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TRANSAT ECOVER - B TO B
Race Management has set a time of 1100 hours local time (1400 GMT) for the start of the Transat Ecover-BtoB. Fifteen solo sailors will take the start line off the Bahia Yacht Club. From there they will round the Santo Antonio mark, five miles South of All Saint's bay, prior to returning to the Atlantic for over 4,200 miles of racing. This little 'introduction' should take place in around ten knots of NE'ly downwind conditions, and may be disturbed by a stormy zone set to skirt Bahia tomorrow morning. However, once they've rounded this one and only course mark the fifteen solo sailors should benefit from a steady NE'ly fifteen to twenty knot tradewind, forcing the monohulls to head north with the wind on the nose.

An initial opening is likely to appear between those following a course close to the Brazilian coast, and those opting for an offshore option in order to benefit from a more stable breeze. The tradewinds should then clock round progressively to the East from the latitude of Recife, 400 miles to the NNE of Salvador de Bahia, from midway through the second night at sea. The pace will very quickly speed up as a result of the solo sailors easing their sheets for a long stretch of reaching en route towards the equator, 500 miles away: the leaders should then tackle the doldrums positioned between 3 degrees and 7 degrees North over 30 degrees West, from the evening of 3rd December.

In these relatively normal weather conditions, the fifteen monohulls will therefore have a lot of upwind ahead of them in rather messy seas... The tradewinds in the Southern hemisphere (orientated to the East) will then see the boats heel over, followed by a little post-equatorial pause. From this point it will be time for the tradewinds of the Northern hemisphere (orientated to the North-East), which will take over in about four days time.

As from November 30th and until the race's arrival, radio sessions with the competitors will take place, daily, at 3:00 pm (french time).

These radio sessions will be broadcast live on the race's website every day at 3:00 pm.

From November 30th until December 9th, the radio sessions will be opened to the public and will take place, live, on the Brittany region's booth (STAND Hall 1 N92-R111) at the Paris boat show.

www.transatbtob.com

CLIPPER: MOB AND HELICOPTER EVAC
Today began with the news that Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper had safely recovered a crew member who was swept overboard during a headsail change overnight. The skipper Hannah Jenner informed the Race Office in the early hours of the morning that a 42-year-old male crew member had been recovered safely and uninjured after being swept overboard from the bow during a headsail change. She reported the incident happened in force 5-6 winds more than 600 nautical miles off the coast of South Africa.

The crew member was following safety procedures and was wearing a life jacket with an integral harness and was clipped onto the boat with a safety line at the time of the incident. The precise cIRCumstances in which he went overboard are being investigated at present and further details will be issued in due course.

The crew member was treated for signs of hypothermia and for shock but no other injuries. Hannah received medical advice via Falmouth Coastguard and is continuing to monitor the crew member's condition. All the other crew onboard are safe and well.

Also safe and well is New York crew member Tony Peters whose medical evacuation took place successfully at 18:35 GMT yesterday. Following treatment for his head injuries and a broken nose Tony is flying back to the UK this evening and hopes to rejoin New York in Fremantle.

Meanwhile Durban 2010 and Beyond, Qingdao, Uniquely Singapore and westernaustralia2011.com all appear to be trying to get into the 'roaring forties' as quickly as possible. The skipper of Durban 2010 and Beyond, Ricky Chalmers, indicated surprise this morning when he realised that the front-runners were not joining them on their southerly course. "i cannot believe the lead pack are not pushing further south," said Ricky.

www.clipperroundtheworld.com

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 Earls Court Boat Show Hall of Fame in Association with Yachting World, 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

* Sail TV has been appointed as official Broadband TV Partner at the Whyte & Mackay Earls Court Boat Show

The best highlights and news clips will be available on the channel each day from the Boat Show, showcasing the main attractions, together with competitions and specially produced features on all the latest products from a wide range of exhibitors.

Sail TV is also exhibiting at the show, so viewers can call in to check out some of the technology behind the channel, and see how the programming is put together as one of their TV editors will be working on the stand, editing the material to be uploaded to the channel each day.

The company is also running an 'On stand' competition, where viewers can register their favourite viewing interests and go into a free draw to win sailing equipment prizes.

Visit Sail TV at stand 1B26 at the Whyte & Mackay Earls Court Boat Show

www.sail.tv

RACKING UP THE KNOTS
Francis Joyon is on course to smash Dame Ellen MacArthur's single-handed round-the-world record. After only five days at sea he is more than a day, or more than 600 miles, ahead of where MacArthur was in 2004. in his simple but powerful 97ft-long IDEC II, which is 22ft longer than MacArthur's B&Q, Joyon has been powering south from Brest at 500 miles a day.

Joyon, the 51-year-old Breton whose 2004 record MacArthur took, has not disappointed. It was over this part of the race that MacArthur excelled and she was five days ahead of Joyon's record six weeks in, before stalling and only just beating it.

But MacArthur was averaging just over 19 knots as she passed the Canaries. Joyon is averaging about 25. He crossed back east of MacArthur's path and passed through the Santa Luzia Channel, the narrowest point of the Cape Verde archipelago, off Senegal, on his way down the coast of West Africa.

However, Joyon has a lot of ocean to cover, with 19,000 miles to go. "Anything can happen," MacArthur said. "Everyone thought I would break the record easily because they saw I was five days ahead of Joyon in my record, but then I had no lead by the time I got to Brazil.

"But by starting this early - I think I started almost at the same time of year for mine - if something goes wrong he can go back and start again in the right conditions." -- Matthew Pryor in The Times, www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/sailing/article2963538.ece

IRC - GROWTH AND CONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
IRC is having its most successful season yet. By 31 August 6742 boats held current IRC certificates, 20% up on a year earlier and already more than in the whole of 2006. Growth was not confined to 'new' IRC countries such as Argentina, Germany, Greece, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand and Uruguay. A number of well established IRC countries are also seeing significant growth, especially Australia and the United Kingdom.

At the Annual meeting of the IRC Congress, held this year in Chania, Greece, it was decided to formalise the arrangements for holding Continental and International Regional Championships, for example a Mediterranean Championship. Organising Authorities wishing to run a Continental or International Regional Championship should apply to the IRC Committee for approval. Applications can be submitted through the RORC Rating Office at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or the UNCL Centre de Calcul at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . National and local IRC Championships have been held in various countries for some years and it was confirmed that these can be approved by the local National IRC Owners Association.

The IRC Congress is open to delegates representing countries with at least 25 IRC-rated boats. 22 countries are now eligible and observers are also welcome.

Delegates considered a number of changes in the IRC rules, proposed by the IRC Technical Committee and by National IRC Representatives. Details of those approved can be found, in English on www.rorcrating.com and in French on www.uncl.com

Paul King (United Kingdom) was re-elected as Chairman for a second three-year term. Malcolm Runnals (Australia) and Yannis Kontaxopoulos (Greece) were elected as Vice Chairmen. Alp Doguoglu (Turkey) was elected to the IRC Committee.

it was decided to hold the annual IRC Congress in 2008 in London.

DESAFIO ESPANOL STATEMENT
Regarding the resolution published by the New York Supreme Court for the case filed by GGYC against SNG concerning the validity of Club Nautico Espanol de Vela as Challenger of Record, Desafio Espanol states:

Desafio Espanol respects the decision of Justice Cahn but does not share his interpretation regarding the validity of Club Nautico Espanol de Vela. Desafio Espanol has always acted in good faith by challenging through the Club Nautico Espanol de Vela.

Desafio Espanol always believed that it complied with the terms dictated by the Deed of Gift, it consulted with renowned legal advisers and professionals, both national and International. Justice Cahn's resolution changes the way the requirement of hosting an annual regatta has been traditionally interpreted.

Desafio Espanol wants to stress that from the beginning of the project, it always intended to achieve the maximum benefit for the sport of sailing, the Valencian Community and Spain. The Spanish team now appeal to the common sense and the sportsmanship of the Defender and the Golden Gate Yacht Club to immediately find a compromise solution. A continuation of this uncertainty affects the America's Cup and all parties involved.

At the same time Desafio Espanol remains optimistic about enjoying another great sailing event, again, in Valencia. Desafio Espanol will continue with the day to day activities until the future of the competition is defined. Then, the team will make the decisions it considers most appropriate for its crew members, employees and sponsors. Desafio espanol continues to have the unconditional support of its sponsors. The Desafio team is ready to adapt its plans to whichever date is set for the America's Cup and has the clear goal of improving on its performance in the 32nd America's Cup. -- from Valencia Sailing, valenciasailing.blogspot.com

A ROLLERCOASTER RIDE
Competing in the Sydney Hobart race is a risky business. Combine the ever-present dangers with a prophecy of cataclysmic storms and the stakes couldn't be higher. But should the Sydney Coastguard take this unconventional warning seriously? Bestselling author Hector Macdonald's tempestuous new thriller, The Storm Prophet (Penguin), is "a terrific read" declared ABC Sydney. "I was glued to it," said Bob Fisher. "A beautiful book" and "just wonderful" say the reviewers.

Meet Hector at stand 1M61 at the Earls Court Boat Show. For the perfect Christmas present, order a signed and dedicated first edition from www.hectormacdonald.com

THE RNLI 7TH ANNUAL LECTURE AT THE UNiVERSiTY OF SOUTHAMPTON
A graduate of the University of Southampton Ship Science degree course turned leading America's Cup yacht designer, Andy Claughton will present the Royal National Lifeboat institution (RNLI) annual lecture at The University of Southampton on Wednesday 5 December (6pm in the Turner Sims Concert Hall, Highfield campus - free entry to all).

Talking on the subject of 'Yacht design for the 32nd America's Cup', Andy Claughton will provide a unique insight into the Formula One of sailing, the high-performance racing yachts that compete for the prestigious America's Cup. He will talk about the challenges and constraints faced in creating fast yachts that are strong enough to take immense loads whilst also being light enough to reach the high performance demanded in match racing at this level; and all this within a strict set of rules and regulations dictating certain design parameters.

Andy will also describe the space-age technology used in racing yacht design and construction; along with the instrumentation systems that have been developed to refine both design and sailing techniques.

Now regarded as one of the top yacht design project managers in the world, Andy Claughton was design coordinator for Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ) America's Cup Challenge, which won the Louis Vuitton Cup in Valencia this year and raced in the final of the 32nd America's Cup against the Swiss Defender Alinghi, which snatched victory by the narrowest of margins (a mere one second!)

After graduating from the University of Southampton in 1975, Andy worked as an engineer in the Wolfson Unit for Marine Technology and industrial Aerodynamics (WUMTIA) at the University. He also worked as a consultant for several America's Cup Challenges, primarily working on towing tank and wind tunnel testing in the facilities around Southampton.

in 2000, Andy became research coordinator for Team New Zealand's 2003 America's Cup defence campaign, and then design coordinator for the 2007 Challenge, managing the 20-strong design team involved in producing the racing yachts NZL84 and NZL92.

The RNLI's 7th annual Christmas lecture 'Yacht Design for the 32nd America's Cup' takes place on Wednesday 5 December at 6.00pm at the Turner Sims Concert Hall on the Highfield campus. Refreshments will be served from 5.30pm in the foyer. Tickets are free and everyone is welcome.

SPIDERTECH BLUE LiNE
Fruit of research at Fiorenzi Marine Group, we are happy to announce the launch of a brand-new product named "Spidertech Blue Line". The sails are manufactured using our patented Spidertech lamination technology and have the capability of being adaptable to different boat ranges.

Spidertech Blue Line considerably cuts down the production time when compared to the standard tri-radial cutting process. it can be stocked and used when needed, without having to wait for long delivery times normally only acceptable by very organised racing teams. Spidertech Blue Line is a patent pending technology.

www.spidertechsails.eu/blueline.php

FARR 40 10TH ANNIVERSARY REGATTAS
To cap off a year of celebrations around the Farr 40 Class' 10th anniversary, two regattas will be held in Miami, Fla. this week. Sponsored by Rolex Watch U.S.A., along with North Sails and Edgewater Boats, the 10th Anniversary Match Race invitational and the 10th Anniversary Regatta are expected to attract both class veterans and newcomers. The Anniversary events - scheduled for Nov. 27 - Dec. 2 - are the brainchild of current Class President and two-time World Champion Jim Richardson (Boston, Mass.).

Richardson competed in the Class' first regatta, held in November 1997 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and plans to compete in both events aboard his latest Barking Mad. Competition, as always, will be fierce from a diverse International fleet that includes Germany's Wolfgang Stolz with Opus One; France's Erik Maris with a new Twins; reigning European and former World Champion, italian Massimo Mezzaroma with Nerone; and Annapolis, Md. native Rodrick Jabin's Ramrod. Expected to make their first appearance with their new Farr 40s are William Douglass with Goombay Smash and Alex Roepers with Plenty. Both are top skippers with experience in other One Design classes.

Notice of Race and entry forms for both events at www.farr40.org

BRUCE CALVERT
Tasmania lost one of its best yachtsmen from a prominent sailing family with the death of Bruce Calvert last week. Calvert died aged 43 after a six-month battle with cancer.

More than 500 family and friends gathered in Hobart's St David's Cathedral on Friday to remember a man who, in addition to his sailing activities, was a devoted family person and businessman.

He sailed Jock Robbie to an outstanding victory in the Prince Philip Cup, the national championship for Dragons, in 1997.

in doing so, Bruce followed in his father's footsteps. Don won the title aboard Tahune in 1978.

in 1985 Bruce went with Don to England as a crew member aboard his father's yacht intrigue, Tasmania's first member of an Australian Admiral's Cup team.

Bruce also contested five Sydney-Hobart races, including the storm-swept 1998 race.

in recent seasons, Bruce campaigned his fast sports boat ABN AMRO Morgans with considerable success in RYCT and DSS club pennant racing, and in Sailing South Race Week regattas.

He also competed in Hog's Breath Race Week at Airlie Beach and Skandia Geelong Week in recent years.

ABN AMRO Morgans broke its mast at the end of last season and Saturday, October 20 was Bruce's first and last race with the new rig.

Bruce leaves his wife Philippa and three children, Jock, 10, Angus, 8, and Abbey, 5. Both he and Don delighted to see the two boys sailing in Sabots, the class in which Bruce started at the RYCT at about the same age.

FEATURED BROKERAGE
J133, 229,396 Euros, Lying Algarve, Portugal

This J 133 does offer some comfort in both layout and fit out yet just one look confirms her racing potential, an Admiral's Cup reserve vessel she comes with carbon mast and a whole host of expensive sails that filled the saloon and beyond.

Brokerage through YachtsAndCruisers.com: www.yachtsandcruisers.com

Complete listing details and seller contact information at www.yachtsandcruisers.com/boat/J133/21910/

THE LAST WORD
Geniuses are like thunderstorms. They go against the wind, terrify people, cleanse the air. -- Soren Kierkegaard

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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