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THOMAS COVILLE IS OFF
Thomas Coville crossed the official start line of the single-handed round the world record attempt this evening at 18 hours 43 minutes and 21 seconds UTC. The maxi-trimaran Sodeb'o set out with two reefs/ORC pushed by an E/NE'ly wind of nearly 30 knots, set to fill in overnight.

Testimonials recorded at 1400 UTC today whilst the boat was heading up to Ushant:

"The window?
It's a great weather window actually but it doesn't come for free. This is one you have to go and hunt down."

"The first 48 hours?
It's going to be a rather virile introduction due to the climatic conditions of course but also and above all because I'm going to have to deal with what may be a harsh depression. I'll have to round to the North of it and then sail along it. The next step will see me slipping along until the negotiation of the transition to track down the pattern of tradewinds."

"Sodeb'o and Idec?
Difficult to compare the boats in different sailing conditions. What will be interesting is to compare the average speeds on the same points of sail. Clearly our boats have evolved a great deal since that of Ellen's. You'll have to discuss it with the architects, Nigel Irens and Benoit Cabaret who designed both our boats. You couldn't even have imagined averages like these only 3 or 4 years ago."

"The Equator in 7 days?
We'll give ourselves between 7 and 8 days." -- Translation by Kate Jennings

www.sodebo-voile.com

VEOLIA ENVIRONNEMENT DISMASTED
The Race Direction Team of the Barcelona World Race have been informed that Veolia Environnement skippered by French sailors Roland Jourdain and Jean-Luc Nelias dismasted at 1800 GMT today (Monday, 17.12.07), both of the skippers are unharmed and safe onboard. Veolia Environnement was sailing in 22 knots of wind with full mainsail and gennaker, when they were hit by a 30 knot gust of wind and the boat nose-dived into a 2-3 metre wave and the rig was lost. The position at the time of dismasting was 48 49.49N, 82 42.41E. The skippers have not requested any outside assistance. They are approximately 1660 miles south-west of the south-west tip of Australia and approximately 500 miles east of Kerguelen Islands. The Race Direction Team are in contact with the skippers and their shore team.

* Those at the back of the Barcelona World Race fleet are preparing for heavy weather as a classic Southern Ocean depression is poised to sweep over them in the coming days. Educacion sin Fronteras will be the first to get hit, with the winds forecast to rise above 40 knots over the next 24 hours.

Skippers Albert Bargues and Servanne Escoffier say they've been aware of the storm for a few days now, and they feel well prepared to deal with what's coming. Even today, in stronger winds, Educacion sin Fronteras has often been the fastest boat in the fleet on the position polls. In fact, they've gained 50 miles on the leaders over the past 24 hours.

* Keel problems force Temenos II to make a stopover

Around ten days ago, Michele and Dominique noticed the appearance of a spot of rust on the keel during a routine check-over of their monohull. Apparent just above the keel axis, a zone where the mechanical constraints are maximised, the severity of this discovery was immediately taken into account by the duo. Given the aggravation of this corrosion phenomenon observed over recent days, the two co-skippers have resolved to make a stopover, no repairs able to be envisaged without getting the boat out of the water.

Contacted this morning Dominique explained: "we waited to see how this spot of rust evolved before making the decision but it's getting worse and worse each day and hasn't left us any other choice. The area that is being undermined is situated below the waterline and therefore rules out any repairs at sea. The engineer who designed the keel of the boat has prompted us to be very careful, the increasing size of the hole weakening the structure of the keel and therefore slowly reducing its resistance to breakage. We have been sailing prudently for the past few days already, in order to reduce overly violent stresses on the keel and avoid putting too much pressure on it, but we are unfortunately compelled to envisage a stopover in New Zealand in order to be able to make repairs. We can't predict how this will develop; we still have two weeks at sea during which time we will keep a very close eye on its evolution. The aggravation of this corrosion phenomenon could lead to the breakage of the upper part of the keel and a loss of control of the boat's stability."

www.barcelonaworldrace.com

TECHNICAL HITCH FOR GROUPAMA 3
On Wednesday 12th December, Groupama 3 left its home port of Lorient, NW France for a 24 hour training session. The crew was complete for the first time, the boat laden... and this last 'full scale' rehearsal was set to enable Franck Cammas and his nine men to validate their steed for the umpteenth time prior to departing on the Jules Verne Trophy. Returning alongside the next day, the crew proceeded with the inspection of the foils* - curved, adjustable appendages situated in the centre of the float and enabling, at high speed, to take the pressure off the leeward hull and thus increase the performance of the maxi trimaran. Unfortunately some of outer lamininate had become detached, which affects Groupama 3's standby, the latter in operation since 6th December.

This technical hitch changes the plans of Groupama 3's weather cell, composed of Franck Cammas, Franck Proffit, Yves Parlier and Sylvain Mondon. For several days the four men have been working on a gap in the weather, which would have enabled the 31.50 m giant to set off on the assault of the Jules Verne Trophy on Tuesday.

"These technical problems are preventing us from taking a good weather window, which is shaping up off Brittany next Tuesday. We have two solutions: carry out makeshift repairs and take this window or, refabricate the foils as they should be for a Round the World in less than 50 days and forget this particular gap in the weather. We've gone for the second scenario as the foils are really crucial parts of Groupama 3 and we have to be at 100 % to stand any chance of beating Orange 2's record" concluded Franck Cammas.

www.cammas-groupama.com

A THRILLING READ FOR CHRISTMAS
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.

And Scuttlebutt Europe's verdict. "Absolutely mesmerizing". For the perfect Christmas present, order a signed and dedicated first edition (10.99 GBP) from www.hectormacdonald.com

NEW ZEALAND MAXI OUT OF ROLEX SYDNEY HOBART
Keel failure has forced the New Zealand maxi Maximus out of the Rolex Sydney Hobart. Owner Bill Buckley's worst fears were realised this afternoon as his 30 tonne boat was lifted out of the water at Woolwich Dock.

Peering in under the huge hull at the 20cm crack just back from leading edge at the top of the fin, Buckley, an engineer, and his boat captain Ross Field made the call that the boat is not fit to contest the Rolex Sydney Hobart.

"We've had a catastrophic failure and we won't be doing the Hobart this year," an obviously shaken Buckley told awaiting media.

It's a huge blow to Buckley and his crew. Last year they were forced out of the race after being dismasted in the early hours of the first morning at sea. They have spent the past year preparing for a re-match, replacing their troublesome wing mast with a new fixed mast, amongst other modifications.

Just before the maxi was hauled from the water the weary Kiwi owner was still optimistic he'd be on the start line on Boxing Day. Now he has to wait another 12 months.

The 11 man crew heard a loud bang yesterday morning and Field dived the boat to discover the crack, which is when they put out a PAN PAN distress signal.

As the boat motored to Sydney, escorted over the final 78 nautical miles by the Sydney Water Police vessel Launch Alert, there was a real danger of the keel falling off and the boat turning upside down.

"It was very close, we could have lost the boat quite easily," said the gutted skipper. A keel will have to be built in Australia in order to get the boat back to Auckland.

With the dark horse Maximus out of the running, all attention is now focused on the anticipated line honours battle between Wild Oats XI and City Index Leopard.

Once Maximus officially withdraws its entry, the Rolex Sydney Hobart fleet will stand at 82 following another withdrawal today, Bill Ratcliff's Wistarie. Bill will instead join the crew of Andrew Dally's Bear Necessity for his 40th Rolex Sydney Hobart. - Lisa Ratcliff

rolexsydneyhobart.com

WOMEN'S OPEN KEELBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP 2008 ANNOUNCED
2008 will see the inaugural Women's Open Keelboat Championship hosted on the 7th and 8th June by the Royal Southern Yacht Club, Hamble. The new event aims to attract female sailors to a weekend of high quality racing on the Solent in a range of keelboats. The event organisers are asking women to register their interest now at www.wokc.co.uk

The Women's Open Keelboat Championship 2008 is a girls' weekend for sailors – the most fun, convenient, testing and memorable regatta. The crews will be 100% women. The men will be on the committee boat, driving RIBS and in the bar for the party in the evening!

The Women's Open Keelboat Championship is being hosted by the Royal Southern Yacht Club, Hamble, on the weekend of 7th and 8th June 2008, with two days of racing run by a highly experienced team, and a great Saturday night party.

The event format will be tailored to the needs of the boats that enter, whether this is windward / leeward courses or round the cans. It will probably be based upon the best out of 5 races, but again this will be arranged and decided by the race management once interest has been registered and the type of keelboats established.

www.wokc.co.uk

COLLINS STEWART LONDON BOAT SHOW
London's largest annual event, the Collins Stewart London Boat Show, will take place at ExCeL - the heart of London's entertainment district - from 11-20 January 2008. Now in its 54th year the Show promises to offer something for all, and will welcome some 140,000 people, encouraging visitors to take to the waters.

Visitors to the Show have a plethora of exciting features to explore and enjoy such as Start Boating, Deck Games, an interactive Watersports Zone, Anchor Watch, Classic Boats and the Guinness Bar. There will also be a chance to climb aboard the HMS Exeter, the very first Royal Naval Destroyer to the Show.

www.londonboatshow.com

* The Royal National Lifeboat Institution will announce winners of RNLI Pentax Photographer of the Year (2007) competition at the Collins Stewart London Boat Show

Now in its second year, the RNLI Pentax Photographer of the Year competition was developed to document the rescue work of the lifesaving charity. Entries to the competition have been submitted by RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew members and RNLI lifeguards, and document the work of the lifesaving charity.

Exhibited for the first time at the 2008 Collins Stewart London Boat Show, the overall and category winners photographs give visitors to the show a unique snapshot into the training and rescue work of RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew and lifeguards, as witnessed by them.

Date and time: 10:30 -11am on Friday 11 January 2008c Venue: RNLI Stand N030B

GOSS TAKES THE MYSTERY OUT OF HISTORY
Sailor and adventurer Pete Goss has announced his latest project and, while another boat-build and epic sailing voyage, it is a total departure from the fast and high-tech yachts he is used to.

Pete is building a wooden lugger and following in the wake of seven Cornishmen who made a heroic journey to Australia 153 years ago. Proud of his West country roots and an enthusiastic wood-worker, the project is something Pete has wanted to do since he heard about the inspirational voyage of the Mystery.

The 37 ft 'Mystery' was an open Mounts Bay Lugger built in Newlyn. Times were hard and the seven Cornishmen, all related by either blood or marriage and share holders in the Mystery, made the decision to try their luck at the Australian gold rush over a pint in the Star Inn, Newlyn. It was suggested that the Mystery be sold to cover the passage. Captain Richard Nicholls, with a couple under his belt and in good spirits, said: "I'll take you in the Mystery"; and so an amazing adventure was born.

Leaving Newlyn on Saturday 18 November 1854, the Mystery travelled about 11,800 nautical miles in 116 days before arriving in Melbourne on 14 March 1855. The only break in the voyage was a week in Cape Town for repairs and replenishment before heading into the Southern Ocean.

Now, 153 years later, Pete is building 'Spirit of Mystery' in a boat yard at Millbrook in South East Cornwall to celebrate their amazing achievement. The vessel will be as true to the original Mystery as possible and, although there will be concessions to safety, there will be no engine, toilet or modern electrical and navigational systems. So far, the keel, stem and stern have been laid and much of the wood has been sourced locally, including using fallen Cornish Oak.

It is planned to launch Spirit of Mystery on Saturday 21st June and commence the passage in mid-October.

www.petegoss.com

BEN AINSLIE LEADS IN SYDNEY
Britain's dual Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie scored two more wins in windy and rough conditions yesterday in the Finn class at the Sydney International Regatta to extend his points lead.

Ed Wright, his rival for selection in the British Finn team, was second in both races by margins of about 30 seconds in one race and a minute in the other.

Wright will go into the regatta's last day today 10 points behind, hurting for his two ninth places on the regatta's first day.

With worst placing discarded after five races Ainslie leads with four points from Denmark's Jonas Hoegh-Christensen 12, followed by Wright on 14, then promising young British sailor Giles Scott on 18 equal with the current world champion, Spaniard Rafael Trujillo.

Ainslie's brilliant boat-handling skills in the 18-25 knot southerly wind and rough wave pattern with swell from the open sea on the course laid in The Sound, opposite Sydney Heads, helped him crack great starts. -- Bob Ross in The Telegraph, www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/12/18/sosail118.xml

* Aussies in medal contention on final day

The final day of Yachting NSW's Sydney International Regatta and many of the Australian Sailing Team headed to the Beijing Games next year are in contention for medals at this ISAF Grade 1 Olympic class regatta.

A bright sunny day and racing got underway from 10.00am in a shifty 10-12 knot southerly breeze which is expected to increase to 17 during the day. Tornado, Laser and the Youth 420 class left Woollahra Sailing Club to commence racing from 10.00am, the remaining classes set to start their final races from 12.30pm.

Australian sailors are well amongst the action and poised to win gold, silver and bronze. Today's racing will decide.

Sarah Blanck has a solid lead in the Laser Radial Women's, Darren Bundock/Glenn Ashby lead the Tornado catamaran class and Nathan Wilmot/Malcolm Page (2007 world champions) lead the 470 Men's.

Nathan Outteridge/Ben Austin have a one point lead over the Portuguese crew of Jorge Lima/Francisco Andrade in the fast 49er skiff with three races to decide the winner today.

Jessica Crisp is currently poised to take Silver in the Women's RS:X sailboard, but with three races remaining, the double Olympian has a big opportunity to make up the three point deficit to leader Jannicke Stalstrom(NOR).

Laser world champion Tom Slingsby's disqualification from winning Race 1 has left him in a precarious situation. Currently fifth in the series, he will have to pull out all stops to finish in a podium place this afternoon.

In front of Slingsby are four internationals he will have to sail off against at the 2008 Laser Worlds come February in Terrigal to retain his crown: Two Canadians hold down first and second; Michael Leigh and Bernard Luttmer, whilst a pair of Kiwis are third and fourth; Mike Bullot and Andrew Murdoch. -- Di Pearson

All other results for the Yachting NSW organised ISAF Grade 1 event can be found at: www.nsw.yachting.org.au/and click on SIRS link.

FEDOR KONYUKHOV PIT STOPS IN CAPE TOWN
Solo Russian sailor Fedor Konyukhov has pulled in to Cape Town to repair his 27m (88ft) monohull Trading Network Alye Parusa after experiencing problems during his singlehanded delivery voyage from Falmouth, UK to Albany, Western Australia.

The Russian adventurer will attempt a solo circumnavigation record around the Antarctica Race track early in 2008, but must first repair a broken staysail chain plate torn from the foredeck during a ferocious storm in the South Atlantic, as well as replace the yacht's main autopilot which failed a month ago. A diver will also attempt to unblock the seawater inlet valve to the yacht's starboard ballast tank. For the past month, the only way for Fedor to fill the tank has been to go onto port tack and gravity fill it from the tank on the opposite side. That might be easy to do in light weather, but not in the Roaring Forty latitudes, so the pit stop in Cape Town was a prudent call.

Fedor, who left Falmouth on 12 October, expects to have Trading Network Alye Parusa ship-shape again by December 18 when he plans to set out on the final 4,500-mile stage across the Southern Ocean to Albany and start of the Antarctica Cup.

Fedor, who celebrated his 56th birthday yesterday, said on arrival at Cape Town. "The last time I sailed here was during the Around Alone Yacht Race nine years ago. We are getting tremendous support from the local yachting community and I am sure we will be able to fix all the problems here. The voyage from Falmouth down through the South Atlantic has not been easy, as the two Open 60 Barcelona Race crews also forced to pull into Cape Town, will attest to. For me however, the tough conditions in the South Atlantic have been a good test before starting the Antarctica Cup Race Track record. It is much better for things to break now than during the record attempt."

www.antarcticacup.com

FEATURED BROKERAGE
Vision, 95,000 GBP, Lying England

Potent speed machine with 28 wins to her credit - does cup collection at IRC and IRM too. New paint, top speed so far 22 knots - can you do better?

Brokerage through YachtsAndCruisers.com: www.yachtsandcruisers.com

Complete listing details and seller contact information at www.yachtsandcruisers.com/boat/Vision/26988/

THE LAST WORD
I find television very educational. Every time someone switches it on I go into another room and read a good book. -- Groucho Marx

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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