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Brought to you by Yachtworld.com Europe and boats.com Europe, Scuttlebutt Europe is a digest of sailing news and opinions, regatta results, new boat and gear information and letters from sailors -- with a European emphasis. Contributions welcome, send to
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No Transat For Bilou
Two months from the Transat start, Roland Jourdain has taken the regretful decision not to take part in the English transatlantic race, which starts on May 11th 2008. Since dismasting in the Barcelona World Race and despite huge efforts from his technical team, the delays in shipping the boat back and the build of the new mast have forced the team to fall behind schedule.
Since last December 17th, the date of Veolia Environnement's dismasting in The Barcelona World Race when they were 1600 miles from the Australian coast, extensive planning has been taking place in Concarneau as the team wait for the return cargo carrying the red monohull.
At the beginning of January, the order was given for the new mast in the CDK Technologies' yard who had overseen the build of the "tube" at JMV in Cherbourg. The HDS design team, who has been designing Bilou's masts since his first ever boat, are also working with all the teams to try to understand the original failing of the rig. Even though no specific reason is showing up in the analytical readings carried out by Ifremer on the fragment of the mast that Roland brought back in his bag, it was nevertheless decided to modify the lower bit of the new tube that had broken, so as to strengthen it. But the consequences of the successive dismastings this winter, meant that the new mast was also the last to take its turn in the mould and can only be delivered at the end of April.
According to the cargo ship Tamesis which is bringing back Veolia Environnement, they aim to arrive into Zeebrugge, Belgium tomorrow morning. Just two days later than predicted which has thrown out all the future logistical plans of the boat. On site, Nicolas de Castro who oversaw the loading of the boat in Fremantle (Australia), will also be accompanied by Luis Guervos and Thomas Lebee to control the 'exceptional load' road convoy to bring the 60-foot monohull back home. But even if it all goes to plan, Veolia Environnement would not make it back to the Kaïros hangar until next week. The long and short of it is that the yard would only have 1 week available instead of the 4 weeks originally initially expected, which shifts everything back affecting the month of May.
The timing is therefore far too reduced and tight, not to mention the days needed for sailing to settle the new rig and to check all the systems before the race start. After this winter's damage and with the Vendee Globe (Jourdain has already qualified for the Vendee Globe but it will still need to do 1,500 miles to qualify his new mast.) taking priority, Roland has therefore decided not to risk entering the Transat.
A interview with Jourdain is at www.canyousea.com
Bostik Safe and Sound at Wellington
Photo Jean-Marie Liot - SailingOne
At 11h30 in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, (Thursday 6 March at 22h30 UT), Bostik crossed the line of what will be the official finish line of the first leg of the SolOceans in December 2009, right in front of the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club. The sun was shining, the sky was blue and a force 7 wind allowed Charles Caudrelier and Liz Wardley to put a beautiful end to the first leg of the round-the-world Reconnaissance Tour of the SolOceans after having left Caen on December 16th and stopping twice on their way: once in Lisbon, once in Cape Town. A year after the announcement of the official partnership with Veolia Environmental Services was made, the first unit of the Veolia Oceans one-design series chose to finish the first test sail on more than 14 000 nautical miles (26 000 km).
* After a final consultation with specialists of the icebergs drift in the Southern Pacific at the end of last week and, above all, taking into account very precise information from the NASA, the C-CORE, the Canadian institute following the ice and the ESA (European Space Agency), all confirmed by solo Russian sailor Fedor Konyukhov - who is at 1,000 nautical miles of Cape Horn at the moment - Yvan Griboval, CEO of SailingOne, organizer of the SolOceans and initiator of the Veolia Oceans one-design, has decided not to open the starting line of the second leg of the round-the-world Reconnaissance Tour of the SolOceans, between Wellington and Cherbourg round Cape Horn. Bostik will get back to France on a cargo ship, so Charles Caudrelier and his crew won't take unnecessary risks in a massive ocean of icebergs drifting round Cape Horn southernmost headland of South America. -- Clementine Chaignaud
www.soloceans.com
Life Raft & Survival Equipment -
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With the US dollar being so low relative to the Euro you can save significant money buying your safety gear or inflatable from a US company. Shipping is no problem at all. So go to www.lrse.com or call+1-401-683-0307 and see what you can save!
Alinghi Response to Team New Zealand's Lawsuit
Understanding the ETNZ press release and claims
Following the press release issued yesterday by Emirates Team New Zealand regarding the filing of two law suits, one with the New York Supreme Court and one with the United States District Court, Alinghi has prepared the following insights into the issues raised:
"...Alinghi wants to crush competition..."
Dalton appears to have a selective memory. Facts show that Alinghi and ACM have supported other teams over the course of the 32nd America's Cup, especially ETNZ:
1. In 2004, Ernesto Bertarelli allowed ETNZ to launch their challenge by granting them a multi million euro loan. Without this cash injection, it is likely that ETNZ would not be in the form they are today and able to complain about the so-called Alinghi lack of sporting spirit.
2. When ETNZ's boat was damaged in the Marseille Act in September 2004, ACM helped them financially to fly a second boat from New Zealand so that they could race in the following Act in Valencia in October 2004, which resulted in them winning the 2004 season.
3. ACM worked with ETNZ to secure the sponsorship of Estrella Damm.
4. The model developed by ACM for the 32AC made possible a profitable event that ended for the first time ever with millions of euro's being distributed to all teams, including 9 million euro's for ETNZ.
The facts prove that crushing competition has never been one of Alinghi's objectives.
"...we would rather be racing..."
If ETNZ wanted to go racing, why spend a fortune on a legal case instead of investing the funds in the team to improve its performance on the water? What is the real intention of whoever is funding the lawsuit, who wishes to remain anonymous - other than to hurt the Defender and therefore the competition?
"...SNG has committed breaches of its fiduciary duties..."
Justice Cahn stated clearly on November 27, 2007 that Société Nautique de Genève (SNG) did not breach any of its fiduciary duties.
"...a series of actions by Alinghi have made it more likely that boats will not be in the water again until 2011..."
This is incorrect. The delay is purely a consequence of the disruption caused by the GGYC law suit filed with the New York Supreme Court.
Being in Court leads to an uncertain timeline, which does not fit with the need for certainty with the racing calendar, forcing ACM to postpone the event. There was no reason for ACM to postpone other than the lawsuit. The reported lack of funding is a false argument as the Event Fee received from the Authorities of the Host City would have been a perfect base to organise a financially viable event.
"...Alinghi had the opportunity to accept a reasonable proposal from BOR..."
Alinghi could not consider as reasonable and minor the final changes proposed by BMW Oracle Racing (BOR) in relation to the racing schedule and the two boats training. Their request heavily contradicted the model of cost containment that Ernesto Bertarelli/Alinghi were proposing and that had been agreed by all the entered teams, including ETNZ.
Additionally, the competition format proposed by BOR would have left the Defender without two boat testing and without real competition before the Match, so in a very weak position.
During the process BOR constantly changed the goal posts and added new requests to their demands hence the refusal to negotiate further.
"...Alinghi wanted to impose one-sided rules..."
From September to November 2007, ETNZ took an active part in all eight of the consultation meetings and signed off all the rules and regulations which came out of the consultation.
www.americascup.com
SP to Exhibit New Products at JEC Composites Show
SP, the marine business of Gurit, will be exhibiting its world-leading marine composites at JEC Composites Show in Paris, April 1-3 2008. Several new products will be on display at the show, including new fire retardant systems Ampreg 21 FR and ST70 FR, the new T-Paste tooling paste for marine plugs and SP540 PB and SP540 LV epoxy adhesives, designed specifically for the production boat market. SP is exhibiting at stand K42, where SP engineers and materials specialists will be on hand to answer questions and offer technical expertise.
For further information please visit www.gurit.com
Marseille to Carthage
The WSSR Council announces the ratification of a new World Record:
Record: Marseille to Carthage. Singlehanded and Monohull.
Yacht: "Roaring Forty" 40ft Monohull
Name: Michel Kleinjans. BEL
Dates: 1st and 2nd March 2008
Start time: 0h 20m 30s on the 1st March
Finish time: 21h 44m 30s on the 2nd March
Elapsed time: 1 day 21 hours 24 minutes
Average speed: 10 knots
Comments: Roaring Forty is a 40ft monohull yacht but this is the "outright"
singlehanded record - no previous attempt being successful
John Reed
Secretary to the WSSR Council
AVIVA Arrives in Portugal
On Sunday 9 March, Open 60 racing yacht Aviva arrived in Lisbon, Portugal having spent 42 days at sea in transit from New Zealand. The 60-foot yacht was delivered on a large container ship via the Panama Canal, Savannah and Antwerp before arriving in Lisbon this weekend. Aviva's greeting party of Joff Brown, Harry Spedding, Rob Sleep, Martin Piquet and Craig Thompson will now prepare the boat to be sailed from Lisbon to the town of Cascais, only 20 miles along the Portuguese coastline.
Dee Caffari is now on route to Cascais, Portugal where she will meet up with the boat and team to start an intensive period of sailing and testing in preparation for the solo sailor's next challenge, the Artemis Transat.
Whilst in Cascais, Caffari and the shore team will be carrying out extensive tests on Aviva's keel following the discovery that Mike Golding's Ecover III, built in technical alliance with Aviva, has developed structural faults with its keel.
www.avivaoceanracing.com
Taos. Chebec 60 ... The Big 'C' Creates Big Opportunity!
A strong, capable, and very slippery world cruising yacht from the board of Claude Graf, TAOS is hull No. 7 of the famous Chebec class, - she was built for Claude personally, to cruise short handed with his family. Since her launch in 1980 and delivery to Annapolis she has sailed extensively and now has a vast number of sea miles beneath her keel , recently completing a circumnavigation when she was brought back to the berth in Port Grimaud from which, Brian the current owner, left after purchasing her from the designer in 1995.
TAOS has been totally refurbished in preparation for a second circumnavigation ... a new Burma teak deck, epoxy osmosis treatment, Gardner refit to the engine, new tanks, new batteries, reworked and Awlgripped Spars, electronics update and much more. She is now shipshape shining and ready to sail !
Unfortunately, Brian her owner is in rather less sparkling shape ... So, she is for sale regrettably but necessarily and quickly! Deliberately under priced by a third compared to others. She is available at circa 235K GBP or 335K euros and can come with world charts and pilot books. Admired wherever she goes TAOS is a floating investment at a knockdown price AND a BIG OPPORTUNITY to those who want to sail the dream!
To get the full spec' email
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or call +44(0)7802513900 or (0)1444 401345. Don't Dream, DO IT.
Henri Lloyd to Support the Pico Circuit
LaserPerformance and Henri Lloyd are pleased to announce Henri Lloyd's support of the Pico Circuit for 2008.
In 2008, the class will be visiting five venues around the UK, with the UK Nationals being the pinnacle event of the year, which is being hosted by Thorpe Bay Yacht Club on the 21-22 June. (also being supported Yachts and Yachting)
With over 50 boats expected at the event, including both the Pico Sport and Standard Pico.
For competitors who enter all races, there will be a free prize draw to win a new Pico Sport.
Specialist marine clothing brand Henri Lloyd, who recently showcased their new Ben Ainslie Junior collection at the Dinghy Show, will be supplying a number of prizes for the events.
Laser Pico Racing Calendar 2008
26th / 27th April - Training & Racing, SailLaser, Weymouth
10th / 11th May - Training & Racing, Grafham Water
21st / 22nd June - National Championships - Thorpe Bay YC
5th July - Open Meeting, Northampton SC
12th / 13th July - Open Meeting, Gurnard SC, IOW
31st August - Open Meeting, Hill Head SC
For more information on this and the events, please go to www.pico.lasersailing.com
World Championship for Laser SB3
More than 70 crews from 10 countries have already entered the battle to be the first ever World Champion in the Laser SB3 sports boat. Entries opened on February 1st and will close off when the 120 boat limit is reached - or July 4th. There are already entries from Australia, New Zealand, USA, South Africa, France, Netherlands - not to mention big Irish and UK fleets.
The event was formally launched at the National Yacht Club in Dublin Ireland last night by the Irish Minister of Education, Ms Mary Hanafin TD, before a large audience of guests including representatives from Dun Laoghaire business, local yacht club commodores and members and SB3 World Council representatives and sailors.
The SB3 (Sport Boat, 3 persons) is the fastest growing fleet of keel boats in the world. NYC Commodore Con Murphy spoke at the launch last night about the event, its significance and its status in international sailing.
"We are delighted at how quickly the entry list is being filled at this stage before the event. The SB3 is an out and out racing boat which has had explosive growth since the first models were made in 2000.This will be the hottest boat in international racing and we are delighted to be the first country and club to host their world championships
"This event will allow us to demonstrate what a great venue Dublin Bay is for big world class events. With the unrivalled infrastructure of The Dunlaoghaire Harbour and its 3 Yacht Clubs and the proven experience of the race management teams we are well prepared for the considerable challenges posed by delivering a first rate racing experience for 120 strong fleet."
Class association: www.lasersb3.com
National Yacht Club: www.nyc.ie
Industry News
* Marlow Ropes Ltd has recently appointed Harken SA as distributor for the South African Market.
Harken SA is based in Cape Town and has been operating for 4 years in the South African Market. The team at Harken SA will actively service for Marlow the retail customer base, boat builders, chandleries, sailmakers and riggers.
Marlow are technical partners with Skandia RYA team GBR and the French FFV sailing teams which will compete in the Beijing Games this year. Marlow also have close links with Americas Cup, Volvo Ocean Race, Imoca Open 60 and VX40 campaigns. Marlow are also official cordage supplier to the Clipper 07-08 round the world yacht race and have been associated with Ellen Macarthur and the Offshore Challenges team since its conception.
* Edward Hyde, cofounder of British sailmaker Hyde Sails, has sold the majority of the shares and control of the business to Nigel Grogan.
Although Mr Hyde will no longer be a director at Hyde Sails, he retains a stake in the company and has been kept on as a consultant.
Grogan has consulted for Hyde Sails for the last two years. He is a keen sailor and owns a number of boats.
Hyde Sails will remain based on the Hamble River, Hampshire with offices and a new service facility in Swanwick. The wholly owned production sail loft in the Philippines now employs over 200 people in 50,000 sq ft of space and manufactures over 40,000 sails per year for dinghies through to yachts. -- International Boat Industry (IBI), www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20080206144831ibinews.html
* Iridium Satellite, has unveiled its new Iridium OpenPort enhanced bandwidth marine communication system at the Satellite 2008 conference and exhibition in Washington, D.C. The vast majority of yacht owners will not be able to take advantage of Iridium's new broad-ish band communications any time soon, but it is getting closer.
Iridium OpenPort systems have successfully completed sea trials, and the company has a backlog of more than 2,500 units on order from major service providers.
Iridium will target the new service toward the deep-sea shipping and commercial fishing segments.
The Iridium OpenPort ship terminal provides dynamic allocation of three independent telephone lines and a high-speed data port configurable from 9.6 to 128 kbps. All voice and data circuits can be used at the same time. The unstabilized, omni-directional antenna array measures just 9 inches (230 millimeters) high and 22.5 inches (570 millimeters) in diameter - about the size of a typical small-boat radar radome. -- Sail-World Cruising, www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=42283
* The second Mumbai International Boat Show closed this weekend having attracted almost double the number of exhibitors as last year and over 20,000 visitors, according to the British Marine Federation, which supported the show.
Double the amount of boats were on display at the Indian event this year, including 30 on-water vessels.
Having helped develop the first show and establish the Indian Marine Federation, the BMF and its subsidiary National Boat Shows had a 'major involvement' in the event. NBS provided operational and marketing support, while the BMF organised the India Boating conference. -- IBI, www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20080205124315ibinews.html
* METS organiser Amsterdam RAI is constructing a temporary hall alongside the established SuperYacht Pavilion. The extension will be in place from September - December 2008 for use at METS and other RAI exhibitions and will increase the SuperYacht Pavilion to 1,900 sq m.
The extension will cover an area of 900 sq m and be built next to the Diamond Lounge and Europa Foyer, which housed the SuperYacht Pavilion in 2007.
Although a temporary hall, the new pavilion will offer the same standards of comfort and design as in the permanent RAI building and feature a cyber corner and lounge area.
Amsterdam RAI is well aware that extra space is needed throughout the show. 'METS is sold out and we appreciate that many more exhibitors would like to take part,' METS product manager Irene Dros concedes.
Unfortunately, there is no logical way to expand the event for this year but we are evaluating options for increasing floor space at METS for 2009, she confirmed. -- Boating Business,
www.boatingbusiness.com
* Lewmar has announced the appointment of Aage Hempel as its new Danish distributor. Based in Taastrup, Denmark, it is one of the country's leading marine distributors.
Celebrating 60 years in business last year, Aage Hempel represents some of the world's leading marine brands.
Aage Hempel is representing Lewmar at this years Copenhagen Boat Show. -- www.lewmar.com
The Last Word
I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals. -- Sir Winston Churchill
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