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DEE CAFFARI DISMASTED OFF THE SPANISH COAST
Dee Caffari and Aviva have been dealt a cruel blow in the final stages of the Transat Ecover B to B race, at around 0600hrs UTC, Aviva lost her mast in over 45 knots of wind. Dee is safe and unhurt onboard. The incident happened about 160 miles off Cape Finisterre in Northern Spain.

The dismasting early this morning has left Dee battling against strong winds and big seas in the Bay of Biscay with insufficient fuel to motor to the nearest port in Northern Spain where authorities have been placed on stand by for an emergency evacuation later today, if required. Caffari is shaken by the events of this morning when the mast of her ten year-old Open 60 Aviva came crashing down in 45 knots of wind.

She explained from onboard Aviva this morning at 11.00 UTC:

"It was around 6.00am and I was sat in the cuddy in all my gear and wearing my harness. I was going upwind at 8-9 knots with three reefs in and a staysail and the weather was severe. Aviva fell off a wave, landed with a massive bang and crash then shuddered. I jumped up on deck to see the mast going over the port side of the boat. I just thought: Oh my god."

"I had to work out how to cut the mast free while trying to work out what actually happened. The mast broke just above the third reef and it all fell over to the side. It took an hour and twenty five minutes to get the boat away from the damage. I've still got a boom and a deck spreader but I have a damaged dagger board and a damaged rudder. I am adrift in the wind. I had gusts of 48 knots and it started to ease but it is now back to 47 knots again with big waves."

The race is now on for the shore team as they investigate their limited options to get Dee and Aviva back to shore safely. Based in Fareham in Hampshire, the Aviva Ocean Racing team are liaising with the authorities in La Coruna and Vigo in Spain, the nearest ports to arrange a tow. It could be up to 24 hours before a tug reaches Aviva. The team, led by campaign director Andrew Roberts, will also put an emergency helicopter on stand by to lift Caffari off if the conditions get worse.

Caffari added:

"We are looking at La Coruna in Spain as our nearest destination some 140 miles away. Hopefully they can get a boat out to tow me back. I don't have enough fuel to motor and everywhere is upwind at the moment so I won't be going anywhere fast. The wind is due to ease tonight but my main priority is to get the boat back in. The easy option is to get off but the integrity of the boat is fine and conditions are set to ease so I might have to be patient because it is in our interests to get the boat back safely. Whilst I could easily be lifted off, there is so much on board that I don't want to leave." -- onEdition

* HMS Northumberland, a Royal Navy Type 23 frigate, diverted its course to provide urgent assistance to Dee Caffari and her dismasted 60ft yacht, Aviva, last night in the Bay of Biscay. Northumberland, part of the Nato Response Force that conducts maritime security operations in the Eastern Mediterranean, contacted Andrew Roberts, the director of the Aviva shore team, after a warning was put out by the Spanish coastguard. -- Matthew Pryor in the TimesOnline: www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/sailing/article3075844.ece

www.deecaffari.co.uk

EIKOS J22 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Durban, South Africa: The Royal Cape Yacht Club's (RCYC) Orion Express with Shosholoza skipper, Mark Sadler, at the helm is the provisional leader of the Eikos J22 World Championships at the end of the first day of racing offshore Durban.

The event, hosted by Point Yacht Club (PYC), finally got the go-ahead today in ideal light north-easterly 8-10 knot wind conditions with a full programme of four races completed by the end of the day, much to the satisfaction of the race management committee following the cancellation of all racing on Monday and Tuesday.

The day was not without incident and several protests have been lodged so that results at this stage are provisional.

Sadler got off to a flying start, winning the first of the four races before finishing ninth in the third race and taking second place in the last race to score 13 points, two less that the Dutch entry, HBB/ Slam skippered by defending J22 world champion, Jeroen den Boer who had a disappointing ninth place in the first race but bounced back for a third and a second and a win in the fourth race for 15 points.

Lying third overall is the RCYC's Macs with an all-woman crew skippered by the experienced Dominique Provoyeur who had an impressive win in the third race following a second place in the opening race to end up with 20 points overall, 12 points ahead of the fourth-placed PYC entry, Haka Hana skippered by Alex Lanham-Love.

Another Dutch entry, Essent Banana-Jama with Kasper Kieft at the helm lies fifth with 33 points.

Craig Millar, skipper of last year's Durban Clipper which was runner-up in the Round the World Race, is down in ninth place overall aboard the PYC's Orion Contender on 48 points with Ian Ainslie, a twice former J22 world champion and the Team Shosholoza stratedist in the last America's Cup, lies twelfth on 50 points sailing on PYC's Eikos.

Race officials are looking to complete another full programme of four races on Thursday and Friday when the event comes to a close.

Results after four races:

1. Orion Express (RSA/ RCYC; Mark Sadler) 13 points
2. HBB/ Slam (NED; Jeroen den Boer) 15
3. Macs (RSA/ RCYC; Dominique Provoyeur) 20
4. Haka Hana ((RSA/ PYC;Alex Lanham-Love) 32
5. Essent Banana-Jama (NED; Kasper Kieft) 33
6. Rampant III (RSA/ Aeolians; Phillip Baum) 35
7. Majic (RSA/ DAC; B Szalek) 37
8. Da J (RSA/ SPYC; DL Manten) 46
9= Quantum Sails Design Group (RSA/ TYC; David Rae) 48
9= Orion Contender (RSA/ PYC; Craig Millar) 48
11. Kamikazi Express (USA; Keith Zars) 49
12. Eikos (RSA/ PYC; Ian Ainslie) 50

www.j22.co.za

BACK AND FORTH AT THE FRONT
Hugo Boss closed to within 12 miles of race leader Paprec-Virbac 2 on Wednesday, before slightly falling back again over the afternoon at the Barcelona World Race. At the 16:00 position report, Hugo Boss was 21 miles behind, but sailing a couple of knots slower. Still, it's been an 18 mile gain over the past day, so the cat and mouse game continues.

On board the race leading Paprec-Virbac 2, a composed Jean-Pierre Dick said he and co-skipper Damian Foxall would choose a more southerly option compared to Hugo Boss, now that the safety gate is in their wake.

"We are finally getting the wind that we have been waiting for. Hugo Boss came back on us again last night, which is normal, as there is more wind behind. But now, we are sailing further south than them, let's see what will happen."

Now in third place, Temenos II skipper Dominique Wavre is still nursing his boat towards the next scoring gate at the Cook Strait in New Zealand where the team is planning a pit-stop to make repairs to its keel.

Day 39 - December 19, 16:00 GMT - Position report with distance to leader

1. Paprec-Virbac 2 - Jean Pierre Dick / Damian Foxall - 0
2. Hugo Boss - Alex Thomson / Andrew Cape - 21
3. Temenos 2 - Dominique Wavre / Michele Paret- 1339
4. Mutua Madrilena - Javier Sanso / Pachi Rivero - 1867
5. Educacion Sin Fronteras - Servane Escoffier / Albert Bargues - 2635

Abandoned - Veolia Environnement - Roland Jourdain / Jean Luc Nelias
Abandoned - Estrella Damm - Guillermo Altadill / Jonathan Mckee
Abandoned - Delta Dore - Jeremie Beyou / Sidney Gavignet
Abandoned - Prb - Vincent Riou / Sebastien Josse

www.barcelonaworldrace.com

BUSY YEAR OF EXPANSION FOR PETERS & MAY
With a very busy year of expansion nearly completed and more new services available for the movement of general marine cargo, why not visit Peters & May at the main winter boat shows - London, Dusseldorf, Dubai and Moscow.

Peters & May will have stands at all these shows so come along and discuss just how they can improve delivery - safely, speedily and competitively for your cargo. With offices in most international marine destinations they are ideally suited to support the marine industry - whether it's delivering a small, urgent packet or a superyacht! London 11-20th January Stand B006D, Dusseldorf 19-28th January, Dubai 11-15 March, Moscow 10-13 April.

www.petersandmay.com

SHORTHANDED SAILING IN THE NORDICS
With most off the Nordic boats on the hard its time plan the next season, and in Norway, Sweden and Denmark short handed is the big thing. So far nearly 350 teams have signed up for regattas in 2008 - and more is expected.

While most of the 2008 regattas in the Nordic still haven't opened for registration, the shorthanded sailors are preparing for the next season. So far two of the biggest double-handed regattas has been fully booked.

The Watski Skagerrak TwoStar is the biggest long distance shorthanded regatta in Northern Europe. On November 1st it only took four hours and one minute to fill the 150 Norwegian places. Now there's a waiting list for the locals, but foreign crews still have the possibility to participate.

Watski Skagerrak TwoStar starts from Hanko in Oslofjorden June 18th 2008.

On the west coast of Norway the Seilmakeren Doublehanded entries has shoot through the roof this year. The double-handed regatta starts from Bergen May 7th and the two crews has to navigate through some of the most beautiful archipelago on the Norwegian coast on their way to Stavanger – and back again. The 180 nautical mile race has maxed out on 100 entries and there is a waiting list even there. But again: Foreign crews will be prioritized.

On the Swedish and Danish regatta scene there is also growing interest for shorthanded sailing with the traditional Östersjömaran having 15 entries so far, and a brand new course with pit stops. Watski Kattegat 2 Star has 14 boats registered.

In the middle of January 2008 the online registration for the Simrad OneStar will open. The start of this solo regatta is August 6th and Fredrikstad Seilforening expects to see 30-40 boats competing. -- Saillogic.no

Seilmakeren Doublehanded starts May 7th, 110 boats registered
http://www.seilmagasinet.no/id/27667

Ostersjomaran, start May 28th, 15 boats registered
www.oxss.nu/omaran

Watski Skagerrak TwoStar, start June 18th, 207 boats registered
www.seilmagasinet.no/id/27821

Simrad One Star, opens for registration mid January
www.seilmagasinet.no/id/24536

Watski Kattegat 2 Star, starts August 22nd, 14 boats registered
www.watski2star.dk

CLASSICS IN THE SOLENT
July 2008 sees the return of Classic Super Yachts to Cowes to race in the Solent once again. The British Classic Yacht Club launches the revival of the "Big Class" at their Cowes Classic Week on 19th to 25th July which will see "Lulworth" and "Mariquita" match racing in the Solent as the centre piece of this coming years Regatta.

The revival launch of the "Big Class" is prompted by the return to the UK of a number of classics to attend the Fife Regatta held on the Clyde in June, with some yachts choosing to visit Cowes in July for the launch at the B.C.Y.C Regatta. The confirmed entry of "Lulworth" is of particular interest. She is the biggest gaff cutter in the world; 180 tons, 46.3 ms long (152 feet) with a mast 52 ms (170 feet) the height of a 17 storey apartment block. She carries 1,450 sq ms (15,608 sq feet) of sail. Her mainsail at 465 sq ms (5,005 sq ft) is the largest gaff sail in the world. Just her jackyard topsail is about the same area as the mainsail of the International 12 Metre. Her last race in the Solent was in 1930 against the Kings yacht "Britannia" and three similar sized cutters.

The revival of the "Big Class" at Cowes is the initiative of Tim Blackman, Commodore of the B.C.Y.C.

To register your interest in attending the B.C.Y.C. and "Big Class" Regatta, go to www.britishclassicyachtclub.org and email the Ho. Sec., David Orton.

For further information on Lulworth, go to www.sylulworth.com

YNZ STATEMENT: OLYMPICS 2012
The Board of Yachting New Zealand has resolved to make a submission to the ISAF mid year meeting requesting that the events slate for the 2012 Olympic Games be revisited.

The Board consulted with the Olympic Committee and the High Performance Committee on the matter and made the decision to make such a submission based on the longer term view of the future of sailing at the Olympics rather than the specific medal opportunities at the 2012 Games.

www.yachtingnz.org.nz

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

INDUSTRY NEWS
* A date has been set for the hearing to decide how much is owed to Peters Opal creditors in the wake of the collapse of Peters PLC earlier this year.

It has been set to last for two or three days commencing on the first available date between March 12-14, 2008.

The preliminary court hearing took place on November 6, 2007 at the the UK's High Court of Justice, followed by a creditors' meeting in Arundel. It's thought that as much as 1.5 million GBP of debt remains after all the assets have been sold, although chief executive Brian Peters has stated that he believes there may be a surplus. -- IBI, www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20071119113420ibinews.html

* The organisers of next year's Grand Pavois boat show in La Rochelle, France have announced that a new 15,000sq m area devoted to sail and powerboats over 15m (50ft) will be located in the heart of the old part of the city at the 2008 event.

The new Prestige Yachts area will be based in the Bassin des Chalutiers, where around 40 large yachts will be displayed on water. A free shuttle bus will also be on hand to transport visitors from the Bassin des Chalutiers to Minimes Harbour, where the show traditionally takes place.

Around 700 boats, including 300 on water, will be making an appearance at Grand Pavois 2008, which runs from September 10-15 across both venues. More than 100,000 visitors and 850 international exhibitors are expected to attend. -- IBI, www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20071117120440ibinews.html

* Hailing from France, with a degree in Naval Architecture from the Southampton Institute in the United Kingdom, Courouble began his career with the World's Windsurfing Indoor Championship Circuit. As part of that team, he was responsible for designing new systems and jumps.

Later, he was a part of the shore and sailing crew for Marc Thiercellin's Open 60 Vendee Globe campaign. This experience with Open 60 yachts introduced him to Joubert-Nivelt where he became a consultant running the tank testing program to optimize the performance prediction for new Open 60 designs.

In 1997 he joined the German Frers office in Milan where he was responsible for the International Measurement System (IMS) optimization and the Yacht Velocity Prediction (VPP) analysis for all the racing designs during the America's cup for the Prada campaign. And for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, he consulted with the Bruni's Brothers in performance optimization for the Italian 49er Olympic Team. After the 2000 Olympic Games, Courouble relocated to the United States where he collaborated with Alan Andrews until 2007.

* Queensland-based Tasman Catamarans has been pulled from liquidation by Wollongong's Seawind Catamarans for an undisclosed amount. Tasman Catamarans business went into voluntary administration last month, according to a story on www.goldcoast.com.au . But the news service noted production was continuing as usual in Tasman's Nerang factory. Four boats are under construction.

Seawind managing director Richard Ward told the news service the takeover would not result in any job losses. "In fact, we're looking to recruit in 2008 and we're definitely looking at good management for the group," he said. Ward said that none of the former Tasman directors, including major shareholder and former managing director Justin Coghlan, are part of the new management team.

Ward said he hoped to increase production from eight to 12 boats per year to about 20. -- IBI, www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20071117140514ibinews.html

* Formula Yacht Spars has announced the recent appointment of experienced designer, Simon Eatwell. Joining the company as Design Engineering Manager, Simon will head up Formula's design function from its Lymington headquarters and will lead the company's designers and engineers based around the world.

Simon has invaluable experience in design and engineering having worked for Sparcraft/Southern Spars in Cape Town for six years as the company's head designer and lead designer on all custom projects. This was followed by a year working for the South African America's Cup Team, Team Shosholoza, where he ran and maintained the rig programme.

A keen yachtsman, Simon's previous designs include Skip Novak's Pelagic ii; the 05-06 Clipper round the world fleet; and the new generation Farr 40' rigs. Simon is currently working on the Artemis II IMOCA 60. -- formulaspars.com

* Global Ocean Sailing Ventures (GOSV) today announced a strategic partnership with UK based Goldhawk Media to develop a series of dynamic television programs for the Portimao Global Ocean Race. Over the last 25 years Goldhawk Media have won numerous awards for their television programming and bring real depth of experience and talent in programme creation and global distribution to this event.

An outline describing the proposed television programming is available for download from the official race website - www.portimaoglobaloceanrace.com . The Notice of Race and entry form are also available for download on the race website.

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THE LAST WORD
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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.

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