names is Anna Tunnicliffe (Plantation, Fla.), who recently captured the Laser Radial berth to represent the U.S. at the 2008 Olympic Games in Qingdao, China.

An international event always attracts sailors from various parts of the world and this year's regatta is no exception. Teams from Canada, South Africa and the British Virgin Islands will compete.

Additional information as well as a full list of competitors (including hometowns and team bios) and the regatta schedule can be found on the websites www.ussailing.org/riwkc and the Houston-specific www.riwkc.com

RESULTS OF THE SAILJUICE OLYMPIC EQUIPMENT SURVEY
Here are the results you've been waiting for. From a survey of 1488 respondents, there are some clear messages to come out of the results.

We asked you this question: "ISAF has to cut the 11 Events for China 2008 down to just 10 for Weymouth 2012. Which Event should ISAF eliminate from the Olympic Games?"

Which Event should go?

In answer to that question, 28.8% voted to eliminate the Men's Heavyweight Dinghy.

In second place, next favourite for elimination was the Women's Keelboat with 21.1% of the vote, and in third place with 14% of the vote was the Men's Doublehanded Dinghy.

The other Events each registered less than 10% of the vote.

However, while the Men's Heavyweight Dinghy was voted as first Event to be thrown out, the Equipment currently in use for that Event - the Finn - was one of four boats to be voted as 'Excellent'.

How do you rate the Equipment?

While 38.5% considered the Finn an 'Excellent' boat, the top three boats were in ascending order: the Laser Radial (51.5%), the Laser (56%), and the 49er (65.5%).

All other classes were rated as 'Good', with the exception of the Yngling, which was considered by a majority of the vote as 'Terrible'.

I'm not going to pass judgement on anything today. I'll let you make of these results what you will. -- Andy Rice at sailjuiceblog.com

NORTH SAILS UK ARE RECRUITING
Salespersons:
Due to continued sales growth North Sails Ltd are looking to recruit additional salespersons. Successful candidates will have a high level of sailing experience and excellent people skills. Prior sales experience would be an advantage.

Sailmakers:
Based in Gosport North are looking for two highly motivated professional sailmakers to help with their Grand prix orders including potential Volvo and AC work.

Both positions offer excellent remuneration and benefit packages All communication with North Sails will be in the strictest confidence.

Apply to John Welch This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 02392604251 to arrange a confidential meeting.

SEA OF CHANGE AT LE HAVRE
The Open 60 developed for trans-ocean solo racing and for nearly 20 years spawned some of the most innovate monohulls afloat. Yet in the last two years, the explosion of interest, budgets and sophistication in the class has been cataclysmic.

You can see the rate of progress in deck and sail systems, hull shapes and a staggering diversity of mast styles, ranging from fully rotating wings supported by great struts projecting from the hull to ruggedised versions of the normal.

Sensing the Open 60 class might be approaching its apogee, chief measurer Rene Boulaire has asked designers to come up with ideas to rein-in the new boats' power. The trouble is that limiting certain design features inevitably increases the costs as designers claw back performance losses.

Sadly, the most extreme and powerful of the new Open 60s is missing the TJV – Pindar was dismasted last week for the second time in three months. Designed by Argentine Juan Kouyoumdjian, Pindar is low, wide, heavy and sets a cloud of sail. The dismasting has not just left co-skippers Brian Thompson and Will Oxley stranded ashore, but also frustrated a keenly anticipated comparison between Pindar and seven other new Open 60s.

The peril of class development spiraling unchecked is witnessed by the paucity of ORMA multihulls in this race. There are only five. Four years ago there were 14.

An antidote to this is also plain to see in Le Havre. From a cold start, the low-cost, aimed-largely-at-amateurs Class 40 now has 60 boats worldwide, 31 of them competing in the Jacques Vabre. Talk about sensing a gap in the market and the solution scoring a bull's eye. The Class 40 has burst the race's 50-boat limit to a 61 boat starting list. -- Tim Jeffery in the Telegraph, read his full article at www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=A1YourView&xml=/sport/2007/11/03/sosail103.xml

NEW ZEALANDER WINS BLIND SAILING REGATTA
New Zealand blind sailor Paulien Eitjes has won the Homerus Blind Match Racing Championships 2007 sailed in Mondello, Italy.

Eitjes, of Tauranga beat Hurtado Roser of Italy in the semi-finals and went on to overcome Luigi Bertanza of Italy who was, up until the finals, unbeaten in the regatta. It is an impressive win for Eitjes who, while accomplished in fleet racing is a new-comer to match-racing.

The Italian lead for the first two legs of the final but the kiwi slipped through at the top mark when Bertanza's approach was slightly wide. Eitjes held the lead to take the race and win the regatta.

The Homerus system of beeping buoys gives sailors classified B1 or B2 legally blind the ability to independently sail in an ISAF championships. Competitor's boats have a sound signal emitting from their bow which allows their opponents to locate them.

In 2006 Eitjes skippered a New Zealand crew to win gold in the B2 Division at the Blind Sailing World Championships. -- Yachting New Zealand

Event site: www.homerus.it

THE LOWEST DRAG OF ALL SAILBOAT PROPELLERS
Gori propeller is the chosen brand of propeller for high performance multi hulls and grand prix yachts, including GROUPAMA III, which broke the record crossing the Atlantic in less than 4 days, with an average speed of 28.1 knots.

Gori propeller when folded does not auto rotate, and has the lowest drag of all sailboat propellers. Find out more at www.gori-propeller.com

ISAF PRESIDENT DEVELOPMENT AWARD PRESENTED
At the ISAF Annual Conference in Estoril, Portugal, the ISAF President Development Award was presented to Mohamed Azzoug, from Algeria.

The ISAF President Development Award has been launched in 2007, ISAF's Centenary year, to recognize outstanding achievement in the development of sailing. Mohamed Azzoug, President of the Federation Algerienne de Voile, is the recipient of the 2007 Award.

Mohammed's dedication and passion were instrumental in the success of the sailing events at this year's All African Games in Algeria. Firstly, ensuring sailing's inclusion on the programme, and then securing the supply of equipment for the one person dingy events. The Laser dinghies supplied have remained in Algeria, a great legacy from this year's Games and a massive boost for the nation's sailors.

Mohammed has also been an ISAF International Judge since 1990 and was an International Race Officer from 1998-2002.

sailing.org

YOUNG DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
Boat International and Camper & Nicholsons International, in association with the Royal Institution of Naval Architects, announce the introduction of a new competition to find the world's best Young Superyacht Designers. The competition is intended to provide a showcase for young designers to demonstrate their ability and talents, and to encourage the development of the next generation of superyacht designers. The first Award will be made in 2008.

The competition will be open to any one who is studying for a degree or other qualification in a subject related to yacht or small craft design, or who graduated from such a course in 2005 or after. Depending on the number of entries, there may be separate categories for each.

Entries may be submitted by individuals or teams (maximum 3 members), and will be judged on innovation, technical feasibility, style and presentation by a panel of leading experts in the field.

The winner of the Young Designer Award will receive a prize of 5,000 Euros and be invited to receive the Award at the 2008 World Superyacht Awards ceremony on 18th April in Venice.

Information on the design specifications and entry forms at www.superyachttimes.com/editorial/31/article/id/934

SAILOR ALL AT SEA WITH ONLY HIS MOBILE
A clueless Scots sailor today came under fire for setting sail with only a mobile phone and no navigation equipment on board.

A massive search and rescue operation was launched for the 27-foot "Boy John" yesterday, before the boat was finally located in the early hours today.

The sailor - who has not been named - set off from Peterhead to sail to Wick and then Scrabster. The alarm was raised as the vessel was in poor condition, with no radios or maritime charts on board and an anchor which was not connected to the boat.

Four lifeboats, a rescue helicopter, and eight coastguard rescue teams were called out. The sailor was eventually sent a text on his mobile phone asking him to dial 999 in order to ascertain his position.

The boat was traced to the Pentland Firth this morning, although the sailor thought he was in the Dornoch Firth.

Matthew Mace, watch manager at Aberdeen Coastguard, said: "The owner also did not have a clue about where he was. This greatly concerns us that besides putting himself at risk, he could have been a hazard to other shipping and of course has put pressure on the marine rescue services in all its forms in order to maintain his safety cover."

edinburghnews.scotsman.com/edinburgh.cfm?id=1760702007

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: Bruce Williams, Simon's Town,RSA, re IRM issues:

I find the letter from Fietje Judel spot on and a question to a question. His comment:

"We notice in handicap racing that more and more owners of high-tec yachts are calling for low-tec rules, while interestingly owners of low tec yachts are usually quite happy with high tec rules. What is the reason for this strange development? Is it that when you have a high tec yacht you dont like it to be beaten by a low-tec boat? Or is it that the low tec rule allow easier exploiting of loopholes."

The IRC format (low-tec) seems to take 'simple measurements' and ignores the huge number crunching applied by top designers to optimise the hull design and put lightweight materials where not rated etc. Without inclining test etc used by IMS and powerfull VPP models, the speeds and stabilty factors of the low-tech boat will always be behind the high-tec boat on a simple measurment system favoured by top race boats. After all, no race team after spending mega-bucks would like to have to consider the possibility that could be cleaned up on handicap by a club cruiser running on a pleasure budget. Also, until such a time as we revert to an honest and completely transparent ( read no secret formula's, arbitrary over-rides of hull & rig performance,extended waterline, etc), we will sit with a skewed and biased system designed to let the top boats win and keep paying their annual fees to support their chosen "rating" system.

Perhaps IRM was too honest?

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THE LAST WORD
In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins--not through strength but by perseverance. -- H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

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 Artemis 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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