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QUITE POSSIBLY THE BEST SAILOR EVER
Ben Ainslie is the King of the Finn World yet again after clinching a historic fifth World Championship crown in Australia today.

Ainslie held a one-point advantage over Kiwi and long-time friend Dan Slater going into the double points Finn Gold Cup medal race at Black Rock Yacht Club, Port Phillip, having edged his nose in front of the pack for the first time on the penultimate day.

And a second place in the medal race behind Skandia Team GBR teammate Ed Wright, combined with a fifth place for Slater, saw 30-year-old Ainslie add an unprecedented fifth World success to the Gold Cups he won in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

In what has been a relentless week for the sailors, the medal race turned out to be arguably the most fairly contested, a constant 15-knot sou'westerly propelling the fleet around the two-round windward-leeward course.

Wright fired off the best start, closely-trailed by Ainslie and Swede Johan Tillander around the first mark. Pieter Jan Postma, third heading into the medal race, was disqualified for an over-zealous start.

With second enough for Ainslie to win the title, overall victory never really looked in doubt despite Slater moving up to fifth.

And as he swept down the final wave over the finish line, Macclesfield-born Ainslie could once again celebrate being the undisputed best sailor ever to grace the Finn Gold Cup.

Ainslie will now have his sights firmly set on completing a 2008 World and Olympic double as he defends the Finn title he won at Athens 2004 in Beijing in August. If he is successful it will be his third Olympic gold in total, his first coming in the Laser class at Sydney 2000.

In a double fillip for Skandia Team GBR, hot prospect Giles Scott was crowned 2008 Finn Junior World Champion having led the contest since day one. -- Karenza Morton, RYA

Finn Gold Cup Final Results, Top Ten:
1. Ben Ainslie, GBR, 39 points
2. Dan Slater, NZL, 46
3. Jonas Christensen, DEN, 53
4. Pieter Jan Postma, NED, 65
5. Johan Tillander, SWE, 78
6. Chris Cook, CAN, 80
7. Edward Wright, GBR, 86
8. Aimilios Papathanasiou, GRE, 92
9. Peer Moberg, NOR, 102
10. Ivan Kljakovic, CRO, 103

www.sailmelbourne.com.au
rya.org.uk
finnclass.org

FASTER AND FASTER
For this year at least the benchmark for a solo round the world record is set and it is the turn of the fully crewed teams to prove how fast a sailing craft with no limitations can circumnavigate the globe. The question is not whether that record will be broken, because some day soon it will be, but how much faster man can go with the wind.

How much quicker than 50 days, or 18 knots average speed, can we get?

Records are almost always set by a bigger boat. That is rule Number 1. It is why many ace sailors, such as Alain Gautier, volubly scorn them...Yet even as Groupama 3 shows her heels to the record, the next leap up in size is being created. The new maxi trimaran Banque Populaire V is bigger still. She is being assembled in Lorient and is due for launch this spring, and this leviathan is 40m, or 131ft from stem to stern.

The differences between the two latest generation speed machines are remarkable. Banque Pop will be quite substantially sized up compared with Groupama: 27 per cent heavier, but with 33 per cent more downwind sail area and longer by 8.5m. More highly loaded all round, too, and so requiring much more brute manpower. -- from Elaine Bunting's blog at www.ybw.com/yw/blog/elaine_bunting.html

More on the new leviathan: www.voile.banquepopulaire.fr/home_multicoque.asp

HUGO BOSS RETURNS TO THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE
At 23.48 GMT on the 28th January 2008, Alex Thomson and Andrew Cape re-crossed the Equator onboard HUGO BOSS and began the final push towards the Mediterranean finish line in Barcelona, Spain. Currently lying in second place behind French boat Paprec Virbac II, Thomson and Cape have their eyes firmly set on the frontrunners. With a little under 3,000 nautical miles to race, anything is possible with the ever unpredictable Doldrums and Mediterranean standing in their way.

Reaching the Equator for the second time in this race is a huge milestone for Thomson and Cape who set off from Barcelona 79 days ago. Despite being forced to stop for repairs in Wellington in late December, HUGO BOSS has managed to stay in contact with the leader, reducing its deficit from 800 nautical miles to 458 at the last position report.

HUGO BOSS is expected to arrive into Barcelona around 15th February after approximately 95 days at sea.

* At the head of the fleet, Paprec-Virbac 2 continues to slog away towards home. It's a battle upwind in light conditions for the race leader, who, despite sailing at 10-12 knots for most of the last day have only been able to creep 169 miles closer to the finishing line.

Watch 'The Barcelona World Race': Episode One of the six-part series, 'The Barcelona World Race' is now available to watch online at: www.barcelonaworldrace.com/player/. A new episode will be posted each week.

www.barcelonaworldrace.com

PETERS & MAY SUPPORT YACHTS IN BARCELONA WORLD RACE
Peters & May have been busy over the Christmas period with logistics support to several of the competitors in the Barcelona World Race who have been forced to retire. "Team PRB" retired in Capetown following her dismasting. Peters & May's Cape Town office helped to managed the lift out and preparation of the yacht prior to loading onto a waiting ship for repatriation.

"Delta Dore" also retired following the loss of her rig. Peters & May organised the construction of a shipping cradle, followed by haul out and the removal of keel prior Christmas 2007. In early January she was loaded aboard a cargo vessel bound for Sheerness in the UK

"Estrella Damm" was also forced to retire with rudder problems. Again she was lifted onto a shipping cradle and after removal of her keel, loaded aboard the same ship to Sheerness.

On arrival in Sheerness the two yachts were offloaded direct to water. "Delta Dore" motored direct to her Lorient base in France, without her mast and keel, whilst "Estrella Damm" re-stepped her mast in Ipswich prior to her return to Lorient. Peters & May completed the shipment with the road delivery of both cradles and keel to the Lorient base.

www.petersandmay.com

LINE OF SIGHT
The equator is the next objective for Groupama 3, which was just 350 miles away midway through this afternoon. The weather forecasts suggest that Franck Cammas and his crew won't be too slowed by a rather inactive Doldrums. At this pace, the crew may well make it into the Southern hemisphere just after daybreak on Wednesday, which would give the giant trimaran its first intermediary time...

With the exception of the first day at sea and a few squalls off the Canaries, Groupama 3 has essentially sailed in light to moderate breezes of normally less than twenty knots. And yet, the giant trimaran is perfectly within the timing of a round the world record since it is already set to be awarded an initial intermediary time for the passage to the equator. Six days, eleven hours, twenty six minutes: this was the score achieved by Geronimo in 2003. In contrast, Orange II wasn't very fast during the initial stage of its victorious trip around the world in 2005, since they didn't cross into the other hemisphere until seven days, two hours, fifty-six minutes. At an average pace of twenty knots this Tuesday, Franck Cammas and his crew should pass into the South between 0700 and 1400 hours GMT on Wednesday, that is a descent from Ushant in six days, give or take a few hours.

Everything will depend on the situation in the Doldrums which, according to the forecaster, Sylvain Mondon of Meteo France, is spread out quite far but isn't very active, even though some storms are likely tonight. It's impossible to predict this zone with any degree of certainty however due to it being marked by the confrontation of the North and South tradewinds and the clash of the associating seas, as the very high evaporation of the sea creates large cloud masses laden with moisture. In addition to this, there is the presence of unpredictable calms due to the slight barometric gradient. In short, despite all the technical means, the digitally forecast models and even the satellite images, this meteorological microwave cannot to be precisely discerned from land. Within the space of a few kilometres, one vessel can benefit from over twenty knots of steady breeze, whilst another spins round in an evanescent, fickle breeze for hours on end.

Detailed cartography at: cammas-groupama.geovoile.com/julesverne

VICE ADMIRAL'S CUP
Now in its fourth year the 2008 Vice Admiral's Cup Regatta, hosted by the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club Cowes, will take place from Friday 30 May to Sunday 1 June inclusive.

For 2008 racing will be run for four classes. The 50-52 foot class will be enhanced by the presence of up to nine TP52s racing alongside the Farr 52s. The ever popular 44-46 foot class, which includes the Farr 45s, DK46s and Swan 45s, will be back again and with 12 - 15 entries expected. New to the event for 2008 is the X- 35 One Design Class. This rapidly growing class expects to attract around 10 entries and will be making it their Southern Area Championship. Last, but most certainly not least, is the Quarter Ton Class, whose revival continues apace. This year a number of newly renovated boats will be joining the fleet alongside many of the regular faces, all keen to take advantage of this excellent warm up opportunity in preparation for the 2008 Coutts Quarter Ton Cup, also being hosted by the RCYC from 15-18 June.

With the exception of the Quarter Tonners the fleets will level race, retaining the "first past the post" format that has made the Vice Admiral's Cup so popular. The Quarter Tonners will compete under IRC as level racing in boats of such varying age and design is impractical. Racing will take place in the central Solent with the 50-52 and 44-46 foot classes on one course and the X35s and Quarter Tonners on another.

For the third consecutive year we are delighted to be working with event sponsors North Sails, Musto, and Boat Sales International who will each sponsor a day of racing. The support of these sponsors plays a vital role in ensuring the success of the Vice Admiral's Cup and we are very pleased to be able to welcome them aboard again for 2008. -- Louise Morton

www.rcyc.co.uk

NEW POWERBOAT FROM DANISH YACHT
The new 38m Dayboat from Danish Yacht has just started build in Skagen in Denmark, following tank testing of hull forms in Gothenburg in December.

Reinforcing the successful relationship between Danish Yacht and the Norwegian naval architect, Espen Oeino, this exciting project is set to pioneer a new area of powerboat design. With her carbon fibre hull, giving a weight saving of at least 25% over conventional composite build, the new powerboat is expected to achieve speeds in excess of 50 knots, powered by twin diesel engines.

The boat will have an astonishing stopping distance of about 3 boat lengths at 50 knots with her jet propulsion and handling her will be a dream, with her calculated design parameters to provide tight turning circles at speed. Nothing will be spared on her interior, which will be completed to the highest modern standards by the skilled craftsmen at Danish Yacht.

http:www.danishyacht.com
Press report and pictures on strawberrymarketing.com

470 WORLDS
Three time world 470 Men’s champions Nathan Wilmot and Malcolm Page, today announced they have just one more race left in Australia before retiring.

The affable pair will line up in the double points medal race at their final world championship campaign being sailed out of Mordialloc Sailing Club.

Sadly they are too far from the top of the leaderboard to win a record fourth world crown but admit they are going to enjoy medal day on the water regardless of the outcome.

It won’t be the World No.1 ranked pair’s final ever race, they are headed to Beijing to finish their outstanding careers with the one event which has so far eluded them – an Olympic gold medal.

Wilmot/Page completed Races 11 and 12 in 15th and second place respectively to scrape into the top 10 seedings for tomorrow’s medal race.

The same can’t be said for regatta leaders Alvaro Marinho and Miguel Nunes of Portugal.

The pair has been sailing together for the past 11 years but hasn’t quite managed a podium finish as yet at a world titles.

A pair of fourth place finishes in 2007 and 2003 however that could all be about to change tomorrow.

With a slender three point lead heading into tomorrow’s double points top 10 medal race, the Portuguese “definitely want to win this one” according to Marinho.

Fate may well have intervened when Sail Melbourne organizers handed them the 001 bow number at the start of the regatta, which Marinho added they were keen to hold on to.

World No.3 ranked Gideon Kliger and Udi Gal (ISR) had another great day on the water, pegging back one point from the Portuguese, finishing sixth and fourth for an overall total of 54 points.

Tomorrow’s medal race is scheduled to start at 3pm. -- Jodi Kelly

470 Women

It's an all too familiar sight going into tomorrow's medal race in the 470 Women's world championship with Erin Maxwell/Isabelle Kinsolving (USA) maintaining first place comfortably, just as they did at the Asia Pacific Regatta earlier this month.

On the final day of racing at the Asia Pacific Regatta, the Americans matched raced Ai Kondo/Naoko Kamata (JPN) off the course to secure their win for that series.

Tomorrow however, the American's focus will be on Giulia Conti/Giovanna Micol (ITA) who finished today in second place, with 62 points, 16 points behind first.

Despite a disappointing day with an OSC and a ninth place, Marcelien De Koning/Lobke Berkhout (NED) are still in third place overall on 69 points.

The medal race is scheduled to start at 2pm. -- Clare Murray

www.sailmelbourne.com.au

HOLT ALLEN TO SPLIT
In 2002 Holt and Allen announced the two companies were to merge after trading as the joint venture company Holt Allen for 40 years.

Now, according to a press release that came into the BB offices from Allen Brothers, the two companies are to split and Holt Allen hardware will be sold under the new brand name of Allen.

Managing director Kim Allen told BB yesterday: 'The partnership between us and Holt will cease to exist - it's not a case of it might or it might not: it will happen.'

We're hoping it will be an amicable split, he added, and we're contacting all our customers and want to make the transition as seamless as possible for our customers.

'Nautos will become a serious competitor of ours,' Allen explained. 'Holts have bought into Nautos and that's where their energies will be going.'

They are the only route to market for our products, he added, and we need to look after that.

Holt's managing director Chadwick Beecher Moore told BB: 'There is a potential split, but I can't tell you very much because there's a lot of litigation about to happen. Or possibly more talking, depending on how they want to play it.'

Obviously we've moved a lot of our eggs into a basket in Brazil, he added, which has changed the dynamics slightly, but our lawyers are on the case.

Holt acquired 50% of Brazilian deck hardware company Nautos last November. At the time, Beecher Moore said Nautos had a very strong manufacturing base in southern Brazil, with excellent R&D and new product development facilities.

All Nautos products were rebranded Holt Nautos and Holt's H2O brand was superseded by Holt Nautos. The addition of Nautos gave Holt a complete deck hardware range for boats up to 145ft.

Meanwhile, Allen told us, the UK manufactured product range will be marketed by Allen Brothers, which has produced the range for the last 50 years. -- Peter Nash, Boating Business, www.boatingbusiness.com

* Following on from yesterday's news that Holt Allen hardware is to be rebranded as Allen hardware (click here for story), the managing director of Holt, Chadwick Beecher-Moore, has released the following statement:

"Allen Brothers are one of many of our suppliers of small boat fittings, who for the past 50 years have supplied us exclusively. We have developed the range of Holt Allen products together and the announcements made yesterday by Allen brothers are not consistent with those contractual arrangements.

He continues: "For Allen Brothers to cut off their single route to market through us is unexpected and not consistent with our relationship as a long standing partner. Holt is an established supplier of hardware across the globe for over 63 years. For Holt it is business as usual, we have product available ex stock now and will continue to supply the Holt Allen brand of hardware exclusively."

www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20080029161702ibinews.html

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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* From Alain Lebeau: About "keel multihulls" may I remind you of Michael Henderson catamarans which had ballasted keels on each hull. The boat was called "Golden Miller". She was 20ft long by 18ft wide and had about 3.5 ft draft. I am surprised that nobody evoked this peculiar boat.

* From Ron Holland: Regarding the latest analysis of Keel yacht versus Multihull terminology, I think it should be noted the keel of any vessel - (including racing yachts) has traditionally been the primary centerline structural member of the hull. Monohulls have one and Catamarans have two.

While recent developments in composite hull construction have replaced the "Keel Centerline member" with overlapping laminates, it could be argued this increased hull shell thickness can still be called the "Keel area" of the hull.

* From Simon Fishwick, Amateur Yacht Research Society: Whether Alinghi like it or not, there is nothing inconsistent between the term "keel yacht" and "multihull".

It may be that my memory is longer than Nigel Irons, but people may recall the multihull yacht "Golden Miller" (by Mike Henderson) which raced with the JOG in the late 1950s, and which had two ballasted keels, one on each hull. Together with a masthead float, these enabled her to self-right from a knockdown. She was described in AYRS publications at the time.

There was also the American multihull "Anuinui" (Dan Brown) which was definitely keel-yacht shaped although I am unable to ascertain whether she carried ballast or not. She too was claimed to be able to self-right.

No, sir, multihulls may (a fair number do) have keels; they may even have ballasted keels. There is no inconsistency.

FEATURED BROKERAGE
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THE LAST WORD
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